HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes2014-085 Sponsored by: Terry
L. CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2014-085
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEWARD,
ALASKA, OPPOSING THE PASSAGE OF THE INITIATIVE
RECREATIONAL MARIJUANA IN ALASKA AND URGING VOTERS TO
DEFEAT BALLOT MEASURE 2
WHEREAS,ballot measure 2 would legalize,commercialize,and industrialize recreational
marijuana in the State of Alaska for adults 21 and over; and
WHEREAS, the use and delivery of marijuana is still a violation of federal law under the
Controlled Substances Act; and
WHEREAS, the use of marijuana has been found to have negative physical, mental,
behavioral and social health consequences and is associated with diseases of the heart,brain,lungs,
and vascular system; and
WHEREAS,the legalization of marijuana is predicted to produce significant net economic
costs to the State of Alaska; and
WHEREAS,ballot measure 2 is an extreme measure that would legalize not only marijuana
but also potent and dangerous chemical concentrates and drug-infused edibles that appeal to
children; and
WHEREAS, ballot measure 2 will have negative impacts on our workforce, workforce
safety, and employability; and
WHEREAS, ballot measure 2 is a harmful measure that ignores the severe problems that
have been created by the legalization of recreational marijuana in other states,including public health
hazards such as hash oil explosions, increases in driving under the influence,traffic accidents with
injuries and deaths, and deaths from edibles; and
WHEREAS,the commercialization and industrialization of marijuana will involve outside
interest seeking to aggressively market to and profit on Alaskans, including young people; and
WHEREAS, this initiative would result in extensive advertising of marijuana, marijuana
concentrates (such as Butane Hash Oil, Shatter, and Earwax), marijuana edibles and marijuana
accessories in Seward and the Kenai Peninsula Borough; and
WHEREAS,our community supports the health and well-being of our adults and children.
L.
CITY OF SEWARD, ALASKA
RESOLUTION 2014-085
NOW,THEREFORE,BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF SEWARD, ALASKA that:
Section 1. The Seward City Council opposes the passage of the initiative to legalize
recreational marijuana in the State of Alaska.
Section 2. The Seward City Council urges votes to defeat ballot measure 2.
Section 3. This resolution shall take effect immediately.
PASSED AND APPROVED by the City Council of the City of Seward, Alaska, this 13th day of
October, 2014.
THE CITY OF SEWARD,ALASKA
can Bardarson, Mayor
AYES: Terry, Squires, Butts, Darling, Bardarson
NOES: Keil, Casagranda
ABSENT: None
ABSTAIN: None
ATTEST:
Jhhanna Kinney C C
1 ity Clerk
(City Seal) ,,,.....OLI
OF
••∎∎
1 • i SEAT
r • �..2
w 9
<4.41,t 1 0
C4 OFAr 4.
Council Agenda Statement
r Of SFt9
Meeting Date: October 13, 2014
To: Mayor Bardarson, City Council Members
4�A51I�P
From: Johanna Kinney, City Clerk
Agenda Item: Resolution 2014-085, Opposing The Passage Of The Initiative Recreational
Marijuana In Alaska And Urging Voters To Defeat Ballot Measure 2.
BACKGROUND & JUSTIFICATION:
Council Member Terry has sponsored a resolution for consideration of the City Council to oppose
Ballot Measure 2, which will be on the November 4, 2014 General Ballot. Ballot Measure 2, if
approved, would legalize, commercialize, and industrialize recreational marijuana in the State of
Alaska for adults 21 and over.
If the City of Seward intended to expend public funds to influence the outcome of an election, it
would first need to appropriate the money for that use via passage of a non-code ordinance. Then the
city would keep track of those expenditures and report on either form 15-5 or 15-6 to APOC.
Alaska Statute AS 15.13.145 is the citation that states; "a municipality may not use money to
influence the outcome of an election concerning a ballot proposition unless the funds have been
specifically appropriated for that purpose by the elected body. " 2 AAC 50.356 and 2 AAC 50.360
allow for municipalities to seek budgeted municipal funds to influence the outcome of an election,
appropriate funds if the education process may influence the outcome of an election, and require
registering and reporting under AS 15.13.040 and AS 15.13.050.
Seeking clarification, the City Clerk asked the Alaska Public Offices Commission (APOC) if the
City of Seward would need to first pass a non-code ordinance to appropriate funds if they were to
pass a resolution opposing a ballot measure. APOC directed the clerk to the attached advisory
opinion regarding the Sitka School Board seeking similar clarification on a ballot measure from
2010.
The short answers in this advisory opinion were: the school board may pass a resolution without a
specific appropriation and expenditures relating to the passage and dissemination of the resolution at
issue must be disclosed on a report to APOC.
ATTORNEY REVIEW: No
RECOMMENDATION: Discuss and decide whether to approve Resolution 2014-085.
If approved, the City Clerk shall submit an Independent Expenditures Report if there are any
expenditures related to the passage and dissemination of the resolution. If there are no expenditures
made, a zero report shall be filed.
10