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

CityConnectMay/June 2012

Back in April, 2011, Blaine held a kick-off meeting to begin the process for becoming a nationally recognized Yellow Ribbon Community. Over 50 community members and leaders attended that meeting to learn about Beyond the Yellow Ribbon (BTYR) efforts throughout Minnesota and locally. Beyond the Yellow Ribbon is a comprehensive program that unites all areas within a community for the purpose of connecting Servicemembers and their families with community support, training, services, and resources.

This spring Blaine will become the newest Yellow Ribbon Community to be proclaimed by the Governor on May 17 at the Saint Paul Saints home-opener baseball game.

Over the last several months, the Steering Committee has worked to develop a sustainable, organization-specific action plan that outlines how the Blaine community will support our Servicemembers and their families. Some of the key components of the Action Plan entail building

a database of volunteers and businesses to help with assistance requests, holding monthly meetings, organizing an annual Welcome Home event for all Blaine Servicemembers and their families, awareness training for police

officers and other city employees, and creating a resource list of support efforts throughout the community.

The Steering Committee meets on a monthly basis the third Monday of every month at 6 p.m. at Blaine City Hall, and is open to anyone interested in learning more or becoming involved. If you are a Servicemember or family of a Servicemember and have any

questions, needs, or are interested in volunteering in any way, please contact Rebecca Olson 763-785-6120 or rolson@ci.blaine.mn.us

Through these efforts, the Blaine Yellow Ribbon committee is striving to meet the Mission set forth in our Action Plan: In

continuing Minnesota’s proud history of supporting our nation’s military, Blaine Yellow Ribbon support efforts unite key areas

within our community to leverage existing support activities, build awareness, make commitments, and take action to recognize and

support Service members, Military Families, and Employers.

Blaine to be Officially Recognized as Yellow Ribbon Community

City of Blaine Pavement Management ProgramThe City of Blaine has a commitment to maintain over 230 miles of city streets in a condition that provides for functional, safe, and efficient travel in a cost efficient manner.

In the fall of 2010, the Blaine City Council created a comprehensive Pavement Management Program (PMP) with the goal of maximizing the life span and maintaining the quality of City streets in the most cost efficient manner for taxpayers. The City designed the program to provide a continuing source of funding, implement a system to track street conditions, and plan a schedule of street maintenance and rehabilitation. Funding for the PMP is from a combination of City funds, Municipal State Aid funds, and assessments to benefitting properties.

All streets have a limited life span of about 25-30 years. It is possible to extend the life of a street with proper care and maintenance. Crack sealing and pothole patching are the most common type of maintenance used to extend the life of a street. To significantly extend the life of a street, the City uses a more intensive and costly maintenance practice, bituminous overlay, where a portion of the street is ground off and then repaved with a new layer of bituminous over the existing road. This results in lower overall street costs to the taxpayers when compared to letting the street naturally age and completely reconstructing it once it fails.

Even with a comprehensive maintenance program as described above, all streets will eventually require reconstruction. This typically occurs once the pavement fails or becomes too damaged for a bituminous overlay. Reconstruction of a street is costly and involves complete removal of existing bituminous pavement, repair or replacement of the gravel base and curb and gutter, storm sewer repair or installation, and paving a new bituminous road surface.

(continued on page 8)

In conjunction with instituting the PMP, the City Council revised the Special Assessment Policy (SAP) to provide a uniform, fair, and equitable system for proportioning street project costs between benefitting property owners and the taxpayers of the City.

The old SAP did not assess bituminous overlays. The City funded overlay projects from the general tax levy, which did not provide enough money to keep up with the amount of streets that needed an overlay each year. As a result, streets could have fallen into a state of disrepair that would require more expensive reconstruction projects to fix.

Under the old SAP, the City assessed 100% of the costs of a street reconstruction project to benefitting properties (generally defined as properties abutting the street project). In some cases, this created a financial burden on property owners who were assessed many thousands of dollars for their street reconstruction project. Because of this hardship for property owners, street reconstruction projects became controversial, and very few were done.

To help rectify this situation, the City revised the SAP to institute an assessment for bituminous overlays to provide additional funding and help reduce the backlog of streets waiting for an overlay, saving them from needing a more costly reconstruction. The rate (set in 2011 dollars and indexed for inflation) is $500 per residential lot, or $10 per front foot of commercial, industrial, and high-density residential properties.

In addition, the City Council reduced the assessment rates for full street reconstruction projects to 25% of the project costs to benefitting residential properties, and 50% of the project costs to benefitting commercial,

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PUBLIC MEETINGS

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YBlaine 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 55434763-228-1117whovland@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

763-784-1986mbourke@ci.blaine.mn.us

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.mnwww.FaceBook.com/BlaineBizMNwww.FaceBook.com/BlaineParksMN

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

www.Twitter.com/BlaineMinnesotawww.Twitter.com/BlaineBizMNwww.Twitter.com/BlaineParksMNwww.YouTube.com/CityofBlaine

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

City Council*May 3 | May 17 | June 7 | June 217:30 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers

City Council WorkshopsMay 3 | May 10 | May 17June 7 | June 14 | June 21 6:30 p.m. | City Hall Cloverleaf Room

Planning Commission*May 8 | June 127 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers

Park Board*May 22 | June 267 p.m. | City Hall Council Chambers

Natural Resource Conservation Board May 15 | June 197 p.m. | City Hall Cloverleaf Farm Room

Arts CouncilMay 8 | June 126:30 p.m. | City Hall Lunch Room

Historical Society May 8 | June 126:30 p.m. | City Hall Sanctuary Room

*meetings can be seen live on cable channel 16

Holiday

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Hydrant Flushing Begins in Early MayThe City of Blaine Public Works Department will be performing annual fire hydrant flushing in May. This process removes any sediment that may have settled in water mains over the course of the year, as well as presenting an opportunity to ensure hydrants are in proper working order. To minimize the duration of disruption to the city’s water system, crews will flush hydrants from Monday, May 7 through Friday, May 11. Crews will be working citywide from 6:30 a.m. until at least 4:30 p.m. to flush all hydrants within those days.Hydrant flushing will create periods of low water pressure, with the disturbance in the water mains potentially causing dark water. Although safe for human consumption, the discolored water may stain clothes. Residents are asked to refrain from washing clothes between the hours of 6:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., or until hydrants in the area have been flushed.

Please check for water discoloration before washing. Call 763-785-6165

for more information.

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, May 22.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 installed 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.

For more information, or to make an appointment, contact Connie Forster, SBM Fire Department, 763-767-4003, extension 100.

Car Seat Clinic Set for May 22

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2012/2013 Rental Licensing and Inspection ProgramAll rental property owners must obtain an ANNUAL license to operate their property. The Housing Division is responsible for inspecting a portion of all rental dwellings over the course of each year. As a tenant, please report all maintenance items to your owner/manager as soon as they arise. If you have any questions feel free to call 763-717-2648 or 763-785-6187.

The annual public information meeting for Blaine’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012, from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Cloverleaf Farms Room Side A of Blaine City Hall.This annual meeting is a requirement of the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit regulated by the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency. The purpose of the meeting is to inform residents on the activities conducted by the City in the past year to be compliant with the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Program (SWPPP). A brief presentation will be made and City staff will be available to answer questions regarding the activities the City of Blaine has been and will be engaging in as a result of implementing the SWPPP.Items that will be discussed include: the SWPPP; status and compliance regarding permit conditions; progress toward achieving measurable goals; and planned activities for the next year. Residents will have an opportunity to provide oral or written input. The city’s SWPPP can be reviewed on the city’s website under the Engineering Department link.

For more information call Stormwater Manager Jim Hafner at (763) 785-6188 or email: jhafner@ci.blaine.mn.us.

Annual Stormwater Information Meeting

Memorial Day ServicesMemorial Day Services will be presented by the Veteran’s Organizations of Anoka County on Saturday, May 26, 2012.

10 a.m.Morningside Memorial Gardens11800 University Ave. N.W.Coon Rapids, MN11:30 a.m.Bunker Hills ParkFoley Blvd. and Main St.Coon Rapids, MN

Be part of history as the Blaine Festival celebrates 42 years of fun. The weekend festivities will again be held at beautiful Aquatore Park on June 22, 23 and 24, with the annual fireworks spectacular held at the National Sports Center on July 4 at 10 p.m.

Blaine’s Blazin’ Festival

Schedule of Events

Carnival and Live Bands | all weekend including: • Jonah and the Whales | Friday, 7 p.m.• Rockie Lynne | Saturday, 7:30 p.m.• Rockin’ Hollywoods | Sunday, noon• Parade | Saturday, noon• Craft Show and Vendor Fair | all weekend• Car Show | Sunday

• Face Painting | Sunday, 11 a.m. – 4 p.m.• Magician - Kevin Hall | Saturday & Sunday• Softball Tournament | Saturday and Sunday• US Flag Raising Ceremony | July 4, 8:30 a.m.• 8K Lakes Run | July 4, 8:30 a.m.• Fireworks Extravaganza | July 4, 10 p.m.• Medallion Hunt

Visit www.blainefestival.orgfor more information.

SOURCE OF WATER

The City of Blaine provides drinking water to its residents from a groundwater source: 16 wells, ranging from 228 to 741 feet deep, drawing water from the Franconia-Mt. Simon, Franconia-Eau Claire, Quaternary Buried Artesian, Ironton-Mt. Simon, Jordan-Mt.Simon and Jordan-Galesville aquifers.

The water provided to customers may meet drinking water standards, but the Minnesota Department of Health has also made a determination as to how vulnerable the source of water may be to future contamination incidents. If you wish to obtain the entire source water assessment regarding your drinking water, please call 651-201-4700 or 1-800-818-9318 (and press 5) during normal business hours. It can also be viewed online at www.health.state.mn.us/divs/eh/water/swp/swa.

Call 763-785-6165 if you have questions about the City of Blaine drinking water or would like information about opportunities for public participation in decisions that may affect the quality of the water.

RESULTS OF MONITORING

No contaminants were detected at levels that violated federal drinking water standards. However, some contaminants were detected in trace amounts that were below legal limits. The following table shows the contaminants detected in trace amounts last year. (Some contaminants are sampled less frequently than once per year; as a result, not all conaminants were sampled for in 2011. If any of these contaminants were detected the last time they were sampled for, they are included in the table along with the date that the detection occurred.)

ABBREVIATION KEYFOR TABLES

MCLG ─ Maximum Contaminant Level Goal: The level of a contaminant in drinking water below which there is no known or expected risk to health. MCLGs allow for a margin of safety.

MCL ─ Maximum Contaminant Level: The highest level of a contaminant that is allowed in drinking water. MCLs are set as close to the MCLGs as feasible using the best available treatment technology.

MRDL ─ Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level.

MRDLG ─ Maximum Residual Disinfectant Level Goal.

AL ─ Action Level: The concentration of a contaminant which, if exceeded, triggers treatment or other requirement which a water system must follow.

90th Percentile Level ─ This is the value obtained after disregarding 10 percent of the samples taken that had the highest levels. (For example, in a situation in which 10 samples were taken, the 90th percentile level is determined by disregarding the highest result, which represents 10 percent of the samples.) Note: In situations in which only five samples are taken, the average of the two with the highest levels is taken to determine the 90th percentile level.

pCi/l ─ PicoCuries per liter (a measure of radioactivity).

ppm ─ Parts per million, which can also be expressed as milligrams per liter (mg/l).

ppb ─ Parts per billion, which can also be expressed as micrograms per liter (μg/l).

nd ─ No detection.

N/A ─ Not applicable (does not apply).

Contaminant (units) MCLG MCLRange(2011)

Average Result*

Typical Source of Contaminant

1,2-Dichloroethane (ppb) 0 5 nd - 3.9 2.44 Discharge from industrial chemical factories.

Alpha Emitters (pCi/l) 0 15.4 nd - 13 13 Erosion of natural depositsArsenic (ppb) 0 10 nd - 10 10** Erosion of natural deposits; runoff

from orchards; runoff from glass and electronics production wastes.

Barium (ppm) 2 2 0.0234 - 0.0378

0.04 Discharge of drilling wastes; discharge from metal refineries; erosion of natural deposits.

Combined Radium (pCi/l) 0 5.4 nd - 3.2 3.2 Erosion of natural depositsFlouride (ppm) 4 4 1.1 - 1.2 1.2 State of Minnesota requires all

municipal water systems to add fluoride to the drinking water to promote strong teeth; erosion of natural deposits; discharge from fertilizer and aluminum factories.

Haloacetic Acids (HAA5) (ppb)

0 60 N/A 6.4 By-product of drinking water disinfection.

TTHM (total trihalomethanes) (ppb)

0 80 N/A 22.8 Byproduct of drinking water dis-infection.

Total Coliform Bacteria 0 present >5% present

N/A 1%*** Naturally present in environment.

*This is the value used to determine compliance with federal standards. It sometimes is the highest value detected and sometimes is an average of all the detected values. If it is an average, it may contain sampling results from the previous year.

**Our system has taken the initiative to limit the amount of water being pumped from the source(s) with elevated arsenic. Our system has signed a compliance agreement with the MDH that ensures all residents receive drinking water that contains less than 10.4 ppb of arsenic on a regular basis. ***Follow-up sampling showed no contamination present.

Erosion of natural deposits may lead to arsenic in groundwater. Some people who drink water containing arsenic in excess of the MCL over many years could experience skin damage or prob-lems with their circulatory system, and may have an elevated risk of getting cancer.

Level Found

2011 DRINKING WATER REPORTThe City of Blaine is issuing the results of monitoring done on its drinking water for the period from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2011. The purpose of this report is to advance consumers’ understanding of drinking water and heighten awareness of the need to protect precious water resources.

Contaminant (units) MRDLG MRDL **** ***** Typical Source of Contaminant

Chlorine (ppm) 4 4 0.02 - 2.12

0.59 Water additive used to control microbes.

*** Highest and lowest monthly average.**** Highest quarterly average.

Contaminant (units) MCLG AL 90% Level

Sites over AL

Typical Source of Contaminant

Copper (ppm) 1.3 1.3 1.04 0 of 30 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits.

Lead (ppb) 0 15 0.6 0 of 30 Corrosion of household plumbing systems; erosion of natural deposits.

If present, elevated levels of lead can cause serious health problems, especially for pregnant women and young children. Lead in drinking water is primarily from materials and components associated with service lines and home plumbing. City of Blaine is responsible for providing high quality drinking water, but cannot control the variety of materials used in plumbing components. When your water has been sitting for several hours, you can minimize the potential for lead exposure by flushing your tap for 30 seconds to 2 minutes before using water for drinking or cooking. If you are concerned about lead in your water, you may wish to have your water tested. Information on lead in drinking water, testing methods, and steps you can take to minimize exposure is available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline or at http://www.epa.gov/safewater/lead.

Some contaminants do not have an established Maximum Contaminant Levels. These unregulated contaminants are assessed using state standards known as health risk limits to determine if they pose a threat to human health. If unacceptable levels of an unregulated contaminant are found, the response is the same as if an MCL has been exceeded; the water system must inform its customers and take other corrective actions. The table that follows shows the unregulated contaminants detected:

Contaminant (units) Range(2010)

Average Result Typical Source of Contaminant

Sodium (ppm) N/A 10.5 Erosion of natural deposits.Sulfate (ppm) N/A 11.4 Erosion of natural deposits.

The sources of drinking water (both tap water and bottled water) include rivers, lakes, streams, ponds, reservoirs, springs and wells. As water travels over the surface of the land or through the ground, it dissolves naturally occurring minerals and, in some cases, radioactive material, and can pick up substances resulting from the presence of animals or from human activity.

Contaminants that may be present in source water include:

Microbial contaminants, such as viruses and bacteria, which may come from sewage treatment plants, septic systems, agricultural livestock operations and wildlife.

Inorganic contaminants, such as salts and metals, which can be naturally occurring or result from urban stormwater runoff, industrial or domestic wastewater discharges, oil and gas production, mining or farming.

Pesticides and herbicides, which may come from a variety of sources such as agriculture, urban stormwater runoff and residential uses.

Organic chemical contaminants, including synthetic and volatile organic chemicals, which are byproducts of industrial processes and petroleum production, and can also come from gas stations, urban stormwater runoff and septic systems.

Radioactive contaminants, which can be naturally occurring or be the result of oil and gas production and mining activities.

In order to ensure that tap water is safe to drink, the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) prescribes regulations which limit the amount of certain contaminants in water provided by public water systems. Food and Drug Administration regulations establish limits for contaminants in bottled water which must provide the same protection for public health.

Drinking water, including bottled water, may reasonably be expected to contain at least small amounts of some contaminants. The presence of contaminants does not necessarily indicate that water poses a health risk. More information about contaminants and potential health effects can be obtained by calling the Environmental Protection Agency’s Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

Some people may be more vulnerable to contaminants in drinking water than the general population. Immuno-compromised persons such as persons with cancer undergoing chemotherapy, persons who have undergone organ transplants, people with HIV/AIDS or other immune system disorders, some elderly and infants can be particularly at risk from infections. These people should seek advice about drinking water from their health care providers. EPA/CDC guidelines on appropriate means to lessen the risk of infection by Cryptosporidium are available from the Safe Drinking Water Hotline at 1-800-426-4791.

COMPLIANCE WITH NATIONAL PRIMARY DRINKING WATER REGULATIONS

CONTACT USResidents can call the City of Blaine Public Works desk at 763-785-6165 for more information about drinking water in the community. Use the same number for additional information about opportunities to participate in decisions that may affect water quality.

In case of an after-hours emergency concerning the water system, please call Anoka County Emergency Dispatch at 763-427-1212.

John LindWater Department

Supervisor763-785-6137

jlind@ci.blaine.mn.us

Mike UlrichPublic Works Director

763-785-6167mulrich@ci.blaine.mn.us

Senior SceneMary Ann Young Senior Center9150 Central Ave. | 763-786-9375

MayMay 4, 9 a.m. – Property Tax/ Rent Credit Assistance May 11, 11 a.m. – Ladies LuncheonMay 16, 11 a.m. – 80 and Over PartyMay 23, 8:15 a.m. – Ticket Sales June 21 Porkchop DinnerMay 30, 11 a.m. – Monthly Birthday Party

JuneJune 7, 11 a.m. – Wedding Anniversary Day June 13, 10:30 a.m. – Advanced Health Care Directives Information SessionJune 14, 11 a.m. – Men’s LuncheonJune 21, 5:30 p.m. – Pork Chop Dinner (advanced registration required)

Blaine’s Blazin’ Festival Week of FunJune 25, 1 p.m. – Prize/Nickel Bingo June 26, 9 a.m. – Wii Tournament June 26, 1 p.m. – “500” Tournament June 27, 1 p.m. – Monthly Birthday Party June 27, 1 p.m. – Prize Bingo June 29, 1 p.m. – Cribbage Tournament

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.

The first ever Blaine Triathlon is scheduled for Saturday, May 19 at 8 a.m. This exciting event will be held at Lakeside Commons Park. *ALL SPECTATORS who plan on driving MUST park at Blaine City Hall, a shuttle bus will bring you to the park between 6 and 8 a.m. There will be many sponsor booths, concessions, and kid’s activities for all of our fans and spectators to enjoy.

We hope to see many people from our community participate, volunteer, or cheer at this new and exciting event.

Thank you to our Great Sponsors of the Blaine Triathlon for all of their support! Check them out at: www.BlaineTriathlon.com/spnosors/. For more information go to www.BlaineTriathlon.com or call 763-785-6151.

Upcoming Recreation Programs & Events

Performances in the ParkTricia and the Toonies – Aquatore Park Friday, June 15 – 10:30 a.m.

Art and Music Fair – Town Square Park Saturday, June 16 – 1 to 4 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of outstanding music and a variety of fine art exhibited by members of the Blaine Arts Council. Free refreshments!• CODA – 1 to 2 p.m.

(smooth jazz, swing & dixieland)• 33 Degrees North – 2:45 to 3:45 p.m.

(steel drum/island favorites)

Bill & Katie Isles – Town Square Park Tuesday, June 19 – 7 p.m. (entertaining acoustic singer/songwriter duo)

Dance Moves Ballet – Town Square Park Thursday, June 21 – 7 p.m.

North Suburban Concert Band – Town Square Park Tuesday, June 26 – 7 p.m. (show tunes, marches, patriotic, pop, and classic music)

Mary Hall’s Show for Pipsqueaks – Aquatore Park Friday, June 29 – 10:30 a.m.

Community OutingsSummer in the City Wednesday, July 11, register by June 11 Fee: $60 (includes transportation, lunch, cruise, & adminisions)

Twins vs. Baltimore Thursday, July 19, register by July 1 Fee: $57

Alaska 14 Day Land Cruise Adventure Aug. 30 - Sept. 12. Call Ann at 763-786-9375 or Diane at 763-785-6164 for 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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FREE Minnesota Twins Baseball ClinicClinic held at the Blaine Baseball Complex field #5. In case of rain the clinic will be held at the Blaine High School field house. Call the Park & Rec. hotline at 763-717-2709 for weather updates. No registration required.

DATE: Saturday, May 26TIMES: ages 6 to 9: 9 – 10:30 a.m. ages 10 to 16: 10:30 a.m. – noonFEE: FREE!

Lakeside Commons Park & BeachBeach Season: June 8 – Aug. 26Beach Hours: 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.Park Hours: 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.Splash Pad Hours: 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.Boathouse Hours: Mon. – Wed., Fri.: 1:00 – 6:00 p.m. Thu.: Noon – 9 p.m. Weekends: Noon – 6 p.m. Kayak and canoe rental, and concessions are available during boathouse hours. Picnic Shelter Hours: 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. The picnic shelter can be rented for groups up to 150 people. For picnic shelter reservations and other park information, please call the Park and Recreation Department at 763-785-6164 or visit our website at www.blaineparks.com.Parking Permits: Parking permits are required for all Lakeside Commons Park users during the beach season. Permits are available at Lakeside Commons Park daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. from June 8 through Aug. 26.Blaine Residents: Free with proof of residency (valid driver’s license or other documentation with current address.) One permit issued per proof of residency. Non-Residents: $5 daily permit or $25 season pass

Youth T-Ball, Softball, & Recreational SoccerWe are now accepting registration for youth T-Ball, softball, and recreational soccer. Call the Park and Recreation office at 763-785-6161 or visit www.blaineparks.com for more information. Programs start June 11.

Park & Recreation Day at the Twins GameAll ages welcome to see the Twins take on the Baltimore Orioles. Price includes game ticket and bus ride. Buses leave Blaine City Hall at 10:30 a.m. Register by July 6. You may bring a bag lunch.

DATE: Thursday, July 19 TIME: Depart at 10:30 a.m. Game starts at 12:10 p.m. Return at 4 p.m.FEE: $27/person

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Candidate filings for the Office of Mayor, Office of Councilmember in Council Election Ward 1, Council Election Ward 2, and Council Election Ward 3 for the City of Blaine, 10801 Town Square Drive, will open Tuesday, May 22, 2012 and close Tuesday, June 5, 2012, at 5 p.m. Blaine City offices will be closed Monday, May 28, 2012 in observance of the Memorial Day holiday. Hours for filing are 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.Candidates will file for four-year terms expiring in 2016. The filing fee is $50. The deadline to withdraw names from candidacy is 5:00 p.m., Thursday, June 7, 2012.The Office of Mayor is an at-large position. Council candidates must be a resident of the election ward in Blaine from which the candidate seeks election and all candidates must be at least 21 years of age.

Questions should be directed to the City Clerk at 763-785-6124.

City of Blaine Candidate Filings for Office

City of Blaine Seeks Election Judgesfor the 2012 Primary and General ElectionsThe City of Blaine is seeking new and experienced election judges to work full shifts for the 2012 Primary and General elections. If you have worked as an election judge in the past, you still need to re-apply. The date for the Primary Election is August 14, 2012, and the General Election is November 6, 2012. Election judges are responsible for the administration of election procedures in each voting precinct on Election Day. To qualify as an election judge you: • Must be a resident of Minnesota and be at

least 18 years of age, • Must be eligible to vote, • Must be able to read, write, and speak

fluent English, • Cannot be a candidate in an election or

closely related to a candidate, and• Cannot be closely related to another

election judge in the same precinct.Anyone interested in serving their community as an election judge can see the detailed job descriptions online, and download the online application at www.ci.blaine.mn.us. Please return the application to the City Clerk’s address on the form by April 30, 2012. Election judge training will take place in mid to late July. Training information will be sent to judges when it is finalized.If you have further questions about becoming an election judge, please call Blaine City Hall at (763) 785-6122 or 763-785-6124 between 8:00 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Watch the city’s web page, Comcast cable TV channel 16, and newsletter for future updates regarding the 2012 elections.

Listed are the newly established wards and precincts as a result of the 2012 Redistricting process. Council Districts are now called Council Wards. Look for more information in the July/August City Newsletter as well as watch the city web site for updates. The link to the new ward/precinct map is http://www.ci.blaine.mn.us/_docs/maps/votingprecincts.pdf.Ward 1 Precincts Polling Place Address

W1-P1 University Ave. Elementary School 9901 University Ave. NEW1-P2 Mary Ann Young Senior Center 9150 Central Ave. NEW1-P3 St. Timothy’s Catholic Church 707 89th Ave. NEW1-P4 Christ Lutheran Church 641 89th Ave. NEW1-P5 Schwan Center (NSC) 1750 105th Ave. NEW1-P6 MN School of Business 3680 Pheasant Ridge Dr. NEW1-P7 Our Saviors Lutheran Church 9185 Lexington Ave. NEW1-P8 Centennial Sr. High (Performing Arts Ctr.) 4757 North RoadWard 2 Precincts

W2-P1 King of Glory Church 10103 University Ave. NEW2-P2A Madison Elementary School 650 Territorial Rd. NEW2-P2B Kingswood Church 1264 109th Ave. NEW2-P3 Jefferson Elementary School 11331 Jefferson St. NEW2-P4A Abundant Life Community Church 1105 117th Ave. NEW2-P4B Blaine City Hall 10801 Town Square Dr. NEW2-P5 Oak Park Community Church 12050 Aberdeen St. NEW2-P6 Blaine City Hall 10801 Town Square Dr. NEWard 3 Precincts

W3-P1 Blaine United Methodist Church 621 115th Ave. NEW3-P2 Fire Station #3 11920 Ulysses St. NEW3-P3 Roosevelt Middle School 650 125th Ave. NEW3-P4 Way of the Lord Church 804 131st Ave. NEW3-P5 Johnsville Elementary School 991 125th Ave. NEW3-P6 Northpoint Elementary School 2350 124th Ct. NEW3-P7 Brookhall (next to Blainbrook) 11930 Central Ave. NEW3-P8 Bridgewood Community Church 11670 Lexington Ave. NE

New Wards and Precincts for 2012

New! In-Person Absentee VotingNew in 2012, Blaine residents will be able to cast their absentee ballot in person at the City Clerk’s Office at Blaine City Hall, for the Primary and General Elections between the hours of 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.Blaine residents will still be able to vote absentee by mail by requesting their ballot from Anoka County Elections at 763-323-5275.

Watch for dates and more details in future city newsletters, cable TV and on the city’s website at

www.ci.blaine.mn.us.

As a part of redistricting many residents could have a new or different polling place than in the past due to precinct boundary changes.When redistricting is completed all the way down through the school level, the Anoka County Elections office will mail, on or before July 20, 2012, a postal verification card to all registered voters letting them know where their polling place will be for 2012. If someone has moved, the card will be returned to Anoka County Elections, the voter will be taken out of the State Voter Registration System and they will have to re-register at the polls when they vote at their new polling place.

Be sure to watch for this “Postal Verification Card” in the mail later this spring/early summer!

Watch Your Mailbox for 2012 Polling Place

10801 Town Square Drive NEBlaine, MN 55449-8101(763) 784-6700

ECRWSSPOSTAL CUSTOMER

DATED MATERIALPREPARED BY THE OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER

POSTMASTER: TIME SENSITIVE MAIL

PRSRT STDU.S. Postage PAIDPermit No. 29418Minneapolis, MN

Curbside Recycling Program Adds More Plastics

Now Blaine residents can recycle even more material at the curbside. Beginning immediately, residents can place plastics with the recycling numbers of 1 through 7 in their curbside recycling carts. Examples of plastics numbered 1 – 7 are:

Soft drink bottles, water and beer bottles, mouthwash bottles, peanut butter containers, salad dressing and vegetable oil containers, and ovenproof food trays.

Milk jugs, juice bottles, bleach/detergent/household cleaner bottles, shampoo bottles, shopping bags, butter/yogurt containers, and cereal box liners.

Window cleaner/detergent bottles, shampoo bottles, cooking oil bottles, clear food packaging, and wire jacketing.

Squeezable bottles, frozen food containers, dry cleaning and shopping bags.

Yogurt containers, syrup bottles, ketchup bottles, bottle caps, straws, and medicine bottles.

Disposable plates and cups, meat trays (please rinse), egg cartons, aspirin bottles, and compact disc cases.

Three and five gallon water bottles, bullet-proof materials, sunglasses, DVD’s, iPod and computer cases, display signs, “clam shell” food containers, and nylons.

In addition to all of the above plastics, remember that you can also recycle all glass bottles, all household paper (newspapers with all inserts, magazines, mail, copier paper, letters, all envelopes, etc.) all metal and aluminum cans.

It is now possible to recycle a great majority of commonly occurring household refuse. By doing so, you can also save money. Once you start recycling the many items that can now be recycled in our program, you may be able to reduce the size of you garbage container and save money on your garbage bill.

For more information about Blaine’s recycling program, call 763-785-6192, or email rhaver@ci.blaine.mn.us.

Blaine’s recycling program is funded in part through SCORE grant funds received from Anoka County.

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industrial, and high-density residential properties. The remainder of the project costs comes from City funds or Municipal State Aid funds.

By implementing the Pavement Management Program and revising the Special Assessment Policy, the City is much more proactive in maintaining city streets in acceptable condition while maximizing their useful lives for the lowest cost to City taxpayers.

The Pavement Management Program and Special Assessment Policy are available on the

City website at:http://www.ci.blaine.mn.us/index.cfm?id=901504

Current street reconstruction and overlay project information is available on the

City website at:http://www.ci.blaine.mn.us/index.cfm?id=40171

For additional information or questions, please call the Engineering Department at

763-717-2688.

City of BlainePavement Management Program(continued from page 1)