At its Monday, April 15 meeting, the Jay Town Council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance that, if adopted, will prohibit medical marijuana centers from being located within 3,000 feet of an existing church, school or daycare inside the town limits of Jay.
The state of Florida issued a moratorium that legalized the use of medical marijuana in 2016. That moratorium allowed municipalities to impose a temporary one-year moratorium on medical marijuana treatment centers and dispensaries within its city limits. Jay passed a one-year moratorium in 2016, which expired in 2017. Since then, town has not addressed the issue again.
The old Dollar General building on Commerce Street that was up for sale is now up for lease, making it possible for a medical dispensary to set up shop before the second reading of the ordinance and council approval to adopt May 6.
Town Manager Eric Seib said the ordinance will limit the allowance of a dispensary in the city limits, but noted that ‘just the outskirts of town are not covered’.
Councilwoman Jane Hayes made a motion to accept the first reading of the ordinance, which was seconded by Councilman Josh Holloway. The motion carried. The second reading of the ordinance will be at the next council meeting at 6 p.m., Monday, May 6.
Park Master Plan
Seib reported that the town did get an engineer contract approval from the Department of Commerce for the renovation of Bray-Hendricks Park. Since the money is state funds, the state has to approve each step of the construction, starting with the engineering plans.
The town published the required environmental assessment statement in the newspaper last week. Seib said that portion should be completed by May 7, then the state will receive the plans May 8 to review. He said once they review and approve the plans, the next step is to approve the use of the grant funds, and the town can start its engineering plan.
“We will create a contracting bid from the engineering plans,” said Seib. “Then the state has to approve the construction plans, and then we can go out for bids.”
Seib said he should have a better timeline for the next step at the May 6 council meeting. He hopes construction bids can go out in June, and that will start the construction once the bid is selected.
Community Center Renovation
Seib told the council that two dumpsters were brought in at the community center to hold the ceiling and floor tile debris, which they have started.
“We are looking at the permit process to do the electrical and plumbing,”said Seib. “They have responded, so we are now awaiting permits from Santa Rosa County. We’e looking at about one year construction after they start.”
