Meeker’s Town Board of Trustees this week voted to take no action on amending an ordinance that would have removed the ability to grow marijuana inside the city limits.
Several local citizens had shown up for the meeting apparently in support of the amendment that, if passed, would have prevented commercial medical marijuana growing facilities from growing marijuana in the city limits.
However, Town Administrator Jeff Wilbourn informed Trustees and the citizens that the Town’s attorney James Hodgens said state regulations prevent towns and cities from restricting marijuana grow facilities inside their city limits.
Wilbourn said Hodgens, who was unable to attend Monday night’s meeting, advised him if Trustees approved amending the ordinance, “That we’re probably going to get sued.”
Nancy Weaver, one of the local citizens in attendance, told the Trustees that the odor from a former grow facility next door to the Meeker library had become so bad that kids and parents didn’t even want to come to the library.
Wilbourn further stressed, “We can’t restrict it as a town due to state law.”
But Trustees indicated, “We can try to restrict the odor from these facilities.”
Mayor Donna Weber made a motion seconded by Trustee Mike Melton to take no action. Joining them in approving that motion were Vice Mayor Aaron Head and Trustees Lanny Thompson and Mike Orman.
Trustees said they are going to work with their attorney to see what can be done about odors from such facilities.
Wilbourn indicated he was going to check with some other towns to see how they deal with the odor from grow facilities.
In other action, Trustees voted to accept a $60,000 REAP grant from the Central Oklahoma Economic Development District (COEDD) with the town’s match of $22,000 for a total of $82,000.
They then approved authorizing Trustees Thompson and Orman to sign the certification for the REAP grant.
Trustees approved purchasing a 2004 Pierce Fire Engine for $60,000 with the grant and to equip the truck with the town’s match of $22,000.
On another agenda item, the Trustees took no action on declaring 301 S. Culver a public nuisance. Wilbourn advised the Trustees that a minimum of 10 days notice has to be given the property owner and that hasn’t been done.
Meeting as the Public Works Authority, Trustees approved setting Thursday, April 13 through Saturday, April 15, as the Meeker City Wide Cleanup.
Wilbourn told Trustees it will be at the old water treatment plant like last year with the city providing two dumpsters and District 3 Commissioner Lee Doolen providing 2 dumpsters. Since the county is also providing dumpsters, anyone in the county can utilize those dumpsters, he noted.