By Tammy Gray The Holbrook City Council voted on three separate ordinances last week regarding a city business license, recreational marijuana, and the sale of city property during a meeting held on April 22. An ordinance that would have established a city business license failed in a 4-3 vote, with council members Earl Kester, Mike Nilsson, Kip Woolford and Vice Mayor Francie Payne voting against, and Tim Dixon, Adam Marsh and Mayor Merrill Young voting in favor. The ordinance did not pass and a city business license will not be established at this time. Several business owners and Holbrook residents spoke to the council before the decision was made, all of whom were opposed to the measure. An ordinance addressing recreational use of marijuana was passed by the council, also in a 5-2 vote. Nilsson and Dixon cast the two votes in opposition to the ordinance, both noting that they are opposed to the use of recreational marijuana in Holbrook. Marsh explained that a measure allowing the use of recreational marijuana had already been passed by voters on a statewide level. Vice Mayor Francie Payne told the council that the ordinance was modeled on one created by the Arizona League of Cities and Towns, which to her knowledge was being used by a number of towns across the state. The ordinance, which is a part of public record and can be obtained at city hall or viewed on the city’s website, contains a number of provisions relating to non-residential marijuana establishments, residential homes for private use and retail sales. One member of the public, Kim Belknap, spoke to the council regarding the ordinance prior to the vote. Belknap noted that he was concerned that the age restrictions listed in the ordinance were not clearly worded and he would like to see that portion clarified before the ordinance was passed. The council also approved an ordinance authorizing the sale of city property located on 4th Avenue to Josh McDermott for $3,300. Young explained that the property was put up for bid with a minimum bid of $3,214, which was the appraised value of the property. Two bids were received, but one was later withdrawn. The next city council meeting is scheduled for 6 p.m. on Thursday, May 13, at city hall. The meeting is open to the public.
