Pubdate: Sun, 14 Oct 2012 Source: Willits News (CA) Copyright: 2012 Willits News Contact: http://www.willitsnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4085 Author: Megan Hansen SUPES TO CONSIDER REVOKING MYRTLETOWN MEDICAL MARIJUANA DISPENSARY PERMIT It's up to the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors to decide Tuesday afternoon whether the operational permit for a Myrtletown medical marijuana dispensary should be revoked. The board will also discuss an annual report on the general plan update, three projects recommended for Headwaters Fund grants and two appointments to the newly formed Greater Eureka Area Municipal Advisory Committee. The Humboldt County Collective opened its doors in November 2011 and was the first collective to operate in the county under a conditional use permit, according to county documents. Now it faces losing its permit after the Humboldt County Planning Commission voted 6-1 in June, with Commissioner Mel Kreb dissenting, in favor of revoking the collective's permit. County planning staff are recommending the permit be rescinded because the collective's annual monitoring report contained a number of deficiencies. According to staff, the collective failed to comply with the conditions of its permit, including driveway improvements and proving that it's a nonprofit operation. In addition, county staff identified certain areas of concern, including high payroll expenses, unexplained costs -- such as nearly $32,700 for supplies -- and nearly $9,800 in automobile expenses. Despite new collective owner JoAnn Hammans taking the reins in May, county staff are still concerned about the potential involvement of former collective director Bill Byron. Byron was arrested April 5 in Pennsylvania on suspicion of marijuana trafficking, conspiracy and related offenses. His arrest came one day after California Department of Justice agents served warrants at the collective, which closed down for about a month. Byron allegedly shipped a package of marijuana to a false name at a home he was staying at in Pennsylvania. After the collective's public hearing, the supervisors will receive an annual report on the status of the general plan and its implementation. A county staff report states the annual report is required by the state and outlines the progress being made to provide for local housing needs. It was supposed to be reviewed in April, but the report states staff were too busy with the housing element -- a state-mandated component of the county's general plan that sets forth projected housing needs -- and general plan update to complete the report. The general plan update defines acceptable land uses in each area of the county for future development. The report states a number of the original 1984 framework plan measures have yet to be implemented. In addition, it states the general plan update will overcome some of the original plan's shortcomings by including items like a telecommunications ordinance. During the morning session, the supervisors will consider approving three projects for funding from the Headwaters Fund, which was created by the county to utilize $22 million in state and federal funds given to offset the sale of the Headwaters Forest Reserve. The fund's board is asking the supervisors to give $70,000 to the Redwood Region Economic Development Commission for an aquaculture center in Samoa, $25,000 to the Arcata Playhouse to develop the area around an old creamery building in Arcata, and $7,498 to the Mid-Klamath Watershed Council to install a storage facility in Orleans. In the morning, the board will also consider appointing two voting members to the Greater Eureka Area Municipal Advisory Committee. The committee was approved by the board in May and will function as an advisory group to the supervisors on Eureka issues. Applicants for the two board-appointed positions include retired building contractor Darrel Petersen and retired professor Nezzie Wade. The remaining five positions have already been filled. The Humboldt Community Services District appointed Alan Bongio as its representative, and the Eureka City Council appointed Eureka City Manager David Tyson as its representative. First District Supervisor Rex Bohn filled his three slots with Jackie Deuschle-Miller, George Davis and Glen Zimmer. For the complete Board of Supervisors meeting agenda and supporting documents, go online to www.co.humboldt.ca.us/board/agenda/questys/. IF YOU GO: What: Board of Supervisors meeting Where: Supervisors' Chamber, first floor, Humboldt County Courthouse, 825 Fifth St. When: 9 a.m. Tuesday - --- MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom