Commercial marijuana sales prohibited; cameras added to city campus

by Laura Bednar

June 11 city council meeting

Independence City Council passed an ordinance prohibiting adult-use cannabis operators, including cultivators, processors and dispensers. The move comes as a response to state Issue 2, which passed in November, legalizing recreational marijuana.

Said Councilman Jim Trakas, “[The policy] mirrors our medical marijuana policy that was passed five years ago,” which prohibits medical marijuana cultivation, processing and dispensaries. He added that since the legislation was introduced at May’s council meeting, he has heard no feedback from the public.

The prohibitions bar anyone from selling or processing marijuana on public property, in the street or in a right-of-way. Trakas gave an example of a marijuana truck, similar to a food truck, parking in a public area. “Keeping marijuana out of neighborhoods and away from children I think is very important,” he said.

The new regulations were approved unanimously and take effect immediately. Law Director Greg O’Brien said, “This substantially limits use of marijuana, certainly from a commercial sale standpoint,” adding that residential lease holders will be prohibited from growing marijuana at their residences.

Residents are permitted by state law to cultivate marijuana in a home garden, but O’Brien said state law also allows local governments to add provisions as a means of “self-governing.”

Cameras

The city will spend just under $50,000 for the wiring and mounting of security cameras at the Civic Center and Fieldhouse. IT Director Jim Gibbs of Fairsite Technologies said almost 30 cameras will be added to cover weight rooms, meeting rooms and the indoor track at the Civic Center; the exterior of the Civic Center, the parking lot and part of Liberty Playground; and the classrooms in the Fieldhouse. Gibbs said the IT department worked with Police Chief Robert Butler and directors within the Civic Center to determine locations.

Length of video retention was still being discussed, though Gibbs recommended three days to align with the police department. He added that the city must decide if the cameras will record only if motion is detected or at all times.

Butler noted the advantage of using cameras, citing an example of vehicles being struck in the Civic Center parking lot and no camera to capture the event.

“It does help us solve incidents,” he said. “It’s good to have eyes over there.”

Disability services center

Council approved a special conditional use permit for I Am Boundless to operate a 19,000-square-foot educational facility for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities at 6100 West Creek Rd. The company’s headquarters are located on Oak Tree Boulevard.

Economic Development Director Jessica Hyser said Boundless wanted to move operations in Brooklyn Heights to Independence to expand and be closer to its headquarters.

Boundless Senior Director of Property Management David Knight said the company will serve 130 people at the new location, offering programs for adults from roughly 9 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Initial approval from the city planning commission was contingent on Boundless retaining its corporate or regional headquarters within the city.

Fireman retirement

Council authorized Assistant Fire Chief Jim Wheeler to retain his helmet and duty badge upon retirement. He served the city for 31 years, including 13 as a SWAT medic, three as shift lieutenant and more than 10 as assistant chief. According to Chief Steve Rega, Wheeler helped start one of the first fire department drone programs in Cuyahoga County.

In his retirement, Wheeler will serve as a pilot for Aery Aviation, where he will fly special medical missions, such as transporting organs for transplant. ∞