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Council approves cannabis benefits committee recommendations; disc-golf funding deferred for further review
Summary
The council approved the Cannabis Community Benefits Committee’s recommendation to fund the Placerville Fire Safe Council grant, an Adopt-a-Trail trailer and equipment, and contribute toward Meridian barricades; the committee will re-evaluate a proposed $12,000 for disc-golf upgrades before final allocation.
City staff presented three recommended projects from the Cannabis Community Benefits Committee and the council approved a motion to fund three items while directing the committee and staff to re-evaluate a $12,000 request for Lions Park disc-golf improvements.
Mister Nishihara introduced the committee’s recommendations and turned the presentation to Annie Aubrey, chair of the seven-member Cannabis Community Benefits Committee. Aubrey described the committee makeup (two community members, two dispensary operators and three city officials) and the fund’s revenue source: a 1% fee on local cannabis sales that has averaged a little over $80,000 per year.
Aubrey said the committee decided to focus on projects that directly benefit adult residents who buy cannabis locally and the broader community. The committee recommended: a recurring contribution to the Placerville Fire Safe Council; purchase of a trailer and equipment for an Adopt-a-Trail program; upgrades to the disc-golf course at Lions Park; and a contribution toward Meridian barricades the city can use for events.
Several council members raised concerns about the disc-golf proposal. Staff and councilmembers said parts of the Lions Park course encroach on private property and that signage and maintenance issues remain unresolved. Council discussion led to a modification: approve the Fire Safe Council grant, fully fund the Adopt-a-Trail trailer and equipment, and fund the Meridian barricades, while sending the $12,000 disc-golf item back for re-evaluation and recommended development of a volunteer agreement and clearer plan before the city allocates the funds.
Public commenters included Sue Rodman and David Zielinski from the Placerville Fire Safe Council, who thanked the committee and described how the funds support wildfire-preparedness outreach. Councilmember Ruth Carter urged approval of the committee’s recommendations and noted the fund is not intended to plug general budget gaps.
The motion carried on roll call: Councilmember Carter — Aye; Councilmember Yarbrough — Aye; Mayor Pro Tem — Aye.
Clarifying details: The committee said the fund comes from a 1% cannabis sales fee averaging just over $80,000 annually. Aubrey said disc-golf signage is degraded and some holes are on private property; the committee’s requested dollar figure for course improvements was $12,000. The council approved three items and asked for a re-evaluation and volunteer agreement for disc-golf work before committing the $12,000.
