BY WIL CREWS AND
MICHELLE KEY
OPELIKA —
The Opelika City Council Tuesday night introduced for first reading an ordinance pertaining to the operation of medical cannabis dispensing sites within the corporate limits of the city.
The ordinance was drafted in light of the Alabama Legislature Act. No. 21-450 legalizing and creating a regulatory framework for medical cannabis. The act requires the Medical Cannabis Commission to regulate dispensary operations, thus addressing any health, safety or welfare concerns for the city of Opelika.
According to proposed ordinance, “medical research indicates that administration of medical cannabis the ability to successfully treat various medical conditions and alleviate the symptoms of various medical conditions.”
Furthermore, the ordinance reads: “Establishing a program providing for the administration of cannabis derivatives for medical use in this state will not only benefit patients with these debilitating symptoms, but also provide opportunities for patients with these debilitating conditions to function and have a better quality of life and provide employment and business opportunities for farmers and other residents of this state and revenue to state and local governments.”
According to the ordinance, any business license or sales tax revenue generated by medical cannabis dispensaries shall be deposited to the general fund, and will be effective immediately upon publication as required by law.
The ordinance will be voted on during the Oct. 4 city council meeting.
With a limited number of dispensing licenses being considered by the state, there is no guarantee that one will be in Opelika, even if Opelika approves the ordinance to allow for one.
PROCLAMATIONS
Opelika Mayor Gary Fuller issued three proclamations during Tuesday night’s city council meeting, declaring Sept. 18 through 24 as National Adult Education and Family Literacy Week, declaring Sept. 30 as NICU Awareness Day and October 2022 as Down Syndrome Awareness Month.
OTHER BUSINESS:
– The council awarded a bid of $930,477.80 to CDW Government, Inc. for mobile computing solutions for Opelika Fire and Police Departments.
– The council resolved to dispose of municipal personal property.
– The council approved the emergency purchase of gasoline and diesel fuel from K&B Oil Supply.
– The council approved the purchase of furniture for economic development in the amount of $61,904.
– The council approved the purchase of two 2022 Ford F-150 Super Crew Pickup Trucks in the amount of $72,006.
– The council appointed Robert T. Treese III to serve as assistant municipal prosecutor due to former assistant municipal prosecutor Jeff Tickal’s election as circuit court judge of the Alabama 37th Judicial Circuit Place 1.
– The council approved a general liability insurance agreement with Marsh & McLennan Agency and to issue purchase order to renew the city’s insurance portfolio in the amount of $612,241.
– The council approved a proposal from iHeart Media for Radio Advertising Services for the period of Oct. 1, 2022, through Sept. 30, 2023, in the amount of $16,830.
– The council resolved a weed abatement at 308 Brannon Ave. in the amount of $222.41.
– The council resolved a weed abatement at 2102 Long St. in the amount of $106.39.
– The council approved an eligible-use policy related to American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Funds.
– The council approved Internal Control Policies and Procedures for ARPA funds.
– The council approved a property management policy related to the expenditure of ARPA funds.
– The council approved a policy for property management related to the expenditure of ARPA funds.
– The council approved a policy for allowable costs and cost principles for expenditure of ARPA funds.
– The council approved a nondiscrimination policy consistent with uniform guidance related to ARPA funds.
– The council approved a record retention policy for documents created or maintained pursuant to the ARPA and Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery (CSLFR) funds.
– The council approved a conflict of interest policy applicable to contracts and subawards of the city supported by federal financial assistance.
– The council approved a request from First Baptist of Opelika for a fireworks display and skydivers exhibition on Oct. 30.
– The council approved the purchase of a HD rotary cutter for public works for the amount of $20,066.88
– The council amended the City Code of Ordinances Section 14-302(3) increasing business license issuance fee from $12 to $14.
– The council voted to amend the city’s Zoning Ordinance & Map for the approved development plan for a 154-acre area located on the north side of SportsPlex Parkway, to be used for a planned unit development (PUD) consisting of approximately 241 single-family home lots, open space area, amenity areas and on-site detention.
– The council amended the city’s Zoning Ordinance & Map for the approved development plan for a 2.6-acre parcel of land located in the 3250 block of Robert Trent Jones Trail, to be used for approximately seven single-family home lots.
– The council reappointed Brent Poteet to the Board of Adjustments & Appeals for a term ending Oct. 1, 2026.
– The council reappointed Raymond Williams to the Board of Adjustments & Appeals for a term ending Oct. 1, 2026.
– The council reappointed Kenneth Burton to the Lee County Youth Development Center Board for a term ending Oct. 1, 2026.
The Opelika City Council meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the courtroom of the municipal court building located at 300 Martin Luther King Blvd.