Woodbury Council explores new approach to alcohol and tobacco enforcement

General Interest
Meeting Date: Date not available
Story generated: Jun 22, 2026
Focus: Woodbury Council explores new approach to alcohol and tobacco enforcement

The Woodbury City Council held a workshop on March 25 to discuss how the city enforces rules against illegal alcohol and tobacco sales. Staff proposed a new two-tiered approach that would give first-time violators administrative citations instead of criminal charges, while keeping criminal penalties as an option for repeat offenders.

City Administrator Jeffrey J. Dahl asked the council to discuss and provide direction on enforcement practices for alcohol and tobacco sales violations. Currently, the city relies on criminal penalties, though most cases are reduced to lesser offenses or handled through other means.

Deputy Chief of Police Omar Maklad and Assistant City Administrator Ashleigh Sullivan recommended keeping criminal penalties as a tool, noting they serve as an important deterrent for serious or repeat violations. However, they also proposed a combined approach that would offer more flexibility. Under this proposal, a first offense would result in an administrative citation—a less severe penalty—while subsequent violations within 24 to 36 months would escalate to criminal charges.

The council discussed the proposal but took no formal action, as workshops are designed for discussion and feedback rather than voting. The staff will use the council's input to guide future enforcement decisions.

In a separate workshop item, the council reviewed the master plan for the 370-acre Cottage Grove Drive Area. Senior Planner Gina McCormack emphasized the urgency of opening Sub-Phase 2D for development to maintain a steady supply of housing lots. "Without action, the City could see future increases to housing costs, budget impacts due to decreased revenue, and impacts to established goals of meeting the housing needs for the community," McCormack said. The timing aligns with the projected 2028 completion of a permanent water treatment plant. Like the compliance discussion, this item was informational, and no formal action was required.

This story was created by artificial intelligence (a large language model) based on the proceedings captured in the video below.

Go deeper on this topic

Research related meeting documents and build a brief — without rewriting the story.

Rate this story

Other Topics from This Document

  • Cottage Grove Drive Area Master Plan Update and Review

Meeting Analysis

Staff recommends Council discuss and provide direction to staff.

Jeffrey J. Dahl, City Administrator [2026-03-25]Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Discussion

Staff recommend we keep the option to enforce alcohol and tobacco compliance through criminal penalties. Even though most cases are reduced to lesser offenses or handled administratively, having the ability to pursue criminal charges is still an important deterrent, especially for repeat or serious violations.

Omar Maklad, Deputy Chief of Police and Ashleigh Sullivan, Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk [2025-08-08]Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Discussion

A combined approach could offer more flexibility: First offense: Handled with an administrative citation. Subsequent offenses (within a set time frame, such as 24–36 months): Escalate to criminal penalties.

Omar Maklad, Deputy Chief of Police and Ashleigh Sullivan, Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk [2025-08-08]Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Discussion

This item is informational and feedback purposes only and there is no particular action required.

Jeffrey J. Dahl, City Administrator [2026-03-25]Update and Review of Cottage Grove Drive Area Master Plan

The master plan contains the remaining area of Sub-Phase 2D that has not been studied with a master plan, along with some areas of Phase 3 to ensure future design consistency when those phases are opened for development.

Jeffrey J. Dahl, City Administrator [2026-03-25]Update and Review of Cottage Grove Drive Area Master Plan

To deliver a steady supply of lots for the community, it is important to begin the development process to provide lot inventory for 2027 and beyond. Without action, the City could see future increases to housing costs, budget impacts due to decreased revenue, and impacts to established goals of meeting the housing needs for the community.

Gina McCormack, Senior Planner [2026-03-25]Update and Review of Cottage Grove Drive Area Master Plan
Source Document
Focus: Original document text

---

## author: Davis, Allison

date: D:20260319132621-05'00'

---

## City Council Workshop Meeting

## Ash Conference Rooms

March 25, 2026 | 5:30 PM

This City Council Workshop meeting is taking place virtually and at Woodbury City Hall in the Ash

Conference Rooms. Members of the public may attend the meeting in person and may also join the

meeting using a computer, tablet, or smartphone and accessing the virtual meeting link at

woodburymn.gov/VirtualMeetings.

Public comments will be accepted during the meeting both in person and virtually. Virtual

questions should be submitted via the online Q&A feature within the virtual meeting link.

Questions regarding the meeting will be taken between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at

651-714-3524 or at council@woodburymn.gov. Questions received after 4:30 p.m. will be

responded to in the next three to seven business days.

Please note that all agenda times are estimates. Unfinished workshop items will be carried over

to the end of the Council meeting.

5:00 p.m.Dinner – Birch Conference Room

The intent of the workshop session is to provide a forum for City Council and City staff to discuss

more in-depth Council items, exchanging viewpoints and visions prior to the item being set for

Council action at a regular meeting of the City Council. Workshop sessions are neither a public

hearing nor an open microphone session. No formal votes will be taken and any direction from

Council will be in consensus format. The workshop session is not recorded.

## Workshop Agenda

## 1.Workshop Discussion Items

1A.Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Discussion 26-49

1B.Update and Review of Cottage Grove Drive Area Master Plan 26-50

2.Administrator Comments and Updates*

## 3.Mayor and City Council Comments and Commission Liaison Updates*

4.Adjournment

## Watch the Live Meeting

## Woodbury City Council Workshop Agenda

March 25, 2026 | 5:30 PM

Items under comments and updates are intended to be informational or of brief inquiry.

More substantial discussion of matters under comments and updates should be scheduled

for a future agenda.

The City of Woodbury is subject to Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis

of disability by public entities. The City is committed to full implementation of the Act to our services, programs, and

activities. Information regarding the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act is available from the Administration

office at 651-714-3500. Auxiliary aids for disabled persons are available upon request at least 72 hours in advance of an

event. Please call the ADA Coordinator at 651-714-3500 (TDD 731-5796) to make arrangements.

## 1A

## City of Woodbury, Minnesota

## Office of City Administrator

## Council Workshop Letter 26-49

March 25, 2026

## To:The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

## From:Jeffrey J. Dahl, City Administrator

## Subject:Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Discussion

## Summary

At the Council Workshop on February 11, Council requested staff schedule a Workshop discussion

on alcohol and tobacco compliance. Staff are prepared to receive direction from Council on whether

current practices should be changed. The memo regarding alcohol compliance provided to the

Council in August 2025 is attached for reference.

## Recommendation

Staff recommends Council discuss and provide direction to staff.

## Governance Mode

1

Fiduciary - Stewardship of tangible assets, oversees operations and ensures efficient and

appropriate use of resources, legal compliance and fiscal accountability.

Generative - Identifying key questions, anticipating future challenges, framing of issues,

development of options. Problem-framing. What to pay attention to, what it means, and what to

do about it. How does it fit with our mission, vision and values?

## Fiscal Implications

Depending on Council direction with regard to compliance checks, there may be fiscal implications in

terms of additional staff time.

## Policy

## Chapter 4- Alcoholic Beverages

## MN Statute Ch. 340A. Liquor

## Public Process

1

Items marked “fiduciary” are primarily business-oriented topics; “strategic” items are primarily related to long-

term strategies or goals; and “generative” items are primarily meant to produce new thoughts or ideas.

## Council Workshop Letter 26-49

March 25, 2026

Page 2

This is the first public process for this item.

## Background

Not applicable.

## Written By:Ashleigh Sullivan, Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk

## Approved Through:Jeff Dahl, City Administrator

## Attachment:Council Memo 2025-22 Alcohol and Tobacco Compliance Enforcement

## Office of the City Administrator

## Council Memorandum 2025-22

Date: August 8, 2025

## To: The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

## From: Angela M. Gorall, Deputy City Administrator

## Subject: Alcohol and Compliance Enforcement Options

Staff have received feedback from Council indicating an interest in exploring non-criminal

options for enforcing alcohol and tobacco sales compliance. This memo provides information on

how other agencies handle compliance and enforcement, as well as greater detail on Woodbury’s

procedures.

## Background

All law enforcement in Washington County conducts at least one alcohol and one tobacco

compliance check each year. County-wide compliance check results are reported to the

Washington County Department of Public Health and Environment and entered into a database.

Results are reported annually to law enforcement, cities and townships.

## Compliance Check Process

• A trained person under age 21 attempts to purchase alcohol or tobacco products while a

law enforcement officer observes or waits outside the business.

• As part of their training, the underage person is advised to look their age, be honest

about their age if asked, and use a valid ID.

• If the young person is able to purchase alcohol or tobacco products, the law enforcement

officer issues a citation to the clerk or server and license holder/owner.

## Applicable State Statutes

• Tobacco: 609.685.1a(a) – Sale to under 21; petty misdemeanor. Repeat offenses:

misdemeanor.

• Alcohol: 340A.503.2(1) – Furnish alcohol to under 21; gross misdemeanor.

## Administrative Penalties

The City of Woodbury has adopted administrative citations as a mechanism to penalize violation

of City Code (Chapter 26- Article III). Fees for alcohol and tobacco violations are as follows:

• First in 12 months $500.00

• Second in 12 months $2,000.00

• Third in 12 months $2,500.00

• Fourth in 12 months $3,000.00

## Council Memorandum 2025-22

August 8, 2025

Page 2

• Second in 24 months $1,000.00

• Third in 24 months $3,500.00

• Fourth in 24 months $4,000.00

• Fifth in 24 months $4,500.00

## Approaches from Other Agencies

## Agency Approach

## Washington

## County

• Gross Misdemeanor for furnishing alcohol to a minor by a server.

• County ordinance for tobacco violations classifies providing tobacco as a

misdemeanor, unlike the state statute which categorizes it as a petty

misdemeanor.

• Tickets or formal complaints are issued to the individual who made the

sale.

• Letters are sent to city administrators to inform them of non-compliance.

• The city is responsible for handling fines or license revocations for

businesses.

## Oakdale Frequency of Visits

• At least one compliance check per business each year.

• Actual timing depends on staff availability and scheduling.

## Enforcement and Penalties

If an establishment sells to an underage buyer:

• The seller will be charged.

• The business will receive an administrative fine, per city code, enforced

by the Police Department.

## Administrative Penalties- Licenses

• 1st Violation: $500 fine

• 2nd Violation (within 36 months): $1,000 fine

• 3rd Violation: $2,000 fine + 1-day license suspension

• 4th Violation: License revocation

No penalty is imposed until the licensee receives notice (personal or by

mail) and is given a chance for a hearing (Sec. 9-40). Penalties may be

adjusted at the discretion of the City Council.

## Administrative Penalties- Individuals

• Fine: $50

• Requires notice and hearing opportunity. Violations must be documented

in writing.

## Fine Adjustments

• City Council may amend fines as needed. Failure to pay fines may

affect license renewal.

## Cottage Grove

• Clerks selling to underage decoys are typically charged under city

ordinance.

• Businesses with a history of violations (within 5 years) may face higher-

level charges.

• Penalties may include: weekend or month-long suspension of sales, year-

long suspension, or permanent license revocation.

• Final decisions are made by the City Council.

## Council Memorandum 2025-22

August 8, 2025

Page 2

## Analysis

## In Woodbury, between

2021-2024, a total of 381

compliance checks were

completed at businesses

selling alcohol and/or

tobacco. Of the checks

completed, 53 businesses

failed (14%).

In cases where charges were filed,

very few resulted in criminal

convictions (5 petty misdemeanors,

1 misdemeanor). Most cases were

resolved through stays of

adjudication or continuances for

dismissal.

## Staff Recommendation

After reviewing the data and our current practices, staff recommend we keep the option to

enforce alcohol and tobacco compliance through criminal penalties. Even though most cases are

reduced to lesser offenses or handled administratively, having the ability to pursue criminal

charges is still an important deterrent, especially for repeat or serious violations.

That said, staff does acknowledge opportunities to improve the current compliance procedure.

For example, adding an administrative citation option, particularly for first-time offenders. A

combined approach could offer more flexibility:

• First offense: Handled with an administrative citation.

• Subsequent offenses (within a set time frame, such as 24–36 months): Escalate to

criminal penalties.

Some identified benefits of this structure include:

10

19

10

14

0

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

2021202220232024

## Alcohol & Tobacco Compliance Checks Completed in

Woodbury (2021-2024)

Total Checks completedNumber of fails

Stay of

## Adjudication

30%

Continued for

## Dismissal

17%

## Dismissed,

## Conditions Met

or Expired

32%

Convicted of a

## Petty

## Misdemeanor

13%

Citation mailed

to business

6%

## Unknown

2%

## Outcomes of Alcohol/Tobacco Violations

(2021-2024)

## Council Memorandum 2025-22

August 8, 2025

Page 2

• Keeping the issue appropriately serious

• Allowing flexibility for how we respond

• Providing a fair and proportional process

• Ensuring consistency across cases

If we went this route, we’d need to build a clear protocol to guide when to apply administrative

citations versus criminal charges to keep enforcement fair and effective.

If Council would support bringing this topic forward for more in-depth discussion at a future

workshop, please bring the matter to staff’s attention at an upcoming workshop.

## Written By: Omar Maklad, Deputy Chief of Police

## Ashleigh Sullivan, Assistant City Administrator/City Clerk

## Approved Through: Jeffrey J. Dahl

## Attachments: None

## 1B

## City of Woodbury, Minnesota

## Office of City Administrator

## Council Workshop Letter 26-50

March 25, 2026

## To:The Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council

## From:Jeffrey J. Dahl, City Administrator

## Subject:Update and Review of Cottage Grove Drive Area Master Plan

## Summary

City Council Directive 3.26 provides policy requirements and direction for the creation of master

plans. Master plans are required:

1. Prior to opening a development phase or sub-phase.

2. Prior to the approval of a Planned Unit Development for properties with common ownership

that are within the existing Metropolitan Urban Service Area (MUSA) and measure more than

100 acres.

Cottage Grove Drive Area Master Plan includes approximately 370 acres of land with varied

ownership, development interests and timing. The master plan contains the remaining area of Sub-

Phase 2D that has not been studied with a master plan, along with some areas of Phase 3 to ensure

future design consistency when those phases are opened for development. The plan looks to identify

lot types, roadway design and access management, stormwater management approach, parks and

open space, and pedestrian movements.

Discussions will also be held related to the opening Sub-Phase 2D for development to facilitate

construction as early as spring of 2026.

## Recommendation

This item is informational and feedback purposes only and there is no particular action required.

## Governance Mode

1

Strategic - Setting priorities, reviewing and modifying strategic plans, and monitoring

performance against plans. Focus is the “ends” rather than the "means”.

1

Items marked “fiduciary” are primarily business-oriented topics; “strategic” items are primarily related to long-

term strategies or goals; and “generative” items are primarily meant to produce new thoughts or ideas.

## Council Workshop Letter 26-50

March 25, 2026

Page 2

## Fiscal Implications

The Council Directive for Master Plans identified the budget impact for master plans due to an

increased need for professional services. There are no new fiscal implications related to this update.

## Policy

## 2040 Comprehensive Plan

## CD- COMDEV- 3.26- Master Plans

## CD- COMDEV- 3.1- Phase 2 Growth Management Strategy

## Public Process

## Planning Commission Workshop- February 2, 2026

City Council Workshop- February 25, 2026- continuing discussion

## Background

This master plan was discussed at the February 25, 2026 City Council workshop. The initial

introduction of the master plan included a concept with a 45-foot-wide lot or townhome category. City

Council requested additional information including lot layout, setbacks, product type, examples from

within Woodbury and adjacent communities. The presentation at the workshop will include these

details for additional review.

## Master Plan Timing and Schedule Update

-Adjacent property owner neighborhood meetings- March 2026

## -Planning Commission Review- April 2026

## -City Council Review- April 2026

-Development Applications- April 2026 and beyond

## Timing of Opening Sub-Phase 2D

In July of 2023, the City Council approved changes to the Phase 2 Growth Management Strategy (CD-

COMDEV- 3.1) that delayed the start of development in some areas of the city until the permanent

water treatment plant was closer to completion. The water treatment project is under construction

and remains on schedule for a 2028 opening. Due to this information and the status of the existing

lot inventory, staff is preparing to recommend the City Council open Sub-Phase 2D, via future Council

action, for grading and utility construction activities beginning as soon as the spring of 2026,

concurrent with future Council action for adoption of the Cottage Grove Drive Area master plan.

As of late February, the lot inventory report indicated 338 units of existing inventory, with an

additional 164 units anticipated in the development pipeline for 2026 and 2027, totaling

approximately 502 units. To deliver a steady supply of lots for the community, it is important to begin

the development process to provide lot inventory for 2027 and beyond. Without action, the City could

see future increases to housing costs, budget impacts due to decreased revenue, and impacts to

established goals of meeting the housing needs for the community.

If grading activities for Sub-Phase 2D commence in early 2026, significant impacts on water

consumption are not expected until after the opening of the water treatment plant. Considering the

completion of the permanent water treatment facility is projected for 2028, authorizing the

commencement of Sub-Phase 2D alongside the adoption of the master plan, aligns with the intent of

## Council Workshop Letter 26-50

March 25, 2026

Page 3

the Phase 2 Growth Management Strategy to delay Sub-Phase 2D until the water treatment plant

nears completion.

## Written By:Gina McCormack, Senior Planner

## Approved Through:Eric Searles, City Planner/ Assistant Community Development Director

## Janelle Schmitz, Community Development Director

## Attachment:Concept Site Plan

## H

e

r

m

a

n

## La

n

e

## DALE RD

## COTTAGE GROVE DR

## COTTAGE GROVE DR

## COTTAGE GROVE DR

## DALE RD

## DALE RD

## Number Owner Name

## Total

## Acres

## 1 TMT Total19.96

## 2 LAEMMLE WILLIAM & MARLENE A20.06

## 3 ROACH CHARLES & EZRIEL17.89

## 4 THONE PROPERTY INVESTMENTS I LLC10.06

## 5 CLANCY ANNE M5.08

## 6 ROUSE ELISABETH D7

## 7 3M CHEMICAL OPERATIONS LLC34.58

## 8 GEHRKE VAUGHN L & KELLY J PETERSON5.6

## 9 GORDON D TANK LIV TRS ETAL160

## 10 LAMBRIDES JACOB J2.99

## 11 SPRINGER THOMAS J & JULIE L5

## 12 RYGH WOODBURY LLP32.28

## 13GLORIA J SHARP REV TRS & COLIN M 10.03

## 14 LIKES WILLIAM W10

## 15 MANION KARLY M10

## 16 LOE DOUGLAS MICHAEL10.01

## 17 MOORE KEVIN W & ROXANNE M9.97

## 18 TMT Total20.03

## 19 IGI 14.96

## 20 SPQR WOODBURY SOUTH LLC5

## 21 IGI 25

## 22 IGI 14.95

## Totals

450.5

## EXISTING LARGE

## HOMES SITES

## EXISTING

## HOMES SITES

## EXISTING

## HOMES SITE

## REGIONAL

## STORMWATER

## NEEDED

## SOUTH

## PARK

## OPPORTUNITY

## PARK

## OPPORTUNITY

## ROUND-A-BOUT

## POTENTIAL GRADE SEPERATED

## CROSSING OR RRFB

## POTENTIAL GRADE SEPERATED

## CROSSING OR RRFB

## COTTAGE GROVE DRIVE

## & DALE ROAD GROWTH

## AREA PLAN

## DEVELOPMENT CONCEPT

## 100’W

## Street Right of Way

## Pipeline Easment

## Trails

## Project Boundary

## Water Bodies

and Wetlands

## LOT DIMENSION

## LEGEND

## COLOR

Greenway and

## Park Areas

## 65’ W

## 55’ W

45’ W or

## Townhome

## STORMWATER BMP

## WETLAND

## RESTORATION

## STORMWATER BMP

1

2

3

4

56

7

8

9

10

12

13

14151617

18

21

22

19

20

11

## 0200400 FT

## N

This story was created by artificial intelligence (a large language model) based on the proceedings captured in the video below.

Want to know when new stories arrive?

Enter your email to receive updates.

We will not use your email for any other purpose. You can unsubscribe at any time.