HomeMy WebLinkAbout07/11/2023LAUDF,RDALF{, CITY COUNCIL
MFS F,TING MINUTFi,S
Lauderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
Page 1 of 3 July 11, 2023
Call to Order
Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:01 p.m.
Roll Call
Councilors present: Jeff Dains, Sharon Kelly, Duane Pulford, Evan Sayre, and Mayor Mary
Gaasch.
Councilors absent: None.
Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City
Administrators and Miles Cline, Deputy City Clerk.
Approvals
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any additions to the meeting agenda. There being none,
Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the agenda. Motion
carried unanimously.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the June 27, 2023 city council
meeting. There being none, Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Sayie to approve
the minutes of the June 27, 2023 city council meeting. Motion carried unanimously.
Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor
Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the claims totaling $141,719.86.
Motion carried unanimously.
Informational Presentations/Reports
A. Day in the Park Update
Assistant to the City Administrator Bownik gave an update on the food games, music and
events that will take place at Lauderdale's annual Day in the Park event. The event will take
place on Thursday, July 13 from 5:00 — 8:00 p.m. at Lauderdale Community Park.
B. City Council Updates
Counciloi Kelly stated that she attended a Braver Angels presentation. Mayor Gaasch shared that
she is part of the Minnesota Rural Urban Exchange, which has a similar mission to the Braver
Angels. Counciloi Pulford shared water line insurance information he received in the mail.
Public Hearings
A. Ordinance No. 23-01 — Interim Ordinance Authorizing a Study and Imposing a Moratorium
on the Operation of Cannabis Businesses
Ron Batty, the City's attorney, joined the meeting virtually to discuss the new cannabis
legislation. Batty provided a memo, draft interim ordinance, and draft publication resolution.
LAUDIH,RDALI-4; CITY COUNCIL
MFETING MINUTES
L auderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
Lauderdale, MN 55113
P age 2 of 3 July 11, 2023
He said the state was going to play the lead on regulating cannabis businesses with cities
having a mole limited role. Parts of the statute go into effect on July 1 and August 1 but it is
going to be a while before much happens. The new state department needs to be established
and rules need to be implemented. It is likely that no licenses will be issued by the state for six
months or more. In the meantime, cities need to determine if and how they want to get into the
game. The statute allows cities to adopt an interim ordinance, which may prohibit a business
from opening in the City. The ordinance may be in effect until January 1, 2025, longer than
the 12 months usually allowed for interim ordinances. Since it will be difficult for cities to
figure out how they want to participate until the state rules are in place, he recommended
adopting a moratorium to buy some time to figure that out.
The Council discussed adopting the interim ordinance until the state finished its rulemaking
process and provided cities guidance on next steps.
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor at 7:38 p.m. to those in attendance interested in addressing the
Council on this topic. There being nobody interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor
at 7:42 p.m.
Councilor Kelly made a motion to adopt Ordinance No. 23-01 Interim Ordinance Authorizing
a Study and Imposing a Moratorium on the Operation of Cannabis Businesses. This was
seconded by Councilor Dains and carried unanimously.
B . Resolution No. 071123A — Authorizing Publication of Ordinance No. 23-01 by Title and
Summary
As the ordinance was too long to publish cost-effectively, the city attorney recommended
publication by title and summary.
Councilor Pulford made a motion to adopt Resolution No. 071123A — Authorizing Publication of
Ordinance No. 23-01 by Title and Summary. This was seconded by Councilor Sayre and carried
unanimously.
The council took a recess at 8:34 p.m. and returned at 8:36 p.m.
Discussion/Action Item
A. 2022 Moratorium on the Sale of Hemp Derived THC Products
B atty prepared a memo regarding last year s legalization of hemp -derived edibles. The City
Council adopted a moratorium that's set to expire on July 30. Batty addressed whether the
Council felt the need to regulate the hemp -derived edibles going forward.
LAUDFi,RDALF, CITY COUNCIL
MN' h,TING MINUTFI S
L auderdale City Hall
1891 Walnut Street
L auderdale, MN 55113
P age 3 of 3 July 11, 2023
B atty also addressed whether the Council was considering addressing the smoking of cannabis
and tobacco in public places. Many cities ban smoking around their public buildings and in their
parks and open spaces. The Council said they were interested in addressing the issue because
they anticipate complaints. Staff will work with the attorney on the issue.
The Council discussed the options presented by the city attorney regarding the hemp -derived
edibles: do nothing and let the moratorium lapse; initiate a licensing program; or continue the
ban on edibles until the state completes their rulemaking process and establishes the Office of
Cannabis Management.
Councilor Dains made a motion to have the city attorney prepare an ordinance to regulate hemp -
derived edibles. This was seconded by Councilor Kelly and carried unanimously.
B . 2023-2024 Goal Setting Session
B utkowski said staff prepared a list of staff goals and projects as well as some policy goals of the
Council. The Council added some items to the list for future discussion and consideration.
Set Agenda for Next Meeting
B utkowski stated that the July 25 council meeting might include an electronic funds transfer
policy, the June financial report, the quarterly investment report, a variance request by the
owners of 1897 Malvern Street, and the annual storm water report.
Work Session
A. Community Development Update
B utkowski shared that Rum River recently sent out code enforcement letters addressing property
maintenance violations.
B Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council
Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those in attendance interested in addressing the Council.
There being nobody interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor.
Adjournment
Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to adjourn the meeting at 912 p.m.
Motion carried unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Oat,
Miles Cline
D eputy City Clerk