Laserfiche WebLink
Mounds View City Council July 31, 2023 <br />Special Meeting Page 4 <br /> <br />the City of Mounds View. <br /> <br />Council Member Lindstrom commented he spoke with the League of Minnesota Cities today about <br />this topic and he understood the State would not be issuing license until January of 2025. City <br />Attorney Riggs explained this was his understanding as well, but noted people could still apply. <br /> <br />Council Member Lindstrom believed the war on drugs, cannabis in particular, has gone on far too <br />long and he feared the moratorium was continuing the war. He believed the City had the time to <br />figure out the zoning without the moratorium in place. <br /> <br />Council Member Gunn indicated the moratorium would allow the City time it needs to set up <br />proper zoning for cannabis businesses. She noted the City could put the moratorium in place for <br />however long it would like. <br /> <br />Council Member Lindstrom stated he would not be supporting the moratorium. <br /> <br />Council Member Cermak reported she was allergic to cannabis and the smoke coming from <br />cannabis. She was sad the State of Minnesota passed legislation that made cannabis legal. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Meehlhause explained the timeline for the moratorium aligns with the State <br />approving licensing. He asked if the moratorium could be repealed sooner if the City Council had <br />zoning code requirements in place. City Attorney Riggs reported this would have to occur once <br />the zoning codes were in place. <br /> <br /> Ayes – 2 Nays – 2 (Cermak and Lindstrom) Motion failed. <br /> <br />B. Introduction and First Reading of Ordinance 1007 Prohibiting Use of Cannabis and <br />Hemp in Public Places. <br /> <br />City Attorney Riggs requested the Council introduce an ordinance prohibiting the use of cannabis <br />and hemp in public places. He explained a number of communities were looking at putting this <br />type of legislation in place. He reported the ordinance has a simple and broad definition for public <br />places. He indicated this ordinance would be similar to how tobacco smoke was treated in City <br />parks. He noted that this ordinance should be viewed as a tool. He recommended the ordinance <br />include language to address the use of medical cannabis. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Meehlhause asked what was included in public places. He questioned if schools <br />were included. City Attorney Riggs reported this included City parks, City right of way (including <br />sidewalks), City Hall and the Community Center. He noted that schools were covered under the <br />Cannabis Act. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Meehlhause opened the meeting for public comment. <br /> <br />Dr. Jean Strait, 7728 Knollwood Drive, anticipated vaping was more of a concern in schools than <br />cannabis use. She questioned how the City would regulate something that could not be identified. <br />She feared the City was worrying about the wrong things.