Given that in November voters approved Initiative 502, which provided for the limited legalization of marijuana under state law, the Gig Harbor City Council on Monday night heard the first reading of an ordinance designed to put the city in step with the new law.
In order to charge cases under the new law, the city is required to adopt by reference the new laws codified in chapter 69.50 of the Revised Code of Washington. The ordinance will also update several references currently in the city’s municipal code for consistency with state law.
“We’ll have to see how it goes,” said Gig Harbor Police Chief Mike Davis, noting that smoking marijuana in public is still prohibited. “They still have a lot of work to do with this legislation.”
The ordinance will be adopted after a second reading.
In other business, the city council heard a third reading and passed an ordinance regarding development agreements for downtown Gig Harbor. The ordinance has been updated to clarify the variances and other processes for regulation deviations with the shoreline master program, critical area ordinance and building codes available to applicants using a development agreement.
Regarding the city’s recently purchased waterfront property located within the view basin and an area traditionally known as the working waterfront, the council agreed to name the property after the Anich family, while keeping its options open in terms of the property’s overall name.
There was some concern that the original plan to call the property Anich Waterfront Park would exclude boaters and the like.
“I think it would be good to keep that core name,” Mayor Chuck Hunter said, “and move on from there.”
Finally, the council approved and authorized Hunter to execute a contract with Grette Associates for environmental work at the Jerisich Park Temporary Dock Project for up to $2,190. Every June, the city has provided temporary floats to accommodate the transient moorage capacity at Skansie Park/Jerisich Dock due to the Maritime Gig/Blessing of the Fleet event. These permits need to be renewed to bring the temporary floats in for the event.
Reporter Brett Davis can be reached at 253-358-4151 or by email at brett.davis@gateline.com. Follow him on Twitter @gateway_brett.
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City council hears first reading of marijuana ordinance
Given that in November voters approved Initiative 502, which provided for the limited legalization of marijuana under state law, the Gig Harbor City Council on Monday night heard the first reading of an ordinance designed to put the city in step with the new law.
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