The council faced a debate over the city’s control over the CVB and the lodging tax, a vital revenue source. Proposed ordinance 832 aimed to redefine the city’s involvement by allowing a city representative on the CVB board. One option under consideration even included repealing the lodging tax altogether, but this motion failed to pass. The council ultimately voted to amend the ordinance, limiting the city’s appointing authority on the CVB board to a single representative while ensuring lodging stakeholders retained their influence.

Concerns were raised about potential conflicts of interest and the need for increased transparency in how lodging tax funds are allocated. The council’s decision to adjust the appointing authority reflects a move towards a more balanced governance structure that includes broader community representation.

In addition to CVB governance, the council reviewed the landlord licensing program, now in its second year. Non-compliance by certain landlords, whose properties are in disrepair, was a issue. The council considered measures to ensure adherence to city codes, which might involve legal proceedings, including potential condemnation of properties. The program has shown positive outcomes, with many landlords utilizing city resources to maintain compliance. The council stressed the importance of taking action against non-compliant landlords to avoid sending mixed messages to those who follow the rules.

The council also explored the regulation of cannabis businesses, preparing for the issuance of licenses for cultivation and sales. With Stearns County currently imposing a moratorium on such businesses, the council discussed how many licenses to issue and the zoning regulations needed to prevent cannabis establishments from being too close to sensitive areas like schools or daycares. The matter was referred to the planning commission for further evaluation.

Addressing the increase in complaints about feral cats, the council discussed plans for a “feral cat roundup” to manage the population. This initiative would involve live trapping cats, assessing their condition, and determining outcomes based on their health and temperament. The council aimed to target specific areas with prevalent feral cat issues, focusing on distinguishing between feral and domesticated cats.

The meeting also covered the consent agenda, which included unpaid claims totaling $172,800, a community group’s donation to the senior center, and road closure requests for upcoming events like the Soapbox Derby and Sinclair Lewis Day street dance. As the meeting concluded, the mayor reminded attendees of the upcoming federal holiday affecting the next meeting date, and noted employee advancements, park concert updates, and changes to voting equipment.