Trustees pass moratorium on marijuana dispensaries and operators

by Dan Holland

May 2 township trustees meeting

Richfield Township Trustees passed two resolutions to place a six-month moratorium on adult-use cannabis operators and medical marijuana dispensaries in the township. Trustee Chair Don Laubacher said the measures were based on recommendations from the township zoning commission.

Laubacher noted that the use of medical marijuana was approved statewide in 2016, and voters approved the legalization of the use of recreational marijuana last November.

“The first thing we had to ask ourselves was whether we had the authority as trustees to ban the operators,” said Laubacher. “We got a legal opinion from Summit County legal counsel saying we have the authority to impose either a moratorium or a complete ban. The village has had a six-month moratorium that they just extended, and I think it’s good to be consistent with what they’re doing.”

Laubacher added that uncertainties concerning the sale and taxation of marijuana, which is expected to commence this summer, along with a proposal from the justice department to downgrade marijuana to a level-3 drug, informed the trustees’ decision.

“For me, it’s not so much a revenue issue, but more about what kinds of businesses we want in the township and village, and I don’t have any interest in having those businesses here,” said Laubacher. “But I’m also more comfortable putting a six-month moratorium in place for now until things are more settled, and we’ll review it later on.”

“We felt that it was important to address this now, because the Ohio Division of Cannabis Control is expecting to begin recreational marijuana use licensing in June,” Laubacher told The Richfield Times. “Based on discussions I’ve had with members of Richfield Village Council and our zoning commission, there seems to be a strong belief that marijuana operators are not the type of businesses that we want. I’d welcome hearing from more residents who either support or oppose that view.”

Fiscal

Laubacher recently met with representatives of Huntington Bank to discuss moving additional funds from the township checking account into interest-earning products. The township began investing a portion of its funds into a State Treasury Asset Reserve of Ohio (STAR) account to take advantage of rising interest rates beginning in March 2023.

Laubacher explained that the STAR account earns 5.6% while the Huntington return is very low.

Laubacher explained that former fiscal officer Laurie Pinney’s interpretation of Ohio Revised Code mandated keeping a three-year average balance of approximately $490,000 in the checking account.

“Huntington told me that was a very conservative view, and we don’t need to keep nearly that much money at Huntington,” said Laubacher. “Huntington did not have a problem with drawing that down much more.”

Fiscal Officer Vik Sandhu said it would be prudent to keep between $150,000 – $200,000 in the checking account to cover monthly payroll and other expenses. “If we invest that money in a money market account, we will earn 3% interest on it,” said Sandhu. “And we can always draw that money from the money market to the checking account as I’m writing checks.”

Sandhu said the move could potentially earn an additional $800 – $1,000 in monthly interest.

Administration

Township Administrator Mindy Lott was recognized by trustees for completing ten years of service in her position.

“Mindy started as the township administrator in May 2014,” said Laubacher. “Richfield Township and its residents are the beneficiaries of her kind demeanor, service orientation, diligence, and professionalism, and we so appreciate having her on our team.”

“It was very nice and thoughtful of the trustees to recognize my ten years, and their kind words meant a lot to me.” Lott told The Richfield Times. “I’m very fortunate to work with everyone in the township.”

In other business, trustees approved:

• Participation in the ODOT winter salt contracts awarded in 2023.
• A landscaping agreement with Suncrest Gardens for work at the administration building not to exceed $13,000.
• • An agreement not to exceed $7,000 with North Coast Signs for a new sign at the site with the  new logo.
• Transferring $15,000 to augment the township health reimbursement account.
• A contract with Cardinal Asphalt for $19,500 to perform work on Dewey Road.
• Supplemental appropriations for a service agreement with ADP Payroll Services for $1,000.
• A $300 purchase order for an increase in the cost of an IT service contract with Bay Pointe Technology. ∞