From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Monday, March 3, 2025 12:12:26 PM
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User Gena Knutson has enter the following comment(s):
Hello! I support a Tobacco Retail License policy for National City. This type of policy protects the youth of National City from purchasing these very addictive products if they are not 21 years old. It's important to not offer price discounts or have stores selling tobacco products located near youth sensitive areas. I applaud National City for taking this bold step to protect the youth of National City from the lifelong addiction to tobacco products and the health issues from using tobacco.
for Staff Report on the Establishment of a Tobacco Retail License Program. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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Item 11.3
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 11:37:27 AM
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User Kailey Quezada has enter the following comment(s):
Hello! My name is Kailey Quezada and I am in support of National City's TRL Ordinance. As a college student, I have seen firsthand the effects of nicotine on student outcomes both inside and outside of the classroom. A comprehensive Tobacco Retail Licensing Ordinance would limit youth exposure to tobacco & nicotine products, and would serve as an early intervention to prevent a lifetime of addiction. Thank you for your time and consideration. for Staff Report on the Establishment of a Tobacco Retail License Program. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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Item 11.3
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 12:26:24 PM
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User Mary Pinto-Badiner has enter the following comment(s):
I support a strong tobacco retail license (TRL) for National City. In California, it is illegal for retailers to sell tobacco products to anyone under the age of 21. A TRL can significantly reduce the number of illegal sales to youth, it can generate revenue to fund programs to protect youth from illegal sales and can include hefty fines and penalties for stores that violate the law, including suspension or revocation of the license. Please help protect our youth. for Staff Report on the Establishment of a Tobacco Retail License Program. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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Item 11.3
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 2:01:40 PM
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User Sarah Boyer has enter the following comment(s):
Most people don’t know there is no regulation on what products smokeshops can sell, where they can open, or their hours of operation. Many are in low income neighborhoods. Smoke shops need to be responsible retailers. When Young Adult Tobacco Purchase surveys were conducted, only one National City smokeshop had signage about age restrictions, and no investigators were carded at the doors. Our youth deserve to grow up in a healthy environment. We need to do better at regulating smokeshops. for Staff Report on the Establishment of a Tobacco Retail License Program. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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Item 11.3
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 3:17:46 PM
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User Karen del Sol has enter the following comment(s):
My name is Karen del Sol and I am a teacher at Eastlake High School in the Sweetwater Union High School District. I teach Health and A.P. Spanish Literature and Culture. In Health, I have asked my students what they think is the percentage of students who vape at our school.
I was surprised to hear from them that their assesment might be around 40-50% of students.
They tell me they can still get flavors in various places and that it is easy to get. Banning flavored products would help.
for Staff Report on the Establishment of a Tobacco Retail License Program. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 6:54:41 AM
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User Edward Wicker has enter the following comment(s):
I urge the Council to Expand Operating Hours for Store Front Cannabis Retail Facilities. This would bring local regulations in alignment with State law. Cannabis businesses face extreme challenges with regulatory and tax burdens. It is extremely important that local cannabis businesses are given a fair opportunity for economic success consistent with State law. for Discussion of Amending Chapter 9.60 of the National City Municipal Code to Expand Operating Hours for Store Front Cannabis Retail Facilities. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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Item 11.4
From: Ted Godshalk
To: Public Comment
Cc: Luz Molina; Ron Morrison
Subject: Comment for Item 11.4 from Mr. Ted Godshalk
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 11:53:10 AM
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Public Comment for Council meeting Item # 11.4 from Mr. Ted Godshalk:
Councilors,
The proposed change to the National City Municipal Code section 9.60.250.(G) is a mistake and to change the regulations for Cannabis operators shows that the industry has political pull on our Council. The operators of Session by the Bay, a weed bar, are backed by the Sycuan Tribe and casino money and is in business in National City to maximize profits. Please do not forget this as you consider this proposal. The staff report lists three intended results from the change.
First, the report states that the change will align the city’s regulations with State law. This was not the intention of Mayor Sotelo-Solis and the council members who supported the original ordinance. The claim everyone made at that time was quite the opposite. The argument went:
the State was going to come in and force the city, and all cities, to allow cannabis sales and give more to the industry than a city would prefer. Now the staff, and the chief proponent, Mr.
Bush, claim this needs to be done to “align.” Hypocrisy.
Second, Mr. Bush and the weed bar operators claim that the expanded hours allow the National City bar to be more competitive with other sellers. This idea of helping Sessions be competitive is simply ridiculous when you consider that the city has allowed two other dispensaries ON THE SAME STREET! You and the operators have competition already. You know that, so don’t use an argument to support a farcical claim.
Third, the claimed intent that changing the hours would ”enhance community safety and compliance,” by allowing uniform hours across all operators is also just ridiculous. The operators of the Sessions weed bar are not in the business to run the Black Market sales out of town. They don’t care about local hiring practices. They don’t care about labor agreements.
They cannot be concerned with traffic accidents 1/2 mile south or north on Highway I-5, or even a 1/2 mile into National City. They do not care about the impacts of their business on the families and the young people in the South Bay. They do not care in NCPD has more calls for service in the area surrounding the bar. These things are not their “business.” They want to sell marijuana at 6:00 AM and sell it all night long!
Mr. Bush and the operators talk about the higher sales tax (a development fee, in fact) but that is not the objective of this change. This expansion of hours has one goal and that is to MAXIMIZE PROFITS for the operators.
Mr. Bush and Mr. Rodriguez are the only two members of the current city council that have voted in favor of cannabis sales and use in National City. When they endorse the idea of more hours, more business, more sales, more locations, and more taxes they are following the very playbook of conservative politicians, the full-blown capitalists. Those conservatives, like Item 11.4
these two NC Councilors in this instance, push for business to maximize profits. Do not doubt for one minute that this is what the Sessions weed bar is all about.
Some historical review is needed. In February 2020, the consultant HdL told the city that adding more operators would not necessarily bring in more income. The mayor at the time claimed the program for cannabis sales was “not about the money.” In the March 2021 first reading of the ordinance, the NC staff recommended 3 operators. That was overruled by the councilors. Mr. Bush said that he felt “boxed in,” by the staff recommendations and he voted to allow sales in more areas of the city. Mr. Rodriguez said that he would vote no on the 250 foot buffer to protect residents. These changes were not made, but they were already considering that the ordinance did not go far enough.
Also in March 2021, nine public members spoke against the ordinance and the NC Planning Commission voted to deny the ordinance, citing that “This use is not necessary or desirable for the community.” Ms. Yamane voted for this denial along with a super majority of five other Commissioners.
And yet when the ordinance was forwarded to the City Council, Mr. Bush carried on a line of questioning that showed a favoritism for less restrictions and no buffers. A motion for the 250 foot buffer was not supported by Mr. Bush and Mr. Rodriguez, but it narrowly passed. A motion was made and passed to allow the sales of marijuana in the Tourist Zone at 24th Street Marina Way and Cleveland Avenue. I contend that Mr. Bush and Mr. Rodriguez were clearly on the wrong side of the issue.
At the May 4th reading of the ordinance, Mr. Rodriguez tried again to weaken the buffer zone protecting residents from marijuana sales and activity. Both Mr. Bush and Mr. Rodriguez spoke on the record of the changes they would make to the ordinance later.
You heard at the last meeting there are risks involved with this business. There are more notes in my records that I can share as we all go down this path together. Please disregard this opportunity that Mr. Bush has taken. He has told you that he has met with the Sessions operators and finds it necessary to do their bidding. City Manager Martinez meekly said, “I believe they’ve discussed this me.” Well, of course they did.
I think you know the risks. Turn down any and all changes to the ordinance in the Municipal Code.
Ted Godshalk
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 11:42:19 AM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
This is a bad idea. To make these changes benefits the Sessions operator who is the business to maximize profits and cannot care for the safety of the public. This is not about competition.
You have already allowed two other dispensaries ON THE SAME STREET. Sessions will only prove that Some Councilors, including Mr. Bush and Mr. Rodriguez are on the wrong side of this issue.
for Discussion of Amending Chapter 9.60 of the National City Municipal Code to Expand Operating Hours for Store Front Cannabis Retail Facilities. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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Item 11.4
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 1:02:10 PM
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User Ted Godshalk has enter the following comment(s):
The public does not know that your city department has an annual budget of almost 1 million dollars; $1,000,000. You are all in this together. To see your department expenditures to this point in the fiscal year only emphasizes the fact that you have driven the public to see you all as “employees.” The point of this report is not that the council is "on track” with its spending, but that it is clear that it should be about the one million dollars that you could save. for City Council Expenditure Report: July 2024 through January 2025 in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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Item 11.5
From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 3:49:53 PM
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User Brittany W has enter the following comment(s):
Expanding operating hours for storefront cannabis retail facilities is a great move that benefits both consumers and the community. It provides a safe and regulated space for people to purchase cannabis legally, ensuring accessibility for those with different work schedules.
Additionally, this amendment supports more local job creation, helping boost the economy while reinforcing responsible cannabis retail practices. for Discussion of Amending Chapter 9.60 of the National City Municipal Code to Expand Operating Hours for Store Front Cannabis Retail Facilities. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 3:15:55 PM
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User Dina Nagib has enter the following comment(s):
As a consultant that works with retailers in the cannabis industry, I am in favor of expanding operating hours for cannabis retail facilities. These facilities are the only place where this medicine can safely and legally be purchased. In addition, many people are unable to consume cannabis in their homes due to restrictive rental agreements and Sessions will be the first place with legal consumption in SD. Finally, more jobs will be created and more money can be made to help the economy.
for Discussion of Amending Chapter 9.60 of the National City Municipal Code to Expand Operating Hours for Store Front Cannabis Retail Facilities. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 3:33:22 PM
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User Roger T has enter the following comment(s):
As a job seeker this makes a big difference to me! I’m writing in strong support of the proposed amendment to expand operating hours. By extending retail hours from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m., businesses can better serve customers, increase revenue, and hire more employees - benefiting both current workers and those seeking new opportunities. More operating hours mean more shifts, allowing businesses to expand their teams and offer stable employment to residents.
for Discussion of Amending Chapter 9.60 of the National City Municipal Code to Expand Operating Hours for Store Front Cannabis Retail Facilities. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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From: [email protected] on behalf of eSCRIBE.Admin To: Tonya Hussain
Subject: Public Comment Received
Date: Tuesday, March 4, 2025 4:04:24 PM
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User Stephanie Diaz has enter the following comment(s):
I support extending Sessions by the bay's hours to match nearby cities and give patrons a safe, legal place to enjoy cannabis responsibly. An hour extension won't impact safety. Sessions is committed to strict security & compliance. This helps national city stay competitive while fostering a safe, regulated environment for the community. Appreciate your consideration. for Discussion of Amending Chapter 9.60 of the National City Municipal Code to Expand Operating Hours for Store Front Cannabis Retail Facilities. in Regular City Council Meeting 3/4/2025 6:00:00 PM
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