Blaine CityConnect - January/February 2021

BlaineMN.gov

CityConnect January/February 2021

What’s Inside

2021 Budget Information.................................................................3

2019 Heroes and Helpers

Blaine Police Department Community Engagement Survey Gathering Community Input COVID-19 Survey Results and Up to Date City Response Information..........4

Historically the Blaine Police Department has had a Crime Prevention/Community Outreach Unit. In the past, the crime prevention model focused on traditional approaches to connect with others in the community to make Blaine a safer place.

Now the Blaine Police Department has launched an effort to reinvent what police community relations looks like in the City of Blaine. The new effort is designed to assess the best ways the police department can connect with the community based on resident, business, and other stakeholder feedback.

Community outreach and crime prevention are foundational to the mission of the Blaine Police Department.

As proud members of our community, we, the members of the Blaine Police Department, strive to enhance the quality of life in Blaine by serving with integrity, respect, and professionalism.

Blaine PD Mission Statement

Stormwater Pond Safety and New Stormwater Information Portal..............8

Welcome to New Mayor and Councilmembers

PRSRT STD U.S. Postage PAID TWIN CITIES, MN Permit No. 32324

As a result of the November election three new Blaine residents have joined the Blaine City Council. Mayor Tim Sanders and Councilmembers Jason Smith and Chris Massoglia recently took the oath of office and start their terms on January 1, 2021.

POSTMASTER: TIME SENSITIVE MAIL

DATED MATERIAL PREPARED BY THE COMMUNICATIONS DIVISION

POSTAL CUSTOMER

Tim Sanders, Jason Smith, and Chris Massoglia

ECRWSS City of Blaine 10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine MN 55449

Community Input is Needed Police Community Engagement Survey January 15-30 BlaineMN.gov/PoliceSurvey

Contact information for the newly elected individuals and the rest of the Blaine City Council is available on page two and BlaineMN.gov/CityCouncil.

Tim Sanders Mayor

Jason Smith Councilmember Ward 1

Chris Massoglia Councilmember Ward 3

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BlaineMN.gov - CityConnect

Recycling Calendar

Upcoming Meetings City Council* January 4 | January 20 February 1 | February 17 7:30PM | Virtual Meeting Only City Council Workshops January 4 | January 11 | January 20 February 1 | February 8 | February 17 6PM | Virtual Meeting Only Arts Council Meetings canceled until further notice.

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10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine, MN 55449 763-784-6700

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Communications@BlaineMN.gov Holiday

City Council MAYOR Tim Sanders 763-203-3286 TSanders@BlaineMN.gov

Zone A

Natural Resources Conservation Board* January 19 | February 16 7PM | Virtual Meeting Only Park Board* January 26 | February 23 7PM | Virtual Meeting Only

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Blaine City Hall

Historical Society Meetings canceled until further notice.

Zone B

For more information, visit WaltersRecycling.com or call 763-780-8464.

City Directory

Planning Commission* January 12 | February 9 7PM | Virtual Meeting Only Traffic Commission* January 5 | February 2 6:30PM | Virtual Meeting Only *Meetings can be seen live on cable channel 16 and 799. For links to virtual meetings, visit BlaineMN.gov/CityMeetings.

Stay Connected

Police & Fire................................................. 911

WARD 1 Wes Hovland 763-228-1117 WHovland@BlaineMN.gov Jason Smith 612-460-0199 JSmith@BlaineMN.gov

WARD 2 Julie Jeppson 763-354-4709 JJeppson@BlaineMN.gov Jess Robertson 612-964-0503 JRobertson@BlaineMN.gov

WARD 3 Chris Massoglia 612-524-9447 CMassoglia@BlaineMN.gov Richard Paul 763-290-3000 RPaul@BlaineMN.gov

CITY MANAGER Michelle Wolfe 763-785-6120 MWolfe@BlaineMN.gov

Police (non-emergency) ..........763-785-6168 Fire (non-emergency)...............763-786-4436 Public Works After Hours.........763-427-1212 City Hall......................................763-784-6700 Mary Ann Young Center...........763-786-9375 Public Works..............................763-785-6165 Building Inspections.................763-785-6170 City Cable Channel 16 .............763-785-6192 City Clerk ...................................763-785-6122 City Manager.............................763-785-6120 Communications.......................763-785-6181 Community Standards.............763-785-6187 Community Outreach...............763-785-6113 Economic Development...........763-785-6180 Engineering................................763-785-6172 Finance.......................................763-717-2677 Fire Inspections ........................763-785-6187 Forestry .....................................763-717-2660 Housing Services ......................763-785-6146 Human Resources ....................763-785-6109 Newsletter.................................763-785-6192 North Metro TV.........................763-780-8241 Parks & Recreation ..................763-785-6164 Planning & Zoning ....................763-785-6180 Recycling & Solid Waste ..........763-785-6192 Sewer Backup............................763-785-6165 Streets .......................................763-785-6165 Stormwater................................763-785-6188 Utility Billing ..............................763-785-6141 Water & Sewer System ............763-785-6165 Web.............................................763-717-2638

Receive Emergency Communications BlaineMN.gov/CivicReady

NotifyMeÂŽ

Connect with your community and sign up for topics that interest you BlaineMN.gov/NotifyMe

BlaineMN.gov/CommunityConnect CityConnect is published bimonthly by the City of Blaine and distributed to all residents and businesses. Past copies of the city newsletter are available at BlaineMN.gov/Newsletter

January/February 2021

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Christmas Tree Collection First Two Full Weeks in January

Council Drops 2021 Tax Rate by 1 Percent On December 21, 2020 the Blaine City Council approved the 2021 property tax levy and general fund budget. The approved levy was $200,000 less than the preliminary levy that was approved in September.

This levy will drop the Blaine tax rate for 2021 by one percent while maintaining current service levels. Blaine continues to have the lowest tax rate of any full service city in Anoka County.

For more information about the 2021 Budget, visit BlaineMN.gov/2021Budget.

For more information about the budgeting process and to view up to date budget vs. actual information, visit BlaineMN.gov/OpenBlaine.

Serve on a Blaine Board or Commission

Walters Recycling and Refuse will be collecting Christmas trees during the weeks of January 4 and January 11.

The garbage truck driver makes a list of all the trees that are out and on the next day Walters will collect the trees that have been set out. Just set a tree out on your regular service day, and it will be collected the next day.

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The City of Blaine is seeking individuals to fill open positions on city boards and commissions. Applicants must be a Blaine resident. This is a volunteer position. Applicants will be invited to interview with the city council in early 2021.

City of Blaine Boards and Commissions Seeking Applicants Natural Resources Conservation Board

Senior Advisory Council

The Blaine NRCB meets monthly and makes recommendations regarding open space including trails and natural preservation in Blaine.

This board meets as needed to discuss matters related to the senior population in Blaine.

Park Advisory Board

The Traffic Commission meets monthly and makes recommendations to the city council on neighborhood traffic concerns.

The Blaine Park Advisory Board meets monthly and is responsible for recommendations regarding the Blaine park system.

Planning Commission The Blaine Planning Commission meets monthly and holds public hearings on planning and zoning items.

CivicREADY

Blaine’s Emergency Notification System The City of Blaine has an emergency notification system designed to get information out quickly during an emergency. You can choose to receive information by phone call, text message, or email.

You can also pick to get the notifications by all three methods to be best informed. Since the launch of CivicReady in 2017 more than 30,000 points of contact have been added to the system. Sign up today for this free optional service and ensure that you and your family will have the most accurate information for a city based emergency.

To sign up, visit BlaineMN.gov/CivicReadySignUp.

Traffic Commission

Applications are available online.

To learn more and to apply, visit BlaineMN.gov/Boards andCommissions.

Tree Trimming During the winter months Public Works crews will be out trimming boulevard trees around the city.

Winter is the best time to trim these trees and crews work on this project as time allows. Last year city crews removed approximately 200 trees that had were infested with Emerald Ash Borer.

The work area this winter will be focused, west of Highway 65 from 109th Avenue to 125th Avenue. If time permits crews will continue, west of Highway 65 and north of 125th Avenue. If trimming will take place near your home a door hanger will be left prior to the work starting.

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BlaineMN.gov - CityConnect

Blaine COVID-19 Response Update Local Economy Boost The Blaine City Council took action to use more than $1 million of federal CARES Act funding to provide grants to Blaine small businesses and nonprofits that have been impacted by the pandemic. These grants were awarded in fall 2020. If the city receives a new round of federal or state funding for pandemic relief in 2021 a similar program could be offered.

COVID Resident Survey Results From November 23 – December 13 the City of Blaine offered an online COVID-19 resident survey. The survey was promoted on social media, through the city website, and by local media. Over 1,100 Blaine residents participated in the survey. While the survey cannot statistically speak for the views of the entire city as a whole the results did give an insight into the views and opinions of these 1,100 residents.

Protecting Community Assets The National Sports Center and Fogerty Arena are two major community assets in Blaine and both have been hit very hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. The city was able to provide a larger grant to both Fogerty and the NSC but the pandemic related problems still persist for both organizations. Fogerty and the National Sports Center are both seeking community support to keep operations going into the future.

These survey results are helping the city’s next round of COVID-19 related community outreach and communication.

Continue to stay up to date on the city’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic at BlaineMN.gov/COVID19.

For the National Sports Center you can, text NSCPLAY to 91999 to make a donation or visit NSCPlay.NSCSports.org.

Those who are interested in helping Fogerty Arena can visit FogertyArena.com for more details on their fundraising efforts.

Support Local Restaurants The restaurant industry is another sector that has been hit very hard during the pandemic. The city has a restaurant listing that includes contact information as well as details about delivery and takeout options.

Learn more at BlaineMN.gov/Restaurants.

Support Other Local Businesses Many local businesses are offering a number of options to still get products and to continue to support them. These options for customers include: • • • • • • •

Vaccine Information The best way to stay up to date on any potential mass vaccine distribution information is to make sure that you are signed up to receive City of Blaine emergency notifications through the CivicReady system.

Curbside pick up Take out Drive thru Delivery Gift card purchases Local shipping Local pick up and delivery back to you

To find how you can support your favorite local businesses, check out their websites or social media pages to find out the latest about what they are doing.

For a listing of local businesses, visit BlaineMN.gov/BusinessListing.

Sign up today at BlaineMN.gov/CivicReadySignUp.

Blaine City Hall Open by Appointment Only Blaine City Hall continues to be open by appointment only. By making an appointment you can ensure that there will be the right staff person available to help you with your concern.

Making an appointment is easy and can be done at BlaineMN.gov/ByAppointment.

Ongoing COVID-19 Updates The city has created a dedicated webpage that is frequently updated with the latest COVID-19 information.

Information on the most recent public health guidelines, city COVID response details, contact information for local and state public health officials, and much more is available at BlaineMN.gov/COVID19.

Winter Reminders and Snow Plow Information Parking Regulations in Effect from November 1 – April 1

• No parking on any street from 2 - 7AM. A permit for overnight parking may be obtained from the Blaine Police Department in emergency situations.

• No parking on any street after a snowfall of two inches or more until the street has been fully plowed from curb to curb.

Please Keep Fire Hydrants Clear, Shovel After Each Snowfall Residents and business owners are asked to please remember to shovel out around fire hydrants after each snowfall. It is very important to keep hydrants clear of snow and visible from the street.

If the fire department has to spend time trying to find and dig out a fire hydrant under the snow, they lose precious time needed to fight fires. A fire can double in size every 30 seconds. If it takes firefighters even two extra minutes to locate and dig out a hydrant, the damage to a home could be massive. Please talk with your neighbors to determine who will keep the hydrant clear. Remember, the house you help save may be your own.

Blaine Snow Plow Information Portal The City of Blaine has prepared a snow plowing information portal. With over 600 lane miles of streets, 95 miles of sidewalks, and 60 miles of trails plowed by Blaine Public Works, this portal contains helpful information related to plow sequencing for city streets, parking lots, sidewalks, and trails. It also includes resident snow removal responsibilities and answers frequently asked questions.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/SnowPlow.

January/February 2021

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Knowledge Survey participants reported high knowledge of: Virus Transmission COVID-19 Symptoms Quarantine Procedures

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Information Needs Survey participants wanted more information about: Testing Accuracy Testing Locations Current Laws and Regulations

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Coronavirus

Resident Survey

Important Sources Survey participants top information sources: MDH | CDC Local Television City of Blaine Website Blaine Emergency Notifications

Pandemic Problems Survey participants reported the following household impacts:

$

Lack of Testing Options Pandemic Uncertainty Feeling Bored

Income Impact

43% Negatively Impacted

Introducing Blaine iMS

Garbage and Recycling Cart Do Not Place Them in the Street Garbage and recycling carts may not be placed in the street. This is especially important during the winter months to prevent the snow plows from hitting them and spilling garbage all over the snowbank where it will show up in your yard after the spring thaw.

The proper placement is simple but extremely important for efficient operations. Carts should be placed up to two feet behind the curb, in the driveway or an area of the boulevard cleared to allow for their placement. This allows snowplows to clean the streets from curb to curb. The City of Blaine would like to thank all residents in advance for helping to keep the streets clear this season.

For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/GarbageandRecycling.

A New Way to Conduct City Business The City of Blaine is using a new online permitting application system called Intuitive Municipal Solutions (iMS). iMS users will be able to: • • • • • • •

Apply for a business license Apply for a contractor license Register as a contractor Report a concern/complaint View property information View planning projects File a code enforcement report Get started today at BlaineMN.gov/iMSHelp.

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BlaineMN.gov - CityConnect

RecConnect Winter/Spring 2021 Winter/Spring registration is now open.

To browse the program catalog and register for fall programs, visit BlaineMN.gov/Register.

2019 Heroes and Helpers

Heroes and Helpers Looked a Little Different This Year Each year the Blaine Police Department partners with other public safety agencies to take local students on a shopping spree for holiday gifts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the in person shopping event could not happen this year but there were still kids in need of some holiday cheer. Led by Detective Orin Christensen, Heroes and Helpers pivoted and still provided a holiday shopping spree to 60 local students. The students who were picked to participate in the program were selected by staff at local elementary schools. Then the students and their families filled out a shopping list online and the heroes went to work. Each family was paired up with a public safety individual who shopped for and wrapped their presents. Then a caravan of public safety vehicles delivered the presents to the kid’s homes on December 22. Heroes and Helpers might have looked a little bit different this year but it was still a huge success.

For more information about Heroes and Helpers, visit BlaineMN.gov/HeroesandHelpers.

Program Update Currently the City of Blaine continues to review State of Minnesota regulations as it relates to park and recreation programming. The city continues to offer virtual program options and will start in person programs when the regulations allow and the proper safety measures are in place.

Learn more at BlaineParks.com.

Stay Connected BlaineParks.com More information about Parks and Recreation is available at 763-785-6164 or in the current Recreation Connection online.

BlaineEvents.com

Explore Rec At Home Fight the COVID Fatigue

Resident who participated in the city’s COVID-19 resident survey indicated that they are looking for more activities to fill their time during the pandemic. The Rec at Home program was developed earlier this year

by Blaine Parks and Recreation. Rec at Home includes a series of videos from Blaine Park and Rec staff as well as resources from around the world.

Learn more today at, BlaineParks.com/RecAtHome.

January/February 2021

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Blaine Recycling Saturdays 8am — Noon (please note new time) 3rd Saturday of Each Month Drop-Off Location Green Lights Recycling Enter at 1525 - 99th Lane NE

Ice Skating Rinks Ice rinks in Blaine are now open. Ice conditions are weather dependent and subject to change. At this time warming houses remain closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The City of Blaine continues to monitor changes to COVID-19 regulations from the State of Minnesota and will provide any updates to warming house availability at BlaineMN.gov/ParkRecStatus. With the warming houses not available portable toilets have been provided at some rinks and additional benches and tables have been placed near the rinks for skaters to use. A listing of ice skating rinks in Blaine is included below.

Aurelia Park 382 91st Avenue NE

Lexington Athletic Complex 4286 121st Avenue NE

Austin Park 4041 85th Lane NE

Ostmans Park 1201 130th Lane NE

Carrara East Park 13129 Eldorado Street NE

Quail Creek Park 2205 Quail Creek Parkway NE

Deacon’s Park 11200 Arnold Palmer Drive NE

Quincy Park 10601 Quincy Boulevard NE

Happy Acres Park 11900 7the Street NE

Xylite Park 9033 Xylite Street NE

Ivy HIlls Park 12197 Fergus Street NE For more information about the City’s ice skating rinks, visit BlaineMN.gov/SkatingRinks.

Music Together (Virtual) Music Together Online is an award winning program for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers and the grownups who love them. Music Together is designed to teach the way young children learn: through play. During each online music class, the teacher will lead music activities for the whole family to sing, play, and jam along to and show you how to make everyday items like dish towels, pots, and stuffed animals into musical props. Even though the teacher is on the screen, each class is designed to be an active music making experience for little ones and their grownups. The rich music environment in class, full of opportunities for experimentation and play, will help your child grow into a confident, life-long music maker.

Green Lights Recycling 763-785-0456|GLRNow.com Cash or Check Only Mattresses, box springs, carpet, appliances, florescent lamps, electronics, rechargeable batteries, and tires are some of the items collected. Free items include scrap metal and vehicle batteries.

See complete list of fees at BlaineMN.gov/ RecyclingSaturdays

Randy’s offers free paper shredding. Please note, there may be a long wait imes for shredding.

Four box or bag limit for paper shredding.

Bike Collection for Bikes4KidsMN.org No bike collection until April 2021

Registration online only at MusicTogetherClasses. org or by phone at 651-439-4219. Registration will not be accepted at the Park and Recreation office.

The program will be delivered via zoom.

Register at MusicTogetherClasses.org

Winter Class Schedule - First Child - $189, Additional Child - $104 (infants under 8 months on the 1st day of the session are free with a registered sibiling) Wednesdays January 6 - March 10 10:15-10:45am

The recycling drop-off day is funded

by Anoka County and Minnesota SCORE funds (Select Committee on Recycling and the Environment).

Randy’s Environmental Services 763-972-3335 RandysEnvironmentalServices. com

Ages 8 months to 6 years

Mondays January 4 - March 8 (no class January 18 or February 15) 9:15-9:45am

The City of Blaine sponsors a recycling drop-off day the third Saturday of each month. Participants do not need to be a Blaine resident to bring items to the drop-off day.

Please note, no garbage will be accepted. As a part of their COVID-19 safety plan Green Lights Recycling is asking all people to remain in their vehicles during the drop-off event and to please wear a mask.

Sundays January 10 - March 14 5-5:30pm

Walters Recycling & Refuse 763-780-8464 WaltersRecycling.com/Blaine Contact Walters to report missed garbage, recycling, or yard waste pickup.

City Recycling Information 763-785-6192 BlaineMN.gov/Recycle

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BlaineMN.gov - CityConnect

Carbon Monoxide A Silent Killer Wetlands Across Communities Interpretive Sign Sponsored by RCWD, Blaine Wetland Sanctuary

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a colorless, odorless, tasteless, poisonous gas.

Human senses cannot detect its presence.

CO is produced by anything that burns fuel inefficiently. Sources can include, but are not limited to gas dryers, furnaces, stoves, burners, water heaters, fireplaces, automobile fumes, and portable heaters.

It is important to have a CO alarm for early warning and detection.

Stormwater Pond Safety Stormwater ponds are constructed bodies of water designed for the purpose of treating stormwater runoff and providing flood storage. The City of Blaine has over 700 stormwater ponds and infiltration basins that have been design to remove pollutants from runoff. These ponds are not designed for recreation. There is a constant flow of water in and out of stormwater ponds, even in the winter. This flow of water makes them unsafe for winter recreation such as ice skating. For your safety and the integrity of the stormwater pond system the City strongly encourages you to not use stormwater ponds for recreation this winter.

For more information about stormwater ponds within the City of Blaine, vist the new stormwater information portal at BlaineMN.gov/StormwaterPonds.

In Minnesota, CO alarms must be installed within 10 feet of every bedroom. If people sleep on multiple levels, there must be a CO alarm on every level. Check CO alarms regularly to be sure they are functioning properly. CO alarms last between 5 and 10 years per the manufacturer’s date, which is located on the back of the device.

If you are interested in participating in a CO data study to receive free CO alarms or you want to schedule a confidential home safety survey, call 763-767-4003.

For a short survey regarding home safety, visit BlaineMN.gov/HomeSafetySurvey.

New Stormwater Information Portal Blaine is home to many stormwater ponds. Laddie Lake and Sunrise Lake are not stormwater ponds, and are the only recreational waters in the city.

What is Stormwater?

Stormwater is water that originates from precipitation including rain and snow and ice melt. Stormwater can soak into the soil, be stored in ponds and puddles, evaporate, or runoff.

Most runoff is conveyed directly to nearby streams, rivers, or other water bodies without treatment.

What are Stormwater Ponds?

Stormwater ponds are constructed bodies of water designed with the purpose of treating and holding stormwater runoff. Correctly functioning stormwater ponds are critical to the Blaine community, and understanding what these stormwater features are helps to keep them functioning.

Stormwater and snowmelt was once absorbed by undisturbed natural vegetation, such as trees, wetlands, and natural grasses. As communities grew, and this vegetation gave way to rooftops, roads and parking lots – known as impervious surfaces – much of this stormwater became unable to soak into the ground. This water that cannot soak into the ground is known as runoff.

Runoff is designed to flow into these stormwater ponds, where it is treated and eventually released.

Benefits of Stormwater Ponds One of the most important benefits of stormwater ponds is that they provide flood control for the neighborhoods they are in. Stormwater ponds reduce the rate at which runoff is released and prevents surges of water.

Stormwater ponds also help remove pollutants that runoff has captured on its way to the ponds. These ponds are designed to hold water for multiple weeks, which gives pollutants enough time to sink to the bottom. The natural vegetation around a pond – known as a buffer – also plays a key role in removing pollutants.

Stormwater Information Portal With stormwater ponds being so important to the water cycle in Blaine the city recently created a new information portal about stormwater. This portal is filled with information for homeowners, business owners, neighborhood HOA’s, and developers.

For more information on stormwater ponds in Blaine, visit BlaineMN.gov/Stormwater.