Lincoln Park Mayor Thomas Karnes (third from left), explains at the June 3 meeting the city council’s decision to table a decision on business marijuana establishments, after the majority voted against non-medical marijuana businesses the week before. Also present are City Attorney Ed Zelenak (left), City Manager Matthew Coppler and City Clerk Kerry Kehrer.
Vote overturns council’s earlier vote to ban pot shops
By SUE SUCHYTA
Sunday Times Newspapers
LINCOLN PARK – The City Council passed at its June 3 meeting a motion to defer voting on a resolution which would oppose non-medical marijuana businesses until its Oct. 21 meeting.
Lincoln Park Mayor Thomas Karnes (left) explains the city council’s decision to table a decision on business marijuana establishments June 3, after the majority voted against non-medical marijuana businesses the week before, as City Clerk Kerry Kehrer and City Council President Donna Breeding listen.
City Councilwoman Lylian Ross cast the sole nay vote to revisit the vote, then she and City Council President Donna Breeding voted against deferring the city’s decision, with affirmative votes cast by City Councilmen Michael Higgins, Larry Kelsey, Thomas Parkinson and Carlos Salcido, and Mayor Thomas Karnes.
Salcido was absent during the May 20 vote, and Kelsey changed his vote in favor of deferring the issue.
Karnes said that a motion to revisit a motion must be filed with the city clerk within 24 hours of the initial vote, by someone who voted with the majority.
The council will revisit the issue of marijuana business operations within the city at its second October meeting, Oct. 21, when survey and other requested data will be available to council members.
Karnes said if the state acts to establish a framework before Oct. 21, which is not expected to happen, city officials could vote to revisit the ordinance before the meeting.
“The resolution is there, but if things change to where we either have to ‘put up or shut up,’ I think that could be adjusted,” Karnes said. “We don’t want the city to be left in the lurch.”
Karnes said he will set some meeting dates to seek resident input.
“And confirming, it’s coffee with the mayor, not marijuana with the mayor,” Karnes said amid laughter.
(Sue Suchyta can be reached at [email protected])