CC WORKSESSION 11302010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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conversation with the City Attorney. She reported that the City Attorney advised that the City can be as restrictive as they like based on the Minnesota Statute that also granted tobacco shops the ability to be allowed to sample tobacco if permitted by the local jurisdiction. Moore -Sykes stated that the proposed Tobacco Ordinance expanded the definition of tobacco and tobacco products also based on the City Attorney's advice, as well as prohibiting testing or sampling tobacco and tobacco related products. Moore - Sykes also indicated there were a few grammatical corrections are included as part of the proposed Tobacco Ordinance. Council asked what financial impact would there be to the current tobacco shop owners that allow sampling if they made the ordinance more restrictive. Staff reported that each of the two business owners had to invest about $15,000 in upgrading their air handling systems before they could open for business. Council voiced concern about business owners having to invest that sum of money in order to open their license- approved business only to have the City shut it down. Discussion. Some ideas to incorporate into a tobacco shop license were discussed. Staff was asked to send those suggestions to the City Attorney for his opinion. The Mayor reported that the City has about eight (8) months left on the moratorium to study this issue. Any change to the City's business licensing would coincide with the annual re- licensing date. 4. Synthetic Marijuana Information/Ordinance. Assistant City Manager Moore -Sykes reported that two (2) Minnesota cities, Duluth and Princeton have passed ordinances regulating synthetic marijuana. Ms. Alexis Strangl, LMC attorney, indicated that she was not sure how legal those cities' actions were but that there will probably be some action by the legislature in the next session to regulate as well. Discussion. Council requested that Staff continue to monitor the situation. 5. City's 651h Year Celebration with Historical Society. Assistant City Manager Kim Moore -Sykes reported that the Historical Society Board reported at their last meeting that this year marks the 65th Anniversary of the City being incorporated. They asked if the City was planning any event to mark the occasion. The Council indicated that it should be acknowledged at a City Council meeting. Directed Staff to work with the Historical Society to schedule that acknowledgment. 6. Other Business. The City Council discussed the following other issues: a. Vets Memorial. City Manager Morrison reported that he met with a committee established to plan for the design and commission of a Veterans Memorial to be placed in Central Park. He reported that they have raised $10,000 so far for the project. The Mayor also reported that Hobie Swan willed $5,000 to the Kiwanis to be used for a Veteran's Memorial. b. Speed Reduction Request for Pahl Avenue. City Manager Mornson reported that the Police Chief, Public Works Director and he met with a resident who is requesting that the speed limit on Pahl Avenue be reduced from 30mph to 20mph. 7. Adjourn. The work session adjourned at 7:30 pm. Minutes respectfully submitted by Kim Moore - Sykes, Assistant City Manager. F:\Minutes\2010 \Council Staff worksession 10052010.doc