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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL – JULY 8, 2019 4 versus the short-term impact on one local business. He explained his brother passed from COPD two years ago. He supported the City keeping strong policies in place to protect the next generation from tobacco related illnesses and premature death. Maher Safi, manager of Arden Hills Tobacco, thanked the Council for understanding his concerns and for revisiting this issue. He explained the previous Ordinance would have directly impacted his livelihood. He reported his business began 15 years ago. He described how tobacco use has been on the decline and indicated he has worked really hard to improve his business. He reported Arden Hills Tobacco has been in compliance with all local, state and federal laws. He stated he should not be punished because of a national study or national epidemic. He explained he does not sell or market tobacco products to kids. He indicated he was a responsible business owner and should not be punished for the actions of others. Beth Meissner, manager of Arden Hills Shell (Brausen’s), thanked Councilmember Holmes for reading her email. She discussed the impact the City Ordinance has had on business. She questioned why the Council had visited Mr. Safi’s store to see the impact on his business and did not visit Brausen’s. She reported her income would drop significantly because it was based on sales. She estimated their business would lose $80,000 to $100,000 in sales as her customers would drive two blocks down to Shoreview. She indicated she would have to cut hours for her staff. She expressed frustration with the fact the Council did not respond to her email and provided the Council with a copy of her email. She discussed how this Ordinance would chase businesses out of Arden Hills. Mr. Safi explained he objected to the first Ordinance fully for his business and all tobacco license holders in the City. He reported the exclusion for his tobacco shop was because he was an adult only shop. He clarified for the record that he did not sell tobacco products online. With no one coming forward to speak, Mayor Grant closed the public hearing at 7:39 p.m. 9. NEW BUSINESS A. Ordinance 2019-005 Amending Chapter 3, License and Regulations, Section 350, Subsection 350.06, Prohibited Sales and Authorize Publication of Ordinance Amendment City Clerk Hanson stated the current proposed amendment’s language pertains to Subsection 350.06, Prohibited Sales, and states that “After August 1, 2019, the flavor restriction shall not apply to any licensee whose total annual sales volume of licensed products is 90% or more whose license was in existence on or before March 25, 2019.” City Clerk Hanson commented that the proposed language would “grandfather in” Arden Hills Tobacco due to the adult only store’s volume of sales of licensed products. She stated that the proposed exception would be for the existing Arden Hills Tobacco shop, at the existing location, and with the existing license holder only. If Arden Hills Tobacco were to relocate elsewhere in the city or sell the business to a new owner, the exception would no longer apply.