Council to interview candidates Sept. 7

Updates on the recent state legislative session were heard and discussion of the THC moratorium continued during the regular meeting of the Waseca City Council August 16, 2022.

THC is the psychedelic component in marijuana. The current state law allows sales of THC products with no more than five milligrams in a single serving or more than 50 milligrams per package.

The owner of Waseca Smoke Shop and Vape presented concerns to the council which could have been alleviated with the explanation of Ordinance 1102 (the moratorium). A back and forth between the owner and Councilperson John Mansfield led to Mayor Roy Srp suggesting a public hearing be held, which will happen at the next city council meeting on September 7. 

Draft ordinance 1102 involving a moratorium on THC products, written by assistant Waseca City attorney Chris Kennedy, explains that the imposed moratorium will not affect current Waseca businesses. 

Any business currently in Waseca selling products containing THC can continue to do so. The moratorium prevents any outside businesses or persons interested in opening up shop in Waseca from doing so for at least 12 months, or until the council comes to a decision regarding the sale of THC products. 

A special meeting/work session was approved for September 7 to conduct interviews in order to fill the open council seat left from Ted Conrath’s resignation. Three applicants, James Ebertowski, Stacey Schroeer, and Robert Tackett, were present to introduce themselves in person to the council. 

Representatives from Southwest Minnesota Housing Partnership working with the Gaiter Lake/Lewer Property development gave a presentation during the special meeting and the topic was tabled until January of 2023. 

Presentations

Shane Zhart from CGMC (Coalition of Greater MN Cities), a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that represents more than 100 cities outside of the Twin Cities metro area, updated the council on what happened during the latest state legislative session. 

Zhart mentioned challenges from the session such as redistricting, 2022 being an election year, and unfinished business from 2021 which includes “Hero Pay” and depleted unemployment insurance funds. According to Zhart, opportunities were squandered because a lot of legislative work was put towards unfinished business from 2021. There were no major budget bills passed besides the agricultural omnibus bill giving relief to farmers who went through the 2021 drought. The bonding bill was also not passed which means that infrastructure projects will have to wait. 

Zhart explained that the one “bright spot” from the session is the Border-to-Border Broadband Grant Program which includes $50 million for broadband internet. He stated that in 2023, a significant legislative turnover can be expected with at least 47 new legislators and a potential change in control. According to Zhart, CGMC will play a critical role educating new and returning legislators on Greater Minnesota issues. 

The council expressed interest in making a resolution encouraging a special session of the state legislature. Council member Jeremy Conrath reminded the council of the desire to invite and speak with representatives Petersburg and Jasinski.

With the announcement that Mayor Srp will not seek another term as mayor, he thanked the Waseca community. “I couldn’t feel more blessed to have been the mayor of this community,” Srp lamented, “I’ve tried to do the best I can to listen to you folks. This is your city hall and we are your employees.” 

With his meetings now numbered, Srp’s wife joked he’s going to have to ‘hoe to the end of the row’.