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Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic the City of Blaine has looked for ways to be innovative in how services were offered to residents and businesses. One of the first things the City put in place was a way to participate in City meetings without coming to Blaine City Hall. Remote participation in council, board, and commission meetings was an important pandemic service to offer the community. As case rates decline and vaccination rates increase the Blaine City Council has made the decision to return to in-person meetings as of July 1, 2021 and end remote public participation. In the last few months remote participation levels dropped as more people chose to come in-person to city hall. A livestream and live cable broadcast of meetings will continue for those who want to watch meetings from home.
The City Council Chambers will have limited seating, with audience chairs being spaced out in the room. There will be an overflow area where the meeting can be watched in the Cloverleaf Farms Room. Any members of the public attending meetings in person at Blaine City Hall will be asked to go through a temperature screening and will also be asked to voluntarily sign in with their name and contact information in case any follow up contact tracing is needed. A hand sanitizer station will be located outside of the council chambers. All individuals are asked to sanitize their hands prior to entering the chambers.
Public Comment Before a Meeting
A public comment email address, PublicComment@BlaineMN.gov, and phone number, 763-717-2782, are available for individuals to submit comments prior to a meeting. Those comment boxes are available until noon on the day of the meeting. The comments will be compiled and delivered to the Blaine City Council or the appropriate commission or advisory board.
Public Comment During a Meeting
Public comment is usually heard during any scheduled public hearings and during open forum. There will be a microphone located in the City Council Chambers for members of the public to use when offering comments. Due to limited space groups that wish to speak at a public meeting are asked to send one representative to speak. Please note that any items you wish to show to a council, board, or commission such as a petition or photos should be submitted prior to the meeting. After your agenda item is complete, please leave the council chambers so that others can fill the space for the next agenda items.
Ways to Watch a Meeting
If you do not wish to comment on an item but still want to watch the meeting you can watch through several different platforms that the City provides. You can watch on North Metro TV which is available on Comcast (channel 799 and 16) or through a free app on Apple TV or Roku. You can also watch a live stream at BlaineMN.gov/Video.
Any questions regarding Blaine City Council meetings can be directed to City Clerk Cathy Sorensen at 763-785-6124 or
CSorensen@BlaineMN.gov.