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Home My WebLink About2020 11-23 CCM Work SessionMINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE CITY COUNCIL/ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY OF THE CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER IN THE COUNTY OF HENNEPIN AND THE STATE OF MINNESOTA WORK SESSION NOVEMBER 23, 2020 CALL TO ORDER The Brooklyn Center City Council/Economic Development Authority (EDA) met in Work Session called to order by Mayor/President Mike Elliott at 9:42 p.m. The meeting was conducted via Webex. ROLL CALL Mayor/President Mike Elliott and Councilmembers/Commissioners Marquita Butler, April Graves, Kris Lawrence -Anderson, and Dan Ryan. Also present were City Manager Curt Boganey, Deputy City Manager Reggie Edwards, City Clerk Barb Suciu, and City Attorney Troy Gilchrist. TOBACCO ORDINANCE FOLLOW UP City Manager Curt Boganey stated, at a Work Session in June 2020, the City Council reviewed a presentation regarding potential policy changes related to the Tobacco Ordinance. He added City Staff is seeking direction regarding adoption of the following proposed regulations: 1) restriction of sale of tobacco -flavored products to adult -only shops; and restrictions on the redemption of coupons and price discounts as well as setting minimum prices for standardized tobacco products. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she supports the changes that have already been made but she is not convinced that taking further action now is the best move for the City and its residents. She noted she is not interested in adding more regulations right now. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he has talked with Councilmember/Commissioner Graves about this issue, and generally he would be in favor of the proposed new regulations. He added, however, the community is struggling with the pandemic and related stress and hardship. A fair percentage of the City's population uses tobacco or struggles with tobacco addiction, and tobacco is perceived by them to be a stress reducer. He noted the imposition of new restrictions will weigh heavily upon people who are already struggling to meet basic needs. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated he would support deferring this discussion and revisiting the issue when the pandemic is over. He added he struggles with whether this is a wise decision or not. He requested feedback and comments fiom his colleagues on the City Council. Mayor/President Elliott stated he is curious about the demographic impact that these types of regulations would have on communities of color, especially the black community. He added, to Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan's point, the pandemic has greatly affected the community, 11/23/20 -1- and the impact of this policy, either positive or negative, is unknown. He noted he is not ready to toss this out right now, but more information is needed. Councilmember/Commissioner Butler agreed, adding she is not ready to vote for the policy at this time. She expressed frustration that this topic is being presented at the same meeting at which the submission of a tobacco license application was approved. She agreed she would like to have more information before the proposed policy goes on a Regular Session agenda for consideration. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan stated there is no one who is more anti -tobacco than he is, but this is a fraught time. He added, in a conversation earlier in the summer, he exhibited a lack of sensitivity with bad results, and he wants to be sensitive of the needs and feelings of those who are really struggling right now. He noted the proposed policy can be revisited when the pandemic is over, and the City Council can put more focus and attention on supporting public health. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she really likes the way Councilmember/ Commissioner Ryan put that last comment together. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence -Anderson stated she has no comment at this point. Mayor/President Elliott stated Emily Anderson, a representative of Association of Nonsmokers - Minnesota, joined tonight's meeting for this discussion. He requested feedback and comments from Ms. Anderson. Ms. Anderson stated she addressed the City Council on this issue at a Work Session in June 2020. She added these policies seem unfair to communities of color because of high use rates, but the tobacco industry is responsible for this disparity, with advertising and marketing of addictive products directed at communities of color. She noted she understands that these types of public health policies can seem unfair or unjust, especially during the current pandemic. Councilmember/Commissioner Lawrence -Anderson thanked Ms. Anderson and expressed her appreciation for her hard work. She added her mother is at home, on oxygen because she has been a smoker for over 60 years. She noted this is a severe problem, and she supports whatever the City Council can do to decrease tobacco usage in the City. Mayor/President Elliott stated it is a difficult situation, balancing people's rights to access and choice, but also address the health concerns of the community. He added the City Council has taken some steps in the past, and there is more work to be done. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she appreciates the Mayor/President's comments. She added she understands the difficulty because she is a smoker, and she has struggled with it for years. She noted she would support another conversation about the proposed policy. She stressed the importance of being aware and compassionate when moving forward with the proposed policy. CN"i �/�► �� Consider Extension of Meeting 11/23/20 -2- Mayor/President Elliott requested a motion to extend the meeting past 10:00 p.m. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan suggested this issue could be addressed at the City Council's next Work Session due to the late hour, to ensure sufficient time and attention. Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved to adjourn the meeting. Mayor/President Elliott called for a second to the motion. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she would be willing to extend the meeting 20-30 minutes past 10:00 p.m. due to the importance of this discussion. Councilmember/Commissioner Butler stated she does not generally like going past 10:00 p.m., but she would be willing to go another 20-30 minutes. She added, however, she does not believe it will be possible to address this topic if time is limited. She noted there are many people who are still on the meeting who wish to address this issue. The motion failed for lack of a second. Police Chief Tim Gannon stated the discussion will take a minimum of one hour, as the presentation will be 30 minutes and the ensuing discussion is expected to last 30-45 minutes. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated she is ready to begin the discussion at tonight's meeting. A community member stated this is a very important conversation, and, as a community member, she requested that the discussion be moved to a time when it can be fully addressed. She added there are many community members who want to comment on this issue. Councilmember/Commissioner Graves stated there are two people who have been on the meeting for longer than the community member, and they have expressed an interest in continuing the discussion. She added she was trying to find a balance. Mayor/President Elliott suggested that the City Council should schedule a Work Session focused on this issue. He added, when the City Council has a long Regular Session meeting and comes back to Work Session items, all their energy is spent. There was a majority Consensus of the City Council to schedule a Work Session to discuss the Citizen Review Board on Monday, November 30, 2020 at 6:00 p.m. ADJOURNMENT Councilmember/Commissioner Ryan moved and Councilmember/Commissioner Graves seconded adjournment of the City Council/Economic Development Authority Work Session at 10:13 p.m. 11/23/20 -3- Motion passed unanimously. STATE OF MINNESOTA) COUNTY OF HENNEPIN) CITY OF BROOKLYN CENTER) ss. Certification of Minutes The undersigned, being the duly qualified and appointed City Clerk of the City of Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, certifies: That attached hereto is a full, true, and complete transcript of the minutes of the Work Session of the City Council of the City of Brooklyn Center held on November 23, 2020. 2. That said meeting was held pursuant to due call and notice thereof and was duly held at Brooklyn Center City Hall. 3. That the City Council adopted said minutes at its December 14, 2020, Regular Session. City Clerk Mayor 11/23/20 -4-