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City Council Minutes November 5, 2019 Page7of16 ----------------------------- Eric Klang explained that there are no changes to the proposed Law Enforcement Contract with the City of Jenkins and that he has gone over the contract with the City Administrator. Chief Klang is requesting that the Council approve the contract. COUNCIL MEMBER SWANSON MOVED TO APPROVE THE 2020 LAW ENFORCEMENT CONTRACT AND JOINT POWERS AGREEMENT WITH THE CITY OF JENKINS IN THE AMOUNT OF a41,200. COUNCIL MEMBER SEILS SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED 4-0. 8.2. Tobacco 21 Campaiqn Eric Klang and Karen Johnson from Crow Wing Energized presented information regarding the Tobacco 21 Campaign to the Council. Chief Klang informed the Council that they are requesting to proceed with the process of moving the legal age to purchase tobacco in the City of Pequot Lakes from 18 to 21. He stated that he has had a chance to meet with most of the convenience stores if not all and the vape store in City and in Baxter to get feedback on this initiative. Chief Klang said they are very supportive and they went so far to say that they would come to present to the City Council as well. He stated there is a lot of support for the age change. He stated the only negative comments received were the government should not be telling people at what age to smoke and if people serve in the military at 18 they should be able to buy a pack of cigarettes at 18 as well. Chief Klang stated that the number one cost to our VA hospitals is directly related to smoking, therefore the military supports this move. Ms. Johnson stated that this is the first time in 17 years that they have actually seen an increase in smoking in our youth and they are attributing it to the vaping epidemic. She discussed the student survey through the Minnesota Department of Health and everyone's access to it. She discussed the nicotine in vaping and the development of kids brains until age 25. Ms. Johnson talked about where kids are getting the vaping products from and the most common response was from a friend. She said it is assumed that they are getting it from a friend who can legally purchase it at age 18 and this prompted the discussion that if they moved up the age to 21 less kids would be able to get tobacco and vaping products. Chief Klang stated they are working on a change in the ordinance. Discussion ensued about the sudden increase and the ages of teens and middle schoolers that are smoking or vaping. A consensus of the Council agreed to proceed with the implementation of a City Ordinance changing the age from 18 to 21 to purchase tobacco products. 8.3. Leave of Absence Request Nancy Malecha informed the Council that Sergeant Chad Turcotte is requesting a leave of absence effective October 31, 2019 beginning at 9:00 p.m. to