City of Litchfield City Council Met Jan. 7.
Here is the minutes provided by the council:
These meetings were offered remotely due to the COVID- 19 public health emergency.
Public Hearing
Mayor Steven Dougherty called the Public Hearing to order at 6: 30 p.m. to address the following items:
1. An Ordinance amending chapter 150 ofthe Litchfield Zoning Ordinance pertaining to
Adult Use Cannabis in the City of Litchfield, IL.
2. An Ordinance establishing a retail Cannabis Sales License in the City of Litchfield, IL.
3. An Ordinance amending section 39 ofthe Municipal Code of the City of Litchfield, Montgomery County Illinois by the addition of this ordinance imposing a municipal cannabis retailers occupation tax of 3%.
Darin Ashby stated that in November the citizens of Litchfield had voted in favor of moving forward with the sale of adult use cannabis and asked why there had been no movement. He remarked that since the citizens elect the Council, wouldn' t the Council then do what the people request. City Attorney Hantla stated that this had been voted on twice previously and failed, so attempts have been made. He agreed that the Council is elected to represent the people.
There were no further comments or discussion. The Mayor adjourned the Public Hearing at 6: 10 p.m.
Regular Meeting
Mayor Steven Dougherty called the Regular Meeting on to order at 6: 32 p.m. The Pledge of Allegiance was recited. Present on roll call were Alderpersons Dwayne Gerl, Marilyn Sisson, Dave Hollo, Mark Brown, Kassidy Paine, Tim Wright, Woodrow Street and Ray Kellenberger remote). The Mayor declared that a quorum was present.
Appointments:
Alderman Street made a motion, seconded by Alderman Gerl to accept the appointment of Beth Cherry to the Tourism Advisory Committee to fill the unexpired term of Maggie Sinclair with a term to expire May 2022 and the appointment of Neal Francis to the Tourism Advisory Committee to fill the unexpired term of Rebecca Snow Grimm with the term to expire May 2023.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Police ChiefKenny Ryker introduced Police Officer Andrew Wakefield who was then sworn in by City Clerk Carol Burke.
Interim Fire Chief Joe Holomy introduced new firefighter/paramedics Ben Black and Tyler Daniels who then shared some information about themselves, their experience, and their families.
Public Participation Comments:
Ed Wernsing addressed the Council as Chairman ofthe Planning Commission. He stated that the consideration for adult-use cannabis had been presented to the Commission four times and approved each time. He remarked that he felt the revenue generated from the adult-use cannabis would save the residents taxes and asked that the Council honor the wishes ofthe people of Litchfield and pass the adult-use cannabis ordinances.
Other Business:
Alderman Street made a motion, seconded by Alderman Brown to accept the minutes from the December 17, 2020 meeting.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Alderman Wright made a motion, seconded by Alderman Gerl to direct the City Clerk to transfer funds from the city sales tax to the City' s general fund to issue checks and authorize to pay the bills.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
Old Business:
Pulled from the Agenda: Discussion with possible action regarding a request by Endrizzi Contracting for the Lake Yaeger Watershed Implementation Project construction contract.
Update from Ted LaBelle.
Alderman Hollo made a motion, seconded by Alderman Street to forgive the late fee of 1, 050.31 for Henderson Water District on a one time basis.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
Motion carried.
New Business:
Alderman Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wright to to approve an Ordinance Amending Chapter 150 of the Litchfield Zoning Ordinance Pertaining to Adult Use Cannabis" in the City of Litchfield, Illinois. Alderman Hollo amended the motion to make the proposed districts as special use. Alderman Street seconded the motion.
City Attorney Hantla stated that amending the ordinance to special use would require starting the whole process over, and that he did not feel this situation fit the definition of special use which is reserved for areas not zoned for the type of activity requested. He indicated that it could be done and could work as special use, but that ultimately the Council would be voting on the same ordinance after additional time and expense. Hantla said that additional concerns would be handled in the application in order to enforce the regulations.
Alderman Street inquired ifthe City was in a place of liability by not going with the special use, to which Hantla replied, "No." Alderpersons Brown and Wright each expressed concern about giving the issue back to the planning commission, stating that they have already heard it several times. Alderman Street said that ifthe City is protected, then he isn' t concerned.
The Mayor directed a roll call vote on amending the motion.
Aye: Hollo.
Nay: Gerl, Sisson, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Amended motion failed.
The Mayor then directed a roll call vote on the original motion.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Brown, Paine, Wright, Kellenberger.
Nay: Hollo, Street.
Motion carried.
Alderman Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderman Wright to approve an Ordinance Establishing a Retail Cannabis Sales License" in the City of Litchfield, Illinois.
Alderman Street stated that he was against the sale of adult-use cannabis because of his concern for the citizens of Litchfield, not because he is a Christian. He said he just could not bring himself to vote for it.
The Mayor then directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Brown, Paine, Wright, Kellenberger.
Nay: Hollo, Street.
Motion carried.
Alderman Kellenberger made a motion, seconded by Alderman Brown to approve an Ordinance Amending Section 39 of the Municipal Code of the City of Litchfield, Montgomery County, Illinois by the Addition of this Ordinance Imposing a Municipal Cannabis Occupational Tax of 3%."
The Mayor directed a roll call vote.
Aye: Gerl, Sisson, Hollo, Brown, Paine, Wright, Street, Kellenberger.
Nay: None.
http://www.cityoflitchfieldil.com/news/images/January7,2021.pdf
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