Carson City Supervisors pass first reading of medical marijuana business licenses

Ownership will be disclosed for medical marijuana establishments in Carson City and business licenses will cost up to $25,000, based on an ordinance that cleared its first hurdle Thursday.

The Board of Supervisors voted 4-1, with Supervisor Jim Shirk dissenting, for first reading of the ordinance after it was tweaked to include a provision requiring public disclosure of most owners. A second and final vote is expected in two weeks.

Supervisor Brad Bonkowski suggested language be added to require public disclosure of all owners with more than 5 percent interest in establishments. Business licenses will be $5,000 for a testing lab, $15,000 for an edible production facility, $20,000 for a cultivation facility and $25,000 for a dispensary if the ordinance is adopted. By state law, Carson City can have just two dispensaries.

Shirk said he voted against the ordinance because he wanted a flat fee plus a percentage system for the business licenses.

The board in other discussion or action:

Determined Geney/Gassiot, Inc., was the lowest responsible of six bidders and awarded the firm a contract for $1.6 million for city government that consists of adding office space, trench drains, a wash bay, concrete aprons, demolition and upgrades to a fleet maintenance building at the Public Works Department on Butti Way.

Reviewed a report from Public Works Director Darren Schulz and others on the July and August rainstorm floods in the city that prompted excess work and an aggregate cost estimate of $475,000.

Voted to accept a recommendation against exercising a first right of refusal on an opportunity to purchase open space totaling 201 acres and known as Horsecreek Ranch from W. Michael Fagen, who now can put it on the market, due to a shortage of funds and the fact a conservation easement already protects 175 acres of it.

Voted 3-2, with Mayor Bob Crowell and Supervisor Karen Abowd dissenting, to uphold the Planning Commission approval of a special use permit that would allow a pair of two-story four-plex buildings at 812 N. Division St., a decision which came after lengthy testimony for contending sides.