WOODLAND GETS GREENER, BUT NOT BECAUSE OF MARIJUANA
DISPENSARIES

Council OKs Solar Panels For PD

Despite concerned about a land-use ordinance banning illegal
businesses in Woodland, the City Council still unanimously approved a
new law which prevents store-front medical marijuana
dispensaries.

Acting Tuesday night as well, the council also approved a solar panel
project for the roof of the police station, and plans for an on-ramp
at 1-5 and County Road 102. The council also heard presentations and
posed questions regarding an ordinance to prevent smoking on library
grounds, and a new community committee to be involved in water rate
increase and community outreach.

Regarding the "illegal land-use ordinance," City Attorney Andy
Morris, spoke in favor of the measure. He said the ordinance was
perfectly legal and in-line with Proposition 215, the proposition
decriminalizing medical marijuana.

Local marijuana activist Bobby Harris voiced an alternative
perspective, and praised the character of the council saying he
couldn't pick a nicer bunch of people to sue. He's said he's looking
forward to litigating this issue and letting the courts decide if
the ordinance is fair.

In regards to legal smoking on library grounds on First Street,
Library Services Director, Sandra Briggs, told the council the No. 1
complaint received about the library is the congregation of smokers
at the base of library steps.

City staff recommended passing an ordinance mandating no smoking on
library grounds. Woodland Mayor Skip Davies agreed with the proposed
ordinance, saying the smokers intimidate women and children wanting
to enter the building.

Vice Mayor Art Pimentel liked the idea so much he suggested banning
smoking on all city property.

Meanwhile, Councilwoman Martie Dote expressed great excitement about
a proposed new on-ramp at CR102 and I-5 saying, "We're finally
getting a southbound on-ramp at 102! It's going to help with
congestion."

The funding for this $10 million project is 80 percent federal and 20
percent city. The council approved the plans and authorized the
advertising of the bid for this project.

The council also discussed a plan by the Water Rate Advisory
Committee to promote communitywide communication and information
about water issues.

Councilman Jeff Monroe said he supported the committee because
opponents of the fee increases, once informed about the issue become
some of the biggest advocates and informants for the project.

The committee is open to anyone who wants to apply, and applications
will be screened and given to the council for selection. Staff
suggested each council member pick three committee members for a
total of 15, but council members recommended upping that number to
five each.

The committee and public outreach will cost around $10,000 to start
and each meeting will cost around $2,000 to $3,000 to run. Davies was
concerned with the cost and urged staff to find ways to run the
committee more cheaply.