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Richfield council pulls vape-shop hearing as public splits over menthol and flavored-tobacco ban
Summary
The Richfield City Council removed from tonight’s agenda a contested licensing matter for a Nicollet Avenue tobacco retailer after the licensee requested an independent hearing officer; the move came amid a packed public comment period that exposed deep community disagreement over a 2023 flavored-tobacco policy and possible license revocation.
The Richfield City Council removed a contested licensing matter involving Smoke and Pure Vape on Nicollet Avenue from its June 24 meeting after the licensee’s legal counsel asked that the case be heard by an independent hearing officer rather than by the council.
City Attorney (unnamed) told the council the request arrived that afternoon and that her recommendation was to grant it; Council Member Hayford O’Leary moved to remove the item from the agenda and the motion was seconded and approved. The attorney said staff expected to set a hearing with a hearing officer “fairly soon.”
The procedural change came as residents filled open forum to debate the city’s 2023 action to restrict menthol and flavored tobacco.…
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