Blaine City Council Meeting - October 5, 2026

The Blaine City Council met on Monday, October 5, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Blaine City Hall. Mayor Sanders presided. The council approved the consent calendar, adopted two assessment resolutions after public hearings, approved a comprehensive plan amendment and preliminary plat, introduced four first-reading ordinances, and authorized two bond-sale resolutions.

Consent Calendar

• The consent calendar was adopted by one motion (Newland/Robertson). Councilmember Newland abstained from the Schedule of Bills Paid for September 4, 2026, citing a conflict of interest because his business would receive part of those proceeds.
• Items approved included the Schedule of Bills Paid; approval of minutes; appointment of election judges for the 2026 State General Election; Change Order No. 1 for $95,147.64 and budget amendments for the 2026 Street Rehabilitation Project; a conditional use permit for 256 additional square feet of accessory space (1,872 square feet total) at 13187 Lexington Avenue NE; final plat approval for Montean Meadows (39.68 acres into 42 single-family lots and 4 outlots); acceptance of a Livable Communities Grant for manufactured home contractor training; and a five-year Teams Phone Migration and Hosting Agreement with CallTower.

Public Comments & Testimony

• During Open Forum, a resident raised an ongoing enforcement concern involving a 30-inch height regulation. He argued the city had not enforced the ordinance, called the resulting condition a visual obstruction and public danger, and asked the council to consult outside agencies such as AASHTO or MnDOT rather than relying on the director of engineering's report and the city attorney's acceptance of it. He urged the council to address the issue directly.
• Matt Domco, 12601 Quaymo Street NE, expressed concerns about construction directly behind his house. He asked the council to require the developer to work with existing HOAs; build costs for roads and a new traffic light/roundabout into the development plan instead of leaving them to current residents or the city; define screening standards legally, such as an 8-foot privacy fence, instead of 'adequate screening'; and plan for bus-stop safety for children in the area.
• During the 8.2 public hearing, Janet Zawatsky, 8813 Jefferson Street NE, asked whether assessment bills would be sent to homeowners with payment options. Director Schluender said letters would be mailed by the end of that week or the beginning of the next; Zawatsky said she planned to pay in full.

Public Hearings

• 8.1 Zest Street and Lakes Parkway Construction Project (RES 26-173): Director Schluender presented the assessment resolution for the street extension project. The project was ordered in February 2025, awarded in September 2025, and completed in summer 2026. Total project cost was approximately $1.9 million. Per the feasibility report, 50% of street costs would be assessed to three benefiting parcels, with assessments deferred until development. Contributions included approximately $123,000 from sanitary sewer funds, $114,000 from the water utility fund, $168,000 from the pavement management program, and $1.5 million from municipal state aid. No one spoke at the hearing; the council adopted the resolution on a motion by Fleming, seconded by Robertson.
• 8.2 2025 Southwest Area Street Reconstruction Project (RES 26-174): This project covered the Jackson Street and 87th Lane neighborhood. It was ordered November 18, 2024, awarded in April 2025 to Douglas Kerr Underground, and completed in spring 2026. Total cost was $3.2 million; approximately $663,000 was assessed to benefiting parcels, $326,000 came from public utility funds for water and sewer improvements, and $2.2 million came from the pavement management program. Staff recommended deferring assessments for three parcels - 8700 Van Buren, 8717 Van Buren, and 8810 Madison - because all met senior deferral requirements. The council adopted the resolution on a motion by Newland, seconded by Ford.

Development Business

• 9.1 and 9.2 Shydlovskyy Residential: Director Sellman presented the comprehensive plan amendment and preliminary plat together for 1025 105th Avenue NE. The privately owned 11.11-acre property is zoned R-1 single-family but is guided as Park/Open Space. The applicant, Illya Shydlovskyy, requested a land-use change to Low Density Residential and preliminary plat approval for one single-family lot. Staff said the Park/Open Space designation likely reflected proximity to an existing park and wetlands, but the applicant found a way to develop the lot. Two public comments raised concerns about wetlands and road construction costs. The Planning Commission recommended approval. Councilmember Newland asked about private land guided as public open space, and Director Sellman confirmed it is city practice not to guide private land as public open space; Councilmember Larson asked about ownership, and Sellman confirmed the property is privately owned. Council approved 9.1 (motion Newland/Ford) and 9.2 (motion Robertson/Masolia).
• First readings (no action):
  • ORD 26-2616 (Pulte Group/Wellington): First reading of a rezoning from Farm Residential to Development Flex at 3700 and 3900 125th Avenue NE. The future proposal is for 106 single-family lots and 11 outlots; the second reading and related land-use items are scheduled for October 19.
  • ORD 26-2620 (Lindahl Estates): First reading of a rezoning from Single Family Residential (R-1AA) to Development Flex at 931 117th Avenue NE for eight single-family lots. Director Sellman noted the preliminary plat and conditional use permit for seven single-family homes would be considered later.
  • ORD 26-2618: First reading of a staff-initiated zoning text amendment to allow garage door heights up to 14 feet in the Residential Estate district; all other standards would remain unchanged.
  • ORD 26-2619: First reading of a staff-proposed amendment to Section 101.4 of the Zoning Ordinance to revise and clarify findings for conditional use permits.

Administration: Bond Authorizations

• 10.1 General Obligation Improvement Bonds, Series 2026E: Director Zimmerman presented the parameters resolution for a tax-exempt bond sale to finance 2026 pavement management activities. He noted the sale is authorized under Minnesota Statutes Chapter 429, requires at least 20% of project costs to be assessed to benefiting owners, and would have a 15-year term. Key parameters included a maximum principal amount of $6 million, a maximum interest rate of 5%, a final maturity date of February 1 (transcript states 2024, an apparent transcription error), and a sale within 90 days. The sale is anticipated for the week of November 10. The council approved the resolution on a motion by Newland, seconded by Robertson.
• 10.2 Taxable General Obligation Abatement Bonds, Series 2026D (West Parking Facility): Director Zimmerman presented a resolution amending Resolution 26-68. The original parameters were approved April 6, 2026, for a negotiated sale. Because the federal funds rate has risen by 25 basis points, the amendment raises the maximum interest rate from 6.25% to 6.5%. All other terms remain unchanged. Selling Series 2026D together with Series 2026E in early November is intended to produce a more efficient sale and maintain interest-rate parity. The council approved the resolution on a motion by Fleming, seconded by Robertson.

Announcements

• Councilmember Larson announced that the Mary Ann Young Center jewelry sale, its largest fundraiser of the year, would be held the next day, with proceeds supporting the senior center.
• Police Chief Padani promoted the cadet 'Donut Dash' fundraiser to be held in one week on Saturday and encouraged residents to register online or attend.

Key Outcomes

• Adopted the consent calendar with one item abstention.
• Adopted both assessment resolutions (8.1 and 8.2).
• Approved the Comprehensive Plan Amendment and Preliminary Plat for Shydlovskyy Residential.
• Introduced four ordinances on first reading; no action was taken on them.
• Authorized the Series 2026E bond sale resolution and the amended Series 2026D bond sale resolution.
• Votes were by voice vote with no audible opposition; no roll-call tallies were recorded.