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Council approved moving forward on a conditional use permit for a marijuana dispensary at 2250 E. Highway 60, Suite M, after discussion and hearing public comments. The request will come back at the next meeting, on October 12, for final approval.
Dana Burkhardt, the Zoning Administrator, reminded the public that Council adopted an ordinance to allow recreational marijuana dispensaries last February. Lawrence Health Services has received a license from ADHS through a lottery process. The license is restricted to a location in Gila County, so it could not be moved out of the county.
Lawrence Health Services is now requesting the required conditional use permit to operate in Globe. The location is in the strip mall at Russel Road and US60, next to the Beverage House and near Tractor Supply. This area is zoned C-2. The Zoning Department has recommended the permit be granted.
The use permit allows the store to be open from 6 a.m. to midnight. There will be no drive-thru. This permit is strictly for retail sales and doesn’t allow cultivation or manufacturing, so odors should not be involved. ADHS regulates signage and has strict security requirements, so the establishment’s signage should be muted and its security should meet the state standards. The store manager will work closely with local law enforcement.
The dispensary expects to employ at least 15 people on two shifts, and the company’s practice is to hire locally. The jobs will pay above minimum wage and offer benefits.
Currently, the nearest recreational dispensary is in Apache Junction, but one is expected to open in Payson in the near future. Gila County will have only two recreational dispensaries, because the state has made only two licenses available for the county.
Globe Police Chief Walters noted that in his career, he worked primarily in narcotics investigation, including undercover and also as head of the unit for a number of years, and he has worked across the country. He said he feels the dispensary system is “a step in the right direction,” and that the PD should “embrace them, partner with them, and move forward.” He said in terms of private security at the location, this is no different from other businesses in the community that employ private security, such as banks.
“I’ve met a lot of upset drunks, but I’ve yet to meet a pissed-off pothead.” Chief Dale Walters
Walter said he feels the location is excellent, and that the dispensary presents an excellent opportunity for the City of Globe.
Public comments
Tracy Quick commented in absentia in support of the permit.
No other comments were received and no members of the public appeared for the hearing. Burkhardt said to his knowledge, the City received no public comments or inquiries about the permit application prior to the meeting.
Recognition of City employees
Council also recognized the following City employees for their tenure of service:
- John Angulo, Public Works Director: 25 years
- Shelly Salazar, City Clerk: 20 years
- Michelle Yerkovich, Code Enforcement Specialist: 5 years
Council honored Joe Bracamonte, Fire Marshall, for his 25 years of service and his retirement from the City of Globe Fire Department. They also recognized K-9 Evo, who is also retiring.
Council stood for a moment of silence to honor the late Rep. Frank Pratt and Dr. Michael Durham.
Community Center pool to reopen in May
Linda Oddonetto, Economic and Community Development Director, updated Council on the Community Center pool rehabilitation project. The pool is expected to reopen in May 2022. Robin Bradford of Freeport McMoRan also spoke. (Details are unavailable due to an audio malfunction on the Council’s YouTube video.)
Motions approved
Council approved motions for the following:
- Accounts payable of $629,554.20
- Amendment of an on-call electrical contract with LLR Electric, Inc. increasing the amount from $41,988 to $66,988.
- Amendment to a lease agreement with Tom Thompson at the Amster Building
- Accepting grant awards from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety of $10,825 for speed enforcement and a DUI grant of $9,675 for overtime
- Award of a contract to CDX Contracting LLC for the 7th Street and Maple intersection improvements project in the amount of $31,142.40 plus an owner’s contingency of $6,228.48
- A letter to members of Arizona Congressional Delegation expressing Council opposition to additional costs and restrictions on mining operations that are being considered as part of the U.S. House of Representatives reconciliation package. Mayor Gameros said the bill could affect mining all over the state, including substantial increases in permit fees and doubling of a royalty on gross income.
- Accepting an administrative service grant in the amount of $19,689 to administer the City’s Community Development Block Grant for City of Globe park revitalization for fiscal year 2021-2022
Members of the Globe City Council: Mayor Al Gameros, Vice Mayor Mike Stapleton, and Council members Freddy Rios, Mike Pastor, Jesse Leetham, Fernando Shipley, and Mariano Gonzalez. All members were in attendance.
Full minutes can be found by going to the City Hall website Click on Agendas/Minutes in the bottom left-hand corner.
The Globe City Council meets every second and fourth Tuesday of the month at 6:00 p.m. at City Hall. The meetings are currently open to the public at 50% capacity. Members of the public are requested to wear a mask except when seated. Seating is limited to allow for social distancing.
Members of the public can also participate in City of Globe public meetings by viewing the meeting live on YouTube. To view the Council meeting live stream, go to the City of Globe’s YouTube channel (search for City of Globe Arizona). Or click on the “Live Stream on YouTube” link at the top of www.globeaz.gov.
To speak to agenda items before or during the meeting, you can call or text (928) 200-0154 or send an email to council@globeaz.gov. If you desire to speak to the Council during an agenda item, please contact the Council in advance and include your phone number on your request.
Patricia Sanders lived in Globe from 2004 to 2008 and at Reevis Mountain School, in the Tonto National Forest, from 2008 to 2014. She has been a writer and editor for GMT since 2015. She currently lives on Santa Maria island in the Azores.
