The planning commission had previously voted in favor of allowing cannabis cultivation as a conditional use in the B2 highway business district and as a permitted use in the L1 light industrial district. During the meeting, applicants described their operations as entirely indoor with a focus on cultivation rather than public retail sales, emphasizing security measures such as cameras and alarms linked to the police department. The operations were designed to minimize environmental impact, utilizing HEPA filters and coconut husks to prevent light, odor, and wastewater issues.

The council was presented with options to table, deny, or approve the ordinance amendment, ultimately choosing to approve it. This decision followed discussions about the potential confusion related to the city applying for a retail license for a municipal cannabis store, which would operate separately from the cultivation business. Despite some concerns, council members showed support for the zoning amendment, recognizing the need to regulate cannabis cultivation practices effectively while addressing community concerns about safety and environmental impact.

Public safety was also a central theme of the meeting, with the recognition of first responders and citizens who played critical roles during a lifesaving incident on June 26, 2025. Deputy Chief Matt Johnson from the St. Joseph Police Department acknowledged the efforts of Quick Trip employee Carla Marklitz and citizens Diane Hmering and Amber Wenty, who initiated CPR on an unresponsive male. Officers, including Alex Lion and Chief Dwight Funenstein, provided further medical assistance, using an AED to help the individual regain a pulse. Certificates of recognition were presented to those involved, and the individual who received aid, Brian Becker, expressed his gratitude for the swift actions of the emergency personnel and citizens.

In addition to the zoning and public safety discussions, the council held a public hearing on the proposed 2025 street improvements. City engineer Bryce Johnson outlined the special assessments planned for various streets in town, explaining that these streets were identified through the city’s capital improvement plan. The estimated total project cost was reported to be approximately $981,000. Johnson detailed the city’s policy for special assessments, which levies costs against properties benefiting from the improvements. A special assessment benefit report was commissioned to determine maximum assessments, with specific caps based on property types, such as single-family residential homes.

The public hearing allowed residents to voice concerns, including one individual who had not received proper notification. However, the hearing concluded without further contributions. Residents were informed of their rights to appeal assessments, and the council discussed the process for deferring payments for military personnel, seniors, and the disabled, noting that interest would accrue during deferral periods.

The council also examined a preliminary and final plat request for Riversbend Plat 5, a proposed subdivision designated for medium-density residential use. The subdivision, which would extend Lanigan Way Southeast, had undergone several amendments since it was initially platted in 2005. The council approved both the preliminary and final plat, with conditions concerning the dedication of right-of-way for a future minor arterial roadway known as Jade Road.

Another topic was the discussion of labor peace agreements for the Red Pine Group, which manages the municipal dispensary. The city was required to establish a labor peace agreement with potential unions representing dispensary employees. This agreement specified that the operator could assign the agreement to their contractor or enter into a separate agreement with a union if the employees chose to unionize. This aspect of the law posed a unique challenge, as the operators would be responsible for employing staff. The labor peace agreement was reviewed and approved by the city attorney for form and content, and a motion to approve it passed without further questions.

The meeting concluded with department reports and an announcement of a work session focused on a native plant ordinance, scheduled to follow the council meeting. The mayor invited the public to attend the session, offering an opportunity for community involvement in local legislative processes.