Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 5 December 14, 2023 Page 5 of 10
5 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for ten Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Sanchez, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the renewal of one CBP to operate a cannabis dispensary; one CBP to operate a cannabis distribution facility; and one CBP to operate a cannabis distribution facility at 9032-38 Artesia Boulevard (Catalyst – Bellflower LLC, Catalyst – Distro LLC, EEL Holdings LLC):
AYES: Council Members - Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, Dunton and Mayor Koops
Permittee Representatives for The Medicine Woman Group, LLC (9058 Rose Street) Damian Collins and General Manager Brandon Scadron responded to Council Members’ questions.
Following discussion, it was moved by Mayor Pro Tem Dunton, seconded by Council Member Santa Ines, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the renewal of one CBP to operate a cannabis dispensary facility at 9058 Rose Street (The Medicine Woman Group, LLC):
AYES: Council Members - Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, Dunton and Mayor Santa Ines Mayor Koops
Permittee Representatives for NC3 Systems, Inc. dba “Deli by Caliva” (9535 Artesia Boulevard) Greg Gamet and Southern California Regional Director Chryssa Adams responded to Council Members’ questions.
For the record, at the request of Council Member Santa Ines, Permittee Representative Gamet confirmed that Head of Facilities Maintenance Larry Thacker would be stopping by City Hall the same day to pull the permit needed for the roll-up door repairs.
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the renewal of one CBP to operate a cannabis dispensary facility at 9535 Artesia Boulevard (NC3 Systems, Inc. dba “Deli by Caliva”):
AYES: Council Members - Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, Dunton and Mayor Santa Ines Mayor Koops
Permittee Representatives for Joint Forces, LLC (10040 and 10042 Artesia Place) Jonathan Barrett and Heather Alexander responded to Council Members’ questions.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 5 December 14, 2023 Page 6 of 10
5 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for ten Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
Following discussion, it was moved by Council Member Sanchez, seconded by Council Member Santa Ines, and carried by the following roll call vote, to approve the renewal of three CBPs to operate a cannabis dispensary; cultivation; and distribution facility at 10040 and 10042 Artesia Place (Joint Forces, LLC):
AYES: Council Members - Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, Dunton and Mayor Santa Ines Mayor Koops
Permittee Representative for Dynasty Alliance Grow, Inc. (8832 Ramona Street) Berenice Cristerna responded to Council Members’ questions.
At the request of Mayor Koops, Permittee Representative Cristerna 1) explained the details of the burglary that took place at the facility, including that it involved drones surveying the property, various vehicles were on the property during the crime, they caused a lot of damage, and expressed the opinion that the criminals appeared to know where everything was; 2) confirmed that after the burglary she purchased a new security system which includes lights and sensors throughout the property, live surveillance with the ability for security to speak with anyone on the premises via a speaker; 3) expressed the opinion that her neighbors appreciate the new security system as they have also had issues with crime in the area; 4) emphasized that she would not put the safety of her security guard in jeopardy and per State law she would be in trouble for apprehending a trespasser on her property, so she directed her security guard to call the Sheriff’s Department if another incident occurs; and 5) stated that law enforcement found cellphones that presumably belonged to the suspects, but they didn’t have the resources to unlock the phones to uncover evidence, as they were in an Arab language.
At the request of Council Member Santa Ines, Permittee Representative Cristerna 1) confirmed that the security guard was not inside of the facility during the burglary; 2) clarified that video footage was captured during the burglary and provided to the law enforcement, noting that the outside footage was provided on a USB drive and the interior footage was captured by law enforcement on their cellphone; 3) expressed the opinion that the burglary was associated with “organized crime” and was planned; 4) expressed the opinion that the burglary was not an “inside job,” noting that the same employees remain with the business, the building site plan is submitted to the State of California, and although not a public record the site plan can be accessed by State employees; and 5) explained that she did not have insurance during the time of the burglary.
Bellflower City Council Special Meeting Minutes Item No. 5 December 14, 2023 Page 9 of 10
5 CONSIDERATION ITEMS – Continued
A Consideration and possible action to consider renewals for ten Cannabis Business Permits (“CBP”) for dispensary, cultivation, and distribution uses – Continued
4) Permittee Representative Cristerna stated that she wished she had the money to do more, a cultivation business is not like a dispensary business, she just spent $250,000 on new lights that only cover half of her facility, she understands the City Council’s concerns and is trying her best, her way of ensuring the security of her property is to double-cover with security, and invited the City Council to come and see the new system.
Following discussion, City Manager Stewart recommended the City Council 1) extend the permit to January 31, 2024; 2) direct Permittee Representative Cristerna to submit a new security plan for review; and 3) meet with the investigator from the Sheriff’s Department to clarify the facts of the case and determine what needs to be done moving forward to prevent a similar incident.
For the record, 1) Mayor Pro Tem Dunton suggested the City Council or staff schedule a site visit prior to another meeting on the matter; 2) City Attorney Berger stated that if the Council wanted to grant a provisional extension to the end of January, then one of the conditions would be to submit a new security plan in accordance with the conditions of approval that already exist, which may include a site visit; 3) Mayor Pro Tem Dunton considered other cannabis businesses and suggested their security plans be reviewed to see if they need to tightened up as well; 4) Permittee Representative Cristerna stated that she had gotten comfortable over time, even leaving her facility at 1:00 a.m. on occasion, but had learned her lesson; and 5) at the request of Mayor Pro Tem Dunton, City Manager Stewart confirmed that Dynasty Alliance Grow, Inc., paid taxes on the stolen product.
Following lengthy discussion, it was moved by Council Member Santa Ines, seconded by Council Member Morse, and unanimously carried by the following roll call vote, to 1) provisionally extend the two CBPs to operate a cannabis cultivation facility and distribution facility at 8832 Ramona Street until January 31, 2024, subject to the submission of a new security plan; and 2) directed staff to bring the matter back for further Council consideration at the January 22, 2024, City Council Meeting:
AYES: Council Members - Morse, Sanchez, Santa Ines, Dunton and Mayor Santa Ines Mayor Koops