CITY OF DUARTE
MINUTES OF THE SPECIAL MEETING OF THE
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF DUARTE
TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 2024 - 5:30 PM
1. CALL TO ORDER
Mayor Truong called the Special Meeting to order at 5:33 p.m.
ROLL CALL:
Councilmembers Present: Finlay, Kang, Lewis, Martin Del Campo, Garcia, Truong Councilmembers Absent: Schulz
Staff Present: Brian Villalobos, City Manager
Thai Viet Phan, City Attorney
Kristen Petersen, Assistant City Manager / Director of
Mand Enter, Dier or Paks and Receive
Larry Breceda, Director of Public Safety Services
Andres Rangel, Assistant to the City Manager/PIO
Albert Nunez, Management Aide
Salina Bautista, Permit Technician
2. ORAL COMMUNICATIONS - ITEMS LISTED ON THIS AGENDA
None.
3. WORKSHOP FOR CITIZENS' PETITION - DUARTE MARIJUANA RETAIL
SALES REGULATION AND TAXATION MEASURE
ity Manager Villalobos introduced the item stating that the ballot initiative was withdraw ecause the City is in active discussion regarding the topic, however the author of the initiativ Attorney Damian Martin, was present; and there is still the possibility that the initiative is refiled for the November 2024 election.
City Attorney Phan provided an overview of the cannabis ballot initiative process.
Mark Lovelace, HdL Companies, presented the Impact Report which included an overview of the initiative, land use impacts, zoning and specific plans, permit requirements in commercial zones, the likely demand for permitted uses, cannabis tax revenues, sales tax revenues, annual audits, impacts on crime and public health, fiscal impacts, economic impacts, and impacts to lighting, noise, and traffic.
Diy sion ensed bete tal, dovelace end the Council earinal arabin airies its the nearby cannabis retail locations.
iscussion also ensued between Initiative Attorney Damian Martin regarding the Ordinance, oth ties that have adopted a similar Ordinance, and why Duarte was selected for the filing of tr initiative.
Staff responded to questions regarding law enforcement's ability to determine whether a driver is under the influence of anything other than alcohol,
Assistant to the City Manager Rangel presented the results of the Duarte FlashVote Cannabis Survey which focused on gaging the community's perspective. The survey shows slight opposition 2/13/2024 - PAGE 1
to storefront retail sales in Duarte, a median preference of three allowed permits, and a consensus to place retail locations in an industrial zone.
e responded to a question posed by the Council stating that the results of the survey show thi ere is a slight opposition to storefronts in the City
Mr. Martin addressed the Council and stated that the initiative was drafted for the City of Duarte because researched showed that it would be an ideal location due to the proximity to the 210 and 605 freeways, there are no other cannabis retail locations nearby, and he has experience with ballot measures in the San Gabriel Valley. He added that the initiative was drafted in a manner that would invite a conversation and negotiation between his partners and the City and discussed the economic benefits to having cannabis dispensaries in the City.
The Council discussed the importance of economic development and bringing more retail storefronts to the City; however there was concern regarding cannabis retailers in the City and the number of proposed retail locations.
It was the consensus of the Council to select option 5 and direct City Staff to conduct further research and obtain additional information regarding the impacts of cannabis dispensaries Public Comment
Steve Hernandez expressed his opposition to the allowance of cannabis retailers in the City of Duarte.
4. ADJOURNMENT - To Scheduled Regular City Council Meeting At 7:14 p.m. the City Council adjourned the meeting to the scheduled regular City Council Meeting.
Vinh
Vinh Truong, Mayor
Att
Annette Juarez, City Clerk
A
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