Troy City Council voted Monday, Dec. 5, to extend the city moratorium on cultivating, processing or dispensing medical marijuana now permitted by state law to allow time to review options and implement local regulations.
The council this summer was among a number of area communities approving a 180-day moratorium on implementation of the state law that went into effect Sept. 8. State rules and regulations are being developed. The law allows local governments to limit or prohibit medical marijuana activities.
The council in November rejected a proposal that would have prohibited cultivating, processing and dispensing of medical marijuana within the city limits.
The question of what local regulations should be implemented will go back before the city planning commission. The commission previously recommended council ban cultivating and processing but allow up to five dispensaries to operate in specific business districts. Before the council vote, that recommendation was amended to call for a ban on all activities.
In other action Monday, council approved the city’s 2017 appropriations ordinance, which outlines how money will be spent in city government.
Council also approved continued support of three organizations. The Troy Recreation Association, operator of the downtown Rec for youth will receive $29,000 next year. The Troy Main Street program will receive $55,000 and the Troy Development Council will receive $125,000.
The council discussed the appropriations and the agency funding in work session Nov. 28.
The budget recommendation document stated the 2017 budget would maintain basic services by continuing current staff levels, replacing one ambulance and replacing two regular trash packer trucks with automated models. With the purchase of the automated trucks, new trash containers would be purchased for residents similar to the containers used in the recycling program.
Council also voted to approve a proposal to vacate an alley between West Main Street and West Water Street. The alley runs between the county Safety Building and the Masonic Building. No one spoke in favor or against the proposal at a public hearing last month.