Council approves tobacco license, confirms parks director and other routine items

The Common Council approved a series of licensing and appointment matters on Feb. 3, including a tobacco/tobacco‑and‑vape retail license for Moe's Market LLC at 1949 Racine Street and the appointment of Matthew Kepnick as director of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services.

Alder Harmon asked that the Moe's Market license (item 0045‑26) be deferred so the council could consider pending ordinance work on vape regulation; the motion to defer failed for lack of a second. Alder Weidner and others described the applicant's plans to operate a neighborhood convenience store rather than a vape specialty shop and supported approving the committee recommendation. The city attorney reminded the council that state statute places very narrow grounds on which a municipality may deny tobacco licenses, limiting the council's flexibility. The license was approved by a 13–1 vote.

On appointments, Mayor Corey Mason's nomination of Matthew Kepnick to lead Parks, Recreation and Cultural Services (item 0094‑26) drew praise from councilmembers who noted Kepnick's previous service as city forester; the appointment passed unanimously, 14–0. The council also authorized an application to the Bloomberg‑Harvard fellowship program and placed numerous items on the consent agenda, which passed by voice vote.

Council members said they would review any forthcoming draft ordinances on vape regulation and noted how state law constrains local licensing decisions.