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HomeMy WebLinkAbout01/28/2025LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 1 of 2 January 28, 2025 Call to Order Mayor Gaasch called the Regular City Council meeting to order at 7:00 p.m. Swearing in of Newly Elected Officials Administrator Butkowski performed the swearing in ceremony for Councilor Pulford. Roll Call Councilors present: Evan Sayre, Duane Pulford, Sharon Kelly, Jeff Dains, and Mayor Mary Gaasch. Councilors absent: None. Staff present: Heather Butkowski, City Administrator; Jim Bownik, Assistant to the City Administrator; and Miles Cline, Deputy City Clerk. Approvals Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any additions to the meeting agenda. There being none, Councilor Dains moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the agenda. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were corrections to the minutes of the January 14, 2025, City Council meeting. There being none, Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to approve the January 14, 2025, City Council meeting minutes. Motion carried unanimously. Mayor Gaasch asked if there were any questions on the claims. There being none, Councilor Sayre moved and seconded by Councilor Dains to approve the claims totaling $26,375.70. Motion carried unanimously. Consent Councilor Pulford moved and seconded by Councilor Kelly to approve the Consent Agenda thereby acknowledging the fourth quarter investment report and approving the hiring of a temporary administrative employee, Resolution No. 012825A — Approving the 2025 Tobacco Licenses, and Resolution No. 012825B — Approving the 3.2 Off -Sale Malt Liquor Licenses. Discussion/Action Item A. Municipal Cannabis Feasibility Report Mayor Gaasch said the Point Seven Group completed their cannabis financial modeling for the City and prepared a report. Jennifer Haskamp, from Swanson Haskamp Consulting, joined the meeting virtually to present their findings. She laid out three scenarios that Point Seven Group developed and answered questions about each. The three scenarios are: • The City owning and operating a retail cannabis business. • The City constructing a building to rent to a retail cannabis business. LAUDERDALE CITY COUNCIL MEETING MINUTES Lauderdale City Hall 1891 Walnut Street Lauderdale, MN 55113 Page 2 of 2 January 28, 2025 • The City constructing a building and securing a cannabis retail license in order to partner with a cannabis operator who would manage store operations. The modeling showed that owning and operating a cannabis business could derive the most profit but it came with the most risk. The venture to construct a build for rent had roughly a seven-year return on investment. The third option netted less revenue than option one but much more than option two. Councilors discussed that option three could be a gateway to the City operating its own business after the initial partnership term. Council asked staff to work with Haskamp to identify a path forward factoring that applications for municipal license are due mid -March should the Council wish to apply. Set Agenda for Next Meeting Butkowski stated that the February 11 Council meeting might include the cooperative agreement with Ramsey County regarding Eustis Street. Work Session A. Community Development Update Butkowski stated that the warming house will be closed through Sunday due to warm weather. She continued to say that there is an FAQ on the City's website regarding cannabis information. B. Opportunity for the Public to Address the City Council Mayor Gaasch opened the floor to those interested in addressing the Council. Anne Feider, 1698 Eustis Street, asked the Council a few cannabis related questions including whether the cannabis store could be cashless, how parking would function, the feasibility of achieving the projected revenue numbers in the report, and benefits and detriments of partnering with a private company. There being nobody else interested in speaking, Mayor Gaasch closed the floor. Adjournment Councilor Kelly moved and seconded by Councilor Pulford to adjourn the meeting at 8:59 p.m. Motion carried unanimously. Respectfully submitted, 414'4. Clime/ Miles Cline Deputy City Clerk