Ritzville Council holds public forum for marijuana ordinance, discusses city department updates

The Ritzville City Council continued their discussion regarding the establishment of a marijuana moratorium ordinance for the city during the regular meeting on Feb. 7.

In order to adopt the ordinance, the Council held a public forum to hear from residents regarding their input and thoughts on the moratorium.

Without any comments from members of the public, the council members discussed potential changes or corrections to make to the ordinance before adoption.

Clerk-Treasurer Kris Robbins explained the initial moratorium for the city was first established in July 2016.

After the moratorium expired, the Planning Commission for the city has met to discuss creating the new moratorium and ordinance for the City of Ritzville.

Robbins noted the Planning Commission’s recommendation is to extend the moratorium for an additional 60 days until the ordinance is finalized. In accordance with the law, the public forum served as a mandatory step before the council could move forward with the extension.

The amendment of the ordinance included language to match the state laws, and also included updated information regarding the distance a marijuana retailer or processor had to be from residential or public areas.

Robbins explained retail businesses for marijuana can only be in commercial zoned areas of the city, and cannot be within 1,000 feet of a park or school. She explained the Planning Commission also edited the distance for processing businesses, and said the intention is to ensure processors remain out of residential areas.

The two existing retailers are not affected by the moratorium, Robbins reiterated, unless they make the decision to relocate. If either business plans to move elsewhere within the town, they would have to complete their licensing and paperwork again, she stated.

City Attorney Mark DeWulf made a recommendation for the city to make amendments to the violation and penalties section of the ordinance, in order to match with the state law.

He also advised for the council to consider adding a civil infraction penalty of $250.

After closing the public forum, Robbins provided an update for the council members regarding a relighting project within the city.

Ritzville will receive funds from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) to participate in the Relight Washington Program.

Through this program, all Avista-owned streetlights within the city will be upgraded to LED technology. This will reduce streetlight operating costs, save energy and improve the city’s technology.

Robbins explained all the work will be completed by Avista, and the bill will then be submitted to the city. She stated TIB will reimburse the city for the entire energy efficiency project.

There is not a set timeframe for the completion of the project, but all the streetlights are expected to be updated in 2017.

Robbins also presented about the golf course contract and recommended the council approve an extension on Golf Course Manager Dan Duff’s contract. She stated the council needs to wait to approve both the manager’s contract and the restaurant owners contract.

With the change in restaurant managers, Mayor Gary Cook said he is in negotiations with the owners of Tee Time, to discuss their interest in managing the golf course restaurant.

The council voted and unanimously approved Cook to continue negotiations and sign the contract if it is approved by the potential owners.

Ritzville Police Chief Dave McCormick addressed the council regarding residences in the business district in downtown Ritzville. McCormick stated, with more residences being occupied downtown, parking is becoming an issue.

He also stated there is an ordinance prohibiting people from living on the first floor of businesses in the district, and is working with Robbins and Cook to locate the ordinance so it can be enforced.

McCormick explained the parking issue has been a growing problem, as those residents in the downtown are parking in front of businesses, or utilizing parking spots needed by visitors or employees of area businesses.

He emphasized the need for a discussion regarding downtown parking, in order to ensure people visiting downtown have a place to park within a reasonable distance of their intended destination. McCormick advised a potential change could be establishing two-hour parking throughout downtown, but the enforcement would be an additional cost to the city.

McCormick also said two local brothers have been arrested for residential burglary charges.

He explained the duo is believed to be responsible for the majority of thefts and car prowls that have occurred within the city during the past few months.

The police department also received a $3,000 grant to purchase a speed limit awareness sign to use within the city. McCormick said the sign must be moved four times a year, and he is waiting to receive the list of requirements before purchasing the sign.

McCormick added the department also received $5,000 from Love’s for the purchase of a speed advisory table. He will begin working to purchase one in the upcoming months, and stated neither purchase will affect the current expense fund for the department.

Ritzville Fire Chief Bill Banner also provided an update for the department, stating firefighters had received eight calls for service in the past month, and most of them were major calls.

The calls included an attic fire, serious water issues, illegal burn and an oil fire.

Banner stated during the attic fire, the fire tarps used at the scene were damaged, and the Ritzville Volunteer Firefighters agreed to purchase new tarps and runners. Banner explained the tarps are used to prevent further damage to the home, and will cost an estimated $600.

During the last department meeting, Banner explained the department voted in four new members to permanent status, and currently have three probationary members.