New fees for motorized golf carts
The Milaca City Council has begun taking steps to temporarily prohibit the cultivation of cannabis within city limits.
During the council meeting on Monday, June 24, the council held a first reading and introduced an ordinance to do so.
The moratorium is a result of recent legislative changes that have prompted cities to review their current ordinance related to cannabis products, including the cultivation of these products, and to begin making changes as necessary.
Minnesota legislation recently added an exception to its original statues related to the cultivation of cannabis which prohibited its cultivation until rules were adopted. The new exception allows for early cultivation for businesses that have received preapproval to immediately begin cultivation if the business meets a set of requirements.
However, many cities in Minnesota were not prepared for the early cultivation change and have moved to implement a temporary moratorium to allow them more time to conduct research and wait on further guidance from the state.
The Milaca City Council has chosen to pursue the same path.
The moratorium will allow Milaca to conduct research and determine the proper regulations for the city in regards to the cultivation of cannabis and cannabidiol products.
If approved, the moratorium will be in effect until Jan. 1, 2025.
The council introduced the first reading of the ordinance outlining the moratorium, and also voted to hold a public hearing related to the moratorium during its next meeting.
The public hearing will be held at Milaca City Hall at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 18.
To learn more about the temporary moratorium, visit https://www.cityofmilaca.org/agendas-1 and view the June 24 meeting agenda.
Motorized golf carts, UTVs, and mini truck ordinances and fees
Also during the Milaca City Council meeting on Monday, June 24, the council reviewed and introduced multiple amendments to its current ordinances related to owners of motorized golf carts, UTVs, and mini trucks within city limits, as well as the introduction of the addition of a fee for owners of those vehicles.
The council also introduced amendments to the city ordinances that would change which streets those vehicles are restricted from within the city.
The main change to the ordinance regarding the golf carts, UTVs, and mini trucks is to add language related to the new fees for the vehicles and to add language related to the permits for the vehicles attached to the fees.
Owners of each of the three types of vehicles will soon be required to purchase a permit for a fee to own and operate them within the city.
According to the new fee and permit ordinance, the fees would be $50 for each vehicle and will be valid for a period of three years. A replacement fee is also being added and is currently set at $15. Those with multiple vehicles will be required to purchase a permit for each one.
Once a permit is purchased, the permit should be displayed in a highly visible location on the vehicle.
If a vehicle is found without a permit, the person operating the vehicle could be charged with a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail, a $1,000 fine, or both.
In relation to these changes, the council also introduced amendments to the city ordinance that restricts motorized golf carts from operating on specific roads within the city limits.
The changes to this ordinance include the removal of Central Avenue, First Street Southeast, Second Avenue Southwest, and Second Street Southeast from the ordinance. The removal of these streets from the ordinance would allow motorized golf carts to operate on them.
All of the amendments and the additions mentioned above related ordinances for motorized golf carts, UTVs, and mini trucks within city limits were introduced as first readings by the Milaca City Council and are still pending final approval.
The council will vote on the final approval of these changes at a future council meeting.
To learn more about the changes, visit the Milaca City Council website and the June 24 meeting agenda.
Reach Chloe Smith at chloe.smith@apgecm.com
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