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<br /> <br />City Council Minutes <br />December 15, 2025 <br />--------- <br />Page 9 of 13 <br />that are in the stores now, and said there was no conversation about THC drinks. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grupa said that the liquor store is the liquor store; we are talking about the marijuana <br />store. He stated in his opinion that they are separate. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner wanted to clarify that as a Council, we would agree for the THC drinks to <br />continue. She stated she would make a motion on that if need be. She also stated that we shouldn't <br />make the footprint smaller and that it should continue to be the size it is currently. She continued to <br />explain that there are so many unknowns, and things keep getting changed at the state and federal levels <br />right now. She expressed that she applauds the work that staff has been doing and has the utmost <br />respect for the staff. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz asked if the footprint stays the same, would they avoid the extra fees? The Council <br />discussed and stated that there would still be some fees. Mayor Dietz then brought up whether they <br />would be able to lease part of the space for retail space and put a fake wall up, so that if they decide not <br />to lease anymore, they could take the fake wall out. <br /> <br />Mr. Stremcha asked for clarification from the Council if the direction from the Council is to maintain <br />the exterior of the building, but not the interior, so it would be a hollow shell. Councilmember Wagner <br />asked if they needed to make that decision right now. Mr. Stremcha stated not necessarily. <br />Councilmember Wagner said that she would want to take time to think about that. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz wanted clarification. Mr. Stremcha asked whether the intention was to install a concrete <br />floor, but no flooring or ceiling tile or anything, or would it be designed for a cannabis retailer, or would <br />it be designed for a future use that we would be intending to use the space for. <br /> <br />Councilmember Grupa stated that he thinks we need to wait for that because we are talking about <br />mechanicals and other things that need to be put in before you put in concrete. <br /> <br />Mr. Portner explained that we can build the exterior footprint and leave it a hollow shell until we find <br />out what kind of potential client we get into the building. <br /> <br />Councilmember Calva asked if we could set parameters for what kind of space is allowed. <br /> <br />Mayor Dietz asked Mr. Shepherd if they could set parameters for what could go into that space. Mr. <br />Shepherd stated they could. <br /> <br />Councilmember Wagner stated that she would disagree with having any parameters on it at the <br />moment, especially since it is a new thing. She thinks that the audiences that are talking to each of them <br />are different, and wants to wait until things settle down and there is clearer guidance. She doesn't want <br />to be pigeonholed to not allow something that could be a viable business, for fear of Elk River turning <br />into a stoner town, as a generalization. <br /> <br />Councilmember Calva shared that he does not have a fear of it, but thinks it's what the community is <br />asking for and referenced the Open Forum speaker regarding cannabis. He stated he is okay with the <br />new building, but he does not ever want a cannabis store next to the new liquor store because it is a <br />city-owned store, and people would assume the city was involved with the cannabis store. <br /> <br />Councilmember Beyer wanted to get back to how staff got back to the $500,000 number. He stated