Blaine City Council Meeting - November 2, 2026

The Blaine City Council met on November 2, 2026, at 7:00 PM at Blaine City Hall. All council members (Fleming, Ford, Larson, Masolia, Newland, and Robertson) and Mayor Sanders were present. There were no awards, presentations, or communications. The meeting included two Open Forum speakers, a consent agenda, a public hearing on revocation of a conditional use permit for Minnesota Performance, and a well-inspection contract award.

Consent Calendar

• The council approved the remaining consent agenda, with Councilmember Newland abstaining from the October 16 bills-paid portion due to a conflict of interest involving a business he owns that would receive funds. Items included the schedule of bills paid (2026-206), minutes (2026-207), final plat approval for Terrano Apartments at 267 99th Avenue NE (RES 26-193), and an $82,500 contract with Blue Conduit for the Lead Service Line Inventory Project (RES 26-203).
• Item 7.3 (RES 26-199): The council approved a Joint Powers Agreement with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension for the Criminal Justice Data Communications Network and Court Data Services. Councilmember Masolia asked whether Flock camera data would be shared; Police Chief Brian Podany said the agreement is not specific to Flock and covers routine data such as driver's-license information. Motion by Masolia, second by Newland; approved.
• Item 7.6: The council approved a contract with Killmer Electric Company, Inc. for lighting improvements to Water Treatment Plant #3 (CIP U2604). Councilmember Masolia questioned the need, citing water-rate increases and capital improvement plan cuts; Public Works Director Nick Fleischhacker said several lighting bays are nonfunctional and the caustic environment makes lighting maintenance difficult, so the work is needed for staff safety. Councilmember Newland asked whether fluorescent fixtures would be retrofitted to LED; Fleischhacker confirmed. Motion by Masolia, second by Newland; approved.

Public Comments & Testimony

• A resident returned to the issue of the electrical box at 99th and Lexington Avenue, arguing it obstructs line of sight and that the city is not following AASHTO standards or its own ordinance. He criticized Engineering Director Dan Sanders and a council member for not visiting the site and urged the council to read the ordinance.
• Dana Carlson, 287 117th Avenue NE, raised wide-ranging, unverified concerns and allegations about child sexual abuse and cult connections involving a facility in Finland, Minnesota, Camp Zoe in Salem, Missouri, and a Salvation Army camp. He mentioned a local business and said he was not accusing council members.
• During the public hearing on Minnesota Performance, attorney Austin White asked for a short continuation to December 2 so the business could obtain substantial compliance, including an architectural plan, commercial finish permit, Met Council SAC permitting, and a fire inspection and certificate of occupancy. Co-owner Mo Swaymal accepted responsibility and said delays involved contractor, architect, and general-contractor insurance issues; he invited council members to visit the site. Another speaker associated with the business described the six designated storage spaces, said cars are moved during business hours, and said the business had invested over $350,000 in a diner room; he disputed that they were blocking neighboring businesses. Staff reported one comment in the packet and said an inspection that day found more than six cars in the designated area and no required signage, with an incomplete building permit still outstanding.

Discussion Items

• Public hearing 8.1: Staff presented a request to revoke a conditional use permit amendment for Minnesota Performance at 1550 91st Avenue NE, #306 (Case File No. 26-0015). Community Development Director Sheila Sellman described a long compliance history, including a 2019 CUP for auto repair at Suite 307 that required a CUP amendment for expansion; 2025 building-inspection findings that the tenant had expanded without the amendment or building permits; October 2025 violation notice; a November 2025 application that omitted outdoor storage; a January 2026 continuance and March 2026 denial; a June 2026 compliance inspection email; conditions not met by an October 1 deadline; a paid citation; a September 2026 formal compliance notice; and a requested extension to October 15 that produced no permit. Staff began revocation proceedings. Sellman said the inspection on the meeting date found more than six vehicles in the designated area and no required signage, and an incomplete building permit remained. Staff suggested continuing the public hearing to November 16 if the council wanted to allow more time. The applicant requested December 2. Councilmembers Masolia and Larson expressed concern about continued noncompliance and impacts on neighbors; Councilmembers Fleming and Ford supported one more extension but warned there would be no more chances. Councilmember Newland moved to continue the public hearing to December 7, 2026, the first council meeting in December, with the expectation that every condition be fully met; Councilmember Ford seconded. The motion prevailed with one dissenting vote. Mayor Sanders stated December 7 would be the final opportunity and that revocation would proceed if conditions were not met.
• Administration 10.1: Public Works Director Nick Fleischhacker recommended awarding a contract to Keys Well Drilling Company in the amount of $669,125.00 to inspect Wells 3, 8, 10, and 12 and repair as needed. The wells were installed between 1960 and 1976, and their last major inspections were conducted between 2006 and 2010. The work includes internal video inspections and assessment of wells and pumping equipment to identify maintenance and rehabilitation needs. The city received one quote; staff and Bolton Mink reviewed it and considered the pricing reasonable. A 10% contingency brings the total project budget to $736,037.50, funded through the water utility fund, with work anticipated to begin in early 2027. Councilmember Robertson expressed frustration that well maintenance had not been discussed with the council and that funding relies partly on a budget not yet passed. Councilmember Masolia questioned receiving only one quote, optional repair items, and an increase from about $120,000 per well to about $160,000 per well, almost 40%. Fleischhacker said multiple companies were solicited but only one quoted, that optional repairs are standard because underground conditions are unknown, and that inflation and different well configurations affect pricing. Councilmember Newland asked about taking wells offline; Fleischhacker said sequencing would depend on system capacity. Councilmember Ford asked about repairing while inspecting; Fleischhacker explained the well is pulled, inspected, and a report recommends optional repairs. He also said the city has 20 wells, aims for a seven-year inspection cycle at about four wells per year, and hopes costs decline on that cycle. Motion by Fleming, second by Newland; approved.

Key Outcomes

• Consent agenda approved as amended, with Councilmember Newland abstaining from the October 16 bills-paid portion due to a conflict of interest.
• Item 7.3, the BCA Joint Powers Agreement, and Item 7.6, the Killmer Electric lighting contract for Water Treatment Plant #3, were approved separately after discussion.
• The Minnesota Performance public hearing was continued to December 7, 2026, by a motion from Newland and second by Ford; the motion prevailed with one dissenting vote. December 7 was described as the final compliance date before revocation would proceed.
• The council awarded the well-inspection contract to Keys Well Drilling Company for $669,125.00, with a 10% contingency bringing the total project budget to $736,037.50.
• Councilmember Masolia moved to have staff treat the electrical box complaint as a closed matter and stop using staff resources on it; City Attorney Larson advised it was not on the agenda, and the motion died for lack of a second. The matter could be placed on a future agenda.
• The meeting was adjourned by motion.