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OPENPUBLICA · PUBLIC MEETING RECORD

Record of Proceedings

Blaine City Council Meeting - September 21, 2026

City Council — Monday, September 21, 2026

BodyBlaine, Minnesota

SessionCity Council

DateMonday, September 21, 2026

StatusFILED

Video Record

0:00 / 1:41:09

Transcript — VerbatimClick a timed line to jump · ⧉ to share it

Speaker numbers apply only to this recording.

Speaker 1

1:13

Good evening, everyone.

1:14

Thanks for attending this evening.

1:15

We're going to call the city council meeting to order for Monday, September 21st, 2026.

1:21

Would you please rise for the pledge of allegiance?

Speaker 2

1:24

I

Speaker 3

1:25

pledge

Speaker 2

1:25

allegiance

Speaker 1

1:26

to the flag

Speaker 3

1:27

of

Speaker 1

1:27

the United States of America and to the Republic for which it stands.

1:32

One nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Speaker 4

1:43

Council members fleming.

1:45

Ford.

1:45

Larson here.

1:48

Newland.

1:48

Robertson?

1:49

Here.

1:49

Mayor Sanders.

Speaker 1

1:50

Here.

1:52

All right, good evening again.

1:54

Thanks for joining us.

1:55

Uh, we do have a proclamation this evening that I want to start with right away.

1:58

And we have representatives from Alexandria House here this evening.

2:02

Good evening, welcome.

2:04

Uh, it is uh this proclamation will be declaring October uh as our national domestic violence awareness month.

2:11

So I have a proclamation to read, and then welcome the Alexandria House uh to address the council and public as

Unassigned speaker

2:17

well.

Speaker 1

2:18

So the proclamation reads as is, whereas the community problem of domestic violence has become a critical public health and welfare concern in Anoka County,

Unassigned speaker

2:28

and

Speaker 1

2:28

whereas domestic violence is a crime, the commission of which will not be tolerated in Anoka County, and perpetrators of said crime are subject to prosecution and conviction in accordance with the law.

2:39

And whereas over thousands of women and children have and will continue to access assistance from Alexandria House, a domestic violence service provider, and whereas domestic violence will be eliminated through community partnerships of concerned individuals and organizations working together to prevent abuse while at the same time affecting social and legal change.

3:00

Whereas October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, whereas during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Anoka County organizations will inform area residents about domestic violence, its prevalence, consequences, and what we as a concerned community can do to eliminate its existence.

3:41

Good evening and welcome and thank you so much for all the work that you and your entire organization do.

Speaker 5

3:46

Thank you.

3:47

I appreciate the welcome, Mayor Sanders and Council members.

3:51

I'm Tina Bronson.

4:08

And for your steadfast support of our mission.

4:31

And it is happening in our community right now.

4:33

In 2025, law enforcement

Unassigned speaker

4:36

uh

Speaker 5

4:36

in Anoka County responded to more than 12,600 domestic related calls and over 800 criminal sexual conduct calls.

4:44

And those are coming from every city and every township in this county.

Unassigned speaker

4:48

And

Speaker 5

4:48

the most serious end of this is quite sobering.

4:51

Minnesota saw 33 known intimate partner homicides in 25, with 16 already this year, and over 250 in the last decade.

5:01

We know many of these folks were known to systems that didn't reach them in time.

Unassigned speaker

5:06

And

Speaker 5

5:07

behind these numbers is a work we do here in this county.

5:10

Last year alone, 350 victims, survivors, and their children stayed at a total of 8,346 nights in our shelter.

5:18

And these were folks that didn't have anywhere else to go except for our emergency shelter.

Unassigned speaker

5:24

And

Speaker 5

5:24

these numbers are a stark reminder of the urgent need for action.

5:28

And the responsibility to combat this violence in our community, and it lies with all of

Unassigned speaker

5:34

us.

Speaker 5

5:35

So we have to unite to create a community response that stands against violence and says our community is here and it's listening and responding to the needs of our community and neighbors.

5:45

So this is my call to action to each one of

Unassigned speaker

5:48

you.

Speaker 5

5:49

Join us in building this violence free, this society that is free from violence.

Unassigned speaker

5:54

You

Speaker 5

5:54

can join us at our Hope Fest this Saturday, September 26th at the Cianoca City Hall.

Discussion Breakdown — Share of Meeting

Engineering And Infrastructure██████████████████18%

Technology and Innovation███████████████15%

Budget Equity Analysis███████████████15%

Procedural██████████10%

Public Engagement█████████9%

Community Engagement████████8%

Domestic Violence Awareness█████5%

Public Safety█████5%

Water And Wastewater Management█████5%

Summary of Proceedings

Blaine City Council Meeting - September 21, 2026

The Blaine City Council met on September 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM at City Hall. The meeting included a proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month, a public hearing on street reconstruction assessments, several development items, and the adoption of the proposed 2027 property tax levy. Significant public comment centered on support for Gateway Fiber expansion and concerns about odor from Walters Recycling.

Consent Calendar

Approval of Minutes (2026-184)
Schedule of Bills Paid (2026-185) – Councilmember Newland abstained due to a potential conflict of interest.
Contract with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. for Lift Station 16 Rehabilitation (2026-186)
Final Plat Approval for Cloverleaf Commons Third Addition (RES 26-184) All consent items were approved unanimously (Newland abstaining on the bills).

Public Comments & Testimony

Bruce Manthei (4101 99th Ave NE): Expressed ongoing concerns about an electrical box at 99th and Lexington Avenues and discussed city charter duties.
Joan Henry (1501 128th Ave NE): Supported Gateway Fiber service, citing speed and ease of installation, and urged availability for all residents.
Todd Wright (2788 103rd Ct NE): Asked the city to work better with residents in the Sanctuary neighborhood to address odor concerns from Walters Recycling; requested a plan for next summer and better communication without being perceived as harassing.
Peter Heule (12984 Chisholm St): Supported Gateway Fiber as a competitive alternative to Comcast, arguing that competition benefits the community.
Nick (Lincoln St NE): Moved to Blaine partly due to Gateway Fiber availability; supported citywide expansion.
Steven Lyons (11070 Polk St): Supported wider Gateway Fiber service, noting he pays $65 less per month for better service.
Linda McGowan (384 97th Ln NE): 40+ year resident; praised Gateway Fiber speed and urged city to allow build-out to all areas.
Derek Iverson (9044 Xylite St NE): Reported poor Comcast service; supported Gateway Fiber for affordable and reliable internet.
Austen Galapa (12105 Yancy St NE): Supported Gateway Fiber for reliable service and competition; works from home.
Mark Yash (12688 Mankato St NE): Supported Gateway Fiber expansion.
Scott Coggins (15043 Thrush St NW): Representative of Anoka County Elections Integrity Team; discussed a recent Supreme Court ruling on electronic poll books and encouraged a return to paper rosters.
Daniel Franks (12463 Goodhue Ct NE): Supported Gateway Fiber citywide.
Stella Schafer (10920 7th St NE): Supported Gateway Fiber citywide.
Nat Jugems (2157 128th Ln NE): Broke his Comcast contract to switch to Gateway Fiber; urged city to allow expansion.
Chelsea Grandstrand (11160 Quincy Blvd): Works from home and benefited from Gateway Fiber; supported citywide installation.
Arthur Smallman (11144 Hastings St NE): Supported Gateway Fiber and urged city to allow mid-stream installation.

Discussion Items

Proclamation for Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Mayor Sanders read a proclamation declaring October as National Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Tina Bronson, Executive Director of Alexandra House, thanked the council and highlighted statistics: in 2025, Anoka County law enforcement responded to over 12,600 domestic-related calls and over 800 criminal sexual conduct calls. She invited the community to HopeFest on September 26 and to wear purple on October 15.
Communications – Broadband Franchising: City Manager Erik Thorvig clarified that the city paused issuing right-of-way permits to fiber companies to establish regulations ensuring proper installation and property restoration, not to limit service. City Attorney Eric Larson explained the city is pursuing a franchise agreement with Gateway Fiber to ensure citywide coverage and responsible build-out. Councilmember Chris Massoglia noted negotiations began in early 2026 and accused Gateway Fiber of dishonest communications and unethical lobbying.
Police Department Quarterly Update: Deputy Chief Joe Gerhard reported the department has 82 sworn officers (authorized 86), with three in background checks. Calls for service through August totaled 41,249, up over 5,000 from last year. Highlights included 3,600 traffic stops in Q3, 37 impaired driver arrests, 68 canine deployments, and K-9 Hector receiving the USPCA National Case of the Quarter for a first-quarter apprehension. The mental health coordinator has had over 500 contacts. Community events included Night to Unite (112 parties), Cones with a Cop, and Citizens Academy.
Public Hearing – 2024 Southwest Area Street Reconstruction Assessments (RES 26-171): Director of Engineering Dan Schluender presented the project, completed in spring 2026 at a total cost of approximately $8.5 million. Assessments total $1,062,325.78, with other funding from utility funds, Pavement Management Program, and Municipal State Aid. Two assessment deferrals were recommended for 1053 89th Ave and 1355 89th Ave. Public comment: Mohammed Gulam (12602 Quito St NE) expressed concerns about the burden on his non-profit organization, requesting cancellation or city assumption of costs. Council discussed payment options (up to 15 years) and corner lot credits. The resolution was adopted unanimously.
Development Business – Billboard Ordinance Amendment (ORD 26-2615): Second reading to allow billboards on Airport (AP) designated land, requested by Metropolitan Airports Commission. Planning commission recommended approval. Approved unanimously.
Development Business – Rezoning National Sports Village (ORD 26-2617): Second reading to rezone from 105th Redevelopment District (RD) to Planned Business District (PBD) at 2180 and 2190 105th Ave NE. No new development proposed; rezoning allows more signage. Council debated: Councilmember Newland opposed, viewing the property as a gateway to redevelopment and objecting to further changes; Councilmember Massoglia supported but noted concerns about the cigar lounge becoming nonconforming; Councilmember Larson supported for business help. Motion passed 6-1 (Newland opposed).
Development Business – Conditional Use Permit (RES 26-182): Required due to rezoning to PBD for existing uses (retail, restaurants, fitness center, zero-lot line). Approved unanimously.
Administration – 2027 Proposed Property Tax Levy (RES 26-55): Finance Director Jason Zimmerman presented a detailed budget overview. The proposed levy increase is 7.4%, down from an initial 9.7%. For a median-valued home ($354,000), the city tax increase is estimated at $64 (4.8%). The Truth-in-Taxation meeting was set for December 7, 2026, with final certification on December 21. Councilmember Massoglia noted this is the first year under 10% since he joined. Councilmember Robertson thanked staff for pre-funding capital and reducing debt reliance. Approved unanimously.
Administration – National Street Water Service Project Phase 2 Bid (RES 26-183): Accepted a bid from Castrejon Inc. (Blaine-based) for $1,039,848, funded by an MPCA grant. The project will connect homes on private wells to city water due to dioxane contamination from the Johnson Brothers landfill. Councilmember Larson highlighted the state covering costs. Approved unanimously.
Administration – Contract with SEH for Construction Administration (2026-187): Authorized a $113,085 contract with Short Elliott Hendrickson, Inc. for the National Street Water Service Project Phase 2, also grant-funded. Approved unanimously.

Key Outcomes

Consent Agenda: Approved unanimously (Newland abstained on bills).
RES 26-171 (Assessments): Adopted unanimously, including two assessment deferrals.
ORD 26-2615 (Billboards): Adopted unanimously on second reading.
ORD 26-2617 (Rezoning): Adopted on second reading, 6-1 (Councilmember Newland opposed).
RES 26-182 (Conditional Use Permit): Adopted unanimously.
RES 26-55 (2027 Preliminary Levy): Adopted unanimously; Truth-in-Taxation meeting set for December 7, 2026.
RES 26-183 (Water Service Bid): Adopted unanimously.
2026-187 (SEH Contract): Approved unanimously.
Adjournment: Meeting adjourned at 8:40 PM.

Meeting Transcript

Good evening, everyone. Thanks for attending this evening. We're going to call the city council meeting to order for Monday, September 21st, 2026. Would you 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. Council members fleming. Ford. Larson here. Newland. Robertson? Here. Mayor Sanders. Here. All right, good evening again. Thanks for joining us. Uh, we do have a proclamation this evening that I want to start with right away. And we have representatives from Alexandria House here this evening. Good evening, welcome. Uh, it is uh this proclamation will be declaring October uh as our national domestic violence awareness month. So I have a proclamation to read, and then welcome the Alexandria House uh to address the council and public as well. So the proclamation reads as is, whereas the community problem of domestic violence has become a critical public health and welfare concern in Anoka County, and whereas domestic violence is a crime, the commission of which will not be tolerated in Anoka County, and perpetrators of said crime are subject to prosecution and conviction in accordance with the law. And whereas over thousands of women and children have and will continue to access assistance from Alexandria House, a domestic violence service provider, and whereas domestic violence will be eliminated through community partnerships of concerned individuals and organizations working together to prevent abuse while at the same time affecting social and legal change. Whereas October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, whereas during National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, Anoka County organizations will inform area residents about domestic violence, its prevalence, consequences, and what we as a concerned community can do to eliminate its existence. Good evening and welcome and thank you so much for all the work that you and your entire organization do. Thank you. I appreciate the welcome, Mayor Sanders and Council members. I'm Tina Bronson. And for your steadfast support of our mission. And it is happening in our community right now. In 2025, law enforcement uh in Anoka County responded to more than 12,600 domestic related calls and over 800 criminal sexual conduct calls. And those are coming from every city and every township in this county. And the most serious end of this is quite sobering. Minnesota saw 33 known intimate partner homicides in 25, with 16 already this year, and over 250 in the last decade. We know many of these folks were known to systems that didn't reach them in time. And behind these numbers is a work we do here in this county. Last year alone, 350 victims, survivors, and their children stayed at a total of 8,346 nights in our shelter. And these were folks that didn't have anywhere else to go except for our emergency shelter.

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