Lind Council votes ‘no’ to marijuana businesses in Town limits

During their Feb. 13 meeting, the Lind Town Council voted 4-1 to draft an ordinance prohibiting the location of growing, processing and retail marijuana businesses within the Town of Lind boundaries. Council Member Kathy Vedder was the dissenting vote on the action.

Council Member Rose Elkington explained it would not be possible for a marijuana business to be within the Town limits because of the regulation prohibiting a cannabis businesses from being located within 1,000 feet of a school, playground and other protective places.

After the action, Mayor Paula Bell said an ordinance would be drafted and brought to council at the Feb. 27 meeting.

In other action items, council approved a three-year contract with the Adams County Sheriff’s Office for law enforcement services, with a 1.5 percent increase each year.

In the first year of the contract, the Town would pay $13,631, then the amount would increase $13,903 in 2019 and $14,181 in 2020.

Council also approved an ordinance amending monthly rates for solid waste collection services for two new container sizes.

The document also established a $320 a month rate for a six-yard container and a $360 a month rate for an eight-yard container. The new rates will go into effect on March 1.

Bell noted none of the rates for the other sizes have not changed, and the 1.5 yard container size was removed from the ordinance.

Council also designated April 7 as Free Dump Day for the Town. Residents will be able to bring their garbage to the dumpster beginning at 8 a.m. until it is full. The dump will not accept appliances, paint, chemicals or tires.

Elkington offered to lend her pickup truck to help residents remove any garbage they had.

Council voted to reimburse Bell for the purchase of a Vulcan Omni Pro 200 welder. Bell explained the Town had budgeted money to purchase the welder in 2017 but it was on backorder until 2018.

Josamy Blake found a welder in a store, but the business would only hold the equipment for 24 hours.

Bell said she used her personal credit card to purchase the welder and was going to bring a reimbursement request to the next meeting. Council decided to instead reimburse Bell at the Feb. 13 meeting.

Council Member Richard Baldwin voiced his concern about employees leaving their personal vehicles, tools and equipment at the maintenance shop.

During a visit at the shop, Baldwin said he saw a vehicle with the motor taken out and parts scattered in the back of the facility. He asked if council could create a policy of no personal vehicles and equipment at the shop.

Council voted to draft a policy stating Town employees can have their personal vehicles in the shop for no more than 48 hours in order to make repairs.

Council also passed a resolution establishing Bell to invest funds in the Local Government Investment Pool and the appointment of Vedder as Mayor Pro Tem for six months.

They also authorized to pay the $25 membership fee for the Grant/Adams County Utility Coordinating Council.

Council also discussed the current status of the Town’s One Call Now system.

Since the town authorized the service in November 2016, only four calls were made until Dec. 31, 2017, one notifying residents of the Free Dump Day in 2017 while the other three calls were about garbage pickup.

Bell and Michaels said the Town can use the system for different purposes, such as informing residents who are on the list about upcoming events, as well as emergencies.

Bell added the service is paid until July 28, but it is up to council as to whether or not to keep using the phone service.

Council agreed to continue using the One Call Now service up until July.

During her Mayor’s Report, Bell said she received a call from Jerry Lloyd, who is member of the Friends of the John Wayne Pioneer Trail. She explained Lloyd wants to install a kiosk along the trail promoting the Town of Lind for people who walk the route.

She said if Council approved the idea of having a kiosk, Lloyd may be able to attend a future meeting and provide more information about the project.

Bell added there was no discussion between her and Lloyd regarding cost for the project and he is mainly seeking the Town’s support on the matter.

Bell informed Council she received an estimate $930 for future maintenance for the Prius the Town recently acquired.

She added the mechanic contacted the car dealer and informed her there are no open recalls for the vehicle or its parts.