Agenda - Council - 07/14/2020 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor LeTourneau, Councilmembers Kuzma, Menth, and Riley. Voting No: Councilmembers Heinrich, Musgrove, and Specht. 7.02: Discuss Potential City Code Changes to Liquor Licenses and Tobacco Licenses Deputy City Administrator Gladhill reviewed the staff report and asked that Council provide direction to staff to begin a process to amend City Code if it so desires. Councilmember Riley stated that this issue arose because of a specific license request but confirmed the direction that this is a policy discussion and not a discussion on that request. Councilmember Heinrich asked how many vape shops in Anoka County hold a liquor license. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that he does not have the information for the County but confirmed that this would be unique for Ramsey. He stated that there are some instances where a liquor store carries a small amount of tobacco products and explained that this would allow the reverse, for a vape shop/tobacco shop to carry alcoholic products. Councilmember Musgrove asked what the separation would look like, whether it would require two different cash registers or entrances. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill explained that if CBD products were used, there would need to have separate licenses and entrances, using the example of adjacent suites: one for CBD and one for tobacco and liquor. Councilmember Musgrove asked and received confirmation that currently a vape shop could sell liquor in the same store if the licenses are obtained. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill explained that the City follow State law but does not have additional regulations on top of that at this time. Councilmember Musgrove stated that perhaps more information and detail is needed on what things could or could not be sold before she could make a policy decision. Councilmember Kuzma asked the current age limits for vaping. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill stated that there may have been recent changes for tobacco that changed the age to 21, but he is unsure. He noted that within the case is information from the House research that contains helpful information. Mayor LeTourneau asked if vaping and tobacco fall under the same licensure. Deputy City Administrator Gladhill confirmed that tobacco and tobacco related devices, such as vaping, fall under the same guidelines. He stated that staff research was limited to vaping and vaping supplies and whether the Council would like to allow liquor sales at those establishments. City Council / June 23, 2020 Page 6 of 21