What a mess! City staff made a mistake by not telling the city council that the amendments to the marijuana (cannabis) ordinance they were considering had not been properly noticed to the public. Instead of admitting and fixing their mistake, they keep making matters worse. They have essentially delegitimized the votes of both the new city council and the open government commission.
It all started on October 16, 2018. City staff failed to inform council members that they could not add a new provision to an ordinance without that provision being publicly noticed. Unaware of staff’s error, the council proceeded to vote 3-2 in favor of doubling the number of allowable retail stores from two to four. A second reading on these amendments was required, and the matter was scheduled to return.
On October 30 a citizen’s complaint was filed, alleging a violation of the city’s Sunshine Ordinance–namely, that the agenda item referred to “delivery only” businesses, not retail. Instead of resolving that complaint before the second reading, council finalized their decision on November 7. Continue reading