07-24-2024 Special MeetingJuly 24, 2024
On the above date, the Scandia City Council held a special meeting in the Council Chambers at
the Scandia Community Center.
Acting Mayor Jerry Cusick called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. The following were present:
Council members Heather Benson, Steve Kronmiller, Mike Lubke, and Acting Mayor Jerry
Cusick. Absent: Mayor Christine Maefsky. Staff present: City Administrator Kyle Morell, City
Planner TJ Hofer, and City Attorney Christina Benson.
Lubke made a motion to approve the agenda, seconded by Benson. Motion Carried 4-0.
Public Hearing: Approval of Ordinance 2024 – 05 Interim Moratorium Ordinance
extending Interim Ordinance No. 2023-07 prohibiting the operation of cannabis and hemp
businesses for an additional 120 days
City Attorney Christina Benson explained the need for the Interim Moratorium prohibiting the
operation of cannabis and hemp businesses in Scandia for an additional 120 days. The initial
moratorium was approved in August 2023 and extended for one year. The extension gives the
City more time to adopt ordinances governing the operation of businesses and will prevent the
establishment of nonconformities within the City.
Kirsten Libby, owner of Apothecary’s Daughter, 21060 Olinda Trail N., stated she favored
extending the moratorium and suggested putting a group together to discuss ordinance language
for cannabis and hemp sales in Scandia.
The council voiced support for extending the interim ordinance and explained that they would
begin discussing ordinance language later in the meeting.
Kronmiller motioned to approve Ordinance 2024-05, extending Interim Ordinance 2023-07
prohibiting the operation of cannabis and hemp businesses in Scandia for an additional 120
days, seconded by Benson. Motion carried 4-0.
Cannabis and Hemp Discussion
Attorney Benson walked the Council through a PowerPoint presentation outlining legislative
updates, the types of licenses available, and how the City can regulate cannabis and hemp
businesses. Ten different licenses are available: eight for cannabis and two for hemp. The most
likely to be of concern for the City are those for cultivation, manufacturer, retailer, and micro
and mezzo businesses. The Office of Cannabis Management has put out a model ordinance for
cities to consider, but it does not offer much assistance in terms of local regulation. City’s
cannot prohibit licenses from being applied for within the City, but they can regulate licenses
through zoning.
It was suggested that the discussion of regulating cannabis and hemp sales begin by looking at
the City’s regulation of tobacco and liquor sales. Councilmembers Benson and Kronmiller
agreed this would be a good place to start but were wary of some restrictions limiting the sales
within the city center area, particularly a restriction requiring a certain distance from a church or
school. As for growth and manufacturing, using the medical cannabis ordinance language would
be a good place to start since it has been legal to grow for medical reasons for a couple of years.
Attorney Benson said she would work with Staff to prepare modal language for the Council to
review in September.
Once the Council has decided where to allow businesses to operate, it can decide whether the
operation is permitted within a specific zoning district or conditional. Questions regarding
setbacks, screening, security, and more can be answered at that time. Councilmember Lubke is
most concerned about microbusinesses, as they have the greatest possibility of adversely
affecting neighbors. City Planner Hofer stated those concerns can be addressed through zoning
standards.
Staff stated they would provide draft language for review at the September work session.
ADJOURNMENT
Benson, second by Lubke, moved to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 4-0.
The meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Kyle Morell
City Administrator