September 2025 RABH NotesRABH - September 15, 2025
1. Welcome and summer check-in
Welcome and meet Garrett, reminder commission applications are open 10/1
2. Approve May minutes and September agenda
Marcell motioned to approve May minutes, Rebecca seconded
Rebecca motioned to approve September agenda, Rachel seconded
3. Penn Fest logistics
This Sunday, 1-5pm
Jennifer will not be in attendance, CSO will pack up all materials for the booth
Will have Adopt a Drain cards for the booth
Cannabis prevention information will be available
5 question survey the commission created will be available
Candy, chip clips, and sling backpacks for giveaways
4. 2026 ABH focus
5. Updates:
1. Tobacco/Cannabis/LPHE
OCM assigned an inspector for our area; Richfield Tobacco and Vape on
65/Nicollet found flavored tobacco and cannabis products - sent a letter to revoke their
license. Took request for a hearing, attorney will hear both sides and upheld the
recommendation to revoke their license, can sell low potency hemp edibles because
registered MDH, has fine with OCM for selling non-compliant products. Cannot sell until
he pays fine and sells compliant products. Second business will be offered a hearing.
Two other tobacco stores in Richfield, other than convenience stores, etc. selling
tobacco. Low potency hemp edibles - OCM will set up for licensing them 10/1 will let the
city know which businesses were granted a license so they will then have to register with
the city. OCM will inspect for products, the city will inspect for business operations and
age compliance checks. There is a house on 72/Lyndale that applied to the planning
commission to use as a business for cannabis. Twin Cities Cannabis took over the
Pickin Parlor, business on 74/Lyndale applied for a business.
2. State of the City data collection
Well attended event, Jennifer collected surveys. No strong opposition to
discussing cannabis. Collected 20-25 surveys at this event.
3. CSUP website
The website is under development; should have something to show next month.
4. Term renewals of commission seats Oct
10/1 - 10/31 timeframe to reapply. In November, Katrina will give an update to
the city council.
5. ABH Council update
September 30th BER hosting a mental health summit at Bloomington City Hall;
all day event. A lot of people in the mental health field will be present, all three city
mayors. If all RABH members attend it would be considered a meeting. Katrina signed
up to attend; Jennifer will also attend. Discussing mental health issues in the community,
how to get those needs met.
Feedback from RABH on mental health challenges:
● Mental health issues in 55+ building, a lot of problems seem related to MH since
COVID alcohol consumption/closet drinkers. Showing up to building events “not
their normal self”. Many walk at Woodlake Nature Center, the construction may
be disrupting their normal routine, a lot of change, recent shootings, etc bother
people and they do not know how to talk about it. People are not really
connected. Don’t have connections to outside of the building organizations. Not
connected in a meaningful way in the community outside of the residential
community. Residents have significant health issues (missing limbs, deafness,
blindness) that may contribute to isolation.
● Connection is an issue for all ages, not much to incentivize people to engage.
● Teenagers don’t have a hang out space after school to gather.
● Could the community center/service get involved with transportation to activities
● Possibly have events that could bring children and elderly residents together for
activities: open gym night, hire high school kids for tasks in 55+ buildings, call
bingo, teach/learn knitting or crochet, pop-up resource fair at the resident’s
building, yoga or tai chi in the park, info on how to do a welfare check for
residents, have meetings on how to get involved in the community - orgs, chairs,
etc.,
● Benches at schools, if you don’t have a friend to play with, approach someone at
the event. For teens, have specific teen events in city parks.
● Hold larger block parties in the city, have the city allow different parks to be a
sponsor for these events. Local bands could practice and residents can come to
connect and listen to music. Local musicians and food businesses would only be
invited to participate.
● City staff would like a summer beer garden series in the parks. Council would
have to change the ordinance but other cities have had success with Beer in the
Parks events. The beer hall owner who was going to build a taproom has a beer
truck to come to events to sell. He can get a license for the city based on his
license with the city next year.
● Cultural/generational concerns within families of talking about mental health
and/or substance abuse issues.
● 988 suicide crisis hotline, people may not be aware that someone can call on
behalf of someone else they have concerns about.
● Goal of BER to use opioid money to get a staffed 24hr hotline. This is a future
goal.
● Find ways to create more inter-generational spaces/events. Tends to be some
siloing with Community Ed classes, held at times when other groups cannot
attend.
● Kids are silent about issues, ex: when there was a lockdown and didn’t want the
police to remove the offender. Bridge the gap during the interaction between the
kids and the official (police, fire, etc.). High school kids are concerned there is an
authority figure in their school during a tense situation. How to make the kids feel
safe in the community rather than scroll on social media.
Next month’s meeting: brainstorm on topics for 2026, if there are speakers, data, etc. to come to
commission meetings.