Briefly

City enters into lease agreement with the Blaine school district

During a regular meeting on August 28, Blaine City Council voted unanimously to enter into a lease agreement with the Blaine school district to improve and provide access to the Blaine Senior Center parking lot, which runs parallel to H Street.

According to Blaine city manager David Wilbrecht, the land is owned by the Blaine school district and the lot is owned and maintained by the city.

In early negotiations, the school district expressed support for allowing an in-kind transaction to suffice as payment for the lease. According to a city staff report, “The in-kind payment would consist of allowing the district use of the pavilion during the lunch hour, Monday through Friday, during the school year.”

Blaine City Council tables discussion about parking rules on Ludwick Avenue

Following a special meeting about truck parking and city right-of-way, the city council voted to table a discussion about parking rules on Ludwick Avenue.

According to a city staff report, several people have lodged a series of complaints about trucks, trailers and RVs that park on roads in and around Ludwick Avenue for extended periods of time.

A resolution brought the council on August 28 requested that a public hearing be set for September 25, but the city council opted to table the discussion so they could conduct more research.

City to pen agreement with the General Services Administration for real estate purchase

Blaine City Council voted to approve a purchase option agreement for 2.75 acres, located south of Mercer Logistics on Boblett Street on the southern portion of the Gateway property, the former site of the Blaine Municipal Airport.

The purchase option proposal is designed to secure the site and provide more time for the buyer to work with the General Services Administration (GSA), which intends to construct a facility at the site. An appraisal from real estate broker Mike Kent indicates the sale price would come it at $2.75 per square foot, or $329,423.82.

“This is the kind of contract that has the ability to bring a high quality owner to the property,” said Blaine city manager David Wilbrecht.