Speaker numbers apply only to this recording. Names come from transcript evidence. “Possibly” marks uncertain attribution.
The Blaine City Council met on July 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Blaine City Hall (note: the raw transcript erroneously referenced June 20, 2026). Mayor Tim Sanders presided, with Councilmembers Terra Fleming, Chris Ford, Chris Massoglia, Tom Newland, and Jess Robertson present; Councilmember Leslie Larson was absent. The meeting addressed consent agenda items, public hearings on a conditional use permit for pickleball courts, a scenic easement vacation, and utility franchise renewals, as well as a contract for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan update.
The consent agenda was approved unanimously, including: approval of the schedule of bills (2026-148), approval of minutes (2026-149), a temporary on-sale intoxicating liquor license for St. Timothy's Annual Carnival (2026-150), acknowledgment of the 2025 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (2026-151), and a resolution renaming Park Drive NE to Memorial Park Drive NE (RES 26-147). Councilmember Massoglia highlighted the renaming and thanked Steve Guider for his work on Veterans Memorial Park.
Open Forum: Bruce Manthei (4101 99th Avenue NE) expressed continued concerns regarding the electrical box location at 99th and Lexington Avenues. No other public comments were made.
Public Hearing 8.1 – TPC Twin Cities Pickleball Courts:
Public Hearing 8.2 – Scenic Easement Vacation: No public testimony was provided.
Public Hearings 8.3, 8.4, 8.5 – Utility Franchise Renewals (Connexus Energy, Xcel Energy electric, Xcel Energy gas): No public testimony was provided at these hearings.
8.1 Conditional Use Permit Amendment for Pickleball Courts: Community Development Director Sheila Sellman presented the request for three outdoor pickleball courts with a 10-foot high fence at TPC Twin Cities. Staff recommended approval with conditions, including no lighting. Council discussed neighbor concerns and the importance of public input. Councilmember Robertson noted that any future request for lighting would require a new CUP process.
8.2 Scenic Easement Vacation: Director of Engineering Dan Schluender presented a petition from Robert Carlson (Rendova Partnership) to vacate a portion of a 30-foot scenic easement in Ball Road Industrial Park. Staff agreed the easement is no longer needed. Councilmember Robertson clarified this will allow the property owner to proceed with a new building.
8.3, 8.4, 8.5 Utility Franchise Renewals: Mr. Schluender reviewed the procedural history of these franchise agreements (originally from 1998, expired after 20 years). The council had held multiple public hearings and first readings in June and July 2026. Tonight, the council reconvened and closed the public hearings for all three items, but tabled the second reading to a future meeting because negotiations are ongoing. City Manager Erik Thorvig confirmed that staff is working with the utilities to finalize the documents.
10.1 2050 Comprehensive Plan Consultant Services: Ms. Sellman presented a recommendation to select Bolton and Menk as the consultant for technical assistance and community engagement for the 2050 Comprehensive Plan Update, at a total cost of $105,100 over three years. This represents a reduced scope saving approximately $200,000 compared to similar cities. The contract authorizes the Community Development Director to approve work orders within the not-to-exceed amount.
Good evening, everyone. We're gonna call this council meeting for June 20th, 2026 to order. Please rise for the Pledge of Allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands. One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you, everyone. The clerk will take the roll. Council members Fleming. Larson Masolia. Here. Newland. Robertson? Here. Mayor Sanders. Here. All right. We don't have any organizational business this evening, so we'll jump right into the open forum, which is an opportunity for the public to share comments, concerns, or input on other items. While the open forum is not intended to provide response or a discussion during the meeting, city staff will contact the speaker outside of the meeting if follow up is needed. Each speaker is limited to three minutes. There's a maximum of 15 minutes set aside for the open forum. And if you are here for any of the public hearings uh listed under section eight of the agenda, you will be able to address council uh if you have anything specific to those items at that time. That being said, the open forum is now open. You're welcome to come to the podium at this time. Um we had a nice little chat here that I've been hoping to have for quite a while. And as it came out, I'm hoping Eric will work a little further with me on this, and if Dan's open to it, that uh the key word that Dan had overlooked was even the word near the SPT. Um in doing so. It was brought up to me the amount, which I think is minimal when it comes to safety to the public. I think it's very minimal as everybody has seen. Uh Ford, let me uh Robertson, everybody. Uh except for Mana. Um has been out there and seen the site. And it took nine months to get you guys out there basically. And with that, uh Mr. Newland um was kind enough when he was out there to point out that if I wanted it moved, that I need to get a hold of um center point themselves or gold panhandle and collect some coins and I pay for it myself. Uh he also stated that he was tired of me coming up to the platform and speaking or having emails. With that, he also threatened to push me out on the road, which I found very improper for Mr. Newland to do. And I've still waited for an apology on that one. I brought that to a couple of you council members. And uh I've brought it up to you before, Mr. Newland, about what you said, and I'm still waiting for that apology. If you don't want to give it. We'll move forward on a different angle. Uh