Peoria Standard

City of Chillicothe Judicial Committee met Feb. 12.

Here is the minutes provided by the committee:

The judicial committee met on February 12, 2020, at 4:30 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall.

Present: Chairman Braun, Alderman Gould, Alderman Bredeman, Mayor White, City Attorney Seghetti, Police Chief Mettille, Office Manager Passage

Chairman Braun called the meeting to order at 4:30 p.m.

PUBLIC COMMENT

Mayor advised the committee that the plan commission will be working on a solar ordinance as the city does not currently have any rules regarding solar panels.

PURPOSE

ADULT USE CANNABIS ESTABLISHMENTS – Mayor White presented information regarding this topic, which is attached. He stated the city would receive no sales tax revenue received on the other establishments such as Cultivation Center, Craft Grower, Cannabis Infuser, Cannabis Processor, and Transporter facility.

A discussion ensued regarding the issue is a zoning issue and we can regulate time, place, manner and number of cannabis related businesses.

Chairman Braun asked Police Chief Mettille how it would affect his department. Police Chief Mettille responded that he will abide by the rules the city puts in place and it would not affect his department. Alderman Gould stated that we should allow these establishments as they will be allowed out in the surrounding areas. Alderman Bredeman stated that he was in favor of allowing other cannabis establishments.

Mayor White proposed to allow other cannabis business, limiting it to two of each, required it to be in an industrial zoning, 500 feet from school or church or another cannabis business and must go through a special use process.

A discussion was held regarding if 500 feet from another cannabis business was too much. The consensus of the committee was to remove the 500 feet requirement from another cannabis business. Office Manager Passage questioned if cannabis lounges would be allowed. The attorney stated that they would not be allowed unless language was placed in the ordinance. No language was proposed. The consensus of the committee was to have Chairman Braun place this topic on the council agenda for Feb. 24 to refer to the attorney to draft an ordinance with the following requirements:

1. two of each establishments

2. Industrial Zoning

3. 500 feet from School or church

4. Must go through a special use process

SOCIAL MEDIA POLICY – Mayor White stated that he would like to correct a statement that was made regarding the vote on the social media policy. He stated that Alderman Hughes did vote no when the social media policy was voted on at the Council meeting. Attorney Seghetti stated that he changed his notes and advised Alderman Hughes.

Mayor White explained that the Social Media Policy applied to those who used City social media electronic systems and read the purpose statement in the policy. He stated that the change to the policy was to strike the following from the policy: Any use of Social Media by City personnel in violation of this policy may result in discipline up to and including termination.

The Mayor stated that the social media policy would not apply if you are on your own device.

The Mayor explained the open meetings act and the freedom of information act.

Attorney Seghetti stated that the Social Media policy would be sent to the union to see if they agree and then brought to council to approve the policy without the language of discipline. The consensus of the committee was to send the policy to the union.

ORDINANCE POSSESSION OF CANNABIS - Chief Mettille explained that the possession of cannabis ordinance needed amended to insure that it coincided with the state law. Chief Mettille explained the changes. After discussion, the consensus of the committee was to bring the ordinance to the city council at the February 24, 2020.

PRE-ANNEXATION - Mayor White explained that property owner, Joe Nauman approached him regarding pre-annexing his property located north of Hart Lane. Attorney Seghetti explained pre- annexation. He stated that pre-annexation is when you annex property that is not contiguous to the corporate boundaries. Should a pre-annexation agreement be reached the property would be subject to the city’s rules and ordinances, however; the city would not receive property tax. Mayor White explained that the property currently has a barn on the property and the owners would like to use the barn as a wedding venue. The property also has a residence on the property. Mayor White stated that Representative Spain advised it could be beneficial if the city had pre-annexation agreements north of the viaduct, as it could help with the viaduct issue. A discussion ensued.

The consensus of the committee was to take to the city council meeting the recommendation to instruct the city attorney prepare a pre-annexation agreement to annex the Nauman property.

SUMMARY

Council Agenda Items – Adult Use Cannabis Establishments

Ordinance – Amending Possession of Cannabis or Drug Paraphernalia

Pre – Annexation

Chairman Action – advise council plan commission will be working on an ordinance solar energy code.

There being no further business the meeting adjourned at 5:11 p.m.

http://www.cityofchillicotheil.com/021220%20Minutes%20cannabis%20socialmedia.pdf