HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/13/2014 RegularCity of Springfield
Special Regular Meeting
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL REGULAR MEETING OF
THE SPRINGFIELD CITY COUNCIL HELD
MONDAY OCTOBER 13, 2014
The City of Springfield Council met in special regular session in the Council Chambers, 225 Fifth
Street, Springfield, Oregon, on Monday, October 13, 2014 at 7:15 p.m., with Mayor Lundberg
presiding.
ATTENDANCE
Present were Mayor Lundberg and Councilors VanGordon, Wylie, Moore, Ralston, and Woodrow.
Also present were City Manager Gino Grimaldi, Assistant City Manager Jeff Towery, City Attorney
Lauren King, City Recorder Amy Sowa and members of the staff.
PUBLIC HEARINGS - Please limit comments to 3 minutes. Request to speak cards are available at
both entrances. Please present cards to City Recorder. Speakers may not
yield their time to others.
1. Marijuana Tax.
AN ORDINANCE ESTABLISHING A GROSS RECEIPTS TAX ON THE SALE OF
MARIJUANA IN THE CITY OF SPRINGFIELD
Finance Director Bob Duey presented this item. The purpose of this regular session public hearing is
to discuss a proposed ordinance by the City being considered as a response to State Ballot Measure 91.
At a previous work session Council directed staff to prepare a proposed ordinance that would enact a
gross sales receipt tax on the sale of marijuana by those that are licensed by the State of Oregon and
conducting business with the boundaries of Springfield.
If passed by the voters, Ballot Measure 91 will allow adults 21 or older to recreationally use or grow
marijuana. While Ballot Measure 91 is intended to only regulate recreational marijuana, the Measure
presents language that may impact local governments' ability to charge taxes or fees on recreational
and medical marijuana. The proposed ordinance is being considered at this time in response to the
State Measure's intent that it would prohibit certain future regulatory and taxing authority on local
jurisdictions upon the passage of the measure.
The ordinance is for a gross receipts sales tax on licensed recreational marijuana sales within the City
of Springfield. A rate has not been set at this time, but can be set later through resolution by the
Council. This ordinance includes medical marijuana as a placeholder. Council had asked to leave out
medical marijuana, but based on the uncertainty of any litigation from the measure or the legislative
session next spring, staff left medical marijuana in the ordinance at this time. If Council chose, they
could remove medical marijuana from the ordinance at a later date, or choose not to adopt a fee for
medical marijuana.
If directed by Council, staff will bring this ordinance back for a second reading and adoption on
October 20, 2014. If adopted by Council, the ordinance would take effect 30 days after adoption.
Mayor Lundberg opened the public hearing
1. Dan Larsen, Springfield, OR. Mr. Larsen noted that he had a Bachelor's degree in Sociology
from the University of Oregon, so had some authority in his remarks. This is a bad law and
taxing is a bag thing. He noted a number of incidents of injury, fires and death due to people
City of Springfield
Council Regular Meeting Minutes
October 13, 2014
Page 2
under the influence of marijuana. He recommended the Council pass a resolution, along with
the tax, condemning marijuana and make a public statement as leaders of the community that
they do not support the (marijuana) law. Marijuana takes away initiative and drive. High
school drop-out rates will increase if this goes into law. If any tax is put on marijuana, the
drug cartels will undercut our taxes. He recommends a 50-100% tax on marijuana and keep it
out of Springfield. The law already suggests it is bad because it sets aside 60% of the revenue
for law enforcement and drug rehabilitation. People don't seek treatment until a problem
exists. Marijuana is still considered a controlled substance by the federal government.
2. Andrew Nonnenmacher, Eugene OR. Mr. Nonnenmacher said he is speaking on behalf of
Compassion Center, a non-profit organization, and the medical marijuana community in
general. He serves as the director of Compassion Center and many of their patients are from
Springfield. They oppose grandfathering this tax. The idea of taxing medical marijuana is not
appropriate because prescription drugs are not taxed. Medical marijuana is recommended by a
doctor. They hold classes about using marijuana as medicine and not for recreational use. On
behalf of the medical marijuana community, he is opposed that aspect of the proposed tax.
Mayor Lundberg closed the public hearing.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting was adjourned 7:24 p.m.
Minutes Recorder Amy Sowa
L 7i
Christine L. Lundberg
Mayor
Attest:
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