WOODLAND CITY COUNCIL OKs DISPENSARY BAN

Despite concerns about a land-use ordinance banning illegal
businesses in Woodland, the City Council still unanimously approved a
new law that prevents storefront 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 discussed
forming a new community committee to be involved in water rate
increases and community outreach.

Regarding the "illegal land-use ordinance," City Attorney Andy Morris
spoke in favor of the measure. He said the ordinance was 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 the 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. The steps are just outside the 20-foot
space from the library's entryway, where smoking is permitted.

City staff recommended passing an ordinance mandating no smoking on
library grounds at all.

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 County Road 102 and Interstate 5, saying,
"We're finally getting a southbound on-ramp at 102! It's going to
help with congestion."

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