Blaine W W W . C I . B L A I N E . M N . U S

CityConnect

New Tobacco Policy Enacted for City Parks

The City of Blaine, in cooperation with Tobacco-Free Youth Recreation, has adopted a new Tobacco Use Policy for all Blaine parks, effective Jan. 1, 2011.

Per the new policy, tobacco-free areas have been designated inside city parks. Those areas include all playground areas and 25 feet from playground borders or standalone equipment, including park benches or other seating within said areas. All playing fields, recreation areas and facilities are also included, with a 25-foot zone around all facility fencing or in-play areas, including bleachers and other seating areas. Entrances to all park buildings also have a 25-foot tobacco-free zone; the Blaine Senior Center in considered a park building. Each city park shelter also has a 25-foot zone.

Signs will be posted in all city parks.

January/February 2011

Tobacco Use is

Within 25’ ofPark Amenities

The Blaine Police Department teamed with Blaine SuperTarget to make the holiday season extra special for 30 local children.

With the help of school social workers, the Blaine Police Department identified children from six local elementary schools who needed extra cheer this holiday season. Target stepped in and put together a special holiday shopping event.

To make the day special, Blaine’s officers, explorers, community service officers and reserves, all wearing Santa hats, picked up the children at home prior to their shopping spree. At SuperTarget, each child was given a donated

$75 gift card to complete holiday shopping for their family members.

The children, many with shopping lists in hand, were paired with police helpers to guide them through the store. They were also treated to a meal in the food court. After loading their carts and purchasing the presents, cops and kids gathered with SuperTarget employees to wrap the many gifts. At the end of the day, Blaine’s officers returned the children home with bags of presents to share with their families so they could help spread holiday cheer at home this season.

‘Shop with a Cop’ Program Helps Local Kids with Holiday Shopping

As snow falls this winter and the snowpack continues to build, the City of Blaine is asking for the help of residents with three important snow-related safety concerns: 1. Help the SBM Fire Department by clearing snow from around fire hydrants. During winter fire emergencies, firefighters lose valuable time locating and accessing fire hydrants. Residents are asked to clear fire hydrants in their neighborhoods, removing snow three feet in each direction to allow clearance for hoses. The house – and life – you save could be your own.2. Do not allow children to build snow structures or tunnels in the snow banks at the end of driveways, in culs-de-sac or along roadways. Snowplows and other snow removal machinery may pass by at any time to remove snow or make space for future snow events.

3. Do not place garbage and recycling carts in the street where they can be hit and damaged by snowplows.

Fire Department Asks Residents to Help Keep Fire Hydrants Clear of Snow

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PUBLIC MEETINGS City Council*

Jan. 6 | Jan. 20 | Feb. 3 | Feb. 177:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers

City Council WorkshopsJan. 6 | Jan. 13 | Jan. 20 Feb. 3 | Feb. 10 | Feb. 17 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Cloverleaf Room

Planning Commission*Jan. 11 | Feb. 87 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers

Park Board*Jan. 24 | Feb. 227 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers

Natural Resource Conservation Board Jan. 17 | Feb. 227 p.m. | City Hall Cloverleaf Farm Room

Arts CouncilJan. 12 | Feb. 96:30 p.m. | City Hall Lunch Room

Historical Society Feb. 8 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Sanctuary Room

*meetings can be seen live on cable channel 16

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Blaine City Hall10801 Town Square Drive NEBlaine, MN 55449

763-784-6700763-785-6156 (fax)

CITY COUNCILMAYORTom Ryan12147 Radisson Road NEBlaine, MN 55449

763-757-3390tryan@ci.blaine.mn.us

DISTRICT 1Wes Hovland 8650 Van Buren St. NEBlaine, MN 55434

763-228-1117whovland@ci.blaine.mn.us

Dick SwansonP.O. Box 49725Blaine, MN 55449

763-370-2557dswanson@ci.blaine.mn.us

DISTRICT 2Dave Clark10833 Fillmore St. NEBlaine, MN 55434

763-754-7643dclark@ci.blaine.mn.us

Mike Bourke83 103rd Ave. NEBlaine, MN 55434

763-784-1986

DISTRICT 3Kathy Kolb11308 Jefferson St. NEBlaine, MN 55434

763-757-6887kkolb@ci.blaine.mn.us

Russ Herbst12875 Lever St. NEBlaine, MN 55449

763-784-6143rherbst@ci.blaine.mn.us

CITY MANAGERClark Arneson

763-785-6120carneson@ci.blaine.mn.us

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Police and Fire ............................................... 911Police (non-emergency) ...................763-785-6168Fire (non-emergency) .......................763-786-4436Building Inspections .........................763-785-6170Cable Channel 15 .............................763-780-8241City Cable Channel 16 .....................763-785-6192City Clerk .......................................763-785-6124City Manager ...................................763-785-6120Community Standards ......................763-785-6187Crime Prevention .............................763-785-6113Economic Development ....................763-785-6147Engineering .....................................763-785-6172Fire Inspections ..............................763-785-6187Forestry .........................................763-717-2660Housing Services ............................763-785-6146Human Resources ...........................763-785-6109Job Line .........................................763-717-2679Newsletter .....................................763-717-2735Operator .........................................763-784-6700Parks and Recreation .......................763-785-6164Planning & Zoning ...........................763-785-6180Public Works ...................................763-785-6165Recycling & Solid Waste ..................763-785-6192Senior Citizens Center .....................763-786-9375 Streets ...........................................763-785-6165Stormwater .....................................763-785-6188Utility Billing ...................................763-785-6141Water & Sewer System ....................763-785-6165Web ...............................................763-717-2638

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All city legal notices are published in the city’s official newspaper, the

Blaine/Spring Lake Park Life.

About this Newsletter...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 www.ci.blaine.mn.us. Feedback can be directed to newsletter @ ci.blaine.mn.us .

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www.facebook.com/blaine.mn

Learn more about the City of Blaine and keep updated with happenings by following the city online.

www.ci.blaine.mn.us/go/emailupdates

http://twitter.com/blaineminnesota

www.youtube.com/cityofblaine

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Test Your Carbon Monoxide Smarts Becky Booker - SBM Fire Department

The Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department took 200 carbon monoxide calls over the past two years. The threat of carbon monoxide poisoning is a real danger. The following quiz has been created to help you learn more about this invisible, odorless killer. Your safety is at stake – you want to pass this test!

Q: What is the most common cause of odorless carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning in a home?A: Fuel-burning appliances working improperly, like furnaces and water heaters, are the most common cause of CO poisoning. Have them checked annually.

Q: Where do I put my CO alarm in my home?A: High or low, it doesn’t matter. It must only be away from fresh air and areas of combustion (furnace and fuel-burning appliances).

Q: What type of alarm is best?A: The fire department finds fewer issues with digital CO alarms that are only measuring CO.

Q: When do I need to replace the alarm?A: Every five to seven years or per manufacturer’s instructions (date is on back of alarm).

Q: What do I do if the alarm goes off loudly and continuously?A: Get out immediately and call 911.

Q: What are the symptoms of CO poisoning and how do I tell the difference between this and the flu?A: Flu-like symptoms are headache, dizziness, sleepiness, nausea and vomiting. If you go outside, poisoning symptoms go away. Poisoning can also occur without symptoms.

Q: Who is at greatest risk for CO poisoning?A: Those with respiratory conditions such as asthma and emphysema, heart problems, anemia, those who do strenuous physical activity and the elderly, children and unborn babies are at greatest risk.

Minnesota law states all homes must have CO alarms. For more information about carbon monoxide and other home hazards, call the Minnesota Department of Health Indoor Air

Quality Unit at 1-800-798-9050.

Homeowners can also sign up for a free Home Safety Survey with the SBM Fire Department for a personal, confidential look at your home. Call

763-767-4003 for an appointment.

“Take Heart Anoka County” is offering adult CPR courses specifically designed for anyone wishing to learn CPR skills but not in need of a credential. Classes meet for one hour and are free to attend.

The course is offered in both Blaine and Mounds View. In Blaine, classes are held the second Tuesday of each month at Fire Station 3 (11920 Ulysses St.) at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Upcoming dates are Jan. 11, Feb. 8 and March 8.

Courses in Mounds View are offered at the Mounds View Community Center (5394 Edgewood Drive) on the fourth Tuesday of each month, also at 1 p.m. and 7 p.m. Upcoming dates are Jan. 25 and Feb. 22.

For more information, contact Shannon Ryder of the Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View

Fire Department at 763-786-4436.

CPR Classes Available from SBM Fire

The Blaine Police Department, Spring Lake Park-Blaine-Mounds View Fire Department and Safe Kids Anoka County will host a free car seat clinic on Tuesday, Jan. 18.

Scheduled from 4 to 7 p.m. at SBM Fire Station 3 in Blaine, the clinic is open to all Anoka County residents and is offered by appointment only. In Minnesota, four out of five car seats are installed incorrectly. During this free clinic, experts will inspect your child’s car seat, provide installation tips and check the seat for recalls. Parents will demonstrate proper installation of their seats and have an opportunity to ask specific questions of trained technicians.

Effective July 1, 2009, a child who is both younger than age eight and shorter than 4 feet 9 inches is required to be fastened in a child safety seat or booster seat that meets federal safety standards. Booster seats are designed to keep the lap belt positioned properly around a child’s hips and the shoulder belt in the correct position. Under this law, a child cannot use solely a seat belt until they are age eight or 4 feet 9 inches tall, whichever comes first.

Blaine Safety Services has a limited number of free booster seats available for families experiencing financial hardship. In

order to receive a free booster seat, families must make an appointment to attend the car seat clinic and the child for whom the booster seat is intended must be present at the clinic. A limited number of booster seats are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

For more information or to make an appointment, contact Fire & Life Safety Education Chief Connie

Forster at 763-767-4003 (x100).

Car Seat Clinic Set for Jan. 18; Limited Number of Free Booster Seats Available

Prepare a Winter Emergency Car KitWinter driving can be treacherous. Don’t be caught in the cold in an emergency. Be prepared by creating a winter emergency car kit. Essential items include:

• flashlight• flaresorreflectivetriangle• distresssign• changeforpayphone• firstaidsupplies• basictools• fullychargedcellphone

Other recommended items are: • boots• hat• coat• gloves• jumpercables• carpetstrips,sandorkittylitter for traction • icescraperandbrush• blanket• chocolatecandy

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The WatershedOrganizations of

Blaine, Minnesota

Coon Creek Watershed District

THE COON CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT MAKES NO WARRANTY, REPRESENTATION, OR

GUARANTEE OF ANY KIND REGARDING EITHER ANY MAPS OR OTHER INFORMATION

PROVIDED HEREIN OR THE SOURCES OF SUCH MAPS OR OTHER INFORMATION.

Disclaimer

Rice CreekWatershed District

763.398.3070

Six Cities Watershed Management Organization

763.767.6458

Coon Creek Watershed District

763.755.0975

UPPER RUM RIVERWATERSHED MANAGEMENT

ORGANIZATION

SUNRISE RIVERWATERSHED

MANAGEMENTORGANIZATION

LOWER RUM RIVERWATERSHED MANAGEMENT

ORGANIZATION

COON CREEK WATERSHED DISTRICT

RICE CREEKWATERSHED

DISTRICTSIX CITIESWATERSHED

MANAGEMENTORGANIZATION

VADNAIS LAKE AREA WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

ORGANIZATION

Anoka County, MinnesotaProject Path: P:\GIS\GIS DATA\PUBLIC AND GOV RELATIONS\ARCMAP_DOCS\BLAINEWATERSHEDS.MXD - Map Date: Jul 01, 2010

Roads

Private Ditches

Public Ditches

Parcels

Blaine City Limits

Blaine

Summer Yard Projects May Require City and Watershed District Permits – Plan Ahead!

Sheds, pools, retaining walls, fences, playgrounds and decks are all valuable additions to any home. But if you plan to add this type of amenity to your home in the upcoming year, be sure to plan at least threemonths ahead.Many projectsrequire a permit, and maybe even two.

Besides a city permit, a permit from a watershed authority mayalsobe required if theproperty is in afloodplain, alonga public ditch or has a drainage easement or wetland on it. If this is the case, plans require both review and approval by the respective watershed organization. In such instances, it is important to plan ahead, as watershed organizations meet only monthly or semi-monthly.

Blaine presently is part of three watershed organizations. The map below displays the three districts. Generally speaking, the western part of Blaine is in the Coon Creek Watershed District and the eastern is in Rice Creek Watershed District.

To determine if your property is in a floodplain, drainage easement or wetland, check the map below or call the City of Blaine Engineering Department or your respective

watershed association. Though floodplain or wetlands may not be obvious, they may still be part of a property and serve important functions like flood prevention or pollution filtering. Drainage easements are equally important.

A drainage easement allows access rights along public ditches for a drainage authority, such as a watershed district, to periodically inspect or repair public ditches (ownership is retained by the landowner). This practice exists because obstructed flow such as sedimentation from eroded banks could result inupstreamflooding for amile ormore on the flatAnoka SandPlain of which Blaine is a part. Sometimes, the sedimentation may need to be dredged or the ditchbanks stabilized.

Permits help ensure structural safety, public safety and welfare and conservation of wetland and floodplain areas that servefunctionslikefloodprevention.Planaheadandgetproperpermitsforyourproject.Cleanwaterisworthit.

Information provided by the Coon Creek Watershed District.

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The cities of Blaine, Fridley and Mounds View will host the 13th Annual North Metro Home and Garden Show at the Schwan Center at the National Sports Center in Blaine on Saturday, Feb. 26, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Several dozen vendors will be available to answer home improvement questions and provide inspiration and encouragement to homeowners in the community to improve their homes and yards. Informational seminars will also be presented.

Admission is free and door prizes will be awarded.

More information about the 2011 North Metro Home & Garden Show is available at

www.northmetrohomeandgarden.com .

Start Savingon Utility BillsBlaine residents are invited to attend a FREE educational workshop that teaches homeowners to lower energy use and save money by utilizing small behavioral modifications and installation of low-cost materials such as compact fluorescent lamps and faucet aerators. Attendees will also learn about energy audits and innovative financing options to assist with energy upgrade needs. The workshop is scheduled Wednesday, March 9 at 6:30 p.m. at Blaine City Hall.

Energy Upgrade &Home Improvement Loan Program open to Residents In 1998, the City of Blaine’s Economic Development Authority developed a low-interest home improvement loan program for Blaine residents. Over the past 12 years, more than $3.6 million of the city’s dollars as well as $1.5 million from outside funding sources has been invested into the Blaine housing stock, providing residents with affordable remodeling options. In addition to the low-cost and no-cost energy saving tips noted above, the City of Blaine offers a low-interest home improvement loan to assist with home energy upgrades.

Blaine Home Improvement Loan•5%fixedinterest•$25,000maximumloanamount•Incomelimitsapply•Eligible improvements include mostexterior and interior improvements, such as furnaces, roofs, baths, windows and insulation, among others

The City of Blaine has contracted with the Center for Energy and Environment (CEE), a local non-profit organization, to deliver the Blaine Home Improvement Program. CEE has remodeling advisors available at no cost to the homeowner to assist with the process of a home improvement. To schedule a remodeling advisor visit, call 612-335-5856.

For more information or to request a Blaine Home Improvement Loan application, call

612-335-5884 or visit www.mncee.org .

Anoka Conservation District Now Accepting Orders for April Tree SaleThe Anoka Conservation District has begun taking orders as part of its 2011 Tree and Shrub Sale.

Trees and shrubs are being offered in bundles of 10 ($15) or 25 ($27). Native prairie seeds are also available. The sale is set for April 30 at the Anoka County Fairgrounds; orders will be accepted until April 14. Order early to guarantee availability.

All tree order information is available on the ACD website, which offers two methods of payment: print and mail the order form

or order and pay online. The website also provides pictures of the native species for sale, along with a wealth of information on growth rates, soil types and moisture and sun requirements.

Visit the Anoka Conservation District online at

www.anokaswcd.org or call 763-434-2030 (x10) for more

information.

SPECIES FORM dry ForeSTMixed OakBlack CherryJuneberryHazelnut

MoiST ForeSTWhite Pine TransplantsSugar MapleRed MaplePaper BirchElderberryCommon Ninebark

Shoreland & WeTlandCottonwoodTamarackRiver BirchWhite Cedar TransplantsNannyberryRed-osier DogwoodBlack Chokeberry

WindbreakS & WildliFeNorway Pine TransplantsWhite Spruce TransplantsRed Splendor CrabWild PlumCommon Lilac (early bloom)Villosa Lilac (late bloom)

Home and Garden Show Set for Feb. 26

Winter Parking Restrictions in EffectAs a reminder to residents, winter parking restrictions are in effect in Blaine. Streets clear of vehicles allow snow plows to most efficiently clean city roadways. •NoparkingonanyBlainestreetbetween

the hours of 2 a.m. and 7 a.m. from Nov. 1 through April 1. Please note that there are several posted signs regarding this parking restriction throughout the city; however, a sign is not posted on every city street.•Noparkingonanyhighway,streetoralleyfor

more than 12 hours after snow begins to fall.

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Senior SceneMary ann young Senior Center9150 Central ave. | 763-786-9375

Jan. 6 – Take Down Decorations at Senior CenterJan. 11-18 – Nominations for King and Queen of the Senior Center Jan. 20 – Movie: The Heartbreaker

Jan. 24 – Prize/Penny BingoJan. 25 – Wii TournamentJan. 25 – 500 Card TournamentJan. 26 – Birthday EntertainmentJan. 27 – Cribbage TournamentFeb. 4 – Super Bowl PartyFeb. 14 – Valentine Celebration with The Paul and Don ShowFeb. 17 – Movie: TBD. Suggestions welcome.Feb. 23 – Birthday Bluegrass Entertainment by the Carlsons. Followed by Delicious Noon Meal and Prize Bingo

The Mary Ann Young Senior Center offers a variety of programs, social events and dining options on weekdays. Call for more information and times or learn more online. Visit www.ci.blaine.mn.us and

search keyword senior center.

Lights to be Added to Two Youth Fields at Blaine Baseball Complex in 2011

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Winter Holiday Celebration Brings 600 to City HallHundreds of Blaine residents visited city hall on Dec. 6 for the Parks and Rec Department’s ninth annual Winter Holiday Celebration.

The lively event featured a wide variety of holiday-oriented activities, including live music, games, a coloring contest and an appearance from Santa. Families also enjoyed plenty of food andrefreshments and an outdoor pit fire. New to the celebration this year were the horse-drawn wagon rides, provided by Bunker Park Stables. Despite cold temperatures, dozens of attendees took advantage of the fun ride around Town Square Park.

Two Little League baseball fields at the BlaineBaseballComplexwillsoongetmajorupgrades that will ultimately benefit both players and families.

Fields #2 and #3 will be enhanced with lights, which will allow games to start later in the evening and go past dusk. Leagues will be able to schedule more games in an evening, and families will not be hurried after work to make the start of early games.

Little League baseball is for ages nine to 12

and is one of the fastest growing baseball age groups in the community. Weeknight games had been starting as early as 5 p.m. in order to complete double-headers; games will now start later and be finished by 10 p.m. And, because Little League fields are much smaller than standard baseball fields, they require half as much lighting.

Light pole installation will begin in January. All lights will be installed and ready for play by the spring.

The Anoka County Parks and Recreation Department, in collaboration with Lino Lakes and Blaine Parks and Recreation departments, are pleased to offer the 11th annual Snow Day on Saturday, Jan. 29 from 1 to 4 p.m. Participants of all ages enjoy a variety of winter activities,including snow shoeing, ice fishing, kick-sledding, cross-country skiing, winter crafts and a live animal presentation. Refreshments provided. Event held at Wargo Nature Center, regardless of weather. No registration required –justshowup!

For more information, call Wargo Nature Center at 651-429-8007. This event is FREE!

Families Invited to Annual Snow Day

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Parks and Recreation

Winter/Spring 2011

Sweetheart Partyages 7 and under with parent/adultSpend a night at Centennial Elementary School with your child, dancing, making crafts andenjoyingotheractivities.Bringacamera!Registration required. Register by Jan. 28. DATE: Friday, Feb. 4TIME: 6:30 – 8 p.m.FEE: $7/child

Ice Skating PartyBring the whole family to Happy Acres Park for a day of skating and socializing. We provide hot chocolate and snacks. No registration required. DATE: Sunday, Jan. 9 TIME: 1 – 4 p.m.FEE: FREE!

Children’s Art WorkshopYouth are invited to city hall to create a masterpiece under the guidance of professional artists. Registration required. DATE: Saturday, Feb. 26 TIME: 1 p.m.FEE: FREE!

Community Outings Check the winter/spring Recreation Connection for more information. Ganster Tour & State CapitolA gangster guides us through the early days in St. Paul. Lunch at Casper’s Cherokee Sirloin Room. After lunch, take a guided tour of our State Capitol. Elevators available. Register by March 7. DATE: Wednesday, March 23TIME: 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.FEE: $53The Marvelous Wonderettes at Plymouth PlayhouseEnjoythisnewpophitmusicalwithfavorite songs from the 50s and 60s. Lunch included. Register by Jan. 25. DATE: Wednesday, Feb. 9TIME: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.FEE: $63Springtime in the CarolinasApril 3-13. Head southeast to Atlanta, Savannah, Charleston, Myrtle Beach and other cities. Trip includes 10 nights of accommodations and 14 meals. Call Parks and Rec for a complete itinerary.

More information about Parks and Recreation programs is available at

763-785-6164 or in the current Recreation Connection online at www.blaineparks.com .

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Monthly Recycling at Aquatore ParkEach third Saturday of the month, the City of Blaine sponsors a recycling drop-off program in the parking lot of Aquatore Park.

The collection event is staged near the Mary Ann Young Senior Center and recurs the third Saturday of every month from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Most appliances cost $10 each; air conditioners and water softeners are $15. Most electronics, including televisions, will cost between $2 and $25, depending on size. Tires and rechargeable batteries may also be recycled for a small fee.

Free items include scrap metal, car batteries, used clothing and all items collected as part of the city’s curbside recycling program. A free paper shedding service is also available to shred sensitive documents. Please note, no garbage will be accepted.

To learn more about the city’s recycling drop-off program and for a list of acceptable items and

associated fees, call 763-785-6192 or visit www.ci.blaine.mn.us and search

keyword recycle .

In Case of Sewer Backup, Contact Public WorksResidents experiencing a sewer backup should immediately contact the City of Blaine Public Works Department. Public Works will check the sewer main for blockages, as tree roots in the line can cause backups for neighbors as well.

During regular business hours, Blaine Public Works can be reached at 763-785-6165. Outside of business hours, call Anoka County Dispatch at 763-427-1212 in order to notify

Blaine Public Works.

January Curbside Tree CollectionChristmas trees will be collected curbside on regular garbage days during the weeks of Jan. 2 and Jan. 9 on regular garbage days. Please remove all ornaments, lights, tinsel, garland, wires, etc.

Right-of-Way Tree Trimming UnderwayThe Public Works Department will be trimming trees in city right-of-ways throughout winter as weather permits. Detailed maps identifying where efforts will be concentrated can be found online.

Public Works typically maintains a minimum clearance of 13 feet for buses and

street maintenance equipment. Sidewalks require a minimum clearance of eight feet.

More information about the city’s tree trimming efforts, including maps showing specific street locations of trimming activities, can be found

by visiting www.ci.blaine.mn.us and searching keyword tree trim .

Community Garden Registration BeginsFor the third year, community garden plots will be available to a limited number of local gardeners interested in growing flowers andvegetables.

Blaine’s community garden is located adjacenttoCityHall’ssouthparkinglot.Thecity will prepare the soil for planting, stake each plot and make water accessible. Plots are 15 feet by 20 feet and will be available for gardening on May 14. Rental fees for gardeners are $42.85 per plot for Blaine residents, $32.14 for Blaine senior residents ages 55 and older and $64.27 for non-residents (all rental fees include tax). Only one plot will be assigned per household.

The registration priority for renting a garden plot is as follows:

1. Blaine resident gardeners from last year may register for their same 2010 garden plot from Feb. 28 through March 18.

2. New Blaine resident gardeners and

returning Blaine resident gardeners who desire a different garden plot may register March 21 through March 25.

3. Returning non-resident gardeners may register for a plot from March 28 through April 1.

4. New non-resident gardeners may register for a plot beginning April 4.

Application, agreement forms and garden policies are available from the Parks and Recreation office. Call 763-785-6164 for more information. Happy gardening!

New lead-safe rules adopted by the Environmental Protection Agency are intended to protect kids and adults from the devastating effects of lead poisoning. These new guidelines are specifically aimed at protecting children younger than six and pregnant women.

Starting Feb. 1, 2011, many home renovations must be performed under completely different rules. The new rules apply to homes built before 1978, ones most likely to contain lead-based products such as certain paints.

When hiring a contractor for home renovation, the contractor must provide the homeowner with an educational pamphlet of lead-safe practices.

Upon renovation, contractors must build a containment area so dust cannot travel throughout the home. They also must use special vacuums to suck small dust particles, then clean after themselves in a special manner

and perform testing to ensure all lead dust is wiped away.

Contractors have to pay for this special training and equipment, which means the costwillbepassedonandrenovationjobswilllikely be more expensive than last year.

Safety officials say the increased costs do are worth the public health benefits. Said Marjean Hoeft with Sustainable ResourcesCenter: “The more usual way of kids being contaminated is through the dust. Every time you open a window and close a window it then gets in their lungs and can cause a lot of learning disabilities, challenges and asthma.”

The EPA began a public service announcement campaign at the beginning of December. If the EPA finds a contractor failing to comply with the new rules, the contractor will be fined $37,500 per day.More information about this new program and its rules is available at health.lead @ state.mn.us

or 651-201-4620.

EPA’s New Lead-Safe Home Renovation Guidelines Become Effective Feb. 1

Another exciting year has drawn to a close in Blaine. The past 12 months were eventful and productive both at Blaine City Hall and in the community, with a long list of local government news standing out in 2010:

•Thefirstbignewsof2010waslearningthatBlaineledallTwinCities suburbs in home construction during the previous decade. From 2000 through 2009, Blaine saw 5,820 new homes built, which helped send the population booming. Commercial and industrial growth was also significant in the decade. The market value of commercial/industrial properties in the city rose from $366 million in 2000 to an estimated $1.162 billion by 2010. Despite a drop in new housing at the endofthedecade,Blainesawanotherbigjumpinhomeconstructionin 2010. Final 2010 housing numbers will be published in the March/April issue of CityConnect.

•Blainesawseveralsignificantroadimprovementprojectsin2010.Inlocalprojects,PolkStreet/TerritorialRoadfromCloverleafParkway to Jefferson Street underwent full roadway replacement. A second city project reconstructed 95th Avenue from InterstateHighway 35W east to Hamline Avenue, changing the rural section of road to a two-lane, urban roadway complete with curb and gutter, turn lanes and center median.

Work also began this year on reconstruction of Radisson Road between 125th Avenue in Blaine north to Bunker Lake Road in Ham Lake. When completed in 2011, the roadway will be widened to four lanes with raised median, shoulders and turn lanes, with curb and gutter and storm sewer. Ultimately, Radisson Road will have a similar look from I-35W to Bunker Lake Road.

•InNovember,theCityofBlainepublisheditsthirdCorporate Report to the Community. The popular financial report showed how the city turned tax dollars into quality city services in 2009 and 2010. The report also included a candid message about budget issues facing the City of Blaine. In 2009, the city cut $1.2 million to balance the 2010 budget. Going into 2011, the city cut another $500,000 from its budget. In these lean financial times, the city has tightened its belt along with everyone else. Importantly, however, the city has maintained city service levels by budgeting responsibly and facing tough financial decisions head on.

•Onarelatednote,theCityofBlainereceivedgoodfinancialnews in 2010 from Moody’s Investors Service, the company that provides credit ratings for municipalities. After recalibration, the city’s debt rating moved up a notch to Aa1. The higher rating means

lower interest costs on debt and, in turn, lower costs to taxpayers. •TwobeautifulnewparkswereofficiallyopenedbytheCity

of Blaine in 2010. Lakeside Commons Park, a 7.7-acre multi-purpose park on the north side of Sunrise Lake, was an absolute hit in its inaugural year. The park immediately became a popular warm weather destination for residents eager to enjoy Blaine’sfirst public beach and take advantage of the park’s many unique amenities. Along with the beach, the new park also features a beach house, splash pad, volleyball courts, boathouse, picnic pavilion and massive playground, in addition to plenty of open green space.

A second new park added even more recreational opportunities forresidents.TheLakesAthleticComplex,adjacenttoNorthpointElementary School, sits on 22.4 acres filled with a basketball court, four fenced tennis courts, two regulation football/soccer fields and two baseball fields.

• Blaine was again in the national sports spotlight as the 3MChampionship and Schwan’s USA Cup returned to town in the summer. The Schwan’s USA Cup brought more than 900 teams from 16 countries to the National Sports Center in July, while the 3M Championship celebrated its tenth year at the Tournament Players Club – Twin Cities in August with another successful golf tournament.

•ThethirdannualBlaineWorldFestrockedTownSquarePark,withmorethan900peopleenjoyingacelebrationhightlightedbydelicious ethnic food and festive cultural entertainment. The event has quickly grown into one of the most popular annual events put together by the Blaine Parks and Recreation Department.

•Aseasonaloff-leashdogparkalsoopenedinBlaine.Thetrialpark used three seasonal hockey rinks at Happy Acres Park and saw considerable usage by dog owners.

•BlainejoinedeightnearbycitiestoformtheMinnesotaMetroNorth Tourism convention and visitors bureau, known for marketing purposes as Twin Cities Gateway. The name is reflective of itscommunities’ proximity to the Twin Cities.

• Blainewas again named aTreeCityUSA by theArborDayFoundation. It was the 16th consecutive year the city earned the distinction for its forestry efforts.

•Thecitywasalsooneofonlyasmallnumberofcommunitiestoreceive the new Minnesota Blue Star Award in 2010 for its efforts to protect local water quality and combat stormwater runoff.

All in all, it was another great year in Blaine. Look forward to more fun and success in 2011.

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A Look Back: Another Great Year for Blaine