05-25-11 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES CITY COUNCIL MAY 25, 2011 are the same whether tobacco is smoked in cigarette form or utilizing a hookah. She also noted that the coals utilized in a hookah also release carbon monoxide into the air. Engman compared indoor hookah smoking to indoor barbequing. Brock also reported that people smoking a hookah will smoke for much longer periods of time and are inhaling and releasing a lot more smoke. Montour reported that he read on the Center For Disease Control web site that the volume of hookah smoke is 100 to 200 times that of a cigarette. Montour felt that the health considerations were important to consider. Engman noted that this is the reason that the Clean Indoor Air Act was put into place to protect the community from second hand smoke. Brock also pointed out the fire hazard. Blesener asked if the Tobacco Coalition was recommending no sampling. Brock pointed out that the League of MN Cities is recommending no sampling. Engman reported that the discussion is coming up at cities. St. Anthony has banned sampling and other cities will be dealing with this issue. Engman indicated that the Cities of St. Paul and Minneapolis are looking at a couple of different options and what works politically. Blesener asked if any city other than St. Anthony has banned sampling. Brock was not sure. Engman reported that White Bear Township has addressed this issue, but was not sure what they have done Engman stated that other Ramsey County cities are waiting to see what Little Canada does. Montour noted that Little Canada has been working on this draft ordinance amendment for about 1 V2 months. He noted that the tobacco licensees have been invited to the meeting this evening so that the City can hear their comments even though a public hearing is not required to amend the ordinance. David Nelson, 40 Thieves Hookah Hideout, presented the Council with three petitions, two of which are in support of the 40 Thieves Hookah Hideout and one in support of the Little Canada Smoke Shop. He also presented the Council with a packet of information relative to Columbia Heights, St. Paul, and Little Canada. Nelson then proceeded with a lengthy presentation beginning with an outline of personal and family information. Nelson reported that when he was looking for a business location he chose Little Canada because it was a convenient location given 35E/694/36. Nelson reported that his customers patronize other Little Canada businesses and his business has brought cars into an otherwise empty parking lot. Nelson stated that he has made all corrections deemed necessary by the City's Fire Marshal. He has a three -year lease for his space and has many contracts in place. Nelson indicated that if the ordinance amendment is adopted as proposed, he will go out of business and will go bankrupt. 10