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Andover Mayor Jamie Barthel and Anoka Mayor Erik Skogquist sent a joint letter to CenterPoint Energy raising concerns about the company’s communication during two incidents in late December when a natural gas odor spread through parts of both cities. Odor complaints were reported Dec. 28 and Dec. 30 in and around 14371 Seventh Ave. NW in Andover. In their letter, the mayors said they were concerned by what they described as a lack of timely updates, clear information and proactive communication from CenterPoint. ...

The St. Francis City Council unanimously approved plans and specifications for the city’s 2026 Street Rehabilitation Project and authorized the advertisement for bids at its March 16 meeting. The project includes work in two areas, according to a report from City Engineer Craig Jochum. The first area covers the south side of 229th Lane and the west side of Poppy Street, including 227th Avenue, Silverod Street, Quay Street, 228th Avenue and Rose Court. Quay Street and 227th Avenue are part of the municipal state-aid system, Jochum said. ...

The Andover City Council unanimously approved a 3-foot rear setback variance March 18 for a covered porch at 1545 154th Lane NW. The property is zoned R-4, which requires a 30-foot rear setback. According to the meeting packet, the applicant requested a setback of 27.3 feet. Council discussion focused on the fact that the porch had already been built without a permit. City staff said the structure required a variance because it was considered enclosed due to its roof, while the contractor argued it was unenclosed because it had no walls or screening. ...

The Andover City Council unanimously voted March 17 to rescind two resolutions authorizing alternate bids for bituminous curb rather than concrete on two street reconstruction projects, a move that drew sharp criticism from residents who said they felt deceived. The projects are in Kadlec Estates and the Nightingale Preserve, Wittington Ridge, and Nightingale Estates First and Third additions. Public Works Director Dave Berkowitz said the issue had come up at a Feb. 24 workshop, where council members reviewed differences between concrete curb and gutter and bituminous curb after previously authorizing alternate bids for bituminous on Feb. 2. ...

The Blaine City Council unanimously approved a bid of $115,409.12 from Sir Lines-A-Lot for the city’s 2026 pavement markings project at its March 16 meeting. The vote was 6-0, with Mayor Tim Sanders absent. Director of Engineering Dan Schluender said bids were opened March 5 and Sir Lines-A-Lot submitted the only bid. The engineer’s estimate for the project was about $105,000. Schluender said city staff has worked with the contractor on previous projects. With a 5% contingency added, the total project cost comes to $121,000. ...

The Blaine City Council voted 5-1 to approve a second reading of an ordinance amendment banning detached accessory dwelling units, advancing the change as the city faces an ongoing lawsuit over its handling of one such proposal. Mayor Tim Sanders was absent. Council Member Chris Ford cast the lone dissenting vote. Community Development Director Sheila Sellman said the amendment changes Blaine’s ordinance language on accessory dwelling units in residential districts and related performance standards. ...

The Blaine City Council unanimously denied Minnesota Performance’s request to expand its auto repair business at 1550 91st Ave. NE after city staff cited unresolved code violations and neighboring businesses raised complaints about noise, parking and outdoor vehicle storage. Before denying the request, the council split 3-3 on whether to revoke the business’s existing 2019 conditional use permit altogether. Council Members Tom Newland, Leslie Larson and Richard Massoglia voted to revoke it, while Mayor Pro Tempore Jess Robertson and Council Members Chris Ford and Terra Fleming opposed doing so. ...

The Oak Grove City Council on March 9 approved a $567,676 bid from Knife River Corporation North for the city’s 2026 Street Improvement Project, including Nightingale Knoll Trail work. The contract was approved 4-0, with Council Member Paul Tradewell absent. According to the meeting packet, the bid was below the engineer’s estimate of $598,610. City Engineer Chuck Schwartz said the street work includes the south end of Zion Parkway, the adjacent section of 223rd Lane NW and the neighborhood south of Lake George. He said Pines Third Addition is included in the trail portion, which totals $56,018.20 and will be paid through a separate trail fund. ...

CAVA, a chain restaurant known for its Mediterranean-style bowls and pita wraps, is expanding with a new location in Blaine at 12351 Ulysses St NE. The restaurant has hundreds of locations in other states, but has not opened a Minnesota location until now. The location is near the National Sports Center, where development is underway on the 105th Avenue redevelopment project. In an email, a spokesperson confirmed the Blaine location, alongside another forthcoming location in Minneapolis. ...

The Columbia Heights City Council unanimously approved a first reading of a charter amendment that would shift oversight of the police department from the mayor to the city manager. City Manager Aaron Chirpich said the city’s Charter Commission had been working on the proposal for at least a year. The amendment would change how police oversight is defined in the city charter. Chirpich said the charter currently states that the mayor has appointment, control and direction over every police officer in the city, language he said is overly broad and does not reflect how modern police departments operate. ...