Blaine CityConnect Pictured Left to Right: Stan Brouillard, Tammy Siemsen, Gary Kirkeide, JoAnne Beckes, Tim Manz, Dan Hauck, Mayor Tom Ryan, Colleen Rybak, Allen Jorgensen, Bridget Private. Not pictured: Rhonda McDonald, Jami Sehm
Blaine Building Department Receives National Award
Lisa Vieau, President of the Association of Minnesota Building Officials, and Richard Hauffe, Regional Manager, State and Local Government Relations of International Code Council, presented Building Department of the Year Award to the City of Blaine. Dan Hauck, Chief Building Official for the City of Blaine, accepted the award. Hauck said “The award is the result of commitment by the Blaine City Council and staff from the Department of Planning & Development to deliver the highest level of customer service. I also want to point out that the award indirectly recognizes other city departments that are involved with the building permit process including Planning, Fire, and Engineering. What’s more, none of them could function properly without the support from other departments such as Public Works, Finance (which includes Information Services), Human Resources, and Administration. It really is a team effort.” Building construction in Blaine has been robust. The 2014 valuation of new construction in Blaine was approximately 150 million dollars. In 2014, nearly 13,000 building, plumbing and mechanical inspections were performed. The inspectors and support staff are committed to an efficient, effective and friendly building inspections department that does its very best to ensure safe buildings. The staff is also heavily involved in local contractor training, continuing education, and public communications such as quality handouts and website information. For more information or questions for the Building Inspection Department, visit ww w.ci.bla i n e . mn . u s/ go / b u i ld i n gi n spe c t ion or call 7 6 3 - 7 8 5 - 6 1 7 0 .
Blaine’s Stormwater Manager Receives Public Health Award
Pictured: Jim Hafner, Mayor Tom Ryan
On April 14, Jim Hafner received an Anoka County Public Health Recognition Award from the County Board. As the City of Blaine’s Stormwater and Wellhead Protection Manager, Jim was recognized for his leadership, collaboration, advocacy work and community health improvement efforts in promoting safe and clean water. His achievements have contributed to and support the County’s public health mission “to protect and promote the health and safety of the community.”
May/June 2015
Blaine’s Recycling Drop-Off Day Expands Service
Beginning on Saturday, May 16, Blaine will have a new vendor at our monthly drop-off day. Green Lights Recycling will accept mattresses, box springs, and carpet/padding. Mattresses and box springs will cost $20 each, and must be dry, and free of glass, dirt, vermin, and pathogens/ blood. Carpet/padding must be dry, rolled, and tied with string, twine, or duct tape. Carpet rolls can be up 3 to 4 feet wide and 12 to 15 feet long, and rolled by single material type (old, new, pad, etc.). Please note: NO tack strips, nails, knife blades, carpet tile, rigid flooring, wet glue, rocks, or caked mud will be accepted. Please cut out seaming tape as much as possible. Carpet/padding fee - $6 one roll, $10 two rolls, $12 three rolls, $16 four rolls, $20 five rolls, $24 six rolls. For additional cost information or for other questions, please call Green Lights Recycling at 7 6 3 - 7 8 5 - 0 4 5 6 or visit them online at www. GLR No w . com. Please see page 7, for more information on Blaine’s monthly recycling drop-off day.
Blaine Earns Tree City USA Award
The City of Blaine has been awarded the designation of Tree City USA for the 21st consecutive year by the National Arbor Day Foundation. This award recognizes communities who invest at least $2 per capita of their annual budget on tree planting and maintenance. The designation of Tree City USA reflects a community’s commitment to protecting and improving their urban forest, and all our natural resources. The City’s forest management activities include: tree planting, trimming, disease and pest control, hazard tree removal, and tree preservation during development and construction. Upon request, the City Forester will meet with residents with any tree questions or concerns on their property. For more information, contact the Parks Supervisor/City Forester, Marc Shippee at 7 6 3 - 7 1 7 - 2 6 6 0 .