11/01/2022 Meeting Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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Council Minutes of 11-01-2022 David Kovatch 4546 Lansing Drive Owner, Best D"n Tacos/Sacred Waters Handed out informational packets to Council and the Administration. Mr. Kovach stated that other Kava bars exist in the United States without incident. He stated that the majority of his clientele don't drink or are in recovery, or in the health and wellness industries. He noted they are partnered with a local non-profit yoga studio, to offer yoga and mindfulness classes once a week, as well as live entertainment, open-mic night, karacke, fooz-ball and a pool table.. and that it will be a great community gathering place. He stated they want to educate people on how to use the herbal supplements properly. Mr. Kovatch stated there are no age restrictions on the products they sell but feel it's the responsible thing to do to have an age restriction of 18 -years old at his establishment. Councilwoman Hamann asked Mr. Kovach which yoga studio he was partnering with and he advised that it was Cultivate Yoga located in Avon. Mr. Kovatch also stated they are a recognized Veteran owned business, and introduced his business partner. Karen Mueller Independence, OH Owner, Memies Green Room Ms. Mueller states they sell Kava as well as a product she is passionate about called Kratom. 90% of her 18 and older customers are recovering addicts. She has been selling Kava and Kratom for the last eight years and has seen a positive change in many lives, including her own. Kava is native to the South Pacific, and one can find a Kava Bar everywhere on the islands. Ms. Mueller stated that today there are over 15 Million Americans who take Kratom every day. She also stated that the State of Ohio is considering implementing the Kratom Consumer Protection Act to regulate it, which is good because there are bad actors in the business. Amy Flannery 6135 Winding Creek In response to the Kava/Kratom discussion, Ms. Flannery stated that she lives very close to the business and is not against any herbal supplements or any natural products, as she has family that are Native American and grew up with holistic healing. She states her concern is that if the people serving these products are not knowledgeable about the products, and do not know the people they are serving to, it can be dangerous and overdose situations can occur. She noted that the business is right in front of a daycare center and a primary school, and the City doesn't allow bars that close, and worries about the kids playing in the area and an irresponsible patron misusing the product. Karen Mueller Independence, OH Owner, Memies Green Room Spoke up again stating that she has done her due diligence with regard to these products and that if you go into a gas station and you want to buy Kratom, you do not know what you are getting and the people there do not know what they are selling. Her business is not consumption on site and she does her best to educate her patrons. Ms. Hamann asked Ms. Mueller if there are any certifications to be had to sell these products and Ms. Mueller stated no.