Medical marijuana zoning issue may go to Twinsburg voters
TWINSBURG – Medical marijuana dispensaries would be allowed to locate in the city’s C-2 and C-3 commercial/business zoning districts as a conditionally permitted use if voters favor changes in Chapter 1151 of the zoning code.
An ordinance to send the proposed zoning change to voters, which was recommended by the planning commission, was introduced at Council’s Dec. 7 meeting. A public hearing is scheduled Jan. 11, 2022 at 6:30 p.m. prior to Council’s regular session.
If the legislation passes, law director David Maistros said the zoning issue likely would go to the voters at the May 2022 primary election as required by the city’s charter.
OTHER BUSINESS
Council approved a three-year bargaining agreement with AFSCME Ohio Council 8 Local 1313, which commences Jan. 1, 2022. It covers city office employees, and includes a 2.5 percent wage hike in 2022 and 2 percent each in 2023-24.
It also includes some alterations in policies dealing with layoffs, overtime and signing bonuses, and adds Juneteeth as an official holiday for workers.
A two-year agreement was approved to allow Twinsburg to house lawbreakers in Solon’s jail at a cost of $115,200 per year, which is the same as in recent years.
Fewer than 300 bookings per year would entitle the city to a $20,000 credit, while more than 1,500 prisoner days per year would result in an additional $20,000 cost.
Several amendments to Section 147 of the codified ordinances dealing with “employees generally” went to third reading. Among the proposed changes are:
(1) Nieces and nephews would be added to the list of persons for which an employee is allowed to receive bereavement leave.
(2) All absences in excess of one continuous month would extend an employee’s probationary period until he or she has one full year of time worked.
(3) For employees between 65 and 70 years old, the city’s premium payment for term life insurance would be reduced by 35 percent from the full $75,000, while it is reduced by 50 percent for employees over 70.
(4) All full-time employees would be entitled to use of vacation time after one year of continuous service (no longer after six months).
(5) Part-time service department workers would be among those to be provided with uniforms, and a $400 uniform allowance per year will be provided to all department heads and their assistants.
(6) Each department head and the mayor would be granted ownership of their city-issued cell phone and iPad upon retiring from city service (no longer after three years).
(7) Juneteenth – the 19th of June – would be an official employee holiday, while Juneteenth and New Year’s Eve are are holidays for which part-time firefighters and dispatchers will be compensated.
(8) Unpaid personal leaves of absence for up to 90 days (not six months as before) could be requested by full-time employees, with a possible additional 90-day extension.
(9) An employee could accrue no more than 160 hours of compensatory time (no longer 80 days) to be used within two years of accrual.
(10) Employees participating in the city’s wellness program would be provided family memberships based upon participation level.
(11) Stepchildren would be added to the list of family members who cannot work in the same department.
(12) The amount the city spends on “milestone” anniversary awards would not exceed $5,000 per year.
Also heading to third reading were the 2022 appropriations, with general fund expenses estimated at $28.02 million and all funds at $44.95 million.
Councilman Bill Furey touted the city’s natural gas aggregation program. “With prices expected to rise significantly this winter, you can’t touch our $2.822 per mcf rate anywhere,” he said. Anyone interested in locking in that rate should call 1-800-699-4014.
Contact the newspaper at twinsburgburgbulletin@recordpub.com.
This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Twinsburg voters may decide medical marijuana zoning issue
