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ARDEN HILLS CITY COUNCIL — NOVEMBER 27, 2023 <br />17 <br />The motion to accept the forfeiture of Arden Hills Tobacco's tobacco license <br />carried (4-0). <br />Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson explained the City had received one <br />tobacco license application for this location. She noted during the renewal process, a new buyer <br />has come forward under a different company name. <br />Councilmember Holden asked what this meant for the proposed moratorium. <br />City Attorney Schmidt stated a moratorium could be put in place and this would apply to the <br />active application. <br />Councilmember Holden explained she supported the Council reviewing this topic now versus <br />addressing this topic in the future. <br />Councilmember Fabel indicated this was an important topic, but he was concerned with the fact <br />no public notice was given regarding the proposed moratorium, nor was this topic on the agenda. <br />He commented on how this moratorium could impact local business owners and he believed the <br />City should be obligated to give public notice of the intent to address this topic at a future <br />meeting. He was of the opinion it was procedurally inappropriate to take action on this item <br />without giving the public notice. <br />Councilmember Holden reported when she discussed this matter with staff, she was told this <br />item did not need to be given notice, nor did the agenda have to be amended. <br />City Attorney Schmidt concurred and explained there was no specific requirement that notice be <br />given or that a public hearing be held on a moratorium or an interim ordinance, unless it is related <br />to livestock management or official controls related to housing. However, that doesn't mean the <br />Council couldn't do this, should they choose to. <br />Councilmember Monson stated she agreed with Councilmember Holden that this topic should be <br />further considered by the City Council, especially given the fact a tobacco license was just <br />forfeited. She supported the City having more controls in place surrounding licensing given the <br />concerns the City has had. She believed it would be nice for the Council to take the time to review <br />this topic as well as the violation fees further. She stated while the City does not have to legally <br />notice the proposed moratorium, she understood it may be a good idea. However, considering the <br />City has an active application for a tobacco license, she would favor a moratorium being put in <br />place at this time. <br />Mayor Grant indicated he would favor a moratorium being put in place on new licenses. He <br />asked if the moratorium could be in place for one year. <br />City Attorney Schmidt reported this was the case. <br />Councilmember Monson questioned if Councilmember Holden would support a six month <br />moratorium. <br />