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<br /> <br />97 in Columbus with Highway 96 in White Bear Lake sot the project is significant. The <br />preliminary estimated costs is $8.4 million and WSB has proposed plans and specs at <br />$468,000. Director Grochala also stated that the funding for the project would primarily <br />come from municipal state aid, the trunk utility fund, and from the surface water <br />management fund; though staff will also explore grant opportunities. <br />Councilmember Lyden asked of residential landowners impacted. Director Grochala stated <br />that six (6) land owners have been identified and that as the process moves forward, it will be <br />determined the impact on those land owners. He added that open houses will be held as the <br />project moves forward, though the open houses would not be held until the fall or possibly <br />into next spring as substantial planning needs to get underway before the open houses are <br />held. <br />Following Council’s direction, Director Grochala confirmed he will place the proposal for <br />plans and specs on the agenda for consideration on August 14, 2023. <br />4. Apollo Business Park Business Expansion <br />Community Development Director Michael Grochala updated Council that two (2) <br />businesses in Apollo Business Park have contacted the City about expansion: Rice Industries <br />and Mountain Manufacturing. As a potential solution staff is evaluating the use of adjacent <br />city owned and state owned (tax forfeited) properties. These properties were originally <br />created as borrow pits for grading in the development and subsequently used for stormwater <br />runoff. Director Grochala believes there is capacity in the lots that would allow for some <br />building expansion and/or use for additional stormwater from new construction. <br /> <br />He noted that this was discussed at the most recent EDAC meeting and that group is very <br />much in favor of the concept. He also advised that no specific Council direction is needed at <br />this time, he simply sought Council’s receptiveness to the idea of land transfers to <br />accommodate these expansions. <br /> <br />Council voiced a favorable opinon of the idea of land transfers to allow for the expansion of <br />the manufacturing businesses. <br />5. Cannabis in Public Spaces <br />Deputy Director of Public Safety/Police Division, Kyle Leibel, discussed with Council the <br />option of amending current ordinances to prohibit the use of cannabis in public parks, on <br />public property, and in public spaces. He noted that while the recent legislation at the state <br />made cannabis use legal effective August 1, 2023, the legislation failed to address use of <br />cannabis in public areas. He further noted that current laws at the state level only address <br />smoking in indoor spaces; addressing outdoor prohibitions is left to the local levels of <br />government. <br />Council concurred that addressing the use of cannabis in city parks, on city property, and in <br />public spaces is important and encouraged staff to work to bring forward ordinances for <br />consideration.