A $667,000 sewer-lining project aimed at extending the life of Fridley’s sanitary sewer system moved forward Dec. 8 as the City Council unanimously approved a bid for work scheduled to begin in 2026. Assistant City Engineer Brandon Brodhag said bids were opened Dec. 4, with Visu-Sewer Inc. of Pewaukee, Wisconsin, submitting the lowest bid at about $667,000, out of the five received. The project will be awarded with a 5% contingency. ...
With residents raising questions about assessments, timing and street conditions, the Fridley City Council on Dec. 8 unanimously advanced a 2026 street rehabilitation project by ordering plans, specifications and bids. Assistant City Engineer Brandon Brodhag said the work is a pavement maintenance effort intended to extend street life and prepare for future neighborhood projects. The council first initiated the project Sept. 22. Streets slated for improvements include Viron Road/Trunk Highway 65 East Service Drive, 63rd Avenue, Skywood Lane, 53rd Avenue, Lincoln Street and 52nd Avenue. ...
The Columbia Heights City Council voted 4–0 at its Dec. 8 meeting to approve the city’s 2026 budget and levy, which includes a 9.2% tax increase. Council Member Laurel Deneen was absent. Finance Director Joseph Kloiber said Columbia Heights begins its annual budgeting process in April, when staff start estimating the city’s needs for the next fiscal year. A draft budget is developed through the summer and published in August for the city manager’s recommendation, as required by the city charter. ...
The Fridley City Council held its annual Truth in Taxation hearing Dec. 8, using the meeting to present the 2026 budget and gather public feedback on the city’s proposed levy increase. Finance Director Joe Starks said the city’s budget objectives include funding high-quality public services at a fiscally responsible cost, stabilizing ongoing revenues and expenditures, minimizing unanticipated variances and maintaining structural balance and appropriate reserves. He said the city also aims to make best use of existing resources, plan for long-term “peaks and valleys” in spending needs and ensure accountability and transparency throughout the budgeting process. ...
The St. Francis City Council approved a 2026 budget and levy increase on a narrow 3–2 vote following a lengthy Truth in Taxation hearing Dec. 1. Mayor Mark Vogel and Council Member Amy Faanes cast the two dissenting votes. Finance Director Darcy Mulvihill presented the city’s budget and levy, outlining the goals of maintaining high-quality and cost-effective public services, addressing council priorities and preserving a strong fiscal position. Mulvihill said the city’s preliminary levy of $7,180,000 includes a fiscal disparities deduction of $1,169,310, resulting in a spreadable levy of $6,010,690. With adjustments to the city’s 2025 tax capacity, St. Francis’ adjusted tax capacity for 2026 is $10,142,316. Dividing the spreadable levy by the adjusted tax capacity produces a proposed 2026 tax rate of 59.263%, she said. ...
Andover held its annual tree lighting at the city’s Community Center, with Santa and Mrs. Claus greeting families and White Rabbit serving hot cocoa, s’mores and other treats. Dozens of families took part in the festivities — roasting marshmallows at the fire pits, posing for photos with Santa and Mrs. Claus, and building impressively large snow forts in the fresh snowfall. Mayor Jamie Barthel thanked attendees for coming out and joined the crowd for the countdown to the lighting. Rep. Peggy Scott and Council Members Rick Engelhardt and Jonathan Shafto were also present. ...
The Blaine City Council held its Truth in Taxation hearing to present and gather public feedback on a proposed 9.9% increase to the city’s overall levy in 2026. Several council members expressed frustration with ongoing levy growth, even as the increase is lower than last year’s — a goal the council had set for 2026. The city’s 2026 budget and tax levy will be considered for adoption Dec. 15. Finance Director Jason Zimmerman outlined the annual property tax timeline, beginning each January when property values are established for the following year’s taxes. Value notices are mailed in February, and current-year property tax statements are mailed in March. First-half taxes are due in May, proposed levies are set in September, and proposed tax statements are mailed in November. Final tax levies must be certified to the county auditor within five days of Dec. 20. ...
At its Dec. 2 meeting, the Andover City Council unanimously approved a reasonable accommodation request for a wheelchair ramp at 13981 Olive St. NW. Community Development Director Joe Janish said the Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, familial status and disability, and requires reasonable modifications that allow individuals with disabilities full use of their homes. Janish said the ramp will be installed at the front of the house, extending to the side before descending toward the driveway. ...
A Blaine resident diagnosed with heart failure at age 28 plans to return to the Porcupine Mountains in 2026 for a snowmobiling trip he takes each year with friends. For that resident, Spencer Peka, the trip almost never would have happened. Peka said that during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, he began having increasing difficulty catching his breath. While at his family cabin north of Askov over Memorial Day weekend that year, he noticed trouble breathing, though not enough to raise concerns. ...
After going into closed session to discuss preliminary allegations, the Andover City Council unanimously voted to terminate the full-time building supervisor of the city’s Community Center. Council Member Scott Schue, making the motion to terminate the employee, said that it was based on relevant documentation that they had already received, as well as testimony from the individual. The termination was effective immediately. City Attorney Scott Baumgartner said that the Council had discussed testimony, and that Recreational Facilities Manager Erick Sutherland had been in the meeting along with human resources and City Administrator Sarah Cotton. He indicated that based on testimony and evidence he approved of the termination. ...