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Mounds View City Council August 14, 2023 <br />Regular Meeting Page 12 <br /> <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Meehlhause asked if Assistant City Administrator Beeman would be attending the <br />Planning Commission meetings. City Administrator Zikmund believed this would not be the case. <br /> <br />Valerie Amundsen, 3048 Woodale Drive, questioned if this contract would cost the City more than <br />hiring someone full time. She inquired if this was a good fiscal decision. City Attorney Riggs <br />reported many cities hire consultants during an interim period while they conduct a search for a <br />new candidate. City Administrator Zikmund stated it was not easy to hire a planner and the City <br />needed time to evaluate the position. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Meehlhause discussed the work being done by Community Development Director <br />Sevald at this time, noting he served as the City Planner and the Community Development Director <br />who oversees three employees. He explained the consulting planner would not be responsible for <br />overseeing these employees, but rather this responsibility was going to be assumed temporarily by <br />Assistant City Administrator Beeman. <br /> <br />MOTION/SECOND: Lindstrom/Cermak. To Waive the Reading and Adopt Resolution 9796, <br />Approving contract services with Stantec for City Planner services. <br /> <br /> Ayes – 4 Nays – 0 Motion carried. <br /> <br />I. Second Reading, Ordinance 1007, Prohibiting use of Cannabis in Public <br />Places. ROLL CALL VOTE <br /> <br />City Attorney Riggs requested the Council adopt an ordinance prohibiting the use of cannabis in <br />public places. He explained the Council introduced this ordinance at the August 7 Special City <br />Council meeting. He commented further on the ordinance and definitions for public places. He <br />explained State Statute defines public places more as a setback situation or distance requirement <br />from certain places. He reported the cannabis act contains significant language on what a public <br />place is and State law worked to protect minors. He reiterated that this ordinance was a tool relative <br />to where usage can be made so the police department can educate people. He indicated the use of <br />cannabis in a public place was not a criminal act, but rather was a petty misdemeanor. He <br />commented further on the proposed ordinance and recommended approval. <br /> <br />Acting Mayor Meehlhause requested staff speak to the medical marijuana exception. City Attorney <br />Riggs reviewed the language within the ordinance that addressed medical marijuana usage. <br /> <br />Council Member Lindstrom reported he liked the distance suggestion better than a flat out ban. He <br />reiterated that the intent of the State legislation was to protect minors. City Attorney Riggs <br />commented this ordinance would be a tool that the Council could enact. It was noted the council <br />could take their time when approving and considering the final language. <br /> <br />Joyce Jones Strait, 7728 Knollwood, asked how a person was to know where a home daycare was <br />located and questioned if both commercial and home daycares would have prohibited use. City <br />Attorney Riggs explained both commercial and home daycares were included within the <br />ordinance. He stated this regulation came down from the state and marijuana use was not allowed