The Blaine City Council approved a memorandum of understanding with the Coon Creek Watershed District and a contract for construction of monitoring wells at its Dec. 15 meeting.
The council unanimously approved the memorandum of understanding for Project U2513.
Engineering Director Dan Schluender said the watershed district recently completed work on Knoll Creek, also known as Anoka County Ditch 39, and identified elevated phosphorus and E. coli levels along portions of the ditch system, which serves Blaine, Coon Rapids and Anoka County.
The watershed district proposed a joint project among the agencies and secured a $625,000 grant. Remaining project costs total $557,000, with Blaine responsible for approximately $400,000 based on its 72% share of drainage flow. Coon Rapids accounts for 17%, or about $95,000, while the watershed district and Anoka County account for 7% and 4%, respectively.
Schluender said the project will return to the City Council with a joint powers agreement following bidding, outlining final costs and maintenance responsibilities for a pond located within the corporate limits of Coon Rapids. The project was identified in the city’s 2024 Capital Improvement Program with a $400,000 budget.
In separate action, the council approved a contract with Traut Companies for construction of monitoring wells by a 5-2 vote, with Council Members Jess Robertson and Chris Massoglia opposed.
Public Works Director Nick Fleischacker said the contract is required to obtain operating permits for wells 19, 20 and 21. The project includes monitoring wells in both Blaine and Ham Lake to better understand groundwater conditions near areas where the city has previously received well interference complaints.
Fleischacker said quotes were received from two rotosonic drilling contractors in Minnesota. Traut Companies submitted a proposal that included required drilling fluid disposal, which is necessary because the wells are located within a park.
The contract totals $137,050, with a 10% contingency bringing the total to $155,750 and is within the approved Capital Improvement Program budget.
Council Member Tom Newland asked when the wells would be drilled and how monitoring would begin to meet Department of Natural Resources requirements. Fleischacker said drilling is expected to occur during the winter and that staff will work with the Department of Natural Resources to establish baseline groundwater data before pumping begins.
Council brief
The Blaine City Council unanimously approved an intoxicating on-sale liquor license and a Sunday liquor license for Chelas X, located at 1250 126th Ave. NE. City Clerk Cathy Sorensen said the applicant previously held a wine and 3.2% on-sale license, and a new background investigation was not required. The license is active through June 30, 2026.