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<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />Council Worksession <br />October 10, 2023 <br />5:00 pm <br /> <br /> <br />Present: Mayor Kari Niedfeldt-Thomas <br /> Councilmember Abdullahi Abdulle <br />Councilmember Graeme Allen <br /> Councilmember Pam Axberg <br />Councilmember Emily Dunsworth <br />Absent: <br /> <br />Staff in Attendance: Devin Massopust, Craig Schlichting, Terri Spangrud (attending remotely), Joseph Sathe <br />(attending remotely) <br /> <br />Guests in Attendance: <br /> <br />Commercial Tobacco Licenses <br /> <br />Massopust explained staff would be discussing the topic of commercial tobacco licenses at this meeting. He <br />provided historical information on this topic, affirmed goals for an updated commercial tobacco licensing <br />ordinance, reviewed a summary of licensing policy tools and impacts, and recapped information known to <br />date. He commented on the number of standalone shops in neighboring communities. He discussed four <br />questions with the Council and asked for Council feedback. Staff reviewed the draft ordinance in further detail <br />with the Council and requested direction on how to proceed. <br /> <br />Joseph Sathe spoke to how State regulations addressed hemp products and he recommended this language be <br />incorporated into this ordinance. He commented further on the buffer zones that would be required for <br />cannabis businesses. <br /> <br />Councilmember Axberg asked what staff knew about the administration of cannabis. Massopust reported the <br />licenses for tobacco and cannabis were to remain separate. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth stated she was curious to know how well the tobacco shops were doing, given the <br />fact there were six in the community. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas asked if cannabis could be sold at liquor stores in the future. Joseph Sathe explained <br />this would not be allowed. He stated liquor stores could sell THC beverages and low potency gummies. <br /> <br />Massopust noted staff proposed having six be the maximum number of standalone shops in the City. He <br />questioned if the City would like to consider some sort of attrition model. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dunsworth supported the City reducing the number to four or five through attrition. <br /> <br />Mayor Niedfeldt-Thomas supported the City reducing this number to four. <br />