Ritzille Planning Commission requests extension of marijuana moratorium

The Ritzville City Council discussed extending the marijuana moratorium 60 days in order to allow additional time for the establishment of city rules and regulations for the marijuana industry during their meeting on Tuesday, Dec. 20.

Due to the fact the current marijuana moratorium is scheduled to expire on Jan. 17, Councilmember Dennis Chamberlain announced the Planning Commission would like an ordinance to be established approving the request. The Council motioned to approve the 60-day extension.

Clerk/Treasurer Kris Robbins said she would present the draft at the next council meeting on Jan. 3.

Mayor Gary Cook suggested the Council inform him of any unfinished business items which have not been discussed or resolved and they will discuss them during the Mayor’s update portion of the meeting in an open session.

He then announced People Helping People (PHP) is currently seeking new members to join their organization. Cook will appoint two active members of the community to become volunteers for PHP, he explained.

Robbins said Adams County Development Council Business Development and Marketing Coordinator Julie Flyckt has made a successful transition to her new office in city hall for a one-year trial basis.

During her time in the office, she will work towards expanding the economy within the county and promoting the city to interested investors and distributors, she explained.

Robbins then announced Brooke Pichette has created a video montage promoting the variety of businesses and activities available in Ritzville. She said Pichette is working with area hotels and motels to play the video in their lobbies in order to inform visitors of services the city has to offer.

Ritzville Fire Chief Bill Banner stated the department responded to three false alarm calls since the previous meeting on Dec. 6. Councilmember Mark Weigand requested an update on the status of the ordinance stating the fines associated with the department responding to multiple false alarms at one location.

The License Rules and Permits Committee Representative Scott Yaeger said the committee would discuss the details of the ordinance during the next meeting.

Chamberlain announced the Planning Commission would be reviewing an ordinance, which pertains to restoring downtown buildings and businesses in order to improve the overall look of the City’s downtown.

The ordinance will require owners to keep up on the maintenance and physical appeal of their buildings. Vacant buildings will be required to benefit the town’s appealing attributes by providing window displays or curtains to cover the unpleasant site of abandonment or construction debris.

Mike Schrag said the Tree Board recently applied for a $5,000 grant, which will fund the maintenance and grooming of the trees in the park. He said the board should find out if they received the funds in January.

Chamberlain informed the Council the county is raising the disposal fees higher than what the Finance Committee budgeted for. He said they would be discussing a solution in their next meeting.

Yaeger announced after applying for multiple Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grants through the public works department, the city has been approved for funding towards one project on First Avenue.

He said the project would include removing the asphalt from on First Avenue and Cascade Street to the city limits in order to add cement and repave the area.

Yaeger explained they expect to draft the plans for the project in 2017 and for the construction to take place in 2018.