COOK— The legalization of marijuana for adult recreational use in Minnesota prompted extended discussion at the city council meeting here last Thursday. The meeting, held July 27, was just days before the Aug. 1 implementation date for legal weed in the state and Cook council members had plenty of questions about the ways in which they might be able to regulate, or even generate revenue from, the sale and use of marijuana.
Deputy Clerk-Treasurer Dawn Kehoe reported on a recent League of Minnesota Cities (LMC) webinar that she attended earlier in the week, which answered many of the questions that have been sparked by the change in the law.
Kehoe said it will likely take time before residents notice much of a change. She said the low-potency edibles and beverages that have been legal since last year, and are currently for sale in Cook, will still be available for sale, although retailers will now need to register with the state by Oct. 1. Those same products will now become available for sale in more locations, however, including in liquor stores or places where on-sale liquor is sold.
The actual sale of smokeable marijuana likely won’t be legal in most of Minnesota for some time. The state’s Office of Cannabis Management is in the formational process and isn’t expected to have approved licenses for marijuana dispensaries much before Jan. 1, 2025, according to information provided by the LMC.
Licensing for marijuana dispensaries will be exclusively up to the state and cities won’t be allowed to assess additional licensing fees on top of the fees charged by the state, although they may assess a business registration fee. And sales will be assessed a ten-percent state tax, ten percent of which will go to the cities where the shops are located.
If the state receives an application for a retail license, it will consult with the city for zoning approval and other feedback. Cities will be required to conduct compliance checks a minimum of once a year and may suspend registrations if needed.
Some on the Cook council have expressed interest in marijuana sales as a source of additional city revenue and the council did note that the new law does authorize cities to sell marijuana through facilities like a municipal liquor store, although the LMC is currently seeking clarification of the rules that might pertain to those sales as well as the issues surrounding insurance liability.
“There are lots of details to discuss on that,” said city administrator Theresa Martinson. “We’ll stay on top of that as an issue.”
Public use
While the new state law legalizes adult use of marijuana, it doesn’t limit the ability of cities to regulate its use in public spaces and cities may impose a ban on marijuana use in public places, which will be up to cities to define. But will cities need to allow the use of marijuana in places where cigarette smoking is allowed? Cities could distinguish between using marijuana in smokable form versus in edible form, such as brownies. “We definitely need more education on this matter,” said Martinson.
Other business
The council also approved a motion to solicit quotes on the production of a housing study for the city. “We really need an updated study to go to any funding agencies,” said Martinson. She said that the city can apply for a one-to-one matching grant from the IRRR to help pay for the study, which she estimated would likely run $17,000-$20,000. She said soil borings that might be needed as part of the study could push the total cost to around $50,000. She noted that the city has received a $10,000 anonymous donation that would help the city cover its share of the cost of the study.
The city has put housing at the top of its priority list in recent months and Martinson said a housing study is an important first step in developing a plan to address the need.
In related action, the council approved the sale of seven platted lots in Balliet’s Addition to Jim Wright for $8,500 for the construction of a new residence. The seven lots are currently listed by St. Louis County with an assessed value of $13,600, but Wright noted at the meeting that at least half of the property in question was not buildable. Martinson agreed. Wright said he based his offer on the amount of buildable ground.
While the property is close to the CN rail line, Wright said that’s actually a selling point for him. “I’m nuts about trains, which is why I want to be there,” he said.
He said he plans to build a modest home there, of at least 700-800 square feet. Wright had originally offered $7,500 for the lots but said he could go another $1,000 if necessary. Council member Liz Storm didn’t waste time, immediately motioning to accept $8,500 for the property. Council member Eliza Root asked if the funds could be directed to the city’s housing effort. “Thank you, I was planning to suggest that,” said Martinson.
The council voted unanimously to sell the lots and welcomed Wright to Cook.
The city is also focusing on reducing blight in the community and members of the city’s new blight committee reported that the response to blight letters sent out to the owners of identified properties was productive. Mayor Harold Johnston said those who have cleaned up their properties received follow-up thank you letters, while those that ignored the initial letter “received a different letter.”
“Overall, I think it’s going very well and a lot of people have cleaned up their properties,” said council member Jody Bixby.
In other action, the council:
• Approved a motion to provide market-based raises to liquor store staff in an effort to maintain staffing levels at the municipally owned Last Chance Liquors. Martinson said it has been challenging to maintain staff and that higher pay provides recognition of the city’s appreciation for those who are putting in the hours to help operate the facility as well as provide a recruitment and retention incentive. Under the new pay structure, liquor store clerks will start at $15/hour with a bump to $15.46/hour after six months on the job.
• Approved a motion to retain Jake Aune to work on a rebranding effort for Last Chance Liquors, which will include an expanded focus on visuals and social media to encourage Cook residents and visitors to shop locally. Bixby said Aune is well qualified to do the work the city is seeking and that he would also train liquor store staff in how to update social media to keep a current online message. She said the effort will likely include more promotions and give-aways to generate interest in the store.
• Approved a motion to shift airport coordinator Doug McDuff from part-time to full-time. Martinson said the change was an effort to comply with the city’s employee handbook, which the council approved earlier this year.
• Approved a motion to implement the annexation of three city-owned parcels into the city limits. Those parcels include the community center and surrounding grounds, the site of the new city maintenance facility near Hill Wood Products, and the site of a planned new housing development.
• Approved the creation of a new educational scholarship for anyone interested in training to become an EMT for the Cook ambulance service. The city already pays for EMT training for those who agree to work for the city’s ambulance service for two years. The new scholarship would provide up to $1,500 toward any educational expenses. Mayor Johnston noted that the ambulance is in need of additional EMTs.
• Approved the propane bid of $1.38 per gallon from Superior Fuel, which was substantially cheaper than the quote from Lakes Gas.
• Discussed but took no immediate action on the suggestion from Liza Root that council meetings be moved to the evenings to make it easier for working people to attend.
• Heard that St. Louis County representatives will provide information on the planned improvements to Cty. Rd. 25 in the city at a public meeting set for 6:30 p.m., on Tuesday, Aug. 22.
• Heard that the city’s volunteer appreciation event will be held on Thursday, Oct. 5. More information will be forthcoming in the weeks ahead. Expenses for the event will be covered through private donations, not city funds.
• Accepted the hiring of American Legal Publishing for updating the city’s ordinance book. The council also accepted a donation toward that project.
• Approved the write-off of $761.70 in unpaid utility bills due to a recent bankruptcy.