TITLE:
title
APPROVE CERTIFICATION OF SPECIAL ASSESSMENTS FOR THE COLLECTION OF DELINQUENT CIVIL CITATIONS FOR MUNICIPAL CODE VIOLATIONS
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DEPARTMENT: FINANCE DEPARTMENT
PRESENTED BY: CAROL MOLINA, FINANCE DIRECTOR
CONTACT INFORMATION: CAROL MOLINA, FINANCE DIRECTOR, (714) 754-5243
RECOMMENDATION:
recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council:
1. Conduct a Public Hearing.
2. Adopt Resolution 2022-xx approving the certification of special assessments for delinquent civil fines for municipal code violations in relation to unlicensed cannabis and other municipal code violations.
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BACKGROUND:
Since the legalization of the recreational use of cannabis in 2016 under Proposition 64, legally permitted cannabis operations (dispensaries) have been licensed throughout the State, if allowed by the host City. However, before the residents of Costa Mesa approved the retail sale of cannabis within the City in November of 2020, certain cannabis dispensaries opened to the public without the requisite state and local permits needed to ensure compliance with all pertinent laws and regulations.
While an unlicensed or unpermitted business operating in a City can occur in any business sector, in the case of cannabis, strict compliance with State and local laws is paramount as this is a product that is used for human consumption. In many cases it is also used to treat various medical conditions and ailments. Hence, the City has dedicated resources across multiple departments to identify and shut down illegal dispensaries to ensure public safety and compliance with all laws.
The City has successfully curbed illegal and unlicensed cannabis operations, as well as other municipal code violations by issuing citations for these violations, which include operating without a business license, lack of required building permits, and operating an unlicensed cannabis dispensary.
All commercial, residential, public assembly, and other buildings within a governmental ju...
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