The conversation regarding a cannabis ordinance in Mabel, rather than following Fillmore County’s ordinance, was once again a topic of discussion at the March 11 Mabel City Council meeting.
The city received a letter from Steve Wijatyk from Palm Springs, Calif who is in support the city adopting a “clear and thoughtful cannabis ordinance.” He noted in his letter that his team is “currently under contract on a property within the city limits with the intent of opening a state-licensed cannabis dispensary.” The next step is for them would be to obtain local approval.
He explained that his organization owns a fully licensed dispensary and lounge in Palm Springs, Calif. which they have managed it for six years.
Wijatyk, along with two team members, also attended the city council meeting via Zoom to address any questions the council had.
Brenda Pohlman with Fillmore County sent an email with a list of items the city should think about. 1. Would we have the capacity to keep up with rules and regulations? 2. Who would conduct compliance checks for the city? 3. Do we have the capacity to address cannabis retail or violations? 4. Are we aware that we must be as or more restrictive as the county one?
After a lengthy conversation with several unanswered questions, the council agreed that it would be a good idea to invite an expert on the cannabis laws from the League of Minnesota Cities to come and speak with the council.
A motion was made by Councilmember Kirsten Wyffels to leave the Fillmore County cannabis ordinance in place while the city continues looking at developing its own ordinance. Seconded by Councilmember Valeria Arnold and approved.
Mayor Adam Wilder called the meeting to order at 6:02 p.m. Council members Kelly Sand, Valeria Arnold, Tina Bakke and Kirsten Wyffels were present. City staff attending were City Clerk Karen Larson and Public Works Director Robert (Bob) Mierau.
The council unanimously approved the minutes from the February 11 regular city council meeting and approved payment of the bills totaling $168,933.42.
EDA Report
Wyffels reported that the loans are up to date and announced that BBG’s is in the process of being sold and will hopefully be closing on Friday with a new owner. A new business on main street is exciting news for Mabel. The EDA also talked about the possibility of a cannabis dispensary locating in Mabel.
The council agreed to host Clean-Up Day again this year on the Saturday prior to Mother’s Day, May 9, from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the wastewater treatment plant. Fees will remain the same as last year.
The council also agreed to conduct property inspections this spring. Wilder and Sand volunteered to conduct the property inspections this year with Larson. The inspections will be conducted and letters sent out in time for property owners to take advantage of Clean-Up Day.
In other business the council,
- Approved the 2026 ambulance subsidy contract, which increased from $4,500 to $6,000.
- Approved increasing Sheena Tollefson’s hourly wage from $14.42 to $16, effective April 6. Her supervisor, Sharra Liptack, recommended the wage increase in recognition of the outstanding work Tollefson has done over the past year since being hired and in comparison, to wages paid by other libraries in the area.
- Approved Mierau’s recommendation to spend $63,000 to repair Well No. 3 and return it to service.
- Approved spending up to $6,000 to have MiEnergy replace insulators, which will cost between $225 to $400 each to replace.
- Approved the $1,211 software subscription quote from ESRI (Environmental Systems Research Institute). It is used to track lead and copper pipes as required by the state.
- Approved having Paul Tollefsrud’s Mabel-Canton students build a 10-foot-by-14-foot, 10-foot-tall building to store limestone screenings for the ball field. The materials will cost $4,300 and the students will build it as part of their project.
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