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St. Anthony City Council Work Session <br />February 26, 2024 <br />Page 3 <br />Councilmember Doolan stated getting more information on Cannabis would be helpful but does it need <br />to be included in the 2024 priorities. Does St. Anthony need to have a voice in legislation. Mayor <br />Webster stated since St. Anthony has a municipal liquor store it would be important. Councilmembers <br />Jenson and Stephens agreed. Mr. Grittman stated as far as the retailing aspects that is still in the hands <br />of the Office of Cannabis Management without a Commissioner. Mr. Yunker stated preliminary <br />applications will open in Fall of 2024. Applications may not be approved until Spring 2025. It is important <br />to tell legislators to keep us informed. Mayor Webster asked Council if Adult Use Cannabis should be <br />added to 2024 Priorities. <br />Councilmember Jenson asked about the bonding priority. Mr. Yunker stated he hasn’t really seen <br />anything that would apply to St. Anthony. This would not be a priority for St. Anthony as there are no <br />pressing flooding issues at this time. <br />Mayor Webster asked if Housing should be added as a Priority. Councilmember Jenson stated there was <br />a proposal to support an affordable housing project on the old Bremer Bank site. Mr. Grittman stated <br />there is an approved plan but the City has been approached by other entities to consider alternative <br />uses for that property. Mayor Webster stated Housing should be added to the list of priorities. The five <br />priorities suggested to be submitted are: <br />Adult-Use Cannabis <br />Housing <br />Local Control <br />Public Safety Duty Disability <br />Sales Tax Exemption on Construction Materials <br />Councilmember Randle stated he has an issue with Housing as there is a consequence to that. His <br />concern is how much effort is being put to upkeep if the rents are controlled from increases. Will <br />residents need to pay for that pushback which is his worry. <br />Councilmember Jenson stated the verbiage under Housing is not all-inclusive and it is worthy for Council <br />to support that. He is in support of the 5 priorities listed. <br />Councilmember Stephens stated she supports the 5 priorities. <br />Councilmember Doolan stated she supports the 5 priorities. <br />Council discussed extensively and gave direction to staff to prepare the one page summary to be utilized <br />on March 7, 2024. <br />Mr. Yunker asked if Council has comments on the bill requiring cities to do even year elections. Currently <br />St. Anthony has odd year elections. <br />Councilmember Doolan stated data shows on even number years there are 50% more voters who vote. <br />Councilmember Doolan was requested to gather data on cities that currently have even year elections. <br />Councilmember Jenson asked why this is being proposed and Mr. Yunker stated he does not know. <br />Councilmember Randle asked if DFL is proposing that change. Mr. Yunker stated he does not have that <br />information. Mr. Yunker stated it would be a cost savings in that fewer elections would be needed. Ms. <br />4