The Carson City Board of Supervisors decided Thursday to consider regulating curbside cannabis pickup rather than banning the practice.
The agenda for Thursday’s meeting called for consideration of an ordinance that would ban curbside pickup. Mayor Lori Bagwell said her preference would be a blanket ban, and Chief Deputy District Attorney Dan Yu confirmed the District Attorney’s Office would also support a blanket ban. Both were concerned about customer and employee safety, considering cannabis dispensaries are an all-cash industry.
But the rest of the board disagreed that curbside pickup presents substantial safety issues, considering the transactions are highly controlled with security cameras and a policy that never allows for cash payments and product to be in a vehicle simultaneously.
Representatives from Sierra Well and RISE dispensaries stood during public comment time to explain that curbside pickup has allowed them to serve customers during the pandemic and cater to customers with mobility challenges. They proposed restrictions that would still allow them to operate curbside safely.
The board agreed with that assessment and made plans to bring back a motion to restrict, but not outright ban, curbside pickup of cannabis.
Among other agenda items at the board meeting:
• Bagwell issued a proclamation to recognize August as Breastfeeding Awareness Month.
• State Treasurer Zach Conine presented on Nevada’s process for deciding how to allocate American Rescue Plan funding. He invited public comment and promoted an online feedback form that residents are welcome to visit and fill out: https://hal.nv.gov/form/2021_Stimulus/ARP_Ideas_List_Community_Stakeholder
• Supervisors approved an outline for how the city plans to spend its American Rescue Plan funding. The allocations are still subject to change; the city is simply required to submit a draft to the federal government by the end of August. In discussion, the board agreed to consider more funding for nonprofit homeless programs and park bathroom maintenance.
• In a 3-2 vote, board upheld a decision by the Planning Commission to require that a tentative parcel on Combs Canyon Road extend a water main.
• The board directed staff to continue to look at options for filling the transportation funding gaps throughout the city.
On the topic of roadway funding, Bagwell will hold a “Coffee and Conversation with the Mayor” entitled “To Gravel or to Pave” on Thursday, Aug. 12 at 8:30 a.m. in the Chamber of Commerce board room on 1900 S Carson St. Seats are limited. Those who would like to attend may register at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/coffee-and-conversation-with-mayor-bagwell-tickets-163438937261 to participate in the discussion.
The Regional Transportation Commission will also hold a meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 11 at 4:30 p.m. in the Robert “Bob” Crowell Board Room at the Community Center on 851 E William St.
They’re looking forward to a brief agenda, their main item for possible action being the awarding of a contract for the $181,000 School Zone Maintenance Signage Improvement Project.
