Blaine City Council Meeting Summary | May 18, 2026\n\nThe Blaine City Council met on May 18, 2026, at 7:08 PM at Blaine City Hall. All seven council members were present. The meeting opened with awards and proclamations, followed by an open forum, a consent calendar of routine approvals, public hearings on a liquor license and easements, and administrative discussion on street reconstruction and gambling regulations. During the communications portion, Councilmember Fleming congratulated the Blaine cross country and track teams on winning state titles, and Councilmember Ford highlighted the upcoming Blaine High School Memorial Day ceremony honoring veterans.\n\n### Awards & Proclamations\n- Special Olympics Champion Agency Award: Safety Services Manager and Police Chief Brian Podany, alongside Detective Orin Christensen, accepted the Special Olympics Champion Agency Award, presented by Molly Egan, Director of Special Events for Special Olympics Minnesota. The award recognized the Blaine Police Department's extensive fundraising and support through events such as the Polar Plunge, Torch Run, and Tip a Cop. Chief Podany thanked his staff for their dedication.\n- Proclamation Honoring Petty Officer Richard E. Childress: Mayor Sanders read a proclamation declaring May 25, 2026 as Richard Childress Day in Blaine. The proclamation honored Petty Officer Childress, a 1985 Blaine High School graduate who died heroically in the 1989 USS America fire. A moment of silence was observed, and residents were encouraged to attend the Memorial Day ceremony at Veterans Memorial Park on May 25 at 2 PM.\n- National Public Works Week Proclamation: Mayor Sanders proclaimed the week of May 17–23, 2026 as National Public Works Week in Blaine. Public Works Director Nick Fleischhacker thanked the council and praised his department for their professionalism and essential service to the community.\n\n### Consent Calendar\nThe council approved the consent agenda by a 6-0-1 vote (Councilmember Newland abstained on the Schedule of Bills Paid due to a conflict of interest). The following routine items were enacted by one motion:\n- Schedule of Bills Paid\n- Approval of Minutes\n- Resolution opting the city into the Ramsey County Economic Development Authority (EDA)\n- Acceptance of tree donations from Tree Trust\n- Approval of the 2025 ReLeaf Grant\n- Acceptance of a $461,950 bid from Upper Cut Tree Service for the 2026 and 2027 Tree Removal Project\n- Final plat approval for Elizabeth Marie Estates, subdividing a 3.61-acre parcel into seven single-family lots at 2791 93rd Avenue NE\n- Acceptance of a grant from the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency\n- Acceptance of a grant from the Metropolitan Council's Livable Communities Program\n- Establishment of a temporary work zone speed limit on 105th Avenue from Davenport Street NE to Trunk Highway 65\n- Approval of a Joint Powers Agreement with Anoka County for the reconstruction of CSAH 12 (109th Avenue NE) as part of the Trunk Highway 65 Interchange Project\n- Authorization for the Mayor and City Manager to enter into a contract with GoodPointe Technology for street pavement condition index surveys\n- Approval of temporary road closures for the 2026 Blaine Sizzling Summer Kickoff and the Blaine Festival and Parade\n\n### Public Comments & Testimony\nTwo residents addressed the council during Open Forum:\n- Bruce Manthei (4101 99th Avenue NE): Expressed continued concerns regarding the location and line-of-sight of an electrical utility box at 99th Avenue and Lexington. He argued the city engineer relied on outdated AASHTO standards and urged the city to relocate the box before utility lines were installed, warning that costs would increase significantly if the relocation was delayed.\n- Jesse Messina (Upper Cut Tree Service): Introduced himself to the council in reference to the consent agenda item awarding the tree removal contract to his company.\n\nThree public hearings were held with no public testimony provided on any item:\n- Stella's Blaine Liquor License (Item 8.1): The council approved on-sale and Sunday intoxicating liquor licenses for Stella's Blaine at 4365 Pheasant Ridge Drive NE, Suite 102. City Clerk Sorensen reported the application and background investigation were complete with no concerns. The license is valid through June 30, 2026 and will then run concurrent with the annual renewal cycle. The motion passed unanimously.\n- Drainage and Utility Easement Vacations V26-02 and V26-03 (Items 8.2, 8.3): Director of Engineering Dan Schluender presented two petitions from Russell Taylor of Taylor Properties to vacate drainage and utility easements that are no longer needed. The first vacation covered easements in Lot 2, Block 1, Prime North Addition and Lot 2, Block 1, Glimcher Northtown Mall, Second Addition. The second vacation covered an easement in Lot 2, Block 1, Prime North Addition. Staff reviewed and agreed with both requests. Both resolutions to vacate were adopted unanimously.\n\n### Discussion Items\n- 2026 Quincy Area Street Reconstruction (Item 10.1): Director Schluender reported that bids for the Quincy Area Street Reconstruction Project (T2604) opened on May 7, 2026. A total of six bids were received, ranging from $3,059,079.25 to $4,114,781.86. North Pine Aggregate, Inc. of Columbus, Minnesota was the lowest bidder at $3,059,079.25, below the engineer's estimate of approximately $3.4 million. The project includes street reconstruction and the Quincy Park parking lot ($82,337.50). Councilmember Newland asked whether the proposed speed humps were included in the bid; Director Schluender confirmed they were included and could be removed if the council directed. The council approved the bid and a 10% contingency, bringing the total project budget to $3,364,987.18. Funding sources include the pavement management fund, public utility funds, special assessments (for the $2,976,741.75 street portion), and the neighborhood park improvements fund (for the $82,337.50 parking lot portion). The motion passed unanimously.\n- Gambling Ordinance First Reading (Item 10.2): The council held the first reading of Ordinance 26-2604, amending Chapter 22 of the city code to increase the number of lawful gambling locations allowed per organization from four to five. City Clerk Sorensen explained the amendment was requested by Blaine Youth Hockey and discussed at the May 4 workshop. The proposed ordinance includes two alternatives for council consideration: retaining the current waiver for organizations outside the city or removing it. The ordinance was formally introduced and placed on file for a second reading at the June 1, 2026 council meeting.\n\n### Key Outcomes\n- Consent agenda approved 6-0-1 (Councilmember Newland abstaining on bills paid).\n- On-sale and Sunday intoxicating liquor licenses approved for Stella's Blaine.\n- Drainage and utility easement vacations V26-02 and V26-03 approved.\n- Street reconstruction contract awarded to North Pine Aggregate, Inc. for $3,059,079.25 with a 10% contingency.\n- Gambling ordinance introduced on first reading; second reading scheduled for June 1, 2026.\n- Meeting adjourned at 7:39 PM; the council reconvened into its scheduled workshop.