Election 2016: Laguna voters to decide on pot and hotel tax measures
Laguna Beach voters will see two ballot measures this election.
One measure, a citizens initiative, seeks to repeal the city’s current ban on medical marijuana dispensaries. The other measure, proposed by the city, would raise the tax hotels charge guests by 2% to help pay for services such as public safety and utility undergrounding,
Representatives for the initiative authors say providing a local source of medical cannabis would benefit residents so they would not have to drive outside city limits to obtain the drug. For months, the City Council debated placing a competing measure on the ballot, but declined.
City council members say revenues from the hotel tax, officially called a transient occupancy tax, would help offset costs to keep beaches and streets clean.
Measure KK
Title: An Initiative Measure Rescinding the city of Laguna Beach’s Ban on Medical Marijuana Dispensaries and Authorizing the Operation and Regulation of Medical Marijuana Dispensaries
The measure would repeal the city’s ban on medical marijuana dispensaries, allowing for potentially two dispensaries within Laguna Beach. The city’s director of finance would have the authority to grant or deny permit requests.
For the first year after applications are made available, priority would be given to permit seekers who meet four requirements, including those who are California nonprofit mutual benefit corporations incorporated before May15, 2014, and in possession of a city business license to provide home care or therapeutic services issued before May15, 2015.
Dispensaries must be located in either commercial or industrial zones and would not be allowed in property abutting or across the street from a residential-zoned lot, within 1,000 feet of a public or private K-12 school, or another medical marijuana dispensary.
Sponsors: Corey Aufhammer, Emily Toomey
Ballot argument for: No argument was filed in favor of the measure. However, an attorney representing the initiative’s authors said they want a local source of medical marijuana so people will not have to drive outside city limits to purchase it. According to the initiative text, authors want a uniform and enforceable set of rules for the operation of medical marijuana businesses that’s in compliance with state law and to future statewide regulation. They say they also want to prevent the proliferation of unlawful medical marijuana businesses, and want to protect the public health, safety and welfare of residents and businesses.
Ballot argument against: According to opponents, Measure KK threatens the safety of neighborhoods, children, the village and the quality of life Laguna Beach residents expect. If the measure passes, it will permit medical marijuana dispensaries to locate next to preschools, they say, as well as daycare centers and parks. Opponents argue that it would also allow the city to grant multiple medical marijuana dispensaries a license to operate without city review of security issues and business plans; fail to provide any additional public safety funding to help offset impacts to the community; and make Laguna the only city in the southern half of Orange County with a dispensary, which would make it a magnet for out-of-town people seeking marijuana.
[Argument written by city Councilmen Kelly Boyd, Bob Whalen and Robert Zur Schmiede, Mayor Pro Tem Toni Iseman and retired pediatrician Gary Jenkins.]
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Measure LL
Title: Vital Services Measure
If approved, the transient occupancy tax — which is charged to guests staying at hotels, motels, bed and breakfasts and short-term lodging units — would increase from 10% to 12%. The tax is paid by guests who stay for periods of 30 days or fewer. Revenues derived from the tax increase would be deposited in Laguna’s general fund and would pay for government operations and services such as emergency response, police, fire, utility undergrounding and protecting beaches from pollution. The city estimates the 2% increase would generate an additional $2million per year. The measure requires a simple majority vote for adoption.
Ballot argument for: Tourists increase demand on public safety services and the cost to provide clean beaches, streets and sidewalks and maintain open space, supporters of Measure LL say. The tax increase will provide additional and necessary funding to help offset these impacts. Measure LL will protect our beaches and the ocean from runoff and pollution, supporters say, and provide funds to underground utility poles in key areas, which will reduce the risk of catastrophic fires, enable faster emergency evacuation and delivery of regional firefighting assistance.
[Argument written by Larry Nokes, Laguna Beach Chamber of Commerce president; Laura Farinella, Laguna Beach police chief; Councilman Bob Whalen; Jeff LaTendresse, Laguna Beach fire chief; and Mark Christy, managing partner of the Ranch at Laguna Beach.]
Ballot argument against: No argument was filed opposing the measure. At a City Council meeting earlier this year, however, some speakers questioned the need for a tax increase because the city operates with a balanced budget. Some residents said the ballot language was not specific enough as to how tax revenue would be used, indicating the possibility that the city could spend it in other ways.
Twitter: @AldertonBryce
