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SALEM – City council approved a temporary moratorium for structures involved in growth or sale of recreational marijuana Tuesday.
The ordinance, which was unanimously approved with the emergency clause to go into effect immediately, implements a 12-month moratorium on the issuance of building permits and or certificates of occupancy for any building, structure, use, or change of use that would enable the cultivation, processing or retail sale of recreational marijuana in city limits.
In a meeting of the rules and ordinances committee immediately preceding council's meeting Rules and Ordinance Committee Chairman and Councilman Jeff Stockman said that the temporary moratorium was necessary to give the city time to discuss the changes implemented by the passage of issue two, and to give the state time to implement appropriate legislation and regulation regarding recreational marijuana.
Stockman said that Salem would not be the first city to do so, and that several other cities throughout the state have already implemented similar legislation to provide time to adjust. Stockman also said that the city could end the moratorium prematurely if it felt it was appropriate to do so.
Council also approved a further ordinance establishing and adjusting salaries, wages, and other benefits for non-represented city employees and non-represented city and elected officials. Auditor Sal Salvino explained that the ordinance was required to add the Assistant Water Plant Manager to the ordinance, which was not in the previous iteration of the ordinance approved by council in its previous meeting Jan. 2.
Other financial matter approved included a routine ordinance to accept a donation of $20,000 from the Columbiana County Commissioners for the purposes of defraying costs of police officers assigned on a part-time or full-time basis to the Columbiana County Drug Task Force and to express appreciation to them for their donation.
The meeting also saw several appointments and re-appointments to city boards and committees including: Janet Keene and Pat Righetti to the Board of Housing Appeals; Shawna L'Italien to the Board of Zoning Appeals; Councilwoman Sara Baer as Council Liaison and Meta Cramer as Designated Property Owner for the Design Review Board; John Panezott as Parks Commission President and Planning Commission Chairman; and Megan Ritchie, Rich Snyder, Brandy Pidgeon and William Dawes to the Tourism Board.
Council confirmation was required and unanimously given for Righetti, L'Italien, Baer, Ritchie, Snyder, Pidgeon and Dawes.
During his report City Service Safety Director Joe Cappuzzello said renovations on the Burchfield Trace Alley were "just about completed," with lighting and speakers installed and functional and the final punch list being reviewed. Cappuzzello also that progress was ongoing on the Lincoln Plaza Project, and that foundations were in the process of being poured, weather permitting, and that the work was set to begin on the gazebo "in the coming weeks."
Cappuzzello said that snow removal was going as planned and that the street department was doing a "bang-up job," ensuring roads were clear and safe.
"They're out there all hours of the night and day, we've got plenty of salt so we should be in good shape in that regard," said Cappuzzello.
Cappuzzello also announced there would be a Super Cruise meeting in council chambers on Jan. 25 at 6 p.m.
Councilman Andrew Null requested city treasurer Todd Mumpire present his annual financial report to council at the next meeting, noting that according to Ohio Revised Code the report is supposed to be delivered at the first meeting in January.
The city council will meet next at 7 p.m. Feb. 6.