The council discussed and unanimously approved the following items.

Proclamations:

•  National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week – April 10-16, 2011 – to honor of the women and men whose diligence and professionalism keep our communities and citizens safe.
• Washington State Disaster Preparedness Month – to encourage our fellow citizens to increase their knowledge and awareness of proper safety measures to follow before, during and after a natural or man-made disaster.

Adoption of Electric Vehicle Strategy – one of the deliverables required under a State grant that the city won last year for energy-efficient transportation planning.

• Install EVI in key public locations, as funds become available. Including:
  • Mountlake Terrace Transit Center
  • Civic Campus
  • Public Works Shop (for city fleet vehicles)
  • Recreation Pavilion.
  • Install EVI at selected on-street parking locations. This is recommended to be a future option (at least a few years away) and would only be considered when sufficient community demand arises.
    • Acquire electric vehicles for the city’s fleet when such purchases would fit the city’s needs and budget.
    • Seek grants and partnerships.
    • Provide public information about electric vehicle opportunities in Mountlake Terrace.

Adoption of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries Moratorium – Needs a Majority plus one council vote to pass. This would allow the city additional time to review and revise the city’s process for approving or denying future business applications.  A public hearing is set for May 16 at which time the Council would consider whether to continue the moratorium for the remainder of a six-month period or let it expire. (Before the end of the period, if additional time is needed to address issues, the Council may also renew the moratorium.)

• State legislation has been proposed that would clarify state law and allow medical marijuana dispensaries. One such bill (E2SSB 5073) has passed the Senate. It is currently under consideration by the House of Representatives.
• MLT municipal code (Chapter 9.30 MTMC) prohibits the possession of marijuana. If a bill to authorize new methods of dispensing is adopted, cities may need to re-think their processes for allowing or denying medical marijuana dispensaries.
• The Planning Commission would consider and recommend any amendments to the Zoning Code to address such dispensaries and the City Council would make a final decision. The Council may also consider amending other parts of the municipal code.
• State law could change before the city has had adequate time to consider adjusting its codes for medical marijuana dispensaries, a moratorium is proposed.
• The Ordinance, if approved by a majority plus one of the City Council, would take effect immediately.

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