CITY EXTENDS MARIJUANA ORDINANCE

The Sidney City Council extended Ordinance 500 by approving Ordinance
510, which prohibits the use of any property within the city limits
for the growing, manufacture, production or distribution of medical
marijuana for 90 days.

The ordinance does not prohibit the use of medical marijuana by those
who possess a state of Montana medical marijuana card. There are
several bills and proposed bill drafts relating to the medical
marijuana issue that will establish future state law, Mayor Bret
Smelser said. State law will pre-empt any adopted ordinances and will
probably change how the medical marijuana law will be administered
later this year.

There is presently no licensing information available to local
officials on who is growing or using medical marijuana, Police Chief
Frank DiFonzo said. There are presently at least eight bills in the
Legislature that could either repeal the existing law or severely
restrict who receives medical marijuana this year.

The council also approved the first reading of Ordinance 509, which
creates a new chapter in the City Code. The ordinance and chapter will
define nuisances including neglect of property or structures within
the city limits. The new chapter will assist the city in clearing
blighted or uninhabitable properties.

Other agenda items included:

The first reading for a zoning change for five lots located in Block
2 of the Pleasant Wood Manor PUD from single family to R-2 was read.
The zoning change was referred to the zoning board.

The first reading for a zoning change for one lot located in the
Nick Hanson Subdivision from Commercial to R-3 was held. The zoning
change was referred to the zoning board.

The council approved a contract with Mosaic System to replace 1,150
water meters within the next 60 days.

Council member Rick Norby was appointed to the Board of
Adjustment/Zoning Board. He will replace longtime member Art Tysse who
retired last month.

The council approved more than $167,000 in accounts payable.