Blaine City Council Honors Outgoing City Manager Michelle Wolfe

Blaine City Council Honors Outgoing City Manager Michelle Wolfe

By MinneapoliMedia Staff | June 20, 2025

BLAINE, MN — The Blaine City Council convened Monday evening, June 16, to honor outgoing City Manager Michelle Wolfe, who is set to retire at the end of June after leading the city's day-to-day operations since September 2019. The meeting included heartfelt tributes from council members, city staff, and community leaders recognizing Wolfe's dedication and significant contributions to Blaine.

Mayor Tim Sanders, along with council members Chris Ford, Tom Newland, Leslie Larson, Jess Robertson, Terra Fleming, and Chris Massoglia, led the commendations during a special presentation. Mayor Sanders praised Wolfe's steady leadership, particularly highlighting her role in navigating the city through complex challenges and overseeing various development projects.

"Michelle has been an invaluable asset to the City of Blaine," Mayor Sanders stated. "Her commitment to efficient government, her collaborative spirit, and her tireless work ethic have truly shaped our community for the better. She leaves behind a remarkable legacy of service."

Under Wolfe's tenure, Blaine saw significant progress in areas such as infrastructure improvements, economic development initiatives, and community engagement. Her leadership was instrumental in implementing the City Council's strategic goals and ensuring the smooth functioning of all city departments.

Department heads, including City Clerk Cathy Sorensen, Community Development Director Erik Thorvig, and Public Works Director Jon Haukaas, also shared anecdotes and expressed their appreciation for Wolfe's guidance and support. Many lauded her open-door policy and her ability to foster a positive and productive work environment.

"Michelle has always been a manager who empowers her team," commented Cathy Sorensen. "She trusted us to do our jobs, provided the resources we needed, and was always there to offer strategic insights. She will be deeply missed."

Wolfe addressed the Council and those in attendance, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the City of Blaine. She reflected on the progress made during her time and thanked the Council, city staff, and residents for their collaboration. Her retirement marks the culmination of a distinguished career in public service.

The City of Blaine initiated a nationwide search for Wolfe's successor earlier this year, a process overseen by the City Council. The city is currently in the final stages of selecting a new City Manager, with an announcement expected in the coming weeks.

Wolfe's last official day as City Manager will be June 30, 2025. While she looks forward to retirement, her impact on the City of Blaine is expected to resonate for years to come.

MinneapoliMedia