Approved minutes of October 19, 2021.

Received and filed Treasurer’s Report for the month ending September 30, 2021.

Approved Ordinance 21-09, an ordinance of the City of San Jacinto, California, adding Chapter 33 of Title 8 and Section 08.170 of Title 3 to the San Jacinto Municipal Code, and modifying Section 32, 120 of Title 8 of the San Jacinto Municipal Code, regarding mandatory compliance with Senate Bill (SB) 1383 Short-Lived Climate Pollutant Reduction Act, exempting the ordinance from environmental review under the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) under the California Code of Regulations pursuant to sections 15060(c)(2), 15060(c)(3) and 15061(b)(3) in that the proposed regulations do not constitute a project under CEQA and have no potential to result in a direct or reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment. The proposed ordinance is further categorically exempt from CEQA Guidelines pursuant to Section 15308(Class8), Actions by Regulatory Agencies for Protection of the Environment, on the grounds that it can be seen with certainty that the enhanced solid waste regulations will not have a significant effect on the environment and that the new requirements, which strengthen requirements for the handling of solid waste, represent actions by a regulatory agency (the City) for the protection of the environment; and, INTRODUCE Ordinance 21-09 for first reading entitled:

AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SAN JACINTO, CALIFORNIA, ADDING CHAPTER 33 OF TITLE 8 AND SECTION 08.170 OF TITLE 3 TO THE SAN JACINTO MUNICIPAL CODE, AND MODIFYING SECTION 32.120 OF TITLE 8 OF THE SAN JACINTO MUNICIPAL CODE,

REGARDING MANDATORY COMPLIANCE WITH SENATE BILL (SB) 1383 SHORT-LIVED CLIMATE POLLUTANT REDUCTION ACT.

Adopted Resolution No. 3889, amending the Transportation Uniform Mitigation Fee (TUMF) program schedule, incorporating a 3% Construction Cost Index (CCI) adjustment for all TUMF land-use types, effective January 1, 2022, for all proposed development in the City of San Jacinto.

Approved the plans and specifications for the 2021 Citywide Slurry Seal and Grind & Overlay Project (CIP 18-002); Award the construction contract to Hardy & Harper, Inc. for the sum of $1,907,000; Allocate 10% of the bid amount for soft costs and 10% of the bid amount for construction contingencies; reject all other bids; authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract, and allocate an additional $560,250 from Measure A funds and $106,750 from SB-1 RMRA to the project.

City Manager update and adjournment. As slick as an ice skating rink which has become the mantra for San Jacinto City Council Meetings. Oh, if all meetings went so smoothly instead of dragging on for hours and hours into the wee hours of the following morning.

Just saying.

Rusty Strait | Senior Reporter

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A: Overall, I felt that we were accomplishing a lot in the city and I felt that I had more to do. We’re not finished with what we started. I hope that one full term will help finish it and I can get out and let somebody else come in.

Q: Everybody says something needs to be done, but it is usually the same old same old when they get into office.

A: The council I was elected was the first actually to start to clean up our streets. We got CR&R involved. I worked with Chris Lopez, the City Manager, and told him that we needed to get it done, and I pushed for it and so we pushed together and he involved CR&R. One day, we got them out there and cleaned up the streets. The day was planned. Different clubs became involved – the Rotary, American Legion, VFW, other clubs and churches. The American Legion came in with two trucks and two trailers going out and picking up trash that was left on the streets. They made 10 to 15 pickups. Some Legionnaires kept count of how many vehicles that came and dumped trash at CR&R. The final count was 97 vehicles.

Q: Over what period of time?

A: I believe we started at 8 in the morning until 3 in the afternoon in one day. We had the city clean up just that one day and it was amazing. Trucks, cars, station wagons. We were planning it as a quarterly event. I haven’t seen anything happen or be talked about since that first time, but it was a happy day for one and all. The community coming together to accomplish something besides talk. Something being done to benefit the city. Working together. I was so thankful for the people that participated. The Rotarians and the Legion each providing almost 25 bodies. There were some other organizations, but I can’t recall them all by name at the moment. VFW was one. Churches. It was a great day for our community.

Q: People will dump couches and beds or refrigerators in front of their homes and apartment buildings. How do you deal with people like that?

A: Code enforcement should be out there covering the streets. They have no business sitting around at a desk in an office doing nothing. They need to be out on the streets and when they see something wrong they should be issuing tickets. That’s their responsibility.

Q: I’ve seen them drive right by stacks of old furniture and not stop.

A: So have I. That’s part of the problem. They drive like they have blinders on. They don’t want to get involved. I’m sure they don’t like to hear me say that but I’ve seen it for myself. I’m a worker. Not all of my Saturdays are available because I have other events on my schedule, but I go out there with the Living Wage. I wear a purple shirt showing that we care. It’s called “Adopt a Block.” We pick up trash from the streets. Picking the worst area and go out with 20 to 50 people at a time, often going separate ways into different areas picking up trash. We have grabbers and trash bags donated. Home Depot has been very generous in donating a lot of trash bags and grabbers to help us out.

Q: We have fewer police officers now than before Measure “U.” How do you feel about that?

A: That’s a problem we discussed during the five months that I was on the council. A big problem is recruits. They come, take a year’s training and then move on to a better-paying position. We often discussed that at the council. We need a clause in their contracts that stipulates they stay with us for a set period of time—giving them a bonus every 2-1/2 years, say, up to ten years to make our investment worthwhile. And if they leave before the period is up, then they pay back the bonus for that time promised and not given. An incentive clause, if you will. Then we haven’t wasted the city’s investment.

Q: What about our street drug situation, and we certainly have one?

A: A good question. I’ve seen this before. I grew up in Whittier where my mother was president of the Women’s Club. I had my run-ins with the wrong crowd. Got picked on, chased and beat up until I started fighting back. Once I found out I was a natural fighter and could fight, I did, which kept me from being beaten up all the time. I saw how drugs came into the neighborhoods. If a young man doesn’t have someone he can look up to, guide him as a kid, these gangs become his role models. Not good.

Q: Do you believe a kid is raised right more by example than by being preached to all the time?

A: Absolutely. When I was growing up in the streets, it was easy to get involved in the wrong things with the wrong people. I had my problems. However, I always wanted to lead to help the younger kids. I actually started my own group in Whittier. I had a truck, and on weekends I would take a group of kids to the beach. We would mow lawns and stuff for spending money and a day at the beach exposed them to a clean, fresh world they didn’t have on the streets at home. And boy, did they love riding in the back of a pickup truck. They can’t do that anymore, but it was one great thrill for a young guy back then. The kids enjoyed those trips, having lunch, getting out of the neighborhoods and showing them there is something else in the world besides gangs and fighting. If they get their influence from the wrong people, they will do wrong things. Hemet is ripe for that kind of investment in our youth. We can do that in Hemet and more people ought to invest their time with our youth, setting an example. I want to do that here in our community. We have Boxing for Christ, but not all kids want to box. They want to be involved in other things, like music and dancing, for instance. I would like to be involved with the local skating rink. It is a healthy outlet and kids love it. They are brought together in a healthy situation, not a soon-to-be criminal event. We definitely need more youth activity centers. I wanted to keep at that. Instead, I got bounced over a technicality that was really nobody’s fault.

Q: Some say your opponent in the 2020 election was just a poor sport.

A: I’ve heard that.

Q: How do you feel about your competition this time?

A: I like Marc Searl.

Q: Funny. He said the same thing about you.

A: We talked the other night at a Seven Hills Town Hall. He seems like a decent. We had an exchange of views. We agree on things like having enough police officers and safety. Of course, we don’t agree on everything. If we did, one of us shouldn’t be running.

Q: What happened to all the Measure “U” money?

A: They say it goes for police and fire equipment and communications equipment and stuff like that—all part of public safety. The bulk should be spent on keeping cops on the street where they are needed. People have more of a tendency to behave themselves on the streets when police cruisers are more visible in the streets and neighborhoods. I’m pro-police, pro-fire fighters, pro first responders, and we need to properly equip them and have more of them doing public safety jobs that they are trained for. They shouldn’t be the community’s babysitters and they don’t want to be. Good police and fire departments doing the jobs they’re paid to do are the ones that guarantee us a crime-free city.

Q: Good cops who let bad cops exist. Is that a problem?

A: Always. When you let a cop do something bad, it reflects on the entire force, and something should be done to keep those guys out of the law

Q: Anything else you would like to tackle if you get elected?

A: Bring in more business. This city desperately needs new business. Businesses who hire local help. It is not right that so many of our people work and shop outside the valley. Because it is more convenient during lunchtime and right after work, they shop because by the time they get home, they are tired from traffic, hungry and just want to relax.

Q: Hemet has for a long time been known to be rough on small business owners.

A: That’s true and I’d like to see that change.

Q: Corporations can fight city hall with expensive lawyers—an advantage not shared by the small business owner. Permits drive them.

A: And I’ve seen that up close. For instance, all the hassle we had at the Legion Hall getting solar on our roof in downtown Hemet. We went through all kinds of problems that were really unnecessary. Three and a half months after installation and we barely go live because of the city having the wrong billing address. A problem between the City of Hemet and Edison, but we suffered the consequences. This happens all too frequently when a small business tries to open in Hemet and it shouldn’t. We should welcome them into our community and make them feel at home, not long strangers from another world.

Q: Sometimes, one person with power can hold up all progress. Something about he who has the money has the power.

A: Whoever has the money has the power, I’ve been told.

A: I know.

No matter whether or not one agrees with Joe Males, he is a straight shooter and as a few members of American Legion Post 53 told me, “If Joe were organizing city council like he has this Post, we would have no problems in Hemet.

Just sayin’ rustystrait@gmail.com

Rusty Straight | Senior Reporter

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Rusty Strait | Senior Reporter

San Jacinto’s City Council is as angry as a hornet over the conduct of one of their own.

At the meeting Tuesday Night, the regular agenda played second fiddle to not one, but two arrests of Councilman Joel Lopez, charged several serious felonies and a couple of misdemeanors – all within the past month. It is not the first time that San Jacinto’s City Council has been dragged over the road thanks to criminal activities – It is a story hotter than Hades, but first, let’s get take care of the mundane matters.

As always, the Council came to order on time, with roll call (4-0) with the unauthorized absence of Councilman Lopez; several citizens had questions regarding the city. Mara Levy called in during public comments with her usual statements about the drugged-out and homeless situation behind the local Rite Aid Pharmacy, declaring that the city was going about the situation in all the wrong ways. She sat and waited by the phone last week, waiting to be heard, but the meeting lasted only 15 minutes due to the lack of enough council persons in attendance.

That was followed by several community events and anniversaries (all of which can be accessed on the San Jacinto website).

Approved 4-0 to review and approve warrants and disbursements for the period of July 2021 in the amount of $9,080,872.75.

Approved 4-0 Resolution of Intention to Annex Territory into Community Facilities District No. 2003-1 and to Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes Therein.

Approved 4-0 Adoption of a Resolution of Intention to Annex Territory, located on the north-east corner of South Juanita Street and Buena Vista Street, into Community Facilities District No. 2043-` and Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes therein.

Approved 4-0 Adopt Resolution of Intention to adopt Resolution No. 3878, Declaring the Intention to Annex Territory, located on the north-east corner of Juanita Street and Oakwood Street, into Community Facilities District No. 2020-1 and Authorize the Levy of Special Taxes therein.

Passed 4-0 Approved a third and final 1-yr Professional Services Agreement extension with Dave’s Hauling. The scope of work includes Parks and Bus Stops trash and debris removal for 14 LLPD-1 and 25::{D-2 locations, the Police Station, 4 City maintained Bus Stops, 3 Park restroom cleaning, and the Estudillo Mansion Restrooms.

Having covered all that, the meat and potatoes came up for discussion. Mayor Pro-tem Ruiz fired the shot that reached across town to Hemet when she introduced a Resolution to Censure Councilman Joel Lopez. Much discussion and dissing the absent Councilman prior to any vote.

Led by Councilperson Ruiz, the Council to a man took turns defiling Lopez, claiming that he was not the kind of person who should be representing the city in any way. The Mayor said he had urged him to resign but Lopez wasn’t about to just slide into the darkness and be forever just a memory of a bad incident. No, he not only refused to resign but swore to run for re-election next time, but it likely happens if he gets any jail time out of the charges against him.

The truth is, the San Jacinto City Council was run out of office, with one exception, a few years back and the bitter taste continues. To refresh your memory, four Council members, including the Mayor and several prominent business members were involved, in allegations that included circumventing a state election financing and bribery. By the court stopped counting charges faced 155 charges that included 56 felonies, involving “hundreds of thousands of dollars.” Only Councilman Steve DiMemmo (a former Federal Customs Agent) escaped the scandal. Heads rolled, fines were stupendous, the Mayor went to Jail and the scandal was hot news from Los Angeles to Manhattan.

Then we have Lopez, the current culprit. Lopez and his cohort, Edward Padilla, Jr. of Santa Ana were arrested on June 13th, indicted on four counts involving the operation of an illegal pot dispensary in San Jacinto. Both face two felony and two misdemeanor charges. Each has been charged with a felony count of conspiracy to commit misdemeanor possession of a controlled substance for sale, one felony count of maintaining a place for the of unlawfully selling or giving away a controlled substance without a permit plus a misdemeanor count of failure to file a sales and use tax return. Lopez was placed on a 5 million dollar bond bailed out.

But wait, there’s more. Lopez was arrested again on August 5th as a suspect in a domestic case charged with three felonies, including committing a felony while out on bail.

Now to the censure; the censure denies him appointments to any city, county or state committees as a representative of the City of San Jacinto. The quite long wording of the censure will be available on the city’s website. Other than that, not an unkind word was spoken throughout the evening. Speaking of being shunned. Just sayin’

rustystrait@gmail.com

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The IT presented a highlight reel of recent accomplishments in Hemet, which can now be seen on the City’s website. A couple of dozen citizens were honored for dedication to the City in voluntary roles by the Council and some received commendations from the State for services which have enhanced the City in various ways. Several nurses from the Hemet Hospital spoke, requesting the City support them in their negotiations with the hospital for better working conditions and other issues, claiming that they were on the verge of a strike if their efforts and demands were not met. Mayor Karlee Meyer reminded them that the City has nothing to do with hospital matters.

The Council received and approved the FY2019/2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2020. The private auditing company stated that the City was given the highest rating they have to offer, which brought a round of smiles from the council members.

Staff recommended the Council conduct a public hearing, adopt a resolution approving the fiscal year 2020-2021 capital improvement and authorize the finance director to establish total project appropriations per the CIP for new requests. There was much discussion about the large number of street improvements, including paving and slurry over the past year and projects currently being performed or scheduled for this year. City Manager Chris Lopez made a special effort to thank the Council and staff for their cooperation in accomplishing these goals. The Mayor noted that citizens will be advised in advance of work to be done on their neighborhood streets, which includes paving, slurry and curbing.

Staff recommended that the Council waive further reading and adopt by title only an ordinance adding Division 6 to Article III of Chapter 2 of the Hemet Municipal Code related to the City Treasurer. (Second Reading and Adoption).

Approved minutes of the closed session and regular city council meeting minutes of March 9, 2021, and a resolution authorizing the City Manager to Utilize Munitemps, Municipal Staffing Solutions, on an as-needed basis for a one-year term, and authorizing the City Manager to Execute Contracts and Purchase Orders in support of temporary staffing agency services.

Staff recommended authorizing the City Manager to execute the attached Memorandum of Understanding between the City and Service Employees International Union for the three-year period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022 and adopt a Resolution amending the Fy20/21 Budget in support of this agreement and authorize the Finance Director to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $422,430 to cover the cost of increases related to FY19/20 and FY20/21.

Staff recommended that Council Adopt a resolution relating to salary ranges and benefits for confidential personnel, establishing policy with respect to the requirements, responsibilities and conditions of employment of “Confidential Personnel” of the City of Hemet, and Repealing Resolution No. 4850 and authorize the Finance Director to record a supplemental appropriation to cover the cost of increases related to FY19/20 AND FY20/21.

Staff recommended the Council authorizes the City Manager to execute a Memorandum of Understanding between the City and the Hemet Mid Managers Association for the three year period of July 1, 2019 through June 30, 2022 and adopt a Resolution amending the FY20/21 Budget in support of this agreement and authorize the Finance Director to record a supplemental appropriation in the amount of $208,922 to cover the cost of increases related to FY19/20 AND FY20/21. Staff recommended the Council adopt a resolution and approve the City’s classification and compensation plan for employee salary ranges.

Finally, directed staff to continue with all-risk property coverage, no additional appropriation required. Directed staff to participate in all or a portion of the balance of the property programs listed; authorize finance director to record a supplemental appropriation for the prorated amount of any additional programs the City will participate in.

Finally, the Council approved the legal services agreement with Cole Huber LLP with periodic reviews.

Last but not least, the various council members gave their reports on committee assignments as well as ad-hoc committees—none of these required actions at this time since they merely reported not agenda items for approval.

As city council meetings go, this one was particularly important in that the Council seemed to be pleased with the performances of both the City Manager and the City Attorney. For Hemet, that can be considered an improvement over the past. When the entire Council is on the same page, the City always profits.

Just sayin’ russtystrait@gmail.com

Rusty Strait • Senior Reporter

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The potentially life-saving health and safety guidelines were put forth by the county’s public health officer and include the continued closure of schools and businesses until the risk for infection has been significantly reduced. The Riverside County Board of Supervisors chose to ignore this public health advisory and scheduled a vote to lift the restrictions at its meeting on May 5.

“This is a clear example of putting profits before people,” said Inland Empire Labor Council Secretary-Treasurer Ricardo Cisneros. “We understand the need for employers to open their businesses and for workers to return to work but not at the cost of the health and safety of our members on the front lines,” Cisneros said.

“Our members who work in meat processing facilities and in grocery and pharmacy retail stores found themselves suddenly on the front lines of this global health crisis,” said Joe Duffle, President of the Inland Empire Central Labor Council and UFCW Local 1167. “These brave workers have accepted their new role with honor and dignity.

“We fully understand the need for all workers to return to their jobs and we encourage a re-opening of our communities by following the recommendations of medical professionals and health care experts. We vigorously support the enforcement of the guideline for workers and the public to wear face masks and honor social distancing when they are in enclosed spaces in order to minimize the possibility of spreading the disease,” Duffle said.

Riverside County is ranked 2nd in the state for total COVID-19 infections. The reopening of schools and businesses without a proper safety plan in place is careless and unacceptable. The voices of workers and their communities must be included as we put together a solution to open up our county responsibly.

“Warehouse and other workers across Riverside County are facing COVID-19 outbreaks in their workplaces and are being required to put themselves in danger for the profit of their employers,” said Sheheryar Y. Kaoosji, Executive Director of the Warehouse Worker Resource Center. “We believe that now is the time to listen to public health experts and protect our most vulnerable people, especially those who are compelled by their employers to work without adequate protections,” Kaoosji said. William J. Perez, Executive Secretary and Business Manager of the Building & Construction Trades Council of San Bernardino and Riverside Counties, said a simple recission of County Public Health Orders falls far short of a comprehensive plan.

“Responsible opening requires that multiple stakeholders be involved in recommending the Health & Safety needs of employees, owners and customers,” Perez said, “as construction has been identified as “Essential” in most areas of the country and state. “Our North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) and State Building Trades Council of California work closely with project owners, contractors and public agencies to develop strict guidelines for construction sites,” Perez said.

“With over 4,000 cases, and new cases being reported, is shameful that Riverside officials lack the vision and leadership to hold steady and follow medical recommendations,” Javier Hernandez, Executive Director of the Inland Coalition For Immigrant Justice, said. “This is reckless endangerment of our most vulnerable populations, particularly essential workers — many of whom are immigrants and communities of color. “This is risking their exposure and their families’ health — our community health.

We are placing those at the frontlines at an even higher risk of getting infected. This has a human and an economic impact that is not worth succumbing to the intransigence of residents who need to stay home.” Hernandez continued: “Our focus should be on ensuring the economic well-being of all people by creating economic stimulus packages that are accessible to all.”

“UDW home care providers are frontline, essential workers providing care to Riverside County’s low-income seniors, people with disabilities, and the immune-compromised—those who are most at risk of the worst effects of COVID-19. It is our job to protect our clients as best we can and yet we struggle to secure access to basic supplies and PPE,” said Doug Moore, UDW Executive Director. “Our county has the second highest amount of COVID-19 cases. It is still too early to reopen the county while so many of our community members are still at risk.

The Board of Supervisors must put people first, or else we risk losing too many lives,” Moore said. “Last month, we held a peaceful protest for PPE because we’re dangerously ill-equipped to safely handle the patients we currently have. Many of us are going 13 hours without meal breaks. There’s no way the hospital could handle a surge.

We urge the Supervisors to heed the advice and guidance of scientists and other healthcare professionals with expertise in the area of infectious disease and its transmission,” said Monique Hernandez, a Registered Nurse at Riverside Community Hospital and an Executive Board Member of SEIU Local 121RN.

“As communities of faith working together in the civic arena for the well-being of our families, Inland Congregations United for Change believes that the Riverside Board of Supervisor’s proposal to remove the Riverside County Public Health Orders during this time of uncertainty is misled.

We have to insure that we have seen 14 consecutive days of declining new infections to justify rescinding the public health orders that protect peoples’ health,” said Tom Dolan, Ph.D. and Executive Director of the Inland Congregations United for Change (ICUC).

The Inland Empire Labor Council AFL-CIO represents 298,000 members across its affiliated unions.

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A Proclamation of intent is signed by the Hemet Council

On Feb 11, the Hemet City Council announced and signed a Renewable Energy Proclamation. This, in essence. means that the Council has reviewed the data for the benefits of Solar/Wind energy and have decided to lean towards that goal in all future decisions regarding the city’s various forms of energy consumption .

The proclamation calls for realistic financial support for solar energy and a fair price for excess energy which would be exported from community schemes to the national grid. Avenues such as renewable heat incentivise communities generating their own district heating and would take a chunk out of the city’s overall electricity or gas bill.

Along with the proclamation, the city wisely read into the record some salient facts about Solar Energy; California ranks first in the nation for solar energy and 4th for wind power capacity, enough to power 8 million homes. California is home to 106 wind farms, 13 wind power-related manufacturing facilities, and 2,767 solar power-related companies.

Wind powers opportunity in communities and cities all across California, resulting in $87.5 million in state and local taxes. Wind and Solar have attracted nearly $15 billion dollars in investment.  That is crucial money for developing communities as well as providing 81,000 jobs statewide. Ultimately, the Council believes that win and solar will greatly enhance our ability to attract new talent, new business and new opportunities  in communities struggling with many Sacramento-driven directives which are hampering local growth.

The Council encourages everyone to learn more about the benefits of solar and wind energy, as well as to take pride in California’s frontrunner position in the push for renewable energy across the globe.

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The difference between the mayor and his colleagues

Santa isn’t the only thing coming to town: a new Mayor is coming to Hemet. Each year, the Hemet City Council votes to appoint a Council Member to serve as Mayor and a Council Member to serve as Mayor Pro-Tempore or Pro-Tem. The Mayor presides over City Council meetings and serves as the official head of the City for ceremonial purposes.

Upon first glance the idea of a mayor may be one of a person who leads the city, a micro president for local government. In fact the title of Mayor, at least in Hemet, is a formality that helps keep each member of the council on equal ground as well as serving to reinforce procedure and policy. The new Mayor retains his/her same obligations and is still a representative of his/her district: only the title is changed.

This system, more than anything, keeps the Council united. Because of the nature of the Mayoral position there is no need for public elections. There is no campaigning against one another or competition between members to attain mayorship. Citizens decide on the council members and the role of Mayor is shared between the elected. The Mayor does however, have the final say in decisions such as executing all city ordinances, resolutions, and contracts.

A Mayor Pro-Tem is essentially a Vice Mayor who performs the duties of the Mayor during an absence or disability. The ceremony of stepping down usually takes place at the same time as a new mayor is elected. The former Mayor remains on the council as a council member.

This last meeting the Council elected Russ Brown as the new Mayor and Linda Krupa as the Mayor Pro-Tem. They will hold these positions until December 8, 2020 when the positions will again move to another member of the council.

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Thereby was a snag with as many entanglements as a barrel of eels. Even though, when the states voters by quite a majority passed proposition 64 to legalize pot for recreational purposes, it stipulated for ADULTS OVER 21. Suddenly it became an issue involving children. A hue and cry quickly arose among certain city council members and staff that our kids would quickly turn into pot heads.

Truth to be, where cannabis has been legalized across the country it has had little or no effect on anyone under 21. The rules have been strict: Sell to a minor and lose your license.

In order to iron out any snags an ad hoc committee was formed that included Councilman Andrew Kotyuk and Councilwoman Crystal Ruiz. Councilman Kotyuk says, “We added a few items for the process and our last meeting became the second reading which as you know was approved by majority vote.”

Continuing Kotyuk further explained to your reporter how an ordinance gains approval. “Whenever a city council changes an ordinance it takes two readings and two approvals, If you don’t do the first one you can’t do the second one. We had the first one at the first meeting and then we set up the ad hoc committee and came back for the second reading and it was approved. Tonight we had the second reading and it was approved on the consent calendar and voted final approval.” I think one might call that acceptable Greek.

No one who invests thousands of dollars into the growth and sales of cannabis is anxious to jeopardize his or her investment with rewards that are more than just lucrative, which brings us back to the issue.

In a meeting two weeks ago the council accepted assurances and changes in the ordinance that satisfied a majority by a 3-2 vote. Councilmen Alonso Ledezma and Joel Lopez voted against approval. Councilman Ledezma was so angry that it passed muster he requested that every vote he had voiced in favor be withdrawn which the City Attorney explained was impossible without a new ordinance.

When the majority vote in favor was passed he slammed down a book and stormed out of the meeting. This week’s council meeting was without dissent. Councilman Ledezma was absent by accepted excuse. The vote to approve was 4-0. This week Councilman Lopez voted with the majority.

There was always some concern as to how many sites would be allowed. Up until this last vote it was to be 8 dispensaries and 8 sites for growth as I came to understand it, and the council can correct me if I misunderstood. With the newly completed ordinance there will be no cap. But not to get over-excited. That is way up the road because at the moment there is not much activity.

There are 3900 acres of land available for cultivation but due to infrastructure, utilities, buildings, etc., the actual acres for use in growth may be less than half of the acreage.

The other item on the agenda was the coming year’s budget and came with a number of charts and explanations. However because the 2018-19 budget had a $1.4 million surplus, Kotyuk motioned to increase contingency reserve from 15% to 20% and after a second and no further discussion the budget passed 4-0.

All in all folks, the folks in San Jacinto Town had a merry, merry night. Just sayin.

rustystrait@gmail.com

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