HomeMy WebLinkAbout03-14-2017 MinutesCouncil Minutes
City Hall, 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo
Tuesday, March 14, 2017
Special Meeting of the City Council
CALL TO ORDER
A Special Meeting of the San Luis Obispo City Council was called to order on Tuesday, March
14, 2017 at 6:00 p.m. in the Council Chamber, located at 990 Palm Street, San Luis Obispo,
California, by Mayor Harmon.
ROLL CALL
Council Members
Present: Council Members Carlyn Christianson, Aaron Gomez, Andy Pease, Vice Mayor
Dan Rivoire, and Mayor Heidi Harmon.
Council Members
Absent: None
City Staff
Present: Katie Lichtig, City Manager; Christine Dietrick, City Attorney; Derek Johnson,
Assistant City Manager; Michael Codron, Community Development Director; and
Heather Goodwin, Deputy City Clerk; were present at Roll Call. Other staff
members presented reports or responded to questions as indicated in the minutes.
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
Council Member Aaron Gomez led the Pledge of Allegiance.
BUSINESS ITEMS
1. MARIJUANA REGULATION
Community Development Director Codron and City Attorney Dietrick provided an in-depth
staff report with the use of a PowerPoint presentation entitled "California Adult Use of
Marijuana Act" and responded to Council questions.
Public Comments:
Gerick Latham, Cal Poly student, spoke about his roommate's medical marijuana delivery
service; stated that he consumes and cultivates medical marijuana for health related issues;
spoke in support of cannabis.
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San Luis Obispo City Council Minutes of March, 14, 2017 Page 2
Claire Mamakos, North County, Lobbing Director for the San Luis Obispo Chapter
California Normal, urged the Council to draft regulations that would preserve SLO's
uniqueness which would create a healthy economy for the local farnier.
Linda Chimenti, Paso Robles, spoke about the idea of having a fear when consuming
marijuana; opined that marijuana should be regulated.
Nico Pitchen, San Luis Obispo, spoke about his medical marijuana delivery service; stated
that he will be participating in a student career fair to find potential employees, stated that
the potential ban will financially hurt his business; spoke against the proposed ban.
James Vogel, Cal Poly student, spoke about proactive legislation vs reactive legislation;
opined that local control can make a difference.
Tony Keith, San Luis Obispo, spoke about sound planning; stated that he is an advocate for
local dispensaries in the downtown; urged Council to direct staff to draft regulations by
early next year.
Christopher Matthews, San Luis Obispo, SLO Compassionate Care business owner, spoke
about his business and the temporary ban; opined the Council needs to work with cannabis
businesses that are currently operating and to draft an ordinance what will work for
everyone.
Cmstal Gries, spoke about her 80 -year-old mother-in-law who consumes marijuana for
health reasons; opined that her mother-in-law would prefer a brick and mortar type of
service to purchase her medical marijuana.
Quinn Brady, spoke about her family's medical marijuana farming business; spoke in
support of a policy that supports the industry and allows people to come out of the dark and
into a more transparent place into the community.
Marie Roth, Templeton, representing San Luis Obispo County Cannabis Business
Association, Inc. (SLOCCBA), provided a general overview of the SLOCCBA and spoke
about the cannabis industry.
John Belsher, San Luis Obispo, opined that the City should take the steps to regulate
marijuana cultivation; stated that the Monday Club SLO will hosting an educational
opportunity to learn about Marijuana for parents of teenagers on April 4, 2017 at 5:45 pm.
Mila Vujovich-La Barre, San Luis Coastal Unified School District teacher, San Luis Obispo,
provided a brief overview of anti-drug/alcohol programs for youths that she founded;
encouraged residents to attend the Monday Club SLO's educational opportunity about
Marijuana.
End of Public Comment ---
Council Member Christianson noted for the record that there were 158 individuals who
testified in 2015 regarding medical marijuana.
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ACTION: MOTION BY COUNCIL MEMBER CHRISTIANSON, SECOND BY
COUNCIL MEMBER PEASE, CARRIED 5-0 to:
1. Introduce an Ordinance No. 1633 (2017 Series) entitled "An Ordinance of the City
Council of the City of San Luis Obispo, California, codifying and reaffirming current
City law, policy and practice by expressly prohibiting all commercial and industrial
recreational and medical marijuana uses, activities and operations and limiting outdoor
cultivation of medical and recreational marijuana within the City" which expressly
codifies and affirms the City's authority to enforce its current permissive zoning,
licensing, permitting and regulatory policies prohibiting marijuana uses, activities, and
operations, except as otherwise permitted under the Compassionate Use Act, the Medical
Cannabis Regulatory and Safety Act, or the Control, Regulate, and Tax Adult Use of
Marijuana Act pending Council direction and consideration of permanent regulations;
and
2. Direct staff to monitor developments in other jurisdictions and at the federal level, engage
the community regarding various land use and taxation alternatives that may be
appropriate, and return with recommended changes to the City's Municipal Code.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned to the next Regular City Council Meeting scheduled for Tuesday,
March 21 2017 at 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m., in the Council Chamber, 990 Palm Street, San Luis
Obispo, California.
Heather Goodwin
Deputy City Clerk
APPROVED BY COUNCIL: 04/04/2017