FORUM COSTS ARGUED

The issue of medical marijuana was back on the table at City Council
last week, but support for it wasn't up for a vote.

Instead, councillors challenged each other over the money spent on the
June 18 medical marijuana forum hosted by Coun. Joy Davies under the
auspices of the Economic Development Task Force (EDTF).

"If I have been guilty of anything it is in being naive in my thinking
that we would be able to manage a huge economic development task
without any form of financial support," said Davies at the June 29
meeting.

Davies accessed $1,100 of discretionary funds to pay for travel and
meals for the two speakers who attended, which was approved by City
Manager Victor Kumar.

Coun. Gene Robert proposed a resolution to require this type of
spending to be approved by all of council rather than by staff.
However, only he and Michael Wirischagin voted in favour of this
resolution and the motion was defeated.

I speak against the motion because I think it interferes with the
CAO's designated rights and would make it very difficult for
committees to operate," said Coun. Chris Moslin.

However, he said the committee should have been required to establish
a budget when it formed.

Discussion on the issue became heated when verbal councillors' reports
were used to address the issue.

Wirischagin, chair of the tourism sub-committee, said he felt Davies
was using the EDTF to pursue a "personal agenda."

"Coun. Davies at no point mentioned the Economic Development Task
Force was behind the forum, nor did she mention that to the EDTF or
its chairs," he said.

:Was this a committee formed for the benefit of Grand Forks or was it
a committee formed so that Coun. Davies could forward her personal
agenda? I believe that there is a black cloud now hanging over this
committee."

Coun. Davis said it was her decision as chair to host the forum as an
educational opportunity because, although the sub-committee chairs
were not in favour of pursuing any medical marijuana initiatives at
this time, they may in the future.

Davies called Wirischagin's accusation that she was using the EDTF to
further a personal agenda "distasteful."

Robert said he does not support Davies' campaign because it is at the
wrong level of government - municipal rather than federal - and
because of the expenditure of public funds.

"Coun. Davies is a relative newcomer to the community and was not here
when our current mayor attempted the same concern," he said. "The
second concern is how conveniently staff found money to wine and dine
this medical marijuana (forum)."

He noted that other committees offer educational opportunities to the
public without expenditure of city funds by partnering with non-profit
agencies and relying on volunteers.

Coun. Cher Wyers agreed Grand Forks wasn't the place to debate the
issue.

"I have a very strong feeling we're entering a category of governance
that is not ours," she said.

Coun. Chris Moslin asked council to consider a policy on the creation
of volunteer committees, which was approved.

"I think that's a prudent idea because then we will all know what our
authorities are and what we can and can't do," said Coun. Christine
Thompson. "It would certainly get the monkey off the city manager's
back."

Davies also used the city van to drive speakers to and from the
airport and to pick up the mayor from the airport. At Robert's
request, council agreed to review the policy for use of the city van.

The issue originally came before council in May when Davies asked
council to support a resolution to the Union of British Columbia
Municipalities (UBCM) to improve access to medical marijuana.

Although the June 29 meeting was the last day council could have voted
on this issue before the UBCM conference, she would have needed
unanimous approval of council to bring it to another vote.

Mayor Brian Taylor did not weigh in on the issue saying that it was
"inappropriate " to engage in a "debate."

Sylvia Treptow, a local resident asked council to hold a public
hearing if any initiatives on the subject come forward for a vote.
Mayor Taylor agreed this would be a good idea.