Council upholds veto of moratorium on package stores, approves multiple business licenses including vape shop

The City Council voted unanimously to uphold the mayoral veto of Ordinance 28-2025, the proposed moratorium on permits and approvals for package stores, convenience stores, gas stations and vape shops.

During the meeting the council also considered and approved multiple business-license applications, including an application for a vape-shop operation doing business as KPO48 at 105 North Berbat Drive. The vape-shop application was approved by recorded vote (7 in favor, 1 opposed). Other licenses approved at the meeting included retail liquor and food-service licenses and several convenience-store liquor licenses; most licenses were approved by motions to suspend the rules followed by a council vote.

Councilor Aronde Mitchell told the council he wants an ordinance addressing vape shops and related retail outlets in place before the start of the school year and asked legal staff to distribute proposed language to council members so they can consider it. That request was presented as direction to staff rather than a formal ordinance vote.

The council managed individual license applications in public hearings as required; for at least one restaurant-licensing applicant the council noted outstanding building- or fire-department items (for example, a certificate of occupancy and fire inspection) that must be completed before full operational clearance, and staff confirmed those inspections are the conditions for final license issuance.

Actions recorded at the meeting included the motion to uphold the mayoral veto (mover: Mister Demar; outcome: upheld, unanimous) and the motion to approve the vape-shop license (outcome: approved, yes 7, no 1). Councilor Mitchell asked legal to prepare proposed ordinance language addressing vape shops and similar retailers with a target of having something in place by August; that request was made on the record.