City of Columbia Committee of the Whole met Sept. 30.
Here is the minutes provided by the Committee:
1. Call to Order
Chairman Ebersohl called the Committee of the Whole committee meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois to order at 7:00 p.m.
Upon Roll Call, the following members were:
Present: Committee Members - Chairman Ebersohl and Aldermen Niemietz, Roessler, Huch, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle. Mayor Hutchinson was also present.
Absent: Alderman Agne.
Quorum Present.
Administrative Staff Present: City Administrator Doug Brimm, City Attorneys Terry Bruckert and Luke Behme, Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey, Chief of Police Jerry Paul, Deputy Chief of Police Jason Donjon, Community Relations and Tourism Coordinator Sue Spargo, and Deputy Clerk Kelly Mathews.
Chairman Ebersohl stated the meeting was called for the following purposes: (1) Staff Report - Adult-Use Recreational Cannabis; (2) Public Comment; and (3) Committee Discussion.
Staff Report - Adult-use Recreational Cannabis
City Administrator Doug Brimm and Director of Community Development Scott Dunakey presented a PowerPoint to the Committee on Adult-use Recreational Cannabis.
The PowerPoint covered the following topics:
• Overview of Legislation
• Municipal Considerations
• Cannabis Regulation Fund
• Cannabis-Related Licenses/Land Uses
• Local Regulation by Zoning
• State Law/Licensing Provisions
• Local Regulatory Options
• Cannabis Possession
• Home Cultivation of Cannabis
• Personal Adult Cannabis Use
Public Comments
Stella Linnemann briefed the Committee on the negative effects of recreational cannabis. Use.
Steve Thackrey spoke in favor of adult-use recreational cannabis.
Mary Parker Biby spoke to the Committee in response to some of Ms. Linnemann's concerns.
Ray Heinen suggested to the Committee that they do additional research and studies. Mr. Heinen also suggested the Committee complete a cost-benefit analysis and ask citizens to take this matter into a vote.
Joe Leicht, with the Monroe County Independent, questioned if any cannabis related products will be allowed to be sold at gas stations.
Ben Baker spoke in favor of adult-use recreational cannabis.
Phil Taylor recommended that the Committee use the wait and see approach.
Committee Discussion
After public comment, a discussion was held between aldermen and City staff present.
The following comments/questions were discussed:
• How is a motorist tested for suspicion of driving under the influence?
• If a blood draw is the only test, where does the blood draw take place at?
• How does the State chose who gets to open a dispensary?
• What have nearby cities chosen to do?
• If the City allows dispensaries, Mr. Dunakey suggests they only be allowed in one zoning district
• C-3 zoning district is most suitable to allow a dispensary, since it's close to the highway
Adjournment
Motion:
It was moved by Alderman Niemietz and seconded by Alderman Huch to adjourn the Committee of the Whole committee meeting of the City Council of the City of Columbia, Illinois held Monday, September 30, 2019 at 8:15 P.M. Upon Roll Call vote, Chairman Ebersohl and Aldermen Niemietz, Roessler, Holtkamp, Martens, and Riddle voted yea. Motion Carried.
https://www.columbiaillinois.com/DocumentCenter/View/10760/2019-09-30-Committee
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