Laserfiche WebLink
ARDEN HILLS SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION—JULY 8, 2024 9 <br /> Councilmember Rousseau indicated she could support this option as well. <br /> The Council recessed the worksession meeting at 6:56 p.m. <br /> The Council reconvened the worksession meeting at 8:00 p.m. <br /> Councilmember Holden supported the City setting the limit of tobacco licenses to five. <br /> Councilmember Rousseau supported setting the limit to six or to set limits per business type. <br /> Councilmember Fabel supported setting limits for grocery stores, gas stations, liquor stores and <br /> drug stores. <br /> Mayor Grant supported limiting the tobacco licenses to five. <br /> Community Development Director Jagoe discussed how a land use amendment may be <br /> required if the City were to make tobacco sales and accessory use for retail/commercial <br /> businesses. She indicated she would have to refer with the City Attorney regarding this matter. <br /> Ms. Engman stated she understood other communities have not allowed tobacco only shops. <br /> Mayor Grant recommended the City grandfather in its current businesses but that the use not be <br /> expanded. He stated he did not want to see tobacco only stores in Arden Hills. <br /> The Council discussed not setting a cap on the number of tobacco licenses, but rather to allow <br /> tobacco licenses within gas stations, liquor stores, grocery stores and drug stores and to restrict <br /> tobacco only shops. <br /> Ms. Engman reported the City may want to put a cap in place in order to create an even playing <br /> field. She indicated this would be easier to understand for existing and future businesses. <br /> Mayor Grant questioned what the fee for tobacco licenses should be. <br /> Assistant to the City Administrator/City Clerk Hanson indicated the fee has been $300 the <br /> entire time she has been with the City. <br /> Council consensus was to recommend the tobacco license fee remain $300 per year, to cap the <br /> number of licenses issued at 6 and to not allow standalone tobacco stores in the city. <br /> D. Arden Manor Hardcourt Improvements Project Discussion <br /> Public Works Director/City Engineer Swearingen stated on July 10, 2023, City Council <br /> approved Change Order #1, removing the Arden Manor Park hard court improvements scope of <br /> work from the 2023 Arden Manor Park and Floral Park Improvements Project Contract with <br /> Peterson Companies. At the December 18, 2023 Work Session, City Council gave City staff <br /> direction to pursue the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program to fund the <br /> Arden Manor hardcourt construction and construction administration, while utilizing PIR-Parks <br /> funds to fund the grant application and `Shovel Ready' design work in order to increase the <br /> competitiveness of the grant application and complete construction in 2024. At the January 8, <br />