Macon Reporter

City of Decatur City Council met Sept. 30.

Here is the minutes provided by the council:

On Monday, September 30, 2019, the City Council of the City of Decatur, Illinois, met in Special Meeting at 5:30 p.m., in the Decatur Civic Center Theatre, One Gary K. Anderson Plaza, Decatur, Illinois.

Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe presided, together with her being Council members Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, and Bill Faber. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared a quorum present.

City Manager Scot Wrighton attended the meeting as well.

Mayor Moore Wolfe led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for Appearance of Citizens.

Mr. Mark Girdler suggested improving security at the Decatur Public Library.

Ms. Ada Owens voiced that crime and violence will not be tolerated and urged elected officials to take a stand against violence.

With no other Appearance of Citizens, City Manager Wrighton gave a presentation on recreational cannabis.

Council members voiced their views on permitting marijuana dispensaries in the City of Decatur.

The following citizens provided input on allowing marijuana retail dispensaries in the City of Decatur: Pearl Baker, John Dunn, Chris McCleod, John Phillips, Jr., Drew Laney, Jacob Jenkins, Ruth Aufrecht, Mark Girdler, Tyrone Perry, Lisa Kendall, Aaron McIntosh, Autumn Woolsey, Pastor Wilson, Shawn Schollenbruch, Curtis Ferguson, Carl Coleman, Mike Hartwig, John Howie, Devin Stevens, Neill Dresen, Anita Clark, Ellie Burtschi, Jeff Roth, Tanya Andricks, Dirk Shelton, William Wright, Dana Ray, Kent Walmsley, Carol Cunningham, Austin Green, Sheriff Tony Brown, John Phillips, and Bev Shelton.

Councilman Horn asked for a consensus from council to table the discussion on the ordinances brought forward concerning cannabis. Council members Bill Faber and Rodney Walker were in favor. Council members Pat McDaniel, Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, and Mayor Moore Wolfe were not in favor.

Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland summarized the following Ordinance options: Ordinance Adding Chapter 52.3 to City Code - Prohibiting Cannabis Dispensing Organizations and Ordinance Adding Chapter 51.6 to City Code - Municipal Cannabis Retailer’s Occupation Tax.

2019-159 Ordinance adding Chapter 52.3 to City Code - Prohibiting Cannabis Dispensing Organizations, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

Councilman Faber made a motion to amend the Ordinance to attach a binding referendum, asking the question of the public on the next election’s ballot, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Council members voiced their position on the amendment.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Rodney Walker, and Bill Faber voted aye. Council members Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion failed.

Councilman Faber made a motion to table the Ordinance adding Chapter 52.3 to City Code - Prohibiting Cannabis Dispensing Organizations, seconded by Councilman Horn.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Rodney Walker, and Bill Faber voted aye. Council members Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion failed.

Upon call of the roll, on the motion to pass Ordinance adding Chapter 52.3 to City Code– Prohibiting Cannabis Dispensing Organizations, Council members Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Councilman David Horn voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Council members voiced their views on permitting marijuana processing facilities in the City of Decatur.

The following citizens provided input regarding marijuana processing facilities: John Phillips, Pearl Baker, Jacob Jenkins, Ruth Aufrecht, Shawn Schollenbruch, and Carl Coleman.

Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland summarized the following Ordinance options: Ordinance adding Chapter 52.2 to City Code- Prohibiting Cannabis Business Establishments and Ordinance adding Chapter 52.4 to City Code, Cannabis Business Establishments.

Councilman Horn made a motion to adopt the Ordinance Adding Chapter 52.4 to City Code-Cannabis Business Establishments, seconded by Councilman Faber.

Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland explained what amendments would need to be made if council approved Ordinance adding Chapter 52.4 to City Code – Cannabis Business Establishments.

Ordinance Adding Chapter 52.4 to City Code - Cannabis Business Establishments, as read and outlined by Corporation Counsel Wendy Morthland, was presented.

Upon call of the roll, Council members David Horn, Rodney Walker and Bill Faber voted aye. Council members Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion failed.

2019-160 Ordinance Adding Chapter 52.2 to City Code – Prohibiting Cannabis Business Establishments, was presented. Councilman McDaniel moved the Ordinance do pass, seconded by Councilwoman Gregory.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Lisa Gregory, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Council members David Horn, Rodney Walker and Bill Faber voted nay. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Council held a discussion on ordinance restrictions regarding the open consumption/use of marijuana.

Police Chief Jim Getz addressed the council on enforcement of the ordinances.

Councilman Horn made a motion to table discussion on Question 3: What Ordinance restrictions should be placed on the open consumption/use of marijuana. Councilman McDaniel seconded the motion.

Mr. John Phillips, Jr. encouraged council to do their research before considering ordinance restrictions on the open consumption/use of marijuana.

Mr. Jacob Jenkins urged council not to use the most stringent rules when considering ordinance restrictions on the open consumption/use of marijuana.

Upon call of the roll, Council members Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted to table Question 3: What Ordinance restrictions should be placed on the open consumption/use of marijuana? Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe called for adjournment. Councilman Pat McDaniel moved the Council meeting be adjourned; seconded by Councilwoman Gregory and on call of the roll, Council members Lisa Gregory, David Horn, Chuck Kuhle, Pat McDaniel, Rodney Walker, Bill Faber and Mayor Moore Wolfe voted aye. Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the motion carried.

Mayor Moore Wolfe declared the Council meeting adjourned at 9:22 p.m.

https://www.decaturil.gov/mayor-and-council/council-meetings/