Voting for the 2024 general election has been available at Blaine City Hall since the end of September. Thousands of Blaine residents have already voted, but it will still be a busy day at Blaine’s 26 polling places on Tuesday, November 5. Besides national and statewide races, Blaine has four local races on the ballot this year. One seat in each council ward is up for election, and all Blaine voters will also see the mayoral race on their ballot.
Early Voting Options
Early absentee voting is available at Blaine City Hall up until Election Day. Special weekend voting will also be available at City Hall from 9AM-3PM on November 2 and 3. The last day for in person absentee voting is Monday, November 4, and you must be in line by 5PM.
Election Day Voting
If you chose to vote on Election Day you must go to your assigned polling place between 7AM – 8PM. Find your polling place at MNVotes.gov
Candidate Information
You can find information on the candidates running for local office at BlaineMN.gov/Elections
Thank you to the more than 300 election judges that will work the polls on Election Day to ensure a smooth voting experience for all.
Garbage Route Changes Considered
The City is continuing to work with Walters to consider future garbage and recycling route changes. As changes are explored it is estimated that about 25 percent of Blaine households could see a change in their garbage day or recycling week. The last time any route changes took place was in 2016. Future route changes would provide a chance to make service routes more efficient and balance the number of households on each route. Since the last route changes the City has seen several road changes, and upcoming improvements on Highway 65 will also be considered in any new routes. The route changes would also take into account Blaine’s major events by planning service days that would best coincide with the events. The goal with any changes would be to provide a better customer experience while also planning for future residential growth. Any changes will be communicated by both the City and by Walters. The City will continue to provide an interactive map where residents can find all of their garbage and recycling information. All garbage and recycling details, including the interactive map, can be found at BlaineMN.gov/GarbageandRecycling
Blaine City Hall
10801 Town Square Drive NE Blaine, MN 55449
763-784-6700
Communications@BlaineMN.gov
City Council
MAYOR
Tim Sanders
763-203-3286
TSanders@BlaineMN.gov
WARD 1
Tom Newland
651-271-3341
TNewland@BlaineMN.gov
Lori Saroya
612-516-1073
LSaroya@BlaineMN.gov
WARD 2
Leslie Larson
612-489-9651
LeslieLarson@BlaineMN.gov
Jess Robertson
763-607-2233
JRobertson@BlaineMN.gov
WARD 3
Terra Fleming
612-513-5231
TFleming@BlaineMN.gov
Chris Massoglia
651-271-1153
CMassoglia@BlaineMN.gov
CITY MANAGER
Michelle Wolfe
763-785-6120
MWolfe@BlaineMN.gov
Recycling Calendar
Upcoming Meetings
City Council*
November 4 | November 18
December 2 | December 16
7pm | City Hall Council Chambers
City Council Workshops
November 4 | November 13 | November 18
December 2 | December 9 | December 16
5:30pm | Cloverleaf Farms Room
Natural Resources Conservation Board*
November 19 7pm | City Hall Council Chambers
Park Board*
November 26
7pm | City Hall Council Chambers
Planning Commission*
November 12 | December 10 7pm | City Hall Council Chambers
Traffic Commission*
December 3 | March 4
7pm | City Hall Council Chambers
*Meetings can be seen on cable channel 16 and 799. Meeting agendas and live and on demand videos are available at BlaineMN.gov/Agendas
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
Protecting Yourself this Season
Holiday Crime Prevention Tips from the Blaine Police Department
As the holiday season approaches, crime prevention becomes more crucial. Thieves often take advantage of the busy, distracted nature of this time of year, targeting homes, vehicles, and unsuspecting shoppers. Here are some tips to help you stay safe and secure during the holidays.
1. Protect Your Home: Before leaving for holiday travels or even quick shopping trips, make sure all windows and doors are securely locked. If you are going away, ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your property. Consider using timers for lights to give the appearance that someone is home. Avoid advertising travel plans on social media, as it can signal to criminals that your home is unoccupied.
2. Secure Your Packages: With the surge in online shopping, porch pirates are on the prowl. To protect your packages, consider having them delivered to a secure location, such as an Amazon Locker, your workplace, or a trusted neighbor’s house. Many carriers also offer the option to provide specific delivery instructions to keep packages out of sight.
3. Be Cautious While Shopping: When shopping, stay vigilant. Keep your purse close and zipped, and avoid carrying large amounts of cash. If you’re shopping at night, park in well-lit areas and keep your keys ready when returning to your vehicle. Store purchases in the trunk to keep them out of sight.
4. Watch Out for Scams: Scammers often use the holiday season to trick people with fake charity solicitations, gift card fraud, and phishing emails. Always verify the legitimacy of charities before donating, and be cautious when clicking on links or attachments in unsolicited emails.
By taking these precautions, you can reduce your risk of becoming a victim and enjoy a safe, happy holiday season.
Department Spotlight
Blaine Police Department - Community Service Officers
The City of Blaine is proud to have a dedicated Community Service Officer (CSO) unit as part of the Blaine Police Department. This program plays a crucial role in keeping our community safe and supporting the efforts of sworn police officers. Many Blaine residents may not be aware that the CSO unit is comprised of seven non-sworn officers, who help handle a wide range of lower-priority calls and administrative tasks. This allows Blaine’s sworn police officers to stay on the streets and respond to higher-priority emergencies more efficiently.
The CSOs provide a variety of services to Blaine residents, helping to resolve common community issues. Here are some of the calls they typically handle:
• Animal calls, including barking dogs, pets running loose, dog defecation issues, and pets left in motor vehicles.
• Ordinance violation complaints, such as illegal burns and violations of recreation fire regulations.
• Parking complaints, like commercial vehicle parking, parking that causes obstructions, and winter parking violations.
• Drivers locked out of their vehicles. (For this service, you can call the non-emergency number at 763-427-1212, or dial 911 if a child or animal is locked inside.)
CSOs also assist officers on high-priority calls involving traffic accidents, fires, medical emergencies, and more. Becoming a CSO is a great way to gain hands on experience in law enforcement. All CSOs need to be enrolled in an accredited law enforcement program. The City of Blaine routinely has openings for CSOs, check our job opportunities at BlaineMN.gov/Jobs
2024 Santa Parade Tours
December 2-5
Ho-Ho-Ho! He’s making a list and checking it twice. He’s gonna find out who is naughty or nice. The Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View (SBM) firefighters have reached out to the North Pole and can confirm that Santa’s planning on making a special appearance again this year for the annual SBM Santa Parade food drive! Parades will be December 2, 3, 4, 5 and travel through all three cities.
Please watch SBM’s website at SBMFire.org and social media pages for updated information on parade routes and start times as we get closer to Santa’s arrival.
Christmas Tree Collection
Walters Recycling and Refuse will be collecting Christmas trees the first two weeks of the year from:
Monday, January 6 thru Friday, January 17 Trees will be collected the day after your regular garbage collection day. 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 the trees out on your regular service day, and it will be collected the next day.
Boards and Commission Openings
Applications Open Soon
The City of Blaine has several advisory boards that are often the first part of the legislative process at the local level. These boards and commissions hear proposals on a variety of projects and then make recommendations to the City Council. Members on the boards and commissions are recommended by the Mayor and confirmed through a council action.
Requirements to serve include being a resident of Blaine, attending monthly meetings, and having a community interest.
Interested residents can learn more about each board and commission at BlaineMN.gov/ BoardsandCommissions
An online application will be available at the above webpage after November 15.
Use Salt Safely this Winter
The salt ghost is here to remind you to use salt wisely to reduce impacts to our aquatic systems from runoff and reduce corrosion to vehicles and concrete. Maximize melting with a spread of three inches between salt pebbles. More salt does not mean more safety, just more pollution that can’t be fixed. Want to learn more?
Check out the MN Pollution Control Agency chloride website at PCA.State.mn.us/ Pollutants-and-Contaminants/ Chloride
Blaine Tests Election Day Voting Equipment
MN Secretary of State Simon Observes
Before every election all voting equipment for the City of Blaine is rigorously tested. Part of the testing is an official public accuracy test. Every city must complete a public accuracy test no later than 14 days prior to the election. In Blaine the public accuracy test was held on Thursday, October 17.
This test uses a set of ballots that have been marked by elections staff. The ballots are run through the machines, and the accuracy of the tabulated report is verified. The ballot set includes all different types of ballots to make sure that the ballot counting machines only accepts valid ballots.
The test confirmed that all tested voting machines worked correctly and any invalid ballots were rejected by the machines.
This public accuracy test takes place prior to every election, but this year in Blaine a larger crowd than usual attended the event as Minnesota Secretary of State Steve Simon was in attendance to observe the work being done by the election officials.
Secretary Simon took time to praise the election workers, including the election judges that conducted the public accuracy test. In Minnesota, it takes over 30,000 individuals to staff both early voting facilities and polling places on Election Day.
In Blaine thousands of voters came to City Hall prior to Election Day to cast their ballot through in person absentee voting. Election judges staffed the absentee voting polling place each day since September 20.
If you are interested in serving as an election judge for future elections, visit BlaineMN.gov/Elections to learn more.
Blaine’s
AAA Credit Rating Affirmed
Blaine is one of a select few cities in the United States to receive a AAA credit rating from a major financial rating agency. The AAA credit rating is the highest possible rating given to a government agency. The AAA rating reflects the City’s robust management policies and practices, revenue raising flexibility, and continued growth in the local economy.
The credit rating agency noted that Blaine has a long record of running a balanced operating budget, the 2024 budget and projections for the next few years support our view that the City’s stable operations will likely continue.
Having a AAA credit rating allows the City to bond for improvement projects at the lowest available interest rates and saves the taxpayers significant money over the long term.
MN Secretary of State Steve Simon addresses the media at Blaine’s public accuracy test.
City Prepares 2025 Annual Budget
Learn More About the Budget Process and the Truth in Taxation Meeting
The City has been working on the 2025 budget for the last several months. The budget process begins early in the year when the City Council identifies priorities and provides general guidance to city staff. City departments then spend time reviewing the current budget and making modifications and requests for the next calendar year. All the requests and modifications are reviewed by the Finance Department and ultimately by the city manager. The city manager is responsible for presenting a draft budget to the City Council. The draft budget is presented in the summer, and then the Council is able to dig in to start working through the budget. By law the Council must set a preliminary tax levy by the end of September. After the preliminary tax levy is set, it cannot be raised it can only be lowered before final adoption in December. Residents can participate in the budget process through public meetings, questions to staff, and by contacting their councilmembers.
Truth In Taxation Public Meeting
Monday, December 16, 7PM
Mayor and Council Contact Information
Winter Reminders and Tips
Helpful Reminders from Public Works
• Fall street sweeping crews are out now. Please keep cars and any obstacles out of the road as much as possible to allow crews to do their job.
• Boulevard tree trimming is completed in the winter months as time allows.
• After a snowfall do not plow, blow, or shovel snow onto or across any public street. This is against Minnesota state law.
• After a snowstorm the city roadways are the first priority. Sidewalks and park trails will be cleared after the roadways.
• Any sod damage caused by city plows will be repaired with new dirt and grass seed in the spring.
• Blaine Public Works is responsible for plowing only city streets. MnDOT and Anoka County also have plow crews assigned to their roads in Blaine as well as private contractors on private neighborhood streets.
• The City of Blaine routinely posts plow updates on social media before, during, and after a snowstorm.
• Help plow crews locate the curb by marking the edge with a wood stake. Free wood stakes are available at the public works building.
Pre-snowfall Mailbox Inspection - Now is a great time to check your mailbox post condition. Can it handle the weight of a snow drift? The City does not assume liability for mailboxes damaged during normal plowing operations, unless it is determined that the damaged mailbox met the installation recommendations.
See who is responsible for plowing your road at BlaineMN.gov/SnowPlow For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/PublicWorks
Winter Parking Reminder
Regulations in Effect from November 1 thru April 1, 2-7am
• No parking on any street from 2AM until 7AM. A permit for overnight parking may be obtained from the Blaine Police Department in emergency situations.
• No street parking after a snowfall of two inches or more until the street is fully plowed.
8am — noon
3rd Saturday
February - December
Drop-Off Location
Recycle Technologies Enter at 1525 - 99th Lane NE
The City of Blaine sponsors a recycling drop-off day on the third Saturday of each month. Participants do not need to be Blaine residents to bring items to the drop-off day.
Please note that no garbage will be accepted. Follow the signs for the entrance and staff directions through the drop-off process.
Recycle Technologies
763-559-5130
RecycleTechnologies.com
Cash or Check Only
Mattresses, box springs, appliances, fluorescent lamps, electronics, rechargeable batteries, and tires are some of the items collected. Free items include scrap metal, vehicle batteries, and paper shredding. See a complete list of fees and items at BlaineMN.gov/ RecyclingSaturdays.
Free paper shredding is offered at these events through SCORE Grant Funding. Please note that there may be long wait times for shredding. There is a four-box or bag limit for paper shredding.
Bike Collection for Bikes4KidsMN.org
Drop off any size bicycle. Bikes will be refurbished or have their parts used in refurbishing other bikes. Bikes are then donated to people in need. There is no charge to drop off a bike. Bikes for Kids is part of the Robert & Wilma Burbach Bike Foundation. Bike collection is available from April through October.
RecConnect Fall 2024
Winter/Spring registration begins Monday, December 16 at 8AM.
Check out all the great program offerings at BlaineParks.com/Register.
Sign up for the RecConnect online at BlaineMN.gov/NotifyMe, choose News: BlaineParks.
Breakfast with Santa
ages 10 and under w/parent/adult
Spend a morning with your family at the North Pole. Don’t miss out on this memorable event. Fee includes a continental breakfast for one child and one adult, crafts for one child, and a visit with Santa. Registration required. Held at Blaine City Hall.
Session 1: Saturday, December 14
9am, 10am, 11am or noon
Session 2: Saturday, December 21
9am, 10am, 11am or noon
$20 res; $21 nr
To register, call 763-785-6164 or visit BlaineParks.com/Register.
Stay Connected
More information about Parks and Recreation is available at 763-785-6164 or in the current Recreation Connection online.
Harvest Hustle
Thursday, November 28, TPC Twin Cities Golf Course
Come join us for a casual walk/run 5K around TPC the Twin Cities. It is a great way to start your Thanksgiving Day off by burning calories ahead of the big meal. Toys for Tots donations will also be collected at the event.
8am Registration
9am Race Starts
$20/adult; $10/youth
To register, visit BlaineParks.com/Register
Tech Academy
All Classes Held at Blaine City Hall
Tech Academy is an exciting learning environment specializing in technology education for children and teens ages 4 to 15. Camps are kid friendly and promote hands on learning experiences with time to experiment to foster creativity.
Game Coding: Mario Kart
ages 8-12: Saturday, November 9, 9am-noon
$45 res; $55 nr
Intro to Video Game Design with Nintendo Characters
ages 6-10: Saturdays, November 16 & 23, 8-9:30am
$45 res; $55 nr
Video Production: YouTube Shorts, IG
Reels & TikTok
ages 8-14: Saturdays,November 16 & 23
10am-noon
$60 res; $70 nr
Multiplayer Minecraft: Master Builders
ages 6-11: Saturday, November 30, 9am-noon
$45 res; $55 nr
Video Production: Podcasting
ages 9-14: Saturday, December 7, 9-11am
$30 res; $35 nr
Multiplayer Minecraft: City Builder
ages 8-12
Saturdays, December 14 & 21, 10am-noon
$60 res; $70 nr
Intro to Game Coding
ages 6-10: Saturday, December 28, 10am-noon
$30 res; $35 nr
Game Coding: Mario Kart
ages 8-12
Saturdays, December 14 & 21, 8-9:30am
$45 res; $55 nr
For more information on dates, times, and fees, please call 763-785-6164 or visit
BlaineParks.com/Register
Skyhawk Sports Camps
Ages 5 to 11
The progression of camps and programs, led by expert staff, are geared toward youth looking for a sport introduction or those who want to refine and master their sport specific skills. Skyhawks Sports has proven to be the leader in youth sports since 1979.
Basketball
Blue Heron Elementary
Saturdays, November 23 – December 21, $85
ages 5 to 7: 11:30am-12:30pm ages 8 to 11: 12:45-1:45pm
Volleyball
Rice Lake Elementary
Saturdays, November 23 – December 21, $85
ages 5 to 7: 9-10am ages 8 to 11: 10:15-11:15am
For complete descriptions, please call 763-785-6164 or visit BlaineParks.com/Register
Babysitting
Ages 11 and up
Learn to be responsible babysitters by examining safety guidelines, child development, finding jobs, rates, and first aid. Hands-on experience with diapers and bottle feeding included. Bring a doll, lunch, and beverage. Held at Blaine City Hall Cloverleaf A Room.
Tuesday, November 19 and Wednesday, November 20, 5:30-8pm $80 res; $88 nr
For more information and to register, call 763-785-6164 or visit BlaineParks.com/Register
Adult Co-Rec Volleyball League
Non-Officiated League
Get on the court in this fun and active volleyball league. There will be one scheduled practice and eight games plus single elimination playoffs. Players must be at least 18 years old. Games are held at Roosevelt Middle School in Blaine. Game times will vary in the evening. Wednesdays, January 8 - Late March 6:30-9:30pm
$250 team
For more information and to register, call 763-785-6164 or visit BlaineParks.com/Register
Zumba at QC Dance
All Classes Held at QC Dance Studio 9967 Ulysses Street, Blaine
This specialty course is designed for those just starting their journey to a fit and healthy lifestyle or the older active adult. Zumba is for everyone, all shapes and sizes and just about any age. With Zumba, the fun comes first, and the physical benefits follow. The class will be a fat burning, body shaping, fun workout! Max 12.
Session 2: Wednesdays, November 6-27, 8-8:45pm $40 res; $45 nr
For more information and to register, call 763-785-6164 or visit BlaineParks.com/Register
Cookie
Decorating
ages 10 and under w/parent/adult
You and your child will have a great time decorating cookies for the season. The City will supply one dozen cookies and all of the toppings. Bring a container to take your cookies home. Be sure to dress for the mess! Program held at Blaine City Hall.
Thursday, December 19
Session 1 (10 & under): 5-5:45pm
Session 2 (10 & under): 6-6:45pm
Session 3 (any age): 7-7:45pm
$15 res; $16 nr
To register, call 763-785-6164 or visit BlaineParks.com/Register
Oktoberfest Celebration in Blaine
Large Crowds Filled Tom Ryan Park
Blaine’s third annual Oktoberfest was a full day of family fun that brought the community together. A sold out craft fair filled two levels of Blaine City Hall and even spilled out the front door for more vendor booths. Live music brought in the crowds and had several people up and dancing. The day started off with traditional Oktoberfest sounds from The Squires. Next, LP and the 45’s had the crowd dancing in the street for a midday street dance in front of City Hall. Then the headliner, GB Leighton, took the main stage in Tom Ryan Park on a beautiful fall night.
Families flocked to the petting zoo all day long. Finally, the food trucks and pop-up kitchens filled the air with delicious aromas and kept party goers happy and full.
If you missed Oktoberfest this year, make sure to join us next year for our fourth annual event. Learn more at BlaineMN.gov/Oktoberfest.
Skating Rink Hours and Locations
Warming Houses Tentatively Scheduled to Open Friday, December 20
Outdoor Lighted Rinks with Staffed Warming Houses
Aurelia Park Hockey/General Rink 91st Avenue at Jefferson Street
Happy Acres Park 3 Hockey/General Rink 119th Avenue and 7th Street
Enjoy live holiday music, bonfires with s’mores, live reindeer, a tree lighting ceremony, and a winter wonderland walk. Santa and his reindeer will be at the event, but Santa will not be available for individual visits or photographs.
Live Music with Pair of 7 4-6pm
Sign up for the kids shopping event! Personal shoppers will help your child pick out the perfect gift. Gifts range from $1-$15. Gift wrapping is included. Registration required for a 15 minute kids shopping time slot starting at 4pm until 6pm No shopping walk-ins accepted. To register, visit BlaineParks.com/Register
For more information, visit BlaineMN.gov/ WinterCelebration
2024
Outdoor Unlighted Rinks without Warming Houses or Staff
