Village of Rapids City Village Board met Nov. 6.
Here is the minutes provided by the board:
President Mire called the meeting of the Committee of the Whole to order at 6:32pm.
Pledge of Allegiance
Roll Call: Clark, Fowler, Rankin, Robertson, Mire, Schnieder, Feims
Absent:
Others Present: Clerk Missy Housenga, Attorney John Holmes, Jan Spier, Julie Doty, Paula Schneider, Nick Peschang, Judy and Chuck McCoy with minor children, Kathy Overton, Don Pruter, Jim Thompson, John Long, Sarah Ford, Paul Holland, Musa Neziroski, Officer Patterson
President Mire called this Committee of the Whole Meeting to order to receive input from citizens concerning the possibility of legalizing cannabis within the Village for retail sale. Clerk Housenga has provide written documentation to all Village Trustees on this matter since July. Village Trustees have conducted their own research concerning cannabis and presented their findings. Cory Waggoner from Higher Yields, a Cannabis Business Consulting firm, attended the meeting to present facts based information on current Illinois laws as they are set to go into effect on January 1st, 2020. Waggoner gave additional facts into the cannabis industry as it is currently managed in Colorado as well as other environmental statistics. A question and answer session was opened up to all meeting attendees. Several citizen attendees and Board members voiced their opinions and concerns on the matter ranging from addictiveness, property values and crime. While some opposing comments were made on the adoption of an ordinance allowing a retailer, positive comments were made as well including the regulated quality of product sold, tax revenues and medical benefits for those who cannot obtain a prescription for medical marijuana due to the location of a doctor. If retail cannabis were to be allowed within the Village certain zoning regulations can be imposed to loosen or tighten the current state statute. As a border town and being located close to the interstate the Village could receive quite a bit of out of state business. Concerns were expressed concerning the additional traffic though town and driving under the influence. Hampton Police Officer Patterson explained he is ARID(Advanced Roadside Impaired Driving Enforcement) certified, allowing for DUI detection. Patterson explained he feels more officers throughout the state will be certified once the law goes into effect. Mire explained he too has personal reservation on the legalization of cannabis but the Village could use the tax dollars to pay for major capital projects. Mire would like to see a sales tax increase rather than a property tax increase to pay for any Village expense. A 3% retail tax may be imposed on recreational use cannabis sales. Rankin set concerned citizens at ease by stating the Board can adopt an ordinance and can also rescind an ordinance if it is abused or found to be putting residents at risk. Mire added the state law is being passed; it is time for the rubber to meet the road and the Board has to make a decision on the matter. A Committee of the Whole Meeting has been scheduled for November 19th, 2019 at 6:30 to discuss the adoption of a cannabis retailers ordinance and a cannabis taxation ordinance.
Having no further business to conduct at this time, Feims motioned to adjourn this November 6th, 2019 Committee of the Whole Meeting, Rankin seconded. President Mire adjourned by consensus of the Board at 8:11pm.
http://www.rapidscity.us/minutes/20191106COW.pdf
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