HAYDEN TOWN COUNCIL VOTES 'NO' TO DISPENSARIES

Hayden Manager To Draft Ordinance Prohibiting Marijuana
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Steamboat Springs - The Hayden Town Council said "no" to medical
marijuana dispensaries for a second time Thursday. After hearing
options about how to address dispensaries in town limits, the council
directed Town Manager Russ Martin to draft an ordinance that would
prohibit medical marijuana establishments in Hayden.

Town Council members in May unanimously voted to not amend the town's
land-use code to permit a medical marijuana dispensary in Hayden's
historic downtown district.

The four options Martin presented to the Town Council included: doing
nothing because the land-use code doesn't currently allow
dispensaries; create an ordinance to allow dispensaries; create an
ordinance to prohibit dispensaries; or let residents vote to decide
where to allow or prohibit dispensaries.

Nine members of the community attended the meeting Thursday, and four
spoke in opposition of any ordinance that would allow dispensaries in
Hayden.

"I have faith in you as a citizen here that you will take care of us
in this town," resident Sylvia Walker said. "I don't want it here."

In his presentation of the four options, Martin said his preference
would be that Hayden create an ordinance prohibiting dispensaries,
given the response from several community members and the Town Council
in May.

He said becoming a home-rule municipality gave Hayden the ability to
pass a prohibition ordinance regardless of the passage of Colorado
House Bill 1284, which allows municipalities to ban
dispensaries.

Martin said taking the decision to voters would cost the town between
$1,500 and $2,000.

"That's why we're elected. There's no need for this to go to a public
vote," Town Council member Tom Rogalski said. "There is a process in
place if the public wants to bring this to the ballot."

Martin said he would work to draft a prohibition ordinance that would
prohibit dispensaries, grow operations and any type of establishment
with marijuana-infused products, such as cookies and brownies. But
Martin said licensed medical marijuana patients still would be able to
grow their own plants.

Town Council members will consider the prohibition ordinance at their
next meeting July 15.

Also Thursday:

! The Town Council met in executive session to discuss a new contract
for Martin, who is in the final year of his existing contract.

Mayor Lorraine Johnson said she and Town Council member Chuck Grobe
met with Hayden fs attorney to draft the contract. She said it would
be presented to Martin in executive session at the July 15 meeting.
After that executive session, she said Martin could accept, decline or
ask to have time to think about the contract.

Martin is a finalist for the town manager position in Camp Verde,
Ariz.

! Town Council members unanimously approved consent agenda items
including the HiWay Bar liquor license renewal and the 2010 fee
schedule revision.