Oak Grove Council approves cannabis ordinance, city phones for members
The Oak Grove City Council approved updates to the city's cannabis hemp registration ordinance on July 28 to comply with state law changes taking effect August 1. The council also voted 3-2 to make city-owned cell phones available to council members upon request.
The cannabis ordinance update was approved unanimously after the City Administrator Lauren presented changes required by new state law. Councilmember Wylie argued the council's original parameters were thorough and that approval should proceed since state law would take effect regardless. The ordinance will be published by title and summary following the approval.
In a more contentious vote, the council approved providing city-owned phones to members on a 3-2 basis. Councilmember West proposed making phones available upon request, while Mayor Rolf emphasized benefits for protecting personal devices from public data requests and potential cost savings. Councilmembers Wylie and Treadwell voted against the measure.
The council also approved a minor subdivision request for applicants known as "the Fairs" by a 4-1 vote, despite Mayor Rolf's opposition. The Mayor said the proposal couldn't meet city codes without a variance. Councilmember Treadwell, whose sister-in-law and her husband are the applicants, argued the 2.5 and 2-acre lots fit the neighborhood character, noting smaller properties already exist nearby. He emphasized his long-standing principle that residents should have the same development rights as developers.
Other approvals included a $303,949.44 pay application for the consulting engineer on the 2026 Street Improvement Project and authorization to publish summaries of fee schedule amendments. Councilmember Treadwell abstained from voting on claims and accounts after disclosing that his company, Integrated Protection Systems, has a $67,000 progress billing for low-voltage systems work on the new City Hall building. That item passed 4-0-1.
Looking ahead, Mayor Rolf requested the council discuss eliminating the city's 10% charitable gambling tax, which generates approximately $26,000 annually for fire equipment and community programs. He characterized it as a "tax cash grab." The council also discussed housing development standards, with the Planning Commission requesting guidance on minimum square footage requirements as the city considers new accessory dwelling unit rules.
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Votes (7)
Claims and Accounts (Item A)
Dissent: Councilmember Treadwell abstained due to conflict of interest.
Moved by Councilmember Wylie [0:22:42] · Seconded by Councilmember Treadwell [0:22:48]
Councilmember Treadwell pulled this item because his company, Integrated Protection Systems, had a progress billing for $67,000 for work on the new building. He disclosed the conflict of interest and announced his abstention from the vote.
Minor Subdivision for the Fairs (Items D and E)
Dissent: Mayor Rolf voted against the motion.
Moved by Councilmember Treadwell [0:29:40] · Seconded by Councilmember West [0:30:10]
These items concern a minor subdivision request. Mayor Rolf expressed opposition, citing inability to meet city codes without a variance. Councilmember Treadwell, whose sister-in-law and her husband are the applicants, argued in favor based on principle, consistency with existing developments, and his interpretation of road frontage and offset ordinances. He highlighted that the proposed lot sizes (2.5 and 2 acres) fit the character of the surrounding area.
Ordinance Summary Publication for 2026-09 (Fee Schedule Amendments)
Moved by Councilmember West [0:32:40] · Seconded by Councilmember Treadwell [0:32:46]
This item authorized the publication of a summary for the previously approved fee schedule amendments, specifically excluding building-related items that were not approved.
Updates to Cannabis Hemp Registration Ordinance based on state law changes
Moved by Councilmember Wylie [0:35:40] · Seconded by Councilmember Bray-Johnson [0:35:46]
The City Administrator presented updates to the cannabis hemp registration ordinance necessitated by recent state law changes, which go into effect on August 1st. The council had previously tabled the item to consider further limits. Councilmember Wylie argued that the initial parameters were thorough and that the city should approve the ordinance as the state law would proceed regardless.
Authorizing Summary Publication of Ordinance 2026-10 (Cannabis Hemp)
Moved by Councilmember West [0:37:00] · Seconded by Councilmember Wylie [0:37:05]
This item authorized the summary publication of Ordinance 2026-10 by title and summary, following its approval.
Consulting Engineer - Pay Application for 2026 Street Improvement Project
Moved by Councilmember West [0:38:20] · Seconded by Councilmember Treadwell [0:38:25]
Despite the consulting engineer's absence, the council proceeded to take action on Pay Application #2 for the 2026 Street Improvement Project, which amounted to $303,949.44.
City-Owned Phones for Council Members (Mayor and Council Requests)
Dissent: Councilmember Wylie and Councilmember Treadwell voted against the motion.
Moved by Councilmember West [1:05:40] · Seconded by Councilmember Bray-Johnson [1:05:50]
Councilmember Bray-Johnson brought up the previous discussion about city-owned phones for council members. Lauren confirmed a quote was provided, but no further research was done. Councilmember West suggested making them available upon request, while the Mayor emphasized the benefits for data requests and potential cost savings over personal device data fulfillment. The motion to allow council members to request and receive city-issued phones passed.
Notable Quotes (8)
I pulled claims and accounts because my company Integrated Protection Systems has a draw or a uh progress billing for the new building. Uh most of you know that my company has been doing work with the city prior to me being part of city government and um we are doing a low voltage systems for the new building. So um there's a progress billing there and I am going to abstain from that vote.
I personally can't see making this work under the way our city codes are written without the variance. Um So for me um I'm not going to be voting in favor of this.
This is something I've been pounding on for 7 8 years that we have a discrepancy between what developers can do and what our residents of Oak Grove can do. And I believe that a resident should have every bit of right that a developer has.
Most of the property owners around Lisa and Guy are comfortable with the proposed plat. The the request to me fits the character of the seated area. Uh where small smaller lots already exist including a 0.69 acre property to the south, a 1.79, a 1.98, and a 2.34 all to the north of this property.
These laws will go into effect on August 1st, so we'll have to follow them. Um I recommend approving the ordinance as presented. If the council wants to direct staff and the city attorney to continue to look at ways where we can maybe uh find ways, if it's possible, to further limit uh these types of uses within the city, we'd be happy to do that.
When we originally were coming up with the different parameters, I thought we were pretty thorough then, and we we were pretty stiff on most of them dimensions. I I don't see why we got to keep pushing it down to be reviewed, to be honest with you. I mean, it's going to happen whether you like it or not.
I personally don't want one yet, but I might change my mind. I just think we should make it available. If you decide you want it, you can do it.
I would just add to that. I think it would make data requests easier to fulfill. You know, we've got a very extensive data data requests that we are still fulfilling and it is much more challenging when everybody has their own personal devices. Um so, you know, it's costing this data request to fulfill is costing thousands of dollars.
Ordinances & Resolutions (11)
First budget work session was held for the upcoming fiscal year.
Minutes from July 15th, 2026 meeting were acknowledged; made headway on veterans memorial site.
Minutes from July 16th, 2026 meeting were acknowledged; Planning Commission requests more guidance on minimum square footage.
Resolution for minor subdivision for the Fairs.
Resolution for minor subdivision for the Fairs.
Fee schedule amendments for which a summary publication was authorized.
Ordinance updated based on state law changes in the recent legislative session.
Cannabis Hemp ordinance, for which a summary publication was authorized.
Payment request of $303,949.44 for the 2026 street improvement project.
Amendment proposed to restrict firearm use in designated conservation areas.
Proposed resolution number for allowing city-owned cell phones for council members.
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Other Topics from This Document
City Hall Construction & Facility Updates
Housing Development & Zoning Standards
City Council Communication & Data Management
Future of Charitable Gambling Revenue
Anoka County Parks Ordinance Amendments
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