HomeMy WebLinkAbout2012-06-06 PACKET 04.Q.REQUEST OF CITY COUNCIL ACTION COUNCIL AGENDA
MEETING ITEM #
DATE
PREPARED BY City Clerk !� � f Caron Stransky
ORIGINATING DEPARTME T DEPARTMENT HEAD
COUNCIL ACTION REQUEST
Consider authorizing issuance of a tobacco sales license to Yassin Wazwaz for Cottage Grove
Smoke Shop Inc., 8461 East Point Douglas Rd S.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Authorize issuance of the tobacco sales license. During the required background check, no
facts were found that would constitute a basis for denial of the application.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
® MEMO /LETTER: Memo from Craig Woolery.
❑ RESOLUTION:
❑ ORDINANCE:
❑ ENGINEERING RECOMMENDATION:
❑ LEGAL RECOMMENDATION:
❑ OTHER:
ADMINISTRATORS COMMENTS
s r y/r
Date
COUNCIL ACTION TAKEN: ❑ APPROVED ❑ DENIED ❑ OTHER
Document2
From: Director of Public Safety Craig Woolery
Date: June 4, 2012
Subject: RESPONSE TO PREVIOUSLY RAISED COUNCIL REQUEST —
COTTAGE GROVE SMOKE SHOP TOBACCO LICENSE APPLICATION
At the May 16, 2012 regular city council meeting, the issuance of a tobacco license to a
Yassin Wazwaz, the president of Cottage Grove Smoke Shop, was tabled by council
pending further legal review for conditions that would allow council to deny the license
application if the council should choose to do so.
The city attorney agreed with staff that based on the current language in the ordinance
(5 -1 -11) there are no grounds for denial of the Cottage Grove Smoke Shop license.
Detective Malcolm did a background investigation of the applicant and application. In
reviewing all of the paperwork submitted by Mr. Wazwaz and reviewing his criminal
history, he found that there are no grounds to deny the issuance of a tobacco license to
the applicant Yassin Waleed Wazwaz. Mr. Wazwaz has been made familiar with
Cottage Grove ordinances pertaining to drug paraphernalia and has signed the Cottage
Grove Tobacco Sales License addendum agreeing not to sell drug paraphernalia from
his location at 8461 East Point Douglas Road South in the city of Cottage Grove. In
short, nothing could be found that would preclude Mr. Wazwaz from obtaining a license
to sell tobacco and tobacco related devices.
Thank you.
City of Cottage Grove Memo
Safety
To: City Administrator Ryan Schroeder
From: Director of Public Safety Craig Woolery
Date: May 9, 2012
Subject: TOBACCO LICENSE APPLICATION — NEW OWNERSHIP
INTRODUCTION
All locations within the City of Cottage Grove that sell tobacco are required by State Law and City
Ordinance to be licensed.
BACKGROUND
Pursuant to City Ordinance, Mr. Yassin Waleed Wazwaz, President, on behalf of Cottage Grove smoke
Shop Inc., dba/ Cottage Grove Smoke Shop, located at 8461 East Point Douglas Road South, Cottage
Grove, Minnesota, has submitted an application for a tobacco license. The tobacco store located at
8461 East Point Douglas Road South is currently owned by a gentleman by the name of Omar
Wazwaz and it is operated under the title of Smokes 4 Less.
The Department of Public Safety is required to conduct a police investigation of the applicants.
DISCUSSION
The application of Cottage Grove Smoke Shop, Inc. as submitted, is complete and in compliance with
our ordinance. We have investigated the applicant and have found that Mr. Yassin Wazwaz was
charged with selling synthetic marijuana at his Moorehead, MN store. A plea was entered in one of the
four counts and the case was continued for dismissal after one year, thus not constituting criminal
conviction.
Mr. Yassin Wazwaz has signed an addendum to the tobacco license stating he understands and will
comply with City Ordinance 5 -1 -11 pertaining to drug paraphernalia and will abide by said ordinance or
be subject to license revocation and criminal prosecution.
RECOMMENDATION
In summary, there are no grounds to deny the issuance of a tobacco license to Yassin Waleed Wazwaz
for Cottage Grove Smoke Shop, Inc.
Craig A. Wool ry,'
Director of Pubyrc Safety