A continuance of a cannabis ordinance and the first reading of an amendment to change the water rates are two items up for discussion for the Benicia City Council’s Tuesday meeting.
The City Council will be voting on a moratorium related to cannabis uses in order for more time to be devoted to a study related to the issue and draft ordinances related to the Adult Use of Marijuana Act under Proposition 64, which California voters approved in the 2016 general election. The moratorium would not change the scheduled cannabis agenda item on Dec. 5 and allow the city to consider appropriate regulations for cannabis, according to a staff report.
The council was scheduled to vote on the ordinance at its Nov. 7 meeting, but the item was delayed until Dec. 5 to allow the Fair Political Practices Commission to examine if Mayor Elizabeth Patterson and Councilmembers Tom Campbell and Alan Schwartzman have any conflicts of interest, since they either live or have businesses on or near First Street, which is one of the areas the council would be voting on for a potential cannabis dispensary location.
There are no budgetary implications if the council passes this agenda item. It has been recommended by staff that the council continue the interim urgency ordinance to allow time for the city to consider appropriate cannabis regulations. If approved, the moratorium would be extended to Dec. 2, 2018.
Another item on the consent calendar concerns water rates. The first reading and public hearing of an ordinance to amend the water rates to add a medical disability discount was tried by the City Council in October. At the time, staff proposed to expand the water discount to discount to include both low-income and medically disabled customers. A clarification of the ordinance in order to explain that the combined discounts cannot exceed the water maintenance charge caused the ordinance reading to push back to Tuesday’s meeting.
According to a report by Assistant Public Works Director Christian Di renzo, the General Fund is expected to subsidize up to $5,760 annually for the medical disability water discount per a resolution approved in October. It has been recommended by staff that the council introduce an ordinance amending the water rates and public services chapters of the Benicia Municipal Code, which would add medical disability to the water discount after a public hearing is held.
The council will meet at 6:15 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 21 in a closed session to discuss legal matters. The regular meeting will start at 7 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, located at 250 East L St. A live stream of the council meeting can also be found online at ci.benicia.ca.us/agendas.

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