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Mounds View City Council July 23, 2018 Regular Meeting Page 2 station. He commented on the changes the City was proposing to make regarding the legal 1 tobacco age. He encouraged the City not to change the age from 18 to 21. He stated he believed 2 it was not the local government’s responsibility to make this change. He explained 18-year-olds 3 are old enough to go to war, be arrested and be married. He suggested the City Council focus 4 their efforts on counterfeit cigarettes and not pursue a change to the smoking age. He 5 recommended local law enforcement teach classes and instruct retailers to ensure minors are not 6 able to purchase cigarettes and that minors better understand how smoking will impact their 7 health. 8 9 7. SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS 10 A. State Representative Randy Jessup. 11 12 Representative Randy Jessup provided the Council with a recap on the 2018 legislative session. 13 He commented on the bi-partisan pension reform bill that was passed. He updated the Council 14 on the I-35W project. He noted health care costs and health care access was another issue 15 addressed by the legislature. He reported improvements have been made to MNLARS but 16 understood this program was still a frustration for the State. He explained state income tax and 17 distracted driving would be addressed in 2019. He commended the City on their efforts to 18 encourage new construction both residential and commercial. He stated he was pleased to see 19 the investments people were making in this community. 20 21 Council Member Meehlhause asked if the income tax bill was brought in alone or as an omnibus 22 bill. Representative Jessup explained the income tax bill was separate. He stated it was his hope 23 the leaders in 2019 would be more willing to work together on this issue. 24 25 Council Member Meehlhause thanked Representative Jessup for his work on behalf of the 26 community. 27 28 Council Member Bergeron thanked Representative Jessup for his observations and noted the 29 population of Mounds View had increased 9% in the last eight years. He discussed how this 30 growth has created a need for more public transportation. He encouraged Representative Jessup 31 to keep in mind the importance of local governmental control. 32 33 Mayor Mueller thanked Representative Jessup for his presentation and noted he was recognized 34 by the League of Minnesota Cities as an Outstanding Legislator during the 2018 session for his 35 willingness to reach across the aisle. 36 37 B. Executive Director of CTV Dana Heally 38 39 Dana Heally, Executive Director of CTV, introduced herself to the City Council. She noted she 40 was in a learning period in her new position and stated she looked forward to meeting with the 41 City Council members at some point in the future. 42 43 Council Member Bergeron welcomed Ms. Heally and wished her all the best in her new position. 44 45