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<br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br />November 17, 2025 <br />--------- <br />Page 9 of 11 <br /> <br />The Council expressed the following comments: <br />▪ How long will the panels last on a roof? <br />▪ Will the project pay for itself? <br />▪ Are there annual maintenance costs? <br />▪ Is someone monitoring the system, or is it self-sustaining? <br />▪ Can the state/federal government change its mind on reimbursement after we have already <br />spent the funds and completed the project? <br />▪ Concerned about the tight timeline, the Council has to decide without having the time to do <br />more research on these questions. <br /> <br />The Council consensus was not to proceed further on this due to the concerns outlined here. <br /> <br /> 10.3 Municipal Cannabis Retail Discussion <br /> Councilmember Calva asked to have a discussion about the city owning a municipal cannabis retail <br />operation and being in this type of business. He is against it and has talked to people in the community <br />who do not think it is a good idea. He would be a no vote on any future discussions. He has been sober <br />for 35 years and feels he would be dishonoring all the people he knows who struggle with addiction by <br />being a proponent in any way for cannabis. He questioned whether this is the type of city the City <br />Council wants to see. He couldn't find a lot of people who want the city to be in the liquor/cannabis <br />business and asked if we are going a step too far. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grupa stated he has mixed feelings about it as well. He understands people have <br />addictions, but it comes down to being able to make a choice similar to the sale of guns and liquor. He <br />stated it is a chance for the city to bring in revenue, which is a good thing. He also believes in allowing <br />medical cannabis. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer stated he has not been completely on board with cannabis, noting the State of <br />Minnesota is making licensure a requirement in every city. He would rather say no to every cannabis <br />business. He is looking for small things to make it better, such as the logo design. He has heard from a <br />lot of people that they don't want any of it here, but also noted it may just be the people they each <br />know and hang out with versus other people who would not have any issues with it. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner stated she doesn't recall anyone being against cannabis, but she also hasn't <br />talked about it a lot in everyday conversations. She is not fully convinced it will be a massive <br />moneymaker. Her biggest frustration is with how the state is operating with cannabis. She stated there <br />are some reasons for the city to own and operate a store, such as responsible oversight and knowing a <br />clean product will be sold. She will continue to support Cannabound. She stated it could be a potentially <br />good revenue source for the city. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz stated he first thought it would be good for revenue, but staff says the operation may not <br />generate revenue for two years. He questioned why the city needs to do this now and suggested <br />waiting five years. He has had a lot of people say they don't want it. He feels cannabis and liquor are <br />two different things and that most people using cannabis get higher than a kite, whereas liquor is used <br />more socially. He is withdrawing his support of a city-owned cannabis store, feeling the city would be <br />taking a risk by being at the forefront of selling cannabis. He expressed concerns about a private