Members of the Brandenburg City Council discussed several ordinances during their regular meeting Monday (6/10) night.
The council heard and approved the second reading of ordinances which amending the statewide mandatory building code; zoning map amendment for 104 Lisa Drive; and enacting and adopting a supplement to the code of ordinances for the city. They also approved the second reading of budget related ordinances that included amending the current fiscal year budget; adopting the proposed budget for the 2024-25 fiscal year; amendment to the water and sewer rates by 2 percent; and the amendment to Business license ordinance.
As a result of discussion from a previous meeting, city leaders heard the first reading of a ordinance which would create an Business and Occupational License Fees which would replace the current Business License ordinance. The issue was raised in discussion related to increasing generated revenue for the city in the face of the future growth that is expected in order to provide and expand city services. Mayor David Pace that the Occupational License Fee would be based upon qualifying businesses and the amount would based upon the payroll of business. If approved, the new ordinance would not go into place until January 1, 2025. City leaders are working to lay the ground work for them to determine the potential revenue estimates. The council is expected to discuss the issue and have a possible second reading of the ordinance at their July meeting.
Mayor Pace entertained discussion on an ordinance related to medical cannabis. He said the state is asking local governments to make a decision on the issue at a local level before July 1, 2024 to assist with the determination of placement of 20 licenses to allow cannabis dispensaries across the state. Pace said Brandenburg would be competing with communities across eight surrounding counties in the Lincoln Trail Area Development District for the license. City leaders have the selection of one of three options: Do Nothing; adopt an ordinance to prohibit or put the issue to public vote. After some discussion, the council determined with the unknowns surrounding the issue and they can change their opinion at a later time at their discretion, the council heard the first reading of an ordinance prohibiting medical cannabis within the city.
City Attorney Jessica Roberts informed the council that regardless of their decision, the issue could be placed on the ballot to be voted on in November by the normal referendum process. Mayor Pace and Brandenburg Police Chief Brian Haag expressed concerns on how the city could monitor the process to ensure that the businesses were acting within state and city laws.
In other business, Mayor Pace presented John Spaulding the June Yard of The Month recipient at the beginning of the meeting. The council held a public hearing on the LGEA and MRA funds for the upcoming fiscal year. No public comments were received.
Public Works Director T.J. Hughes reported to the council that in the past month three sewer pumps had to be repaired due to flushable wipes flushed into the city sewer system. He said that one of the pump stations had to have the wipes cleaned out of the of the line twice in order to get the pump station back in service. He urges residents to not flush “flushable wipes”.
You can watch the entire regular meeting of the Brandenburg City Council in our “On Demand” section.
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