Photo by Charlene Corson Selbee
The Caledonia, Minn., city council issued two retail cannabinoid licenses at the council’s regularly scheduled August 14 meeting. Councilor Robert (Bob) Klug was the lone nay vote.
Klug asked that the request be moved from the consent agenda to new business, as he felt additional discussion was required. “I am concerned about our liquor store selling the CBD products.”
City Clerk/Administrator Jake Dickson provided background information on the staff report, “Low-dose, hemp-derived edible cannabinoid products became legal on July 1, 2022. Since then, recreational cannabis was legalized and low-dose, hemp derived edible cannabinoids were explicitly authorized for retail sale and cities were granted the authority to regulate their sale.”
The staff report goes on to explain, “Two businesses have since applied for their annual cannabinoid retail license: the CBD shop and Hometown Liquor. Licenses expire on December 31, 2023, and will be regulated like liquor and tobacco licenses going forward.”
Dickson confirmed that cannabidiol (CBD) products are being sold at the liquor store, but Dickson is not sure he has any edible products. “We’ve seen, especially with the shop on main street, lots of traffic from all over the place.” Dickson added that if people are loyal to the town’s liquor store and they can purchase everything they want there, that is where they will go.
Mayor Schroeder called the regularly scheduled meeting to order at 6 p.m. Schroeder led his colleagues and the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance. The council unanimously approved the minutes from the July 24 regular city council meeting and meeting agenda as amended, retail cannabinoid licenses on the consent agenda was moved to new business.
Council members in attendance were Robert (Bob) Klug, Amanda Ninneman, Mayor DeWayne (Tank) Schroeder, David Fitzpatrick and Ryan Stenzel.
Commissioners approved the consent agenda in one swift, unanimous vote, including paying the bills totaling $144,109.33 and unpaid invoices totaling $516,055.89. Also included was $88,522.34 for work completed on the 2023 street and utility reconstruction project and accepting the Southern Minnesota Initiative Foundation (SMIF) grant funds in the amount of $10,000.00. The funds will be used for the Holiday Pop-up Shop incentive program.
“Same thing we do every year at this time of year, we always have failing infrastructure. So, once we have to dig it up, we get a hole in the road. The asphalt has to be replaced. We reached out to three local contractors for pricing on six patches. The low bid was Dunn Blacktop at $8910.40,” explained Director Klug. The council unanimously approved the bid from Dunn Blacktop.
In other business, the council:
• Postponed the discussion on Sprague Woods until the council’s next meeting. No one from the school forest committee was present to update or answer the council’s questions.
• Reviewed the overtime report for July 10 through August 6. No action required.
• Adjourned the meeting at 6:24 p.m.
The next meeting is scheduled at 6 p.m. on Monday, August 28 at city hall. The public is encouraged to attend.
Leave a Reply