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Mounds View City Council July 28, 2014 <br />Regular Meeting Page 9 <br /> <br /> <br />Acting City Administrator Crane stated the proposed Ordinance amendment was drafted by staff <br />after the incident at Sam’s Food Market. She reported that on April 14th Sam’s Food Market <br />received approval for a tobacco license with conditions. Staff reviewed the discussion held by <br />the Council during the First Reading of the Ordinance and recommended approval of Ordinance <br />889 revising Chapter 512 of the Mounds View City Code. <br /> <br />Ani Haynes, Mounds View Tobacco, questioned what concerns the City had with the tobacco <br />license holders. Mayor Flaherty commented the City had no concerns but was simply looking to <br />strengthen City Code. <br /> <br />Ani Haynes commented that since Sam’s Food Market has opened this business has caused <br />trouble. He did not believe that all tobacco establishments in Mounds View should be punished <br />for their mistakes. He indicated that many tobacco businesses in the metro area sell dugouts, <br />scales, glass pipes and baggies. <br /> <br />Fayeth Seith, explained that measuring scales can be used for tobacco for customers that roll their <br />own cigarettes. He indicated the window signs were also a concern. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller recommended the language within Item K be amended to ensure that <br />lessee/lessors properly manage graffiti. <br /> <br />Council Member Hull asked if other cities banned dugouts, one-hitters and glass pipes. Acting <br />City Administrator Crane stated it was common for these items to be banned. <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty indicated he had an issue with requiring “No Loitering” signs. He believed that <br />City Code addressed loitering. Acting City Administrator Crane commented that the owner of <br />Vino & Stogies has had concerns with loitering, which led staff to suggest this signage. City <br />Attorney Riggs commented the sign would provide crowd control while also addressing the <br />concern of minors lingering near tobacco establishments. He explained that other cities find this <br />to be an important clause. <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty expressed concern with how the “No Loitering” signage would be enforced by <br />the City. He questioned if the City had the resources to visit each tobacco establishment <br />routinely to bring them into compliance. Acting City Administrator Crane explained that the <br />establishments would be examined through each compliance check. <br /> <br />Further discussion ensued regarding the placement of signage in business windows. <br /> <br />Council Member Mueller recommended that interior signage remain consistent between tobacco <br />and liquor establishments. She believed that for safety purposes, no signage should be placed in <br />front windows, but understands the business need for advertising space. <br /> <br />Mayor Flaherty believed that the building code addressed the sign requirements and agreed that <br />the signage should remain consistent throughout the City.