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<br />'. <br /> <br />City of Centerville <br />Council Meeting Minutes <br />January 22, 2003 <br /> <br />City Attorney Hoeft suggested that Tom Thumb may wish to have the hearing continued <br />to the next Council meeting to allow time to review the information yet to be provided. <br /> <br />Darryl Deming, the Director of Store Operations addressed Council and outlined Tom <br />Thumb's practices and procedures concerning the sale of tobacco. He stressed for <br />Council that Tom Thumb takes these violations very seriously. <br /> <br />Mr. Deming indicated that Tom Thumb feels that the City did not follow its own <br />Ordinance when it issued a one-year suspension or non-renewal of the license rather than <br />the noted 7 -day suspension. He then asked if the intent of the Ordinance was to restrict <br />tobacco sales to minor or to put tobacco retailers out of business. <br /> <br />Mr. Deming said he feels that Tom Thumb is a responsible tobacco retailer but they are <br />faced with the challenge of getting those working at the store level to see the importance <br />of following the rules, polices, and laws concerning the sale of tobacco products. <br /> <br />Mayor Sweeney indicated there were three new members of Council. He then read <br />excerpts from the City's Ordinance that outlined the fact that the City did have the right, <br />by its Ordinance, to not renew the license. <br /> <br />Mayor Sweeney indicated the Ordinance has been violated but the City is not saying it <br />wants to put anyone out of business. He then indicated he had a suggestion earlier in the <br />day from a local business owner that the City provide for a continuation of the <br />provisional license for six months and have additional compliance checks during that <br />time and any failure would result in an immediate revocation of the license. <br /> <br />Council Member Capra noted that on November 13 she had stated that she was concerned <br />over the recent issue that happened with the City of Bumsville and how that affected the <br />business. She further indicated she did not vote to revoke the license in November but <br />did vote to give a temporary license and would not be opposed to the six-month <br />temporary license with additional compliance checks but is not sure she is comfortable <br />with revoking the license immediately. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers asked what Tom Thumb would propose to solve the <br />problem of a business with value to the community that continues to fail compliance <br />checks. <br /> <br />Mr. Deming suggested additional stings as it does not seem fair to rest licensing on one <br />failed compliance check when only one is done during the year. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers asked how he would propose the City pay for the <br />stings. Mr. Demming suggested charging a higher license fee or requiring the tobacco <br />retailers to pay for the increased stings. He then indicated there are independent <br />companies that offer the service and charge approximately $17.00 per sting. <br /> <br />Page 3 of 18 <br />