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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION — AUGUST 21, 2023 4 <br />Councilmember Fabel asked how many employees would be working from this operation. He <br />questioned why Bolander did not want to move their operation out of the metro area and inquired <br />if solar panels would be a viable option for this site. <br />Mr. Ryan explained Bolander has 250 employees. He noted five employees would be needed for <br />the crushing operations. He discussed how placing a crushing facility on TCAAP would benefit <br />the redevelopment of this site. He commented further on how much more expensive it would be to <br />move the operation outside the metro area. <br />Councilmember Monson asked if the concrete crushing operations would be short term on this <br />site. <br />Mr. Ryan stated these operations would not be short term. He commented further on how a solar <br />field may be a possibility for this site. <br />Councilmember Holden encouraged Bolander to speak with the US Fish and Wildlife about the <br />proposed crushing operations. <br />Mayor Grant questioned why Bolander wanted to move away from the Cretin Vandalia site <br />given its central location. <br />Mr. Ryan stated he would not be leaving that site but rather would be adding a second site. <br />Mayor Grant noted New Brighton just got rid of a similar operation. While he appreciated the <br />fact Bolander may be pursuing solar, he did not believe a crushing operation would be the highest <br />and best use for this property. However, he noted the City could not control the high bidder for the <br />sale of this property. <br />Mayor Grant thanked Bolander for all of their work to clean up the TCAAP site. <br />B. Smoking/Vaping and Cannabis Public Use Discussion <br />Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson stated in light of the recent cannabis <br />law, staff is requesting direction on whether or not the City Council wishes to address THC (lower <br />potency edibles) and Adult Use Cannabis (full strength) product consumption on City park <br />property as well as in public spaces (City -owned streets, sidewalks, parking lots, open <br />spaces/outdoor gathering spaces, etc.). Council could choose to ban the smoking of cannabis in <br />public spaces only or include edibles as well. As City Code is currently, smoking is prohibited <br />within a park shelter itself and not on park property as a whole; however, it has been the City of <br />Arden Hills' policy and practice to prohibit smoking/vaping on park property (the parks do have <br />signage to this effect). Staff is requesting direction from the City Council regarding a potential <br />ordinance amendment to further define smoking/vaping on City park property. Staff reviewed <br />examples from the City of Maple Grove and the City of Northfield, both of which recently <br />adopted ordinance amendments pertaining to prohibiting public use and requested feedback from <br />the Council on how to proceed. <br />