Lind Town Council begins drafting marijuana moratorium

Adams County Commissioner John Marshall and Adams County Economic Planning Director Stephen McFadden informed the Lind Town Council and community members on the expansion of the marijuana industry in the county during the regular meeting on May 9.

After receiving multiple inquiries about opening marijuana businesses in the area, the council invited Marshall to speak about the issue and answer questions.

Marshall explained the county has been regulating the expansion of the marijuana industry by establishing a moratorium to provide the Board time to receive community input, discuss rules and set zoning areas.

He said Lind has the ability to establish zoning areas in order to regulate where the businesses may open and operate in the area. He encouraged the council to establish a moratorium in order to provide time to discuss the regulations and draft a resolution.

Marshall presented the council with Ritzville’s ordinance regarding marijuana for review and start drafting a resolution.

The county is currently requesting input from towns and cities for a buffer area around city limits, said Marshall. Lind has the opportunity to request a one or two mile buffer outside of city limits to prevent marijuana processing and producing, he explained.

Even if the town passes a resolution to establish a buffer, Marshall said they have the opportunity to amend the resolution and change the distance at any time.

Since the establishment of the two marijuana retail stores in Ritzville, Marshall stated there has not been a recorded increase of criminal activity relating to marijuana use.

Councilperson Karissa Labes asked if they would need additional law enforcement in the area to patrol the marijuana retail stores.

Marshall said the businesses are required to have multiple security cameras and contact law enforcement for any suspicious activity.

McFadden then informed the Council about the statistics involved with the marijuana industry since it’s legalization at the state level.

He said Washington collected $401,194,378 in excise tax from marijuana sales last year and $145,693,283 in additional sales tax. It has also created 122,814 full-time jobs, he added.

In order to make the best decision possible, he recommended the council ask for community input and establish a moratorium and begin drafting a resolution with regulations.

The council motioned to pursue establishing a moratorium in order to discuss rules and regulations of the marijuana industry in the town.

Clerk-Treasurer Kim Michaels said she would contact the town attorney to begin drafting the document.

Mayor Jamie Schmunk then introduced Nyleana Bailey, Ashlynn Norton and Reba Dean, students at Lind-Ritzville Middle School to discuss raising funds for an educational trip to Florida in the spring of 2018.

The cost of the trip is $2,079 per student and they will have the opportunity to participate in various activities, including visiting a turtle hospital, swimming with dolphins and scuba diving.

The students requested to place a donation box at Town Hall to raise funds for the trip.

The council unanimously approved the request for a donation box in Town Hall.

Schmunk presented Resolution No. 17-03 pertaining to an Airport Aid Application to the Washington State Department of Transportation Aviation Division to fund scheduled maintenance to the Lind Municipal Airport. The repairs needed are to the airport’s main runway and taxiway.

It is a 95 percent grant, which would cover $123,500 of the repairs with the town’s match of five percent totaling $6,500, explained Schmunk.

She said the town has acquired the necessary funds to cover the cost through selling 1,117.50 bushels of wheat and they will not be required to transfer monies from the current expense fund.

The council motioned to allow Schmunk to proceed in submitting the grant application.

She then introduced Brianna Osborn and Loni Goodman as the new office substitutes.

During the public requests and comments, London Dew expressed concern for trains blowing horns at unacceptable amplitudes when they pass through the town.

Dew stated he has an estimated 280 signatures on a petition to establish a quiet zone or sound barrier between the town and the railroad tracks.

The council said they would research the issue and contact surrounding towns who have established quiet zones for details on the process.