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I <br />2 <br />3 <br />4 <br />5 <br />6 <br />7 <br />8 <br />9 <br />10 <br />I I <br />12 <br />13 <br />14 <br />15 <br />16 <br />17 <br />18 <br />19 <br />20 <br />21 <br />22 <br />23 <br />24 <br />25 <br />26 <br />27 <br />28 <br />29 <br />30 <br />31 <br />32 <br />33 <br />34 <br />35 <br />36 <br />37 <br />38 <br />39 <br />40 <br />41 <br />42 <br />43 <br />44 <br />45 <br />46 <br />City Council Regular Meeting Minutes <br />March 27 ,2012 <br />Page 2 <br />A. Revocation of Cigarette & Tobacco License for Flamezz Hookah Lounge located at 3805 <br />Stinson Blvd. <br />Mayor Faust opened the public hearing at 7:05 p.m. <br />Police Chief Ohl presented a timeline of enforcement actions related to the April 26 , 20 II, <br />adoption by the City Council of an Ordinance disallowing sampling. He advised that throughout <br />20 II and 2012 , the Police Department conducted multiple compliance checks at Flamezz <br />Hookah Lounge. He stated that on June 2, 20 II , and June 10 , 20 II , officers found individuals <br />smoking fTom hookahs and Mr. Kiblawi was charged by formal complaint and citation. He <br />indicated on December 8, 20 II , the City received a favorable ruling from Hennepin County that <br />the City's Ordinance was in compliance with State law and on December 15 ,2011 , another <br />compliance check found individuals smoking from hookah pipes inside the business. He advised <br />that following a compliance check on February 13 ,2012, Mr. Kiblawi was charged with an <br />Ordinance violation and on February 25 , 2012 , Mr. Kiblawi was charged with a violation of the <br />State 's Clean Indoor Air Act. He added that on March 10,2012, a plainclothes check by officers <br />for one hour found people smoking from hookahs including refilling of the hookah pipes . <br />Mr . Eric Brever, 2812 Anthony Lane South , appeared before the City Council and stated he <br />represents Flamezz Hookah and Mr . Kiblawi. He stated they oppose the City 's recommended <br />motion and urged the City Council to continue his client's license. He explained this issue began <br />in February 2010 when his client met with City staff to explain he wanted to open a hookah <br />lounge ; durin g that meeting, they discussed the Clean fndoor Air Act as well as sampling and <br />ultimately , the City gave its okay as other cities have allowed sampling and it is permitted under <br />the Clean Indoor Air Act. He indicated his client installed a special HV AC ventilation system to <br />mitigate the second hand smoke as required by City staff and in late May, a Certificate of <br />Occupancy was issued followed by a tobacco license on June 24, 20 I O. He stated that the June <br />22 ,2010 City Council agenda was the first mention his client had that there was an issue with the <br />indoor smoking, after he had spent considerable money and after his license was issued. He <br />stated in early 20 II, the City provided notice of an amendment to the tobacco ordinance, which <br />Flamezz Hookah opposed at three separate readings, including his client 's belief that the <br />Ordinance may not be upheld or enforceable. He stated that the 20 II charges were tried last <br />week and his client was acquitted by a jury of the misdemeanor violations of the City 's tobacco <br />ordinance. He indicated they have long protested the City 's position on the ordinance and felt <br />the ordinances were targeted to eliminate his client's business. He stated that his client retains <br />all legal rights, including attorney 's fees , based on the City Council's action this evening, and <br />urged the City Council to reissue the tobacco license to his client. <br />Ms. Rosalie Hall , 3850 Stinson Boulevard, appeared before the City Council and stated she lives <br />across the street from Flamezz Hookah. She expressed frustration about the amOlmt of noise <br />coming from the business at I :30 or 2:00 a.m. when a number of customers come out of the <br />building and use their beeping remote controls to unlock their cars, as well as the amount of <br />talking and laughing. She stated she lives in a senior building and they cannot have their <br />windows open in the summer because of all the noise. She indicated the Police Department has <br />been great but frequently by the time the Police arrive, the customers have left the parking lot. <br />She indicated a lot of their residents are disabled and they are afraid to call the Police because