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<br />.' <br /> <br />City of Centerville <br />Council Meeting Minutes <br />January 22, 2003 <br /> <br />Council Member Lee suggested coming up with a way that the employee has a vested <br />interest in passing the sting. Mr. Demming indicated that if an employee passes a sting <br />and they are aware of it they are given a $5.00 gift certificate. He then said that he would <br />like to see the penalty to the employee for selling to minors stiffened and increase for <br />additional violations. He further said that Tom Thumb does not want to put tobacco into <br />the hands of minors. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers asked what the penalty to the individual is. City <br />Attorney Hoeft indicated it is a misdemeanor that, for first time offenders, is usually pled <br />down to a petty misdemeanor with a maximum fine of $300.00 but, the Court usually <br />charges them $100.00 to $150.00. <br /> <br />Mayor Sweeney asked what Tom Thumb is doing at this store to ensure compliance. Mr. <br />Demming indicated that they are carding everyone that purchases tobacco so that the <br />sales report can match up to the record of the driver's license being swiped into the <br />machine. <br /> <br />City Attorney Hoeft asked if Tom Thumb has an electronic identification machine at this <br />location. Mr. Demming indicated that they do. City Attorney Hoeft asked whether there <br />have been classes and re-certification of employees and what that entails. Mr. Demming <br />explained that Tom Thumb goes through the age requirements for different types of sales <br />and what the procedure is for making those sales as well as how to use the machine. <br />Employees are also told of the criminal penalty and loss of job if they sell to minors. <br /> <br />City Attorney Hoeft asked if Tom Thumb has conducted any stings at this location. Mr. <br />Demming indicted they have not. <br /> <br />City Attorney Hoeft indicated there was some question about the suspension versus <br />renewal of the license. He then explained that this is a non-renewal of the license it is not <br />a suspension and the basis for the non-renewal is a violation of the City's Ordinance <br />which he then read a portion of. City Attorney Hoeft indicated he did not have an issue <br />with the Mayor's proposal of a six month interim license and increased compliance <br />checks but recommended the City consider the cost of those compliance checks and <br />determine what the appropriate amount to charge Tom Thumb would be for those checks. <br /> <br />Mr. Deming asked to be made aware of passing or failed compliance checks as soon as <br />possible so that the appropriate steps can be taken at the store. City Attorney Hoeft <br />indicated Tom Thumb would be provided with the information. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers asked Staff to research the use of independent <br />contractors to conduct the compliance checks as well as asking the police department for <br />their opinion on using an outside contractor and the police department cost for <br />conducting the compliance checks. <br /> <br />Council Member Broussard Vickers suggested looking at a best practices policy for <br />tobacco retailers. Ms. Moore-Sykes indicated the City works with the police department <br /> <br />Page 4 of 18 <br />