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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – MARCH 25, 2019 9 <br /> <br />The motion carried (5-0). <br /> <br /> B. Ordinance 2019-003 Amending Chapter 3, License and Regulations, Section <br />350, Tobacco Products <br /> <br />City Clerk Hanson stated the City Council has previously discussed potential amendments to <br />City Code, Chapter 3, Section 350 relating to tobacco sales in the city. The Council provided the <br />opportunity for formal public input from the tobacco sales vendors at its October 15, 2018 work <br />session, the general public at a November 13, 2018 public hearing, as well as at a public hearing <br />earlier this evening. Over the past several months, the Council has also received comments and <br />communications via email from various parties. <br /> <br />City Clerk Hanson explained following City Council direction per the January 2019 work <br />session, staff worked with the City Attorney regarding proposed language amendments to Chapter <br />3, Section 350 that include raising the age to purchase tobacco to 21 and regulating (banning) the <br />sales of flavored products (fruit, candy, gum, wintergreen, mint and menthol) in the city as a <br />whole, including adult-only tobacco establishments. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant requested comment from the City Attorney regarding Sections 10 and 11 of the <br />proposed Ordinance. <br /> <br />City Attorney Jamnik discussed the modifications proposed for Sections 10 and 11. He noted <br />the last phrase in Section 11 should be removed as it would be inconsistent if the flavor ban were <br />passed. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes addressed the issue of wholesalers doing business in Arden Hills. She <br />reviewed the language within the Ordinance noting it would not apply to wholesalers doing <br />business in Arden Hills. <br /> <br />Councilmembers Scott, McClung and Holden supported this language as is regarding <br />wholesalers in the City. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes asked if the Council supported limiting retail sales of tobacco to <br />individuals under the age of 21. <br /> <br />Councilmember McClung stated he supported this recommendation. <br /> <br />Councilmember Holmes questioned if the City should raise the age of those able to work on <br />convenience stores to 21. <br /> <br />City Attorney Jamnik advised this may create problems for those currently working in <br />convenient stores. <br /> <br />Mayor Grant stated he wished the State of Minnesota would address this issue. However, <br />because the State was not taking action, he supported the City addressing this issue because it was <br />a public safety concern. He thanked everyone who spoke this evening and for voicing their <br />concerns. He explained he supported changing he tobacco sales age to 21. He understood this