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The Blaine City Council approved the city’s 2026-30 Capital Improvement Program at its Dec. 15 meeting, authorizing capital purchases and projects for 2026 on a 5-2 vote. Council Members Jess Robertson and Chris Massoglia voted against the measure. Finance Director Jason Zimmerman said the Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, serves as a blueprint for the city’s capital investments and reflects an assessment of community needs. He described it as a fiscal management tool used to plan the location, timing and financing of capital improvements over a five-year period. ...

A new trading card store has opened in Blaine, offering a lounge-style retail experience where singles of football, basketball, hockey and Pokémon cards are displayed in glass cases alongside seating areas and multiple televisions showing live games and sports programming. The store, Real Sportscards, previously opened a location in Champlin and held a ribbon-cutting event for its Blaine location Thursday, Dec. 11, with the North Metro Chamber of Commerce and Sen. Michael Kreun. ...

Following a closed session at its Dec. 8 meeting, the East Bethel City Council voted 3-0 to proceed with an eviction action against Firebird Land and to authorize the city’s response to a complaint filed by the company. The move comes as BDM/Firebird has been accused by several elected officials in the city, including Council Members Tim Miller and Jim Smith, of failing to pay a lease and property undervaluation. ...

Two cannabis-related businesses along Highway 65 NE moved a step closer to opening after the East Bethel City Council on Dec. 8 approved conditional use permits for a hemp edible business and a cannabis microbusiness. The first conditional use permit was requested by Ramadan Hussein, owner of Smoke Saloon, for a hemp edible business at 18429 Highway 65 NE, City Planner Grace Gerard said. The property is guided commercial and zoned B-3 Highway Commercial. ...

A 3.8% levy increase that city officials say will add about $4 per month to the tax bill on a $400,000 home was approved Dec. 8 as the East Bethel City Council adopted its 2026 budget. The council unanimously approved the budget and levy on a 4-0 vote. Council Member Suzanne Erkel was absent. By the same vote, the council also approved the Economic Development Authority and Housing and Redevelopment Authority budgets and levies for 2026. ...

The Columbia Heights City Council unanimously approved the renewal of a currency exchange license for SJB Enterprises at its Dec. 8 meeting. Council Member Laurel Deneen was absent. Community Development Director Mitch Forney said the item is an annual approval. Currency exchange businesses are licensed by the state under Minnesota Statute 53A.04, rather than by the city. Forney said the state reviews applications for background checks, bonding and fees, then forwards them to the city to confirm compliance with zoning and city code. City staff reviewed the complete application and found no discrepancies or legal issues with the business. ...

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. ...