06-09-25 - Council Meeting Agenda

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Page 4 of 6 11. Municipal Cannabis Store The Interim City Administrator stated that in follow-up to the Council direction to prepare a list of available consultants to advise on the market viability of a Municipal Cannabis Retail Store, he had located nine firms that do market analysis. He stated that the cities of Lexington, Centerville, and Blaine are researching the topic. The cities of Circle Pines and White Bear Lake are not pursing the matter. He said the City of St. Anthony Village is moving forward with plans and that the consultant used for the project planning had a fee of approximately $10,000. He stated that the City of Buffalo is not actively pursuing the matter, but did complete the necessary research and the consultant used had an approximate fee of $8,000. The Interim City Administrator stated that the City of Wyoming hired a consultant that is available to assist the City of Lino Lakes and has offered to begin with a basic analysis for approximately $2,500. He stated that there are companies that can provide a range of services, including setting up and running the operations. He asked the Council if they were interested in scheduling a meeting with the consultant for the June 9, 2025 Work Session. Councilmember Stoesz stated that as presented at the last work session, he would continue to vote against the development of a Municipal Cannabis Retail Store. Council Consensus It was the consensus of the Council to schedule time on the June 9, 2025 Work Session agenda to meet with the Municipal Cannabis Retail Store consultant, as presented. (Councilmember Stoesz opposed.) 12. Administration Update The Interim City Administrator provided the following updates. • Staff has been working on the draft amendments to the Rules of Decorum. • Staff met with Councilmembers Lyden and Cavegn last week and provided a re- cap presentation of the Police and Fire Department Strategic Implementation Plan proposals that were originally presented on May 14th. • This Wednesday, June 4, 2025, the City Council will be holding a Closed Meeting to review the Police Department union contract. • The City Council will also be holding a Special Work Session on Wednesday, June 4, 2025, to review the implementation of the Police and Fire Department Strategic Implementation Plan. The Finance Department is working on final numbers for personnel and equipment as they relate to the recommendations. • Consultants have been identified to complete the Strategic Plan. Craig Waldron is one of the consultants that has been identified, and he indicated that community input could be received by contacting area athletic associations, the Chamber of Commerce, etc. and that the citizen survey does not need to be completed in advance of this Strategic Planning process. The 5-Year Strategic Plan would be prepared in coordination with the budget. Page 25 of 353