Pubdate: Wed, 02 Dec 2009
Source: Daily Democrat (Woodland, CA)
Copyright: 2009 Daily Democrat
Contact:  http://www.dailydemocrat.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/3030
Author: Melody Stone
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmj.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal)

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. 
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jo-D