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Regular City Council Meeting <br /> Monday, October 9, 2023 <br /> Page 4 <br /> third violation within thirty-six (36) months. The Mandatory minimum penalty <br /> shall be a two-thousand-dollar($2,000.00) fine and a seven(7) day suspension. <br /> Council Discussion <br /> Councilmember Strahan indicated she was sorry for the owner's child and sorry <br /> that things are at that point for him, noting every person in this room wants the <br /> Council to reduce their fee. But, if the Council did not adhere to the presumptive <br /> penalties as indicated then everyone else would want the same and the Council does <br /> not want to be in that position. The Council wants the owner to understand what <br /> the penalties are and the seriousness of the situation and to take it seriously. <br /> Councilmember Groff explained these are serious issues, and this is a health issue. <br /> The Council has discussed these violations for many years and do not take these <br /> penalties lightly. This is why they are in place and why this is happening. The <br /> penalty is to make the business very careful about selling alcohol and tobacco and <br /> people need to look at the license very carefully. <br /> Mayor Roe explained this is certainly the protection of the health of the public. The <br /> Council's concern is when the City happens to have somebody sell to an underage <br /> person during these compliance checks,this gives the City some concern that these <br /> sales are happening when there is not a compliance check involved, which is not <br /> good for the health of the young people in the community,especially when it comes <br /> to tobacco products. He stated that is the reason he is supportive of the motion as <br /> stated. <br /> Roll Call <br /> Ayes: Etten, Schroeder, Groff, Strahan, and Roe. <br /> Nays: None. <br /> b. Consider Presumptive Penalty Approval— 2023 Tobacco Compliance Check <br /> (Noble Tobacco) <br /> Deputy Police Chief Joe Adams briefly highlighted this item as detailed in the <br /> Request for Council Action and related attachments dated October 9, 2023. <br /> Mr.Ahmed Fahim indicated he is a new manager of approximately a year at Noble <br /> Tobacco. He explained he left the store in the hands of a friend because he had an <br /> emergency with his daughter. He further explained there are issues with employees <br /> at this location so he works there every day, but his daughter had a flat tire on the <br /> highway. He would like the Council to forgive him this time and noted this is the <br /> first time this has happened to him. <br /> Public Comment <br />