CLEARLAKE, Calif. – The Clearlake City Council is set this week to hold the second and final reading of a new ordinance to tighten regulations for medical marijuana cultivation.
A half-hour closed session to discuss two cases of existing litigation and property negotiations will precede the public portion of the council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 28, in the council chambers at Clearlake City Hall, 14050 Olympic Drive.
City staff will take to the council the second reading of Ordinance No. 181-2016, which the council unanimously passed on its first reading on Jan. 14.
The updated medical marijuana cultivation ordinance was the result of work done last fall by an ad hoc committee the council appointed.
The Clearlake Planning Commission reviewed the proposed ordinance at its December meeting and recommended the council accept the new rules.
Key provisions of the new rules would include a ban on commercial cultivation, a limit of six plants on parcels of any size, a continuation of the current rule that prohibits cultivation on vacant properties, requirements for an on-property water source and no cultivation within 100 feet of drainages, creeks or Clear Lake.
The new ordinance also would institute a city permitting system that would cost growers $150 a year, with fines and penalties for failure to register and follow rules.
It's estimated that, if 500 permits were to be issued annually, the permit system could generate about $75,000 a year, which city staff said would be used to offset the costs of enforcement.
Thursday's meeting also will include a presentation by the Health Leadership Network and acceptance of the annual audit for fiscal year ending 2015, including the report to those charged with the governance and the appropriations limit report.
On the meeting's consent agenda – items considered noncontroversial and usually accepted as a slate on one vote – are warrant registers; minutes of the council meetings on Nov. 12 and 17, Dec. 10, Dec. 15 and Jan. 14; consideration of a second reading and option of Ordinance No. 180-2015 requiring dogs to be leashed and owners to pick up dog waste; consideration of establishing a job description and range for Community Development manager; award of contract for asbestos survey and lead-based paint assessment and report in preparation of demolition of structures located at 14061 Lakeshore Drive; review and consideration of the recognized obligation payments schedule for July 1 , 2016, to June 30, 2017, and authorization of submission to the oversight board; amendment to the Clearlake Police Officer Association memorandum of understanding adding POST incentive pay for dispatchers; award of the contract for the Austin Park Master Plan; and a resolution to accept the offer of the donation of property at 15886 18th Ave.
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012816 Clearlake City Council - Medical marijuana cultivation Ordinance No. 181-2016 by LakeCoNews