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Council moves forward on cannabis, tobacco and sign code updates and other plans
Summary
Council approved second readings of ordinances updating cannabis licensing (raising cap), tobacco licensing and sign code tweaks, and authorized publication of ordinance summaries; the council also authorized bidding on several reconstruction projects and accepted trail funding options.
The Albert Lea City Council on Feb. 23 approved several ordinance changes and routine items intended to clarify business licensing and planning rules.
City staff summarized amendments to Chapter 5 (cannabis product administration) that clarify public health and safety definitions, define nonoperational timelines and remove a waiting-list ambiguity; the council voted to approve the second reading and adopt the ordinance, moving the cap from two to four licenses per prior council direction. Councilor Christiansen said the decision was difficult but that he would support it and urged responsible use by youth.
Council also approved an update to tobacco licensing procedures to align administrative elements with alcohol and cannabis registration practices and approved changes to the sign ordinance to correct a site triangle setback and adjust wall-sign regulations by square-footage thresholds. The council voted to allow publication of ordinance summaries that meet legal notice requirements.
Separately, council authorized plans and bidding for Valley Avenue and Marshall Street reconstruction and approved plans for the TH 13 Trail project, with staff noting potential grant reimbursements and the option to use local option sales tax if a referendum passes.
