Council reissues tobacco/nicotine permits amid calls for greater transparency and zoning review

The Des Moines City Council approved the annual reissuance of cigarette, tobacco and nicotine vapor permits included in the consent agenda, while several council members urged staff to pursue additional regulatory options and greater transparency for future permit listings.

Council Member Coleman registered opposition on the consent vote and spoke at length about the number of locations under the city’s licensing authority and the need for clearer public notice. Coleman said the state requires permits be reissued by July 1 and that the city typically renews roughly 140 locations at once: “we’re passing about 140 different locations tonight for another year,” he said. Coleman asked whether the licensing items could be listed individually on the council agenda so neighborhood groups would know which properties were affected.

Council members and staff agreed to examine zoning and licensing alternatives. The council also discussed that the state may step in if the city declines to issue permits: “We would probably have the state go ahead and authorize it, probably,” a council member observed regarding a hypothetical all-no vote.

Action and vote: the consent agenda item was approved by roll call with five yes and two no votes (tallies recorded on the consent agenda). The mayor and staff said they will consider staff recommendations on additional licensing or zoning regulation changes and return to council with proposals.

Why it matters: the item affects the local availability and regulation of tobacco/nicotine retailers. Council members noted public concern about proliferation of locations, signage and neighborhood impacts, and asked staff to accelerate work on regulations used by other cities.

Speakers quoted in this article are listed below and all quotes come from the meeting transcript.