2008-11-06 Special CC MinutesMINUTES OF THE SPECIAL CITY COUNCIL MEETING
THURSDAY- - NOVEMBER 6, 2008- -7:25 P.M.
Mayor Johnson convened the Special Meeting at 7:36 p.m.
Councilmember deHaan led the Pledge of Allegiance.
ROLL CALL- Present: Councilmembers deHaan, Gilmore,
Matarrese, Tam, and Mayor Johnson - 5.
Absent: None.
AGENDA ITEM
(08 -462) Ordinance No. 2985, "Urgency Ordinance Making Findings and
Establishing a Forty -Five Day Moratorium on the Establishment or
Expansion of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries." Passed.
The Supervising Planner gave a brief presentation.
Mayor Johnson opened the public portion of the meeting.
(Proponents: In favor of Ordinance) : Robb Ratto, Park Street
Business Association; Nick Cabrel, Alameda.
(Opponents: Not in favor of Ordinance) : Isao Taguchi, Alameda;
Bruce Rose, Alameda; Fred Gardner, Alameda; Kevin Good, Alameda.
There being no further speakers, Mayor Johnson closed the public
portion of the meeting.
Vice Mayor Tam stated that she appreciates tonight's comments;
serving on the Alameda County Planning Commission gave her some
experience from a land use prospective; Alameda is fairly new to
the issue; Alameda is trying to provide safe access but is also
looking at issues experienced by other jurisdictions; Alameda
County's unincorporated areas have three medical marijuana
dispensaries; one dispensary closed because 100 pounds of marijuana
and $500,000 were on site; the situation prompted the District
Attorney's office to look into the second dispensary, which is
about to close; Alameda is an island; the parameters of school
proximity and neighborhood safety need to be reviewed; a moratorium
would allow reviewing the matter in a methodical, comprehensive
way.
Vice Mayor Tam moved passage of the ordinance.
Councilmember Matarrese seconded the motion.
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Under discussion, Councilmember Matarrese stated marijuana has not
been found to be safe and affective by the Federal Drug
Administration; all aspects need to be reviewed before the matter
is sanctioned or prohibited.
Councilmember Gilmore stated the City is in the fortunate position
of not being the first community to address the issue; reviewing
other community experiences is important; access and safety issues
need to be addressed.
Councilmember deHaan stated that he echoes the same concerns;
lessons need to be learned from mechanisms used by other
communities.
On the call for the question, the motion carried by unanimous voice
vote - 5.
ADJOURNMENT
There being no further business, Mayor Johnson adjourned the
Special Meeting at 7:56 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Lara Weisiger
City Clerk
The agenda for this meeting was posted in accordance with the Brown
Act.
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November 6, 2008