The Mendenhall Mayor and Board of Aldermen met for their regular April meeting to discuss city business that included Senate Bill 2095 covering the Mississippi Cannabis Act.
The item was tabled from last month for board attorney Wesley Broadhead to research what options were available to the city. Broadhead advised the board to take no action and follow guidelines set forth by the state.
SB 2095 was signed into law by Governor Tate Reeves on February 2. Municipalities and counties have 90 days after the bill was signed to opt out of allowing the processing, sale and distribution of medical cannabis in their jurisdiction. However, opting out does not make the possession of medical cannabis illegal in the municipality.
Citizens of a municipality or county that opts out can gather a petition of 1,500 signatures or 20 percent, whichever is less, to place an “opt in” on the ballot. If the opt-in vote fails, they must wait two years to try again. Once it is voted in, it is in for good.
Alderman Robert Mangum initially said citizens should vote on whether the city opts into the program or opts out. Alderwoman Judy Lee said the people already voted on the issue. She provided research showing that Simpson County voted in favor of medical cannabis and showing statistics from her ward.
Mayor Todd Booth said, “People think you’re legalizing marijuana, but you’re not ,it is medicinal.” He explained that by opting in or taking no action the city can set a number on how many dispensaries are allowed in the city and where they are zoned.
After discussion the board ultimately decided to take no action and let the line-item die with the idea of remaining flexible for future ordinances.
Dr. Scottye Holloway, president of Mendenhall Ministries, appeared before the board to get clarification on what ordinances the Ministries were violating while working with the M.O.R.E program. During the regularly scheduled meeting in March, citizens of Ward 3 in Mendenhall appeared before the Mayor and Board of Aldermen to express concern over a group home setting located at 222 West South Avenue housing over 40 parolees.
Members of the community near the property explained that the facility was acting as a halfway house to transitioning inmates. Citizens believed that approximately 40 inmates were living in the facility. The program housing the parolees was called M.O.R.E and is under the direction of Luther Martin.
Citizens expressed dismay that they were not notified that the inmates would be housed in their community. The building is owned by the Mendenhall Ministries and is used to house volunteers who periodically come to assist the ministry. Following the meeting the number of parolees was then reduced and they were temporarily moved to another Mendenhall Ministries facility on Johnson Street.
The use of the buildings was called into question by Alderman Tim Gray. He asked whether the buildings were properly zoned to serve as adult group homes. After some discussion it was determined that the use of the buildings was not in compliance with the zoning ordinances. Gray moved to give the organization 30 days to get in compliance with the zoning ordinance or vacate the premises.
Dr. Holloway announced to the board that none of the participants in the program are still in Mendenhall. He reported that several of the parolees were able to secure employment around the area.
Dr. Holloway said, “These guys are all gone, they’re no longer here. Now they’re traveling an hour and a half each day to jobs.”
He then inquired about what zoning laws the Ministries had violated. Dr. Holloway said he was told by Mayor Booth that he would have 30 days to get in compliance, but he never received an official notice stating the violations. Booth directed the question to building inspector David Miller. Miller explained that there were discrepancies on tax records and what the buildings were being used for. Miller said the location on South Avenue is listed as a warehouse on tax records and not zoned as a domicile. Miller said he would work with Dr. Holloway to change tax records to show what the building is being used for. Once taxes are reconciled, the city can move forward with zoning classifications.
Several citizens of Ward 3 attended the meeting. Larry Williams asked the board what the city’s action means for the citizens of Ward 3.
Miller explained that before the property could be rezoned, a zoning hearing would be held and citizens of the area would be able to have their voices heard and express their concerns with rezoning the property.
Miller said, “But first we need to make it legal to use it for what they’re using it for.”
The board approved paving on Woodland Cove for an estimated cost of $33,000. They will begin compiling a list of the worst streets in each ward as they prepare for the summer paving project. Payments were approved for entertainment for Mendenhall in May and for Griner Drilling for starter, labor, and installation at the treatment plant.
The board ratified the mayor’s action to employ Casey Satcher and Brandon Hester. They also accepted the resignation of Teenia Carter from property clean-up. The board entered executive session to discuss payroll litigation before adjourning the meeting.
