02-25-2026 Workshop Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

MINUTES OF THE WORKSHOP MEETING CITY COUNCIL LITTLE CANADA, MINNESOTA FEBRUARY 25, 2026 Pursuant to due call and notice thereof a Workshop meeting of the City Council of Little Canada, Minnesota was convened on the 25th day of February, 2026 in the Conference Room of the City Center located at 515 Little Canada Road in said City. Mayor Tom Fischer called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m. and the following members of the City Council were present at roll call: ROLL CALL: In attendance were Mayor Fischer, City Council Members Miller, Malone, Gutierrez and Kwapick. Absent: none. ALSO PRESENT: City Administrator Bryce Shearen, Assistant City Administrator Laura Linehan, Community Development Director Ben Harrington and City Clerk/HR Manager Heidi Heller. CONSIDER AMENDMENTS TO CITY CODE SECTION 822, TATTOO — BODY ART The City Clerk stated that in 2021 when the City Code for tattoo businesses was updated, tattoo businesses were limited to one license with no limit on licenses for businesses that strictly offered microblading or semi -permanent make-up. She noted that there has been one tattoo shop and two microblading businesses in the city since 2022, although there is currently only one microblading business open. She noted that there have been no issues with any of the licensed tattoo businesses since they opened. She explained that the owner of Salon Suites by Paris has been licensed for microblading since 2022 but recently asked if there was any way to allow her staff to also offer regular tattoos as a way to bring in more business and want to stay working for her. The City Council discussed increasing the number of tattoo shop licenses and whether there should continue to be a cap on the number allowed. There was Council consensus to remove the distinction between regular tattoo shops and microblading/semi-permanent make-up licenses, and increase the cap on the tattoo licenses from one to five. Council also requested information on how other nearby cities deal with tattoo businesses. EDA 102 — ECONOMICS BASELINE REVIEW AND STRATEGIC GOAL SETTING The Community Development Director explained that at the previous Workshop, the Council discussed the Economic Development Authority's (EDA) statutory role, powers and tools available under Minnesota law, including Tax Increment Financing authority, property acquisition, and housing -related financing tools. He stated that as the EDA becomes more active, it would be appropriate to establish a clearer strategic direction. He noted that intentional goal -setting will help align EDA activity with City Council priorities, the Comprehensive Plan, and available staff capacity. The Community Development Director reviewed the document "Understanding Little Canada's Local Economy" that he prepared which summarizes employment trends, commuting patterns, land use allocation, fiscal productivity, housing structure, and retail performance.