02111997 Emergency Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

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21 MINUTES OF THE EMERGENCY MEETING OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, FEBRUARY 111 1997 PRESENT: Mayor Billy G. Moore Mayor Pro-Tern Council Members * Rick Hernandez Ed Mihalkanin Jane Hughson Ronald K. Hart Fred Guerra Joe B. Cox, Jr. r- I I * City Manager Assistant City Manager City Secretary City Attorney Director of Human Resources Police Chief Larry Gilley Laura Huffman Janis K. Womack Mark Taylor Carolyn Liner Larry Kendrick Also Present: Harvey Ginsburg, Diane Ginsburg, Scott Maier, Melissa Millecam, Ed Theriot, Janis Hendrix, 'Collette Duran and others. Mayor Moore called the meeting to order at 5:30 p.m. Mayor Moore introduced for consideration approval of an Ordinance on second reading, the caption which was read as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, ORDERING A JOINT GENERAL AND SPECIAL ELECTION BY THE CITY AND THE SAN MARCOS CONSOLIDATED INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT TO BE HELD ON MAY 3, 1997, FOR THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, PLACE 5, AND A CITY COUNCIL MEMBER, PLACE 6; AND TO BE HELD WITHIN THE BOUNDARIES OF THE SCHOOL DISTRICT FO~THE PURPOSE OF ELECTING TWO SCHOOL DISTRICT BOARD OF TRUSTEES MEMBERS AT LARGE; SUBMITTING TO THE VOTERS A PROPOSITION REGARDING AN INITIATIVE ORDINANCE PERTAINING TO THE THERAPEUTIC USE OF MARIJUANA FOR SERIOUS MEDICAL DISORDERS; ESTABLISHING EARLY VOTING LOCATIONS AND POLLING PLACES FOR THE ELECTION; MAKING PROVISIONS FOR THE CONDUCT OF THE ELECTION; AND DECLARING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. , I I l~ Mr. Cox moved for approval of the Ordinance on second rea9ing and Ms. Hughson seconded the motion. Mayor Moore stated this 'has been an issue which has attracted considerable attention, and thinks that was the intent of the petition. The Mayor does not think this sends any signal that reflects negatively on the City or government of San Marcos. The election in May will advise us what the will of the community is. Without restrictions, penalties and directives this initiative Ordinance is merely a political statement. The Council has not heard from the medical community whether they are willing to diagnose, prescribe, be held responsible or testify on behalf of any individual. The Police community does not like this initiative. The Federal government in response to the California and Arizona propositions has come forward and said they will take the license of any physician who recommends against the law. Mayor Moore does not think local government is the proper forum for this discussion. Mayor Moore stated as a person sworn to defend and uphold the Constitutions of the United States and the State of Texas and the laws thereof, and the Charter of this City, he feels committed to put this initiative on the ballot for a vote and abide by the decision of the people. Concern has been expressed by this Council they do not want to make the wrong kind of statement that they are advocating the legalization of an illegal substance, and Mayor Moore concurs. It is his view this is not the appropriate forum for this discussion. He has assured Dr. Ginsburg the process works, we will go through the process, and if it did not work, he would not be a part of it. Mr. Mihalkanin stated he voted and will be voting in favor of this Ordinance for the election, which will include the initiative Ordinance pertaining to the therapeutic use of marijuana, because it is his belief if he did not, he would be violating his * Messrs. Hernandez and Guerra were not present at this meeting.