HomeMy WebLinkAbout7/11/2012 - STAFF REPORTS - 3.A. r F C _
CC'4
r� Safe Access
^r,.rv��.
2012 JUL { 0 PPS 4* 22 psaccess.a rg
Cl LS (elUrl')
CITY CL ER"
July 9,2012
Honorable Councilpersons and Staff,
My name is Robert Van Roo and I am the President of Palm Springs Safe Access
Cooperative, Inc. (Safe Access), an unpermitted Palm Springs cannabis dispensary diligently
working to procure a permit that we may operate in compliance with applicable zoning codes. I
understand that it is the City Council's goal to provide for an efficient and effective regulatory
scheme regarding medical cannabis in Palm Springs, and I would like to take this opportunity to
assure you that it is the primary goal of Safe Access to provide qualified patients with access to
medical cannabis in a lawful and safe manner, and in this respect I believe the interests of Safe
Access are in lines with yours. Palm Springs is not merely where Safe Access is located—it is our
home. We want nothing more than to serve this community in a lawful and safe manner.
With that said, I understand that you will consider an amendment to section 93.23.15 of the
City's municipal code at your meeting of July 11, 2012—this will be agenda item"3.A". While I
sympathize with City's regulatory issues regarding cannabis collectives there are several aspects
to this piece of legislation which appear problematic to me, and I therefore urge you not to adopt
it.
First, the current municipal code has a permitting scheme and provisions to deal with those
businesses which operate without a permit or are otherwise in violation of existing ordinances. If
the permit application process is reopened at the direction of the City Council (and subject to
subsequent legislation), the associated fees will generate more than enough revenue to pay for the
review and issuance any new permits. Meanwhile, under current law those collectives operating
without permits remain subject to the penalties of local, state, and federal law, and continue to be
liable for the fees and fines associated with their unpermitted operation.
Second, California Government Code section 36901 limits the fines associated with
violation of a municipal ordinance to one thousand dollars. Here, the proposed amendment to the
City's municipal code would impose fines in excess of this statutory cap. Hence, this amendment
would appear to violate California law. p
At'L 1 o'1'A.( I lC�f✓i !Gz,l
.t ~1-6 wL 3,, �F
-7 Al i->
2
Third, I am concerned that the contemplated amendment to section 93.23.15 could be
construed by some as discriminatory under applicable state law. Reading the proposed language
in the context of those provisions of the code which penalize unpermitted business which do not
distribute cannabis, it would appear that that the cannabis collectives, though similarly situated to
these other businesses, will be treated quite differently from them. Indeed,this amendment would
seem to single out cannabis collectives for significantly harsher treatment than other similar
businesses.
Fourth and finally, agenda item "3.A" contains a determination of by the City Council that
only three permits should be issued to operate medical cannabis collectives in Palm Springs. I
respectfully suggest that this determination is flawed and merits further review. For example,
Section 2 of the Urgency Ordinance underlying this proposal states that each of these three
permitted dispensaries is projected to provide medical cannabis access to fifteen thousand patients.
This means that if each patient patronized his or her dispensary once a week, and if that
dispensary was open 9 AM to 10 PM seven days a week, then it would be responsible for
providing safe access to medical cannabis to approximately 3patients per minute. I cannot see
how this is"more than adequate to provide reasonable access to medical cannabis to the residents"
of Pahn Springs. In point of fact, it seems quite inadequate, especially when one considers that
the foregoing example does not provide for bursts of consumer activity on a given day, or the
logistics of having that many patients in one place in conformity with applicable safety codes.
I believe that this piece of legislation is a response to legitimate concerns regarding the
regulation of cannabis collectives in Palm Springs. However as it is written, I believe it fails to
account for the efficacy of the current regulatory scheme, for the various overlays of state law as
they apply to this issue, and for the high demand for safe access by qualified patients in this
community. Hence,though it is obviously the product of much thought and hard work, I urge you
not to adopt the piece of legislation designated as item "3.A" on the July 11, 2012 City Council
meeting agenda.
Respectfully Yours,
Robert L. Van Roo
President
Palm Springs Safe Access Cooperative, Inc.
ORDINANCE NO.
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.52.030
AND SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
AND ADDING SUBSECTION K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS
REGULATORY ORDINANCE. (415THS VOTE REQUIRED.)
City Attomey's Summary
This Urgency Ordinance requires unpermitted collectives
and cooperatives to disclose their unpermitted status to the
public and provides additional administrative enforcement
options to the City in addressing violations of the City's
Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance, including posting
of property, issuance of abatement orders, and the
recordation of liens.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,
ORDAINS:
Section 1. This Urgency Ordinance is adopted pursuant to Section 312 of the Charter
of the City of Palm Springs, California.
Section 2. The City Council finds, determines, and declares that this Urgency
Ordinance is necessary to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and efficient enforcement of
the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance (PSMC Sec. 93.23.15). The
California Fourth Appellate District Court in the case of City of Palm Springs v. The
Holistic Collective (Case No. E053736), validated the City's Medical Cannabis
Regulatory Ordinance and determined that the City lawfully adopted this ordinance and
that the City has the authority under law to enforce the ordinance. The City Council has
determined that the City can and should only permit a limited number of medical
cannabis cooperatives or collectives to operate in the City in furtherance of the State of
California's Compassionate Use Act. The City has experienced a great increase in the
number of marijuana dispensaries operating in the City without compliance with the
provisions of the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance. These dispensaries
are operating without a permit under the Code and outside the parameters of the City's
regulatory program. The ability of the City to initiate and timely implement the
enforcement of its Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance is necessary to ensure the
preservation and protection of the residents of the City, bona fide patients and
caregivers recognized under the Compassionate Use Act, and the medical cannabis
cooperatives and collectives that have complied with the City's Medical Cannabis
Regulatory Ordinance and have been issued permits to operate as such within the City.
1
�•\\•\'� Iklrv� 3 A
Section 3. Section 3.52 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is amended to read:
3.52.030 Handling where legal impediments exist to conducting of business.
Whenever it appears to the collector that an application for a business license
involves a proposed business activity for which other permit or licensing requirements
are applicable under local or state or federal laws, ordinances or regulations before
such business activity could lawfully be conducted in the city or at the particular location
proposed, or involves a proposed business activity which could not lawfully be
conducted in the city or at the particular location proposed, the collector shall so inform
the applicant, and ascertain whether, in view of such circumstances, the applicant
desires to withdraw the application pending removal of the legal impediments, if such
removal be possible. In the event the applicant nonetheless insists upon submitting the
application, the collector shall accept the proferred tax payment, and issue a receipt
therefor which shall contain language clearly stating that such receipt is not to be
deemed in any way an official sanction for the conducting of the proposed business.
Every person, corporation, partnership, or association issued a receipt under the
provisions of this Section shall display such receipt in a prominent place in its business
where it is clearly visible to all members of the public entering the premises.
Section 4. Paragraphs 10 and 19 of Subsection K of Section 93.23.15 of the Palm
Springs Municipal Code are amended to read:
10. Signage for the cooperative or collective shall be limited to name of business and
its status as a permitted cooperative or collective pursuant to this Section only and
no advertising of the goods and/or services shall be permitted. Each cooperative
or collective shall post a sign or notice conspicuously at each point of public access
into the cooperative or collective stating that the cooperative or collective is a
permitted cooperative or collective under the provisions of this Section.
19. Fully comply with and meet all operating criteria required pursuant to the
Compassionate Use Act, state law, the Attorney General Guidelines, the provisions
of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, including without limitation, this Section, and
any specific, additional operating procedures and measures as may be imposed as
conditions of approval of the regulatory permit, and all requirements set forth in the
covenant as described in Subsection J, in order to ensure that the operation of the
cooperative or collective is consistent with the protection of the health, safety, and
welfare of the community, qualified patients, and primary caregivers, and will not
adversely affect surrounding uses.
Section 5. The title of Subsection L of Section 93.23.15 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code is amended to read: "Enforcement of Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective
Permits." No other provision of Subsection L is affected by this amendment.
2
Section 6. Subsection N is added to Section 93.23.15 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code to read:
N. Abatement Orders and Civil Penalties.
1. Any person, partnership, association, corporation, fiduciary, or other entity that
owns, leases, occupies, controls, or manages any building, property, or
occupancy and causes, permits, or maintains a violation of the provisions of this
Section, including without limitation the provisions of Subsections A and B
hereof, or that falsely claims in any advertising of any kind, including without
limitation, signs or handbills, that such person, association, corporation, fiduciary,
or other entity is permitted as a medical cannabis cooperative or collective in the
City, shall be subject to an abatement order issued pursuant to the provisions of
this Subsection and shall be liable for administrative penalties as follows:
(a) Each party subject to an abatement order pursuant to this Subsection, as
determined by the City Manager, shall pay an administrative penalty of one
thousand ($1,000.00) dollars.
(b) In the event that a violation of this Section addressed by an abatement
order has not been abated, cured, remedied, and/or eliminated to the reasonable
satisfaction the City Manager by the tenth (10th) day after the issuance of the
abatement order, each party subject to said abatement order shall pay a
supplemental administrative penalty of two thousand five hundred ($2,500.00)
dollars.
(c) In the event that a violation of this Section addressed by an abatement
order has not been abated, cured, remedied and/or eliminated to the reasonable
satisfaction of the City Manager by the thirtieth (30th) day after the issuance of an
abatement order, each party subject to said abatement order shall pay a second
supplemental administrative penalty of five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars for each
calendar week, or portion thereof, the building and/or occupancy thereof is in
violation of the provisions of this Section.
2. The City Manager may issue an Abatement Order for violations of the provisions
of this Section. The Abatement Order shall contain:
(a) The street address and assessor's parcel number of the premises on which
the building or structure is located, sufficient for identification;
(b) Reference to all code sections violated with a brief and concise description of
the conditions found;
(c) A statement of the required action to permanently correct outstanding
violations;
3
(d) A statement enumerating the action that can be taken by the City should the
responsible party or parties fail to comply with the terms and deadlines as
prescribed in the Abatement Order.
(e) A statement advising that any person having any record title or interest in the
building may appeal Abatement Order served, provided the appeal is made in
writing, pursuant to and within the time frames provided in this Subsection.
Failure to file an appeal in accordance with this Subsection shall constitute a
waiver of the right to an administrative hearing and adjudication of the Abatement
Order or any portion thereof.
3. The Abatement Order, or any amended Abatement Order, shall be served on the
following parties:
(a) The record owner of the property; and,
(b) The holder of a mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien on the property, if
recorded or otherwise actually known to the City Manager at the time the
Abatement Order is served.
(c) If different than (1) or (2) above, the tenant of any building or structure or
the operator of any marijuana or cannabis dispensary activity within such building
or structure.
4. Service shall be completed in the following manner:
(a) Posting of the Abatement Order conspicuously on or in front of the
property and at each point of public access into the building or structure. It is a
misdemeanor to remove or deface any Abatement Order posted on the property.
(b) Simultaneously, the same notice shall be sent by regular mail and certified
mail (return receipt requested). If a notice that is sent by certified mail is returned
unsigned, then service shall be deemed effective pursuant to regular mail,
provided the notice that was sent by regular mail is not returned. Service by
certified or regular mail in the manner described above shall be effective on the
date of mailing; or
(c) Personal service;
(d) If the City Manager is unable to effectively serve the Abatement Order as
provided in this Subsection, the City Manager may publish the Abatement Order
in a newspaper of general circulation (as defined in Govt. Code § 6000),
published in this jurisdiction. Publication of the Abatement Order pursuant to this
Subsection shall be for five (5) days. The period of notice commences upon the
first day of publication and terminates at the end of the fifth day, including therein
the first day. Publication shall be made on each day on which the newspaper is
4
published during the period. Service is deemed complete on the last day of
publication.
5. The failure of any person with an interest in the property to receive any notice
served in accordance with this Subsection shall not affect the validity of any
proceedings taken under this Section.
6. Proof of service of the Notice and Order shall be documented at the time of
service by a declaration under penalty of perjury, executed by the person
effecting service, declaring the time and manner in which service was made. If
service is effectuated by certified mail, the declaration, together with any receipt
card returned in acknowledgment of receipt by certified mail, shall be affixed to
the copy of the Notice and Order retained by the Building Official.
7. Upon receipt of an Abatement Order, each responsible party must take one of
the following actions to avoid additional penalties:
(a) Correct the violation, pay the corresponding fine(s), if any, and contact the
City Manager to request a re-inspection, prior to the compliance date specified in
the abatement order; or
(b) Request a hearing to appeal the Abatement Order pursuant to Paragraph
8 of this Subsection N.
8. A responsible party receiving an Abatement Order may appeal such order within
seven (7) calendar days from the date the Abatement Order is deemed served.
(a) The appeal must be in writing and must indicate the appellant's full name
and mailing address. It must be accompanied by the penalty amount and appeal
fee which shall be set by resolution of the City Council, must specify the basis for
the appeal in detail, and must be filed with the City Clerk's Office. If the appeal
deadline falls on a day City Hall is closed, then the deadline shall be extended
until the next regular business day.
(b) As soon as practicable after receiving the written notice of appeal, the City
Manager shall fix a date, time, and place for the hearing before a hearing officer
pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.06.060 of this Code. Written notice of the
time and place for the hearing may be served by first class mail, at the mailing
address indicated on the written appeal. Service of the appeal notice must be
made at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing to the party
appealing the administrative citation.
(c) The failure of any person with an interest in the property, or other
responsible party, to receive such properly addressed notice of the hearing shall
not affect the validity of any proceedings under this Section. Service by first class
mail, postage prepaid shall be effective on the date of mailing.
5
(d) Failure of any responsible party to file an appeal in accordance with the
provisions of this Section shall constitute a waiver of that responsible party's
rights to administrative determination of the merits of the Abatement Order and
the amount of the penalty. If no appeal is filed, the Abatement Order shall be
deemed a final administrative order and a failure to exhaust the responsible
party's administrative remedies.
9. At any time after the Abatement Order becomes final, the City Council may
cause the Abatement Order and a notice of lien to be recorded with the County
Recorder. The final Abatement Order and lien shall, at a minimum, identify the
record owner and/or possessor of the property and set forth the last known
address of the record owner and/or possessor, the date on which the penalty
was imposed, a description of the real property subject to the lien, and the
amount of the penalty.
10. This Subsection provides a civil penalty remedy that is in addition to all other
legal remedies, criminal or civil, which may be pursued by the City Manager or
the City Attorney to address any violation of this Section. The civil penalty
imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be in lieu of the
administrative citation penalties imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section
1.06.040 of this Code.
Section 7. This urgency ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by a
four-fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council. This urgency ordinance shall continue in effect
from the date of its adoption and until the effective date of Ordinance No. _, and shall
thereafter be of no further force and effect.
Section 8. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, or contravened by
reason of any preemptive legislation, then the provisions of Section 1 through 3,
inclusive, of this Ordinance shall be deemed invalid and unenforceable and the
dispensing of cannabis for any reason in any zone shall be deemed a prohibited use
under the City's Zoning Code. The City Council hereby declares that it would not have
adopted this Ordinance if any of the sections or provisions thereof may be declared
invalid or unconstitutional or contravened via legislation.
6
Section 9. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect immediately.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of 2012.
STEPHEN P. POUGNET, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JAMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DOUGLAS HOLLAND, CITY ATTORNEY
7
�o pALM SA9
iy
c+
V N
#
C,q</FORN�P CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT
DATE: July 11, 2012 LEGISLATIVE
SUBJECT: INTRODUCTION AND FIRST READING OF ORDINANCE NO. _, "AN
ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING
SECTION 3.52.030 AND SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
AND ADDING SUBSECTION K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF, THE PALM
SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT OF THE
CITY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS REGULATORY ORDINANCE;" AND ADOPTION
OF ORDINANCE NO. _ "AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.52.030 AND
SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF, AND ADDING
SUBSECTION K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF, THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL
CODE, RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS
REGULATORY ORDINANCE. (4/5THS VOTE REQUIRFD.)"
FROM: David H. Ready, City Manager
BY: Douglas Holland, City Attorney
SUMMARY
The City Council has requested a review of the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance
and suggestions regarding alternative enforcement options and additional requirements to
ensure compliance with the City's Code. In addition, Council Member Lewin requested that
certain posting requirements be reviewed to ensure that the residents, public, and patients can
easily determine which cannabis cooperatives or collectives are operating compliance with the
City's Code and the marijuana dispensaries that are unpermitted and operating in violation of
the law.
RECOMMENDATION:
1. Waive reading and introduce Ordinance No. _, "AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY
OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.52.030 AND
SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF, AND ADDING SUBSECTION
K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF, THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE,
RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS
REGULATORY ORDINANCE"
2. Waive reading and adopt Ordinance No. , "AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF
THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.52.030
ITEM NO.
City Council Staff Report July 11, 2012
Case: Medical Cannabis Enforcement Ordinances Page 2 of 2
AND SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF, AND ADDING
SUBSECTION K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF, THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL
CODE, RELATING TO ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITYIS MEDICAL CANNABIS
REGULATORY ORDINANCE. (4/5THS VOTE REQUIRED.)"
DISCUSSION:
Consistent with the direction of Council, City staff has prepared ordinances that will implement
additional enforcement options and requirements.
Current provisions of the City's business license code provides that the City's Finance Director
(in his capacity as the City's tax collector) is required to issue a receipt for payment of
business license taxes to any business that is not operating in compliance with the
requirements of the City's municipal code, to include a statement on the receipt that the
receipt is not to be deemed as official sanction for the conducting of the business. The
proposed ordinance would require that the receipt must be displayed in a prominent place in
the business where it is clearly visible to all members of the public who enter the premises.
The proposed ordinance also requires that each permitted medical cannabis collective or
cooperative must post a sign or notice in a conspicuous location near each point of public
access to the cooperative or collective advising the public that such cooperative or collective is
permitted and in compliance with the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance. The
ordinance also specifically includes reference to the City's Municipal 'Code as a body of laws
for which each permitted cooperative or collective is required to comply.
The ordinance also establishes an abatement process coupled with administrative fines. Any
marijuana dispensary that is operating in the city without complying, with the City's Medical
Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance and without a permit under such Ordinance, will be subject to
this abatement process. We note that the Fourth District Court of Appeals has recently upheld
the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance and determined that the City lawfully
adopted the ordinance and has the authority to enforce it. [City of Palm Springs v. The
Hollistic Collective (Case No. E053736).] This abatement process also includes civil penalties
in the amount of $1000 for the first notice, $2,500 for a second notice, and $5,000 per week
for each successive notice. The abatement process also includes City posting of the
Abatement Order on the front of the property and at each point of public access. Defacing or
removing the posted Abatement Order is a misdemeanor.
FISCAL PACT: It is anticipated that current code enforcement budgets of affected
depa a will cover�ryq�costs for implementation of the above programs.
77
��
Douglas tKIland, City Attorney David H. Ready, Cjt ager
Attachments:
1. Proposed Ordinance No.
2. Proposed Urgency Ordinance No.
02
ORDINANCE NO.
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS,
CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.52.030 AND
SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF, AND
ADDING SUBSECTION K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF, THE
PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS
REGULATORY ORDINANCE.
CityAttorney's Summary
This Ordinance requires unpermitted collectives and
cooperatives to disclose their unpermitted status to the
public and provides additional administrative enforcement
options to the City in addressing violations of the City's
Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance, including posting
of property, issuance of abatement orders, and the
recordation of liens.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,
ORDAINS:
Section 1. Section 3.52 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is amended to read:
3.52.030 Handling where legal impediments exist to conducting of;business.
Whenever it appears to the collector that an application for a business license
involves a proposed business activity for which other permit or licensing requirements
are applicable under local or state or federal laws, ordinances or regulations before
such business activity could lawfully be conducted in the city or at the particular location
proposed, or involves a proposed business activity which could not lawfully be
conducted in the city or at the particular location proposed, the collector shall so inform
the applicant, and ascertain whether, in view of such circumstances, the applicant
desires to withdraw the application pending removal of the legal impediments, if such
removal be possible. In the event the applicant nonetheless insists upon submitting the
application, the collector shall accept the proferred tax payment, and issue a receipt
therefor which shall contain language clearly stating that such receipt is not to be
deemed in any way an official sanction for the conducting of the proposed business.
Every person, corporation, partnership, or association issued a receipt under the
provisions of this Section shall display such receipt in a prominent place in its business
where it is clearly visible to all members of the public entering the premises.
Section 2. Paragraphs 10 and 19 of Subsection K of Section 93.23.15 of the Palm
Springs Municipal Code are amended to read:
03
10. Signage for the cooperative or collective shall be limited to name of business and
its status as a permitted cooperative or collective pursuant to this Section only and
no advertising of the goods and/or services shall be permitted. Each cooperative
or collective shall post a sign or notice conspicuously at each point of public access
into the cooperative or collective stating that the cooperative or collective is an
permitted cooperative or collective under the provisions of this Section.
19. Fully comply with and meet all operating criteria required pursuant to the
Compassionate Use Act, state law, the Attorney General Guidelines, the provisions
of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, including without limitation, this Section, and
any specific, additional operating procedures and measures as may be imposed as
conditions of approval of the regulatory permit, and all requirements set forth in the
covenant as described in Subsection J, in order to ensure thlat the operation of the
cooperative or collective is consistent with the protection of the health, safety, and
welfare of the community, qualified patients, and primary caregivers, and will not
adversely affect surrounding uses.
Section 3. The title of Subsection L of Section 93.23.15 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code is amended to read: "Enforcement of Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective
Permits." No other provision of Subsection L is affected by this amendment.
Section 4. Subsection N is added to Section 93.23.15 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code to read:
N. Abatement Orders and Civil Penalties.
1. Any person, partnership, association, corporation, fiduciary, or other entity that
owns, leases, occupies, controls, or manages any building, property, or
occupancy and causes, permits, or maintains a violation of the provisions of this
Section, including without limitation the provisions of Subsections A and B
hereof, or that falsely claims in any advertising of any kind, including without
limitation, signs or handbills, that such person, association, corporation, fiduciary,
or other entity is permitted as a medical cannabis cooperative or collective in the
City, shall be subject to an abatement order issued pursuant to the provisions of
this Subsection and shall be liable for administrative penalties as follows:
(a) Each party subject to an abatement order pursuant to this Subsection, as
determined by the City Manager, shall pay an administrative penalty of one
thousand ($1,000.00) dollars.
(b) In the event that a violation of this Section addressed by an abatement
order has not been abated, cured, remedied, and/or eliminated to the reasonable
satisfaction the City Manager by the tenth (10th) day after the issuance of the
abatement order, each party subject to said abatement order shall pay a
2
04
supplemental administrative penalty of two thousand five hundred ($2,500.00)
dollars.
(c) In the event that a violation of this Section addressed by an abatement
order has not been abated, cured, remedied and/or eliminated to the reasonable
satisfaction of the City Manager by the thirtieth (301") day ai'ter the issuance of an
abatement order, each party subject to said abatement order shall pay a second
supplemental administrative penalty of five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars for each
calendar week, or portion thereof, the building and/or occupancy thereof is in
violation of the provisions of this Section.
2. The City Manager may issue an Abatement Order for violations of the provisions
of this Section. The Abatement Order shall contain:
(a) The street address and assessor's parcel number of the premises on which
the building or structure is located, sufficient for identification;
(b) Reference to all code sections violated with a brief and iconcise description of
the conditions found;
(c) A statement of the required action to permanently correct outstanding
violations;
(d) A statement enumerating the action that can be taken by the City should the
responsible party or parties fail to comply with the terms and deadlines as
prescribed in the Abatement Order.
(e) A statement advising that any person having any record title or interest in the
building may appeal Abatement Order served, provided the appeal is made in
writing, pursuant to and within the time frames provided in this Subsection.
Failure to file an appeal in accordance with this Subsection shall constitute a
waiver of the right to an administrative hearing and adjudication of the Abatement
Order or any portion thereof.
3. The Abatement Order, or any amended Abatement Order, shall be served on the
following parties:
(a) The record owner of the property; and,
(b) The holder of a mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien on the property, if
recorded or otherwise actually known to the City Manager at the time the
Abatement Order is served.
3
05
(c) If different than (1) or (2) above, the tenant of any building or structure or
the operator of any marijuana or cannabis dispensary activity within such building
or structure.
4. Service shall be completed in the following manner:
(a) Posting of the Abatement Order conspicuously on or in front of the
property and at each point of public access into the building or structure. It is a
misdemeanor to remove or deface any Abatement Order posted on the property.
(b) Simultaneously, the same notice shall be sent by regular mail and certified
mail (return receipt requested). If a notice that is sent by certified mail is returned
unsigned, then service shall be deemed effective pursuant to regular mail,
provided the notice that was sent by regular mail is not returned. Service by
certified or regular mail in the manner described above shall be effective on the
date of mailing; or
(c) Personal service;
(d) If the City Manager is unable to effectively serve the Abatement Order as
provided in this Subsection, the City Manager may publish the Abatement Order
in a newspaper of general circulation (as defined in Govt. Code § 6000),
published in this jurisdiction. Publication of the Abatement Order pursuant to this
Subsection shall be for five (5) days. The period of notice commences upon the
first day of publication and terminates at the end of the fifth day, including therein
the first day. Publication shall be made on each day on which the newspaper is
published during the period. Service is deemed complete on the last day of
publication.
5. The failure of any person with an interest in the property to receive any notice
served in accordance with this Subsection shall not affect the validity of any
proceedings taken under this Section.
6. Proof of service of the Notice and Order shall be documented at the time of
service by a declaration under penalty of perjury, executed by the person
effecting service, declaring the time and manner in which service was made. If
service is effectuated by certified mail, the declaration, together with any receipt
card returned in acknowledgment of receipt by certified mail, shall be affixed to
the copy of the Notice and Order retained by the Building Official.
7. Upon receipt of an Abatement Order, each responsible party must take one of
the following actions to avoid additional penalties:
4
0G
(a) Correct the violation, pay the corresponding fine(s), if any, and contact the
City Manager to request a re-inspection, prior to the compliance date specified in
the abatement order; or
(b) Request a hearing to appeal the Abatement Order pursuant to Paragraph
8 of this Subsection N.
8. A responsible party receiving an Abatement Order may appeal such order within
seven (7) calendar days from the date the Abatement Order is deemed served.
(a) The appeal must be in writing and must indicate the appellant's full name
and mailing address. It must be accompanied by the penalty amount and appeal
fee which shall be set by resolution of the City Council, must specify the basis for
the appeal in detail, and must be filed with the City Clerk's Office. If the appeal
deadline falls on a day City Hall is closed, then the deadline shall be extended
until the next regular business day.
(b) As soon as practicable after receiving the written notice of appeal, the City
Manager shall fix a date, time, and place for the hearing before a hearing officer
pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.06.060 of this Code. Written notice of the
time and place for the hearing may be served by first class mail, at the mailing
address indicated on the written appeal. Service of the appeal notice must be
made at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing to the party
appealing the administrative citation.
(c) The failure of any person with an interest in the property, or other
responsible party, to receive such properly addressed notice of the hearing shall
not affect the validity of any proceedings under this Section!. Service by first class
mail, postage prepaid shall be effective on the date of mailing.
(d) Failure of any responsible party to file an appeal in accordance with the
provisions of this Section shall constitute a waiver of that responsible party's
rights to administrative determination of the merits of the Abatement Order and
the amount of the penalty. If no appeal is filed, the Abatement Order shall be
deemed a final administrative order and a failure to exhaust the responsible
parry's administrative remedies.
9. At any time after the Abatement Order becomes final, the City Council may
cause the Abatement Order and a notice of lien to be recorded with the County
Recorder. The final Abatement Order and lien shall, at a minimum, identify the
record owner and/or possessor of the property and set forth the last known
address of the record owner and/or possessor, the date on which the penalty
was imposed, a description of the real property subject to the lien, and the
amount of the penalty.
s
of,
10. This Subsection provides a civil penalty remedy that is in addition to all other
legal remedies, criminal or civil, which may be pursued by the City Manager or
the City Attorney to address any violation of this Section. The civil penalty
imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be in lieu of the
administrative citation penalties imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section
1.06.040 of this Code.
Section 5. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect thirty (30) days after passage.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of 2012.
STEPHEN P. POUGNET, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JAMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DOUGLAS HOLLAND, CITY ATTORNEY
6
0�
ORDINANCE NO.
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION .52.030
AND SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
AND ADDING SUBSECTION K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS
REGULATORY ORDINANCE. (4/5THS VOTE REQUIRED.)
CityAttorney's Summary
This Urgency Ordinance requires unpermitted collectives
and cooperatives to disclose their unpermitted status to the
public and provides additional administrative enforcement
options to the City in addressing violations of the City's
Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance, including posting
of property, issuance of abatement orders, and the
recordation of liens.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,
ORDAINS:
Section 1. This Urgency Ordinance is adopted pursuant to Section 312 of the Charter
of the City of Palm Springs, California.
Section 2. The City Council finds, determines, and declares that this Urgency
Ordinance is necessary to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and efficient enforcement of
the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance (PSMC Sec. 93.23.15). The
California Fourth Appellate District Court in the case of City of (Palm Springs v. The
Holistic Collective (Case No. E053736, validated the City's Medical Cannabis
Regulatory Ordinance and determined that the City lawfully adopted this ordinance and
that the City has the authority under law to enforce the ordinance. The City Council has
determined that the City can and should only permit three medical cannabis
cooperatives or collectives to operate in the City in furtherance of the State of
California's Compassionate Use Act. The ratio of one such cooperative or collective for
approximately every 15,000 persons is more than adequate to provide reasonable
medical cannabis services to the residents of the City. The City has experienced a
great increase in the number of marijuana dispensaries operating in the City without
compliance with the provisions of the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance.
These dispensaries are operating without a permit under the Code, outside the
parameters of the City's regulatory program, and as parasites exploiting the willingness
and desire of this City to authorize and permit medical cannabis collectives and
cooperatives. The ability of the City to initiate and timely implement the enforcement of
its Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance is necessary to ensure)the preservation and
protection of the residents of the City, bona fide patients and caregivers recognized
under the Compassionate Use Act, and the medical cannabis cooperatives and
1 09
collectives that have complied with the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance
and have been issued permits to operate as such within the City.
Section 3. Section 3.52 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is amended to read:
3.52.030 Handling where legal impediments exist to conducting of business.
Whenever it appears to the collector that an application for a business license
involves a proposed business activity for which other permit or licensing requirements
are applicable under local or state or federal laws, ordinances, or regulations before
such business activity could lawfully be conducted in the city or at the particular location
proposed, or involves a proposed business activity which could not lawfully be
conducted in the city or at the particular location proposed, the collector shall so inform
the applicant, and ascertain whether, in view of such circumstances, the applicant
desires to withdraw the application pending removal of the legal impediments, if such
removal be possible. In the event the applicant nonetheless insists upon submitting the
application, the collector shall accept the proferred tax payment, and issue a receipt
therefor which shall contain language clearly stating that such receipt is not to be
deemed in any way an official sanction for the conducting of the proposed business.
Every person, corporation, partnership, or association issued a receipt under the
provisions of this Section shall display such receipt in a prominent place in its business
where it is clearly visible to all members of the public entering the premises.
Section 4. Paragraphs 10 and 19 of Subsection K of Section 93.23.15 of the Palm
Springs Municipal Code are amended to read:
10. Signage for the cooperative or collective shall be limited to name of business and
its status as a permitted cooperative or collective pursuant toi this Section only and
no advertising of the goods and/or services shall be permitted. Each cooperative
or collective shall post a sign or notice conspicuously at each Ipoint of public access
into the cooperative or collective stating that the cooperative or collective is an
permitted cooperative or collective under the provisions of this Section.
19. Fully comply with and meet all operating criteria required pursuant to the
Compassionate Use Act, state law, the Attorney General Guidelines, the provisions
of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, including without limitation, this Section, and
any specific, additional operating procedures and measures as may be imposed as
conditions of approval of the regulatory permit, and all requirements set forth in the
covenant as described in Subsection J, in order to ensure that the operation of the
cooperative or collective is consistent with the protection of the health, safety, and
welfare of the community, qualified patients, and primary caregivers, and will not
adversely affect surrounding uses.
Section 5. The title of Subsection L of Section 93.23.15 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code is amended to read: "Enforcement of Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective
Permits." No other provision of Subsection L is affected by this amendment.
2 10
Section 6. Subsection N is added to Section 93.23.15 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code to read:
N. Abatement Orders and Civil Penalties.
1. Any person, partnership, association, corporation, fiduciary, or other entity that
owns, leases, occupies, controls, or manages any building, property, or
occupancy and causes, permits, or maintains a violation of the provisions of this
Section, including without limitation the provisions of Subsections A and B
hereof, or that falsely claims in any advertising of any kind, including without
limitation, signs or handbills, that such person, association, corporation, fiduciary,
or other entity is permitted as a medical cannabis cooperative or collective in the
City, shall be subject to an abatement order issued pursuant to the provisions of
this Subsection and shall be liable for administrative penalties as follows:
(a) Each party subject to an abatement order pursuant to this Subsection, as
determined by the City Manager, shall pay an administrative penalty of one
thousand ($1,000.00) dollars.
(b) In the event that a violation of this Section addressed by an abatement
order has not been abated, cured, remedied, and/or eliminated to the reasonable
satisfaction the City Manager by the tenth (10th) day after the issuance of the
abatement order, each party subject to said abatement order shall pay a
supplemental administrative penalty of two thousand five hundred ($2,500.00)
dollars.
(c) In the event that a violation of this Section addressed by an abatement
order has not been abated, cured, remedied and/or eliminated to the reasonable
satisfaction of the City Manager by the thirtieth (30th) day after the issuance of an
abatement order, each party subject to said abatement order shall pay a second
supplemental administrative penalty of five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars for each
calendar week, or portion thereof, the building and/or occupancy thereof is in
violation of the provisions of this Section.
2. The City Manager may issue an Abatement Order for violations of the provisions
of this Section. The Abatement Order shall contain:
(a) The street address and assessor's parcel number of the premises on which
the building or structure is located, sufficient for identification;
(b) Reference to all code sections violated with a brief and concise description of
the conditions found;
(c) A statement of the required action to permanently correct outstanding
violations;
3 l �
(d) A statement enumerating the action that can be taken:by the City should the
responsible party or parties fail to comply with the terms and deadlines as
prescribed in the Abatement Order.
(e) A statement advising that any person having any record title or interest in the
building may appeal Abatement Order served, provided the appeal is made in
writing, pursuant to and within the time frames provided in this Subsection.
Failure to file an appeal in accordance with this Subsection shall constitute a
waiver of the right to an administrative hearing and adjudication of the Abatement
Order or any portion thereof.
3. The Abatement Order, or any amended Abatement Order, shall be served on the
following parties:
(a) The record owner of the property; and,
(b) The holder of a mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien on the property, if
recorded or otherwise actually known to the City Manager at the time the
Abatement Order is served.
(c) If different than (1) or (2) above, the tenant of any building or structure or
the operator of any marijuana or cannabis dispensary activity within such building
or structure.
4. Service shall be completed in the following manner:
(a) Posting of the Abatement Order conspicuously on or in front of the
property and at each point of public access into the building or structure. It is a
misdemeanor to remove or deface any Abatement Order posted on the property.
(b) Simultaneously, the same notice shall be sent by regular mail and certified
mail (return receipt requested). If a notice that is sent by certified mail is returned
unsigned, then service shall be deemed effective pursuant to regular mail,
provided the notice that was sent by regular mail is not returned. Service by
certified or regular mail in the manner described above shall be effective on the
date of mailing; or
(c) Personal service;
(d) If the City Manager is unable to effectively serve the Abatement Order as
provided in this Subsection, the City Manager may publish the Abatement Order
in a newspaper of general circulation (as defined in Govt. Code § 6000),
published in this jurisdiction. Publication of the Abatement Order pursuant to this
Subsection shall be for five (5) days. The period of notice commences upon the
first day of publication and terminates at the end of the fifth day, including therein
the first day. Publication shall be made on each day on which the newspaper is
4 12
published during the period. Service is deemed complete on the last day of
publication.
5. The failure of any person with an interest in the property to receive any notice
served in accordance with this Subsection shall not affect the validity of any
proceedings taken under this Section.
6. Proof of service of the Notice and Order shall be documented at the time of
service by a declaration under penalty of perjury, executed by the person
effecting service, declaring the time and manner in which! service was made. If
service is effectuated by certified mail, the declaration, together with any receipt
card returned in acknowledgment of receipt by certified mail, shall be affixed to
the copy of the Notice and Order retained by the Building Official.
7. Upon receipt of an Abatement Order, each responsible party must take one of
the following actions to avoid additional penalties:
(a) Correct the violation, pay the corresponding fine(s), if any, and contact the
City Manager to request a re-inspection, prior to the compliance date specified in
the abatement order; or
(b) Request a hearing to appeal the Abatement Order pursuant to Paragraph
8 of this Subsection N.
8. A responsible party receiving an Abatement Order may appeal such order within
seven (7) calendar days from the date the Abatement Order is deemed served.
(a) The appeal must be in writing and must indicate the appellant's full name
and mailing address. It must be accompanied by the penalty amount and appeal
fee which shall be set by resolution of the City Council, must specify the basis for
the appeal in detail, and must be filed with the City Clerk's Office. If the appeal
deadline falls on a day City Hall is closed, then the deadline shall be extended
until the next regular business day.
(b) As soon as practicable after receiving the written notice of appeal, the City
Manager shall fix a date, time, and place for the hearing before a hearing officer
pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.06.060 of this Code. Written notice of the
time and place for the hearing may be served by first class mail, at the mailing
address indicated on the written appeal. Service of the appeal notice must be
made at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing to the party
appealing the administrative citation.
(c) The failure of any person with an interest in the property, or other
responsible party, to receive such properly addressed notice of the hearing shall
not affect the validity of any proceedings under this Section. Service by first class
mail, postage prepaid shall be effective on the date of mailing.
5 13
(d) Failure of any responsible party to file an appeal in accordance with the
provisions of this Section shall constitute a waiver of that responsible party's
rights to administrative determination of the merits of the Abatement Order and
the amount of the penalty. If no appeal is filed, the Abatement Order shall be
deemed a final administrative order and a failure to exhaust the responsible
party's administrative remedies.
9. At any time after the Abatement Order becomes final, the City Council may
cause the Abatement Order and a notice of lien to be recorded with the County
Recorder. The final Abatement Order and lien shall, at a� minimum, identify the
record owner and/or possessor of the property and set forth the last known
address of the record owner and/or possessor, the date on which the penalty
was imposed, a description of the real property subject to the lien, and the
amount of the penalty.
10. This Subsection provides a civil penalty remedy that is in addition to all other
legal remedies, criminal or civil, which may be pursued by the City Manager or
the City Attorney to address any violation of this Section. The civil penalty
imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be in lieu of the
administrative citation penalties imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section
1.06.040 of this Code.
Section 7. This urgency ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by a
four-fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council. This urgency ordinance shall continue in effect
from the date of its adoption and until the effective date of Ordinance No. _, and shall
thereafter be of no further force and effect.
Section 8. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, or contravened by
reason of any preemptive legislation, then the provisions of Section 1 through 3,
inclusive, of this Ordinance shall be deemed invalid and unenforceable and the
dispensing of cannabis for any reason in any zone shall be deemed a prohibited use
under the City's Zoning Code. The City Council hereby declares Ithat it would not have
adopted this Ordinance if any of the sections or provisions thereof may be declared
invalid or unconstitutional or contravened via legislation.
6 14
Section 9. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect immediately.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this day of 2012.
STEPHEN P. POUGNET, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JAMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
DOUGLAS HOLLAND, CITY ATTORNEY
15
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
NOTIFICATION
OtM
City Council
Meeting Date: July 11, 2012
Subject: Urgency Ordinance No. 1812 - Summary
AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLICATION
I, Kathie Hart, Chief Deputy City Clerk, of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that a copy of the attached Ordinance Summary was published in the Desert Sun on
July 26, 2012.
1 declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
IL"�,D
Kathie Hart, CIVIC
Chief Deputy City Clerk
AFFIDAVIT OF POSTING
1, Kathie Hart, Chief Deputy City Clerk, of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that a copy of the attached Ordinance Summary was posted at City Hall, 3200 E.
Tahquitz Canyon Drive, on the exterior legal notice posting board and in the Office of the
City Clerk on July 24, 2012.
1 declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct.
Kathie Hart, CIVIC
Chief Deputy City Clerk
The Desert Sun Certificate of Publication
750 N Gene Autry Trail
Palm Springs, CA 92262
760-7784578/Fax 760-7784731
State Of California ss:
County of Riverside
Advertiser:
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS/LEGALS
PO BOX 2743
PALM SPRINGS CA 922632
2000329663
1 am over the age of 18 years old, a citizen of the United
States and not a party to, or have interest in this matter. I
hereby certify that the attached advertisement appeared
in said newspaper (set in type not smaller than non panel)
in each and entire issue of said newspaper and not in any
supplement thereof on the following dates,to wit:
Newspaper: .The Desert Sun No i9se CITY OFPALM SPRINGS
AN pr I O�RDINANCENO.7812
PALM ,'$pglrjG9ROCAL O OF THA I DING
7/26/2012 SECTION .52.03b AND SUBSEC'TIONSKAND
L CSEC ON93.2315OF,.ANDADDINOSUB-
SECTION K TO SECTION 8323.15 OF THE
TALM O ENFORCEMENT OFIPTHE C�E'S E TIN 'CANNABIS REGULATORY ORDINANCE(4/STHS VOTE REQUIRED.)
This U Adin, 'summary
oolled"Ps and Ocmminpaenrcegu requires unpermitted
I acknowledge that I am a principal clerk of the printer of °A�"r"n »to pVa arena asHOBe fr
The Desert Sun, printed and published weekly in the City in d`^"' tlVe memere �admdle
u nalatlor5'rd the a post
of Palm Springs, County of Riverside, State of California. ap aepFeam �nanca,i gposp�..
The Desert Sun was adjudicated a newspaper of general raMrbWn of andY+e
circulation on March 24, 1988 by the Superior Court of the CERTIFICATION '
County of Riverside, Stale of California Case No. STATE OF CALIFORNIA G E)1
191236. Cm O PALM SPR NO
p JAMESATHOMpSON, Clerk of the City W
I declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true Sri gs,Califomla;ddooryt�reby
9ensy Ordinance No.1812 iree pa ruA,in'ibe, ' Urr-
and correct. Executed on this 26th day of July, 2012 in Cd ;9 Of the
C�oml�latdmoo y 71 2pi2 y e
Palm Springs,California. AYES. Cuunpynember
CounalrtwmGer Lewin, CouncilmemHbsr Maio I Maw s, Teem Trost,and Mayrir Pou9net.
ABSTAIN: NNone
or
JAMES THOMPSON,CITY CLERK
Declarant' P+01111had.7rAM.'
Co
=Or
y ` •t:Z 5 LU
Lc.?< c)
N <:
O _1
N
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS
ORDINANCE NO. 1812
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.52.030
AND SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
AND ADDING SUBSECTION K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS
REGULATORY ORDINANCE. (4/5THS VOTE REQUIRED.)
City Attorney's Summary
This Urgency Ordinance requires unpermitted collectives
and cooperatives to disclose their unpermitted status to the
public and provides additional administrative enforcement
options to the City in addressing violations of the City's
Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance, including posting
of property, issuance of abatement orders, and the
recordation of liens.
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that Urgency Ordinance No. 1812 is a full, true, and correct copy, and adopted at
a regular meeting of the City Council held on July 11, 2012 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Lewin, Councilmember Mills,
Mayor Pro Tern Foat, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
?AM:ES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
ORDINANCE NO. 1812
AN URGENCY ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF PALM
SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA, AMENDING SECTION 3.52.030
AND SUBSECTIONS K AND L OF SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
AND ADDING SUBSECTION K TO SECTION 93.23.15 OF,
THE PALM SPRINGS MUNICIPAL CODE, RELATING TO
ENFORCEMENT OF THE CITY'S MEDICAL CANNABIS
REGULATORY ORDINANCE. (4/5THS VOTE REQUIRED.)
City Attorney's Summary
This Urgency Ordinance requires unpermitted collectives
and cooperatives to disclose their unpermitted status to the
public and provides additional administrative enforcement
options to the City in addressing violations of the City's
Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance, including posting
of property, issuance of abatement orders, and the
recordation of liens.
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PALM SPRINGS, CALIFORNIA,
ORDAINS:
Section 1. This Urgency Ordinance is adopted pursuant to Section 312 of the Charter
of the City of Palm Springs, California.
Section 2. The City Council finds, determines, and declares that this Urgency
Ordinance is necessary to ensure the timely, cost-effective, and efficient enforcement of
the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance (PSMC Sec. 93.23.15). The
California Fourth Appellate District Court in the case of City of Palm Springs v. The
Holistic Collective (Case No. E053736), validated the City's Medical Cannabis
Regulatory Ordinance and determined that the City lawfully adopted this ordinance and
that the City has the authority under law to enforce the ordinance. The City Council has
determined that the City can and should only permit a limited number of medical
cannabis cooperatives or collectives to operate in the City in furtherance of the State of
California's Compassionate Use Act. The City has experienced a great increase in the
number of marijuana dispensaries operating in the City without compliance with the
provisions of the City's Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance. These dispensaries
are operating without a permit under the Code and outside the parameters of the City's
regulatory program. The ability of the City to initiate and timely implement the
enforcement of its Medical Cannabis Regulatory Ordinance is necessary to ensure the
preservation and protection of the residents of the City, bona fide patients and
caregivers recognized under the Compassionate Use Act, and the medical cannabis
cooperatives and collectives that have complied with the City's Medical Cannabis
Regulatory Ordinance and have been issued permits to operate as such within the City.
1
Section 3. Section 3.52 of the Palm Springs Municipal Code is amended to read:
3.52.030 Handling where legal impediments exist to conducting of business.
Whenever it appears to the collector that an application for a business license
involves a proposed business activity for which other permit or licensing requirements
are applicable under local or state or federal laws, ordinances or regulations before
such business activity could lawfully be conducted in the city or at the particular location
proposed, or involves a proposed business activity which could not lawfully be
conducted in the city or at the particular location proposed, the collector shall so inform
the applicant, and ascertain whether, in view of such circumstances, the applicant
desires to withdraw the application pending removal of the legal impediments, if such
removal be possible. In the event the applicant nonetheless insists upon submitting the
application, the collector shall accept the proferred tax payment, and issue a receipt
therefor which shall contain language clearly stating that such receipt is not to be
deemed in any way an official sanction for the conducting of the proposed business.
Every person, corporation, partnership, or association issued a receipt under the
provisions of this Section shall display such receipt in a prominent place in its business
where it is clearly visible to all members of the public entering the premises.
Section 4. Paragraphs 10 and 19 of Subsection K of Section 93.23.15 of the Palm
Springs Municipal Code are amended to read:
10. Signage for the cooperative or collective shall be limited to name of business and
its status as a permitted cooperative or collective pursuant to this Section only and
no advertising of the goods and/or services shall be permitted. Each cooperative
or collective shall post a sign or notice conspicuously at each point of public access
into the cooperative or collective stating that the cooperative or collective is a
permitted cooperative or collective under the provisions of this Section.
19. Fully comply with and meet all operating criteria required pursuant to the
Compassionate Use Act, state law, the Attorney General Guidelines, the provisions
of the Palm Springs Municipal Code, including without limitation, this Section, and
any specific, additional operating procedures and measures as may be imposed as
conditions of approval of the regulatory permit, and all requirements set forth in the
covenant as described in Subsection J, in order to ensure that the operation of the
cooperative or collective is consistent with the protection of the health, safety, and
welfare of the community, qualified patients, and primary caregivers, and will not
adversely affect surrounding uses.
Section 5. The title of Subsection L of Section 93.23.15 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code is amended to read: "Enforcement of Medical Cannabis Cooperative or Collective
Permits." No other provision of Subsection L is affected by this amendment.
2
Section 6. Subsection N is added to Section 93.23.15 of the Palm Springs Municipal
Code to read:
N. Abatement Orders and Civil Penalties.
1. Any person, partnership, association, corporation, fiduciary, or other entity that
owns, leases, occupies, controls, or manages any building, property, or
occupancy and causes, permits, or maintains a violation of the provisions of this
Section, including without limitation the provisions of Subsections A and B
hereof, or that falsely claims in any advertising of any kind, including without
limitation, signs or handbills, that such person, association, corporation, fiduciary,
or other entity is permitted as a medical cannabis cooperative or collective in the
City, shall be subject to an abatement order issued pursuant to the provisions of
this Subsection and shall be liable for administrative penalties as follows:
(a) Each party subject to an abatement order pursuant to this Subsection, as
determined by the City Manager, shall pay an administrative penalty of one
thousand ($1,000.00) dollars.
(b) In the event that a violation of this Section addressed by an abatement
order has not been abated, cured, remedied, and/or eliminated to the reasonable
satisfaction the City Manager by the tenth (10th) day after the issuance of the
abatement order, each party subject to said abatement order shall pay a
supplemental administrative penalty of two thousand five hundred ($2,500.00)
dollars.
(c) In the event that a violation of this Section addressed by an abatement
order has not been abated, cured, remedied and/or eliminated to the reasonable
satisfaction of the City Manager by the thirtieth (30th) day after the issuance of an
abatement order, each party subject to said abatement order shall pay a second
supplemental administrative penalty of five thousand ($5,000.00) dollars for each
calendar week, or portion thereof, the building and/or occupancy thereof is in
violation of the provisions of this Section.
2. The City Manager may issue an Abatement Order for violations of the provisions
of this Section. The Abatement Order shall contain:
(a) The street address and assessor's parcel number of the premises on which
the building or structure is located, sufficient for identification;
(b) Reference to all code sections violated with a brief and concise description of
the conditions found;
(c) A statement of the required action to permanently correct outstanding
violations;
3
(d) A statement enumerating the action that can be taken by the City should the
responsible party or parties fail to comply with the terms and deadlines as
prescribed in the Abatement Order.
(e) A statement advising that any person having any record title or interest in the
building may appeal Abatement Order served, provided the appeal is made in
writing, pursuant to and within the time frames provided in this Subsection.
Failure to file an appeal in accordance with this Subsection shall constitute a
waiver of the right to an administrative hearing and adjudication of the Abatement
Order or any portion thereof.
3. The Abatement Order, or any amended Abatement Order, shall be served on the
following parties:
(a) The record owner of the property; and,
(b) The holder of a mortgage, deed of trust, or other lien on the property, if
recorded or otherwise actually known to the City Manager at the time the
Abatement Order is served.
(c) If different than (1) or (2) above, the tenant of any building or structure or
the operator of any marijuana or cannabis dispensary activity within such building
or structure.
4. Service shall be completed in the following manner:
(a) Posting of the Abatement Order conspicuously on or in front of the
property and at each point of public access into the building or structure. It is a
misdemeanor to remove or deface any Abatement Order posted on the property.
(b) Simultaneously, the same notice shall be sent by regular mail and certified
mail (return receipt requested). If a notice that is sent by certified mail is returned
unsigned, then service shall be deemed effective pursuant to regular mail,
provided the notice that was sent by regular mail is not returned. Service by
certified or regular mail in the manner described above shall be effective on the
date of mailing; or
(c) Personal service;
(d) If the City Manager is unable to effectively serve the Abatement Order as
provided in this Subsection, the City Manager may publish the Abatement Order
in a newspaper of general circulation (as defined in Govt. Code § 6000),
published in this jurisdiction. Publication of the Abatement Order pursuant to this
Subsection shall be for five (5) days. The period of notice commences upon the
first day of publication and terminates at the end of the fifth day, including therein
the first day. Publication shall be made on each day on which the newspaper is
4
published during the period. Service is deemed complete on the last day of
publication.
5. The failure of any person with an interest in the property to receive any notice
served in accordance with this Subsection shall not affect the validity of any
proceedings taken under this Section.
6. Proof of service of the Notice and Order shall be documented at the time of
service by a declaration under penalty of perjury, executed by the person
effecting service, declaring the time and manner in which service was made. If
service is effectuated by certified mail, the declaration, together with any receipt
card returned in acknowledgment of receipt by certified mail, shall be affixed to
the copy of the Notice and Order retained by the Building Official.
7. Upon receipt of an Abatement Order, each responsible party must take one of
the following actions to avoid additional penalties:
(a) Correct the violation, pay the corresponding fine(s), if any, and contact the
City Manager to request a re-inspection, prior to the compliance date specified in
the abatement order; or
(b) Request a hearing to appeal the Abatement Order pursuant to Paragraph
8 of this Subsection N.
8. A responsible party receiving an Abatement Order may appeal such order within
seven (7) calendar days from the date the Abatement Order is deemed served.
(a) The appeal must be in writing and must indicate the appellant's full name
and mailing address. It must be accompanied by the penalty amount and appeal
fee which shall be set by resolution of the City Council, must specify the basis for
the appeal in detail, and must be filed with the City Clerk's Office. If the appeal
deadline falls on a day City Hall is closed, then the deadline shall be extended
until the next regular business day.
(b) As soon as practicable after receiving the written notice of appeal, the City
Manager shall fix a date, time, and place for the hearing before a hearing officer
pursuant to the provisions of Section 1.06.060 of this Code. Written notice of the
time and place for the hearing may be served by first class mail, at the mailing
address indicated on the written appeal. Service of the appeal notice must be
made at least seven (7) calendar days prior to the date of the hearing to the party
appealing the administrative citation.
(c) The failure of any person with an interest in the property, or other
responsible party, to receive such properly addressed notice of the hearing shall
not affect the validity of any proceedings under this Section. Service by first class
mail, postage prepaid shall be effective on the date of mailing.
5
(d) Failure of any responsible party to file an appeal in accordance with the
provisions of this Section shall constitute a waiver of that responsible party's
rights to administrative determination of the merits of the Abatement Order and
the amount of the penalty. If no appeal is filed, the Abatement Order shall be
deemed a final administrative order and a failure to exhaust the responsible
party's administrative remedies.
9. At any time after the Abatement Order becomes final, the City Council may
cause the Abatement Order and a notice of lien to be recorded with the County
Recorder. The final Abatement Order and lien shall, at a minimum, identify the
record owner and/or possessor of the property and set forth the last known
address of the record owner and/or possessor, the date on which the penalty
was imposed, a description of the real property subject to the lien, and the
amount of the penalty.
10. This Subsection provides a civil penalty remedy that is in addition to all other
legal remedies, criminal or civil, which may be pursued by the City Manager or
the City Attorney to address any violation of this Section. The civil penalty
imposed pursuant to the provisions of this section shall be in lieu of the
administrative citation penalties imposed pursuant to the provisions of Section
1.06.040 of this Code.
Section 7. This urgency ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by a
four-fifths (4/5) vote of the City Council. This urgency ordinance shall continue in effect
from the date of its adoption and until the effective date of Ordinance No. 1811, and
shall thereafter be of no further force and effect.
Section 8. If any section or provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held to be
invalid or unconstitutional by any court of competent jurisdiction, or contravened by
reason of any preemptive legislation, then the provisions of Section 1 through 3,
inclusive, of this Ordinance shall be deemed invalid and unenforceable and the
dispensing of cannabis for any reason in any zone shall be deemed a prohibited use
under the City's Zoning Code. The City Council hereby declares that it would not have
adopted this Ordinance if any of the sections or provisions thereof may be declared
invalid or unconstitutional or contravened via legislation.
6
Section 9. The Mayor shall sign and the City Clerk shall certify to the passage and
adoption of this Ordinance and shall cause the same, or the summary thereof, to be
published and posted pursuant to the provisions of law and this Ordinance shall take
effect immediately.
PASSED, APPROVED, AND ADOPTED this 11th day of July, 2012.
STEPHEN P. POUGNET, MAYOR
ATTEST:
JAMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
CERTIFICATION
STATE OF CALIFORNIA )
COUNTY OF RIVERSIDE ) ss.
CITY OF PALM SPRINGS)
I, JAMES THOMPSON, City Clerk of the City of Palm Springs, California, do hereby
certify that Ordinance No. 1812 is a full, true, and correct copy, and adopted at a regular
meeting of the City Council held on July 11, 2012 by the following vote:
AYES: Councilmember Hutcheson, Councilmember Lewin, Councilmember Mills,
Mayor Pro Tern Foat, and Mayor Pougnet.
NOES: None.
ABSENT: None.
ABSTAIN: None.
JAMES THOMPSON, CITY CLERK
7