Cottage Grove fines two retailers after Oct. 28 tobacco compliance checks

The Cottage Grove City Council adopted resolutions imposing the scheduled $300 penalty for each of two tobacco compliance violations that occurred during Oct. 28 compliance checks.

Director of Public Safety Pete Kerner summarized the two cases to the council. In the Monsoon Tobacco incident, a decoy asked for ZYN nicotine pouches and presented an instructional permit; the employee completed the sale after what Kerner described as confusion about how to read the ID. Owner representative Wanda Fleur told the council the employee had been new, was immediately terminated the same night and that enhanced in‑store training and scanning procedures are being reinforced.

In the Hy‑Vee Wine and Spirits case, a decoy (reported in the police report as about 16 years old) purchased Velo nicotine pouches after the clerk did not request identification. Alicia Egan, representing Hy‑Vee, told the council the store reviewed video footage, concluded the employee bypassed procedures and terminated the employee. She said the scanner was working that day and that there was no excuse for the sale.

Councilmember Garza moved and Councilmember Thidi seconded the resolution to impose the scheduled $300 penalty for Monsoon Tobacco (resolution 2025‑170); the motion carried by voice vote. The council later adopted the identical scheduled penalty resolution for Hy‑Vee (resolution 2025‑169) after discussion and comments from the licensee representative.

Kerner noted the city runs compliance checks twice a year under city ordinance and that Washington County Public Health and other partners also offer training resources for retailers.

Next steps: Fines were imposed and license holders reported internal discipline and additional training; no further council direction was recorded in the meeting minutes.