RESOLUTION NO. ____________
RESOLUTION OF THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA ACCEPTING THE CITY OF SANTA ROSA CANNABIS EQUITY ASSESSMENT AND DIRECTING STAFF TO PREPARE A CANNABIS EQUITY PROGRAM WHEREAS, the California Cannabis Equity Act of 2018 (“Equity Act”) established by Senate Bill 1294 allows for direct assistance to local jurisdictions’ cannabis equity programs that can, in turn, provide assistance to local equity applicants; and WHEREAS, on March 15, 2022, the Governor of the State of California’s Office of Business and Economic Development (Go-Biz) awarded grant funds to the City of Santa Rosa to conduct a cannabis equity assessment; and WHEREAS, staff and SCI Consulting Group collaborated to conduct and prepare the Cannabis Equity Assessment to identify communities that have been disproportionately impacted by enforcement of cannabis-related laws and crimes within the City of Santa Rosa (Exhibit A); and WHEREAS, the completed Cannabis Equity Assessment presents findings and recommendations for the development of a cannabis equity program; and WHEREAS, the City of Santa Rosa supports the development of a local cannabis equity program that is designed to assist individuals who have been negatively impacted by the disproportionate enforcement of cannabis-related crimes by providing them assistance and opportunity to participate in the cannabis industry; and WHEREAS, after program development and implementation, the City is eligible to apply for the Type 2 grant award in the FY 2024-25 solicitation period; and WHEREAS, once the grant is received and the program is implemented, the City will be able to assist individuals and businesses in participating in the cannabis industry. This will be achieved by removing barriers to entry and creating opportunities for those who may lack capital or have a criminal record.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Council of the City of Santa Rosa accepts the City of Santa Rosa Cannabis Equity Assessment, attached to this resolution as Exhibit A and made a part of herein. / / /
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BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that City staff shall prepare a draft Cannabis Equity Program for Council consideration as part of the requirements of submitting a Type 2 grant application during the FY 2024-2025 solicitation period, should the Council direct staff to submit such an application. The Program will identify eligibility criteria, establish the services and benefits available to equity applicants, and delineate how the program will be administered and monitored.
IN COUNCIL DULY PASSED this 28th day of November, 2023.
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
ATTEST: _________________________ APPROVED: ______________________________ City Clerk Mayor
APPROVED AS TO FORM: ________________________
City Attorney
Exhibit A – Cannabis Equity Assessment
Reso. No. __________
Resolution Template.doc