Cortez City Council members on Tuesday unanimously approved on first reading an ordinance extending the permitted hours of operation for marijuana stores.
The permitted hours will be from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and the ordinance applies to both medical and retail marijuana operations. The council plans a public hearing and a final vote on the ordinance on July 26.
Also Tuesday, July 12, council members unanimously approved off-premises liquor licenses for 3.2 percent beer for two Good 2 Go convenience stores, at 717 S. Broadway and 302 W. Main St.
Chief Roy Lane said the police department has no reason to object to the licenses. Good 2 Go Manager Kelly Pearce said she had managed similar stores in Las Vegas for 18 years and had requests for 3.2 percent beer at her stores.
The council also approved resolutions for an amended plat for the Southern Bluffs subdivision and a boundary line adjustment for Foods 4 U. The current owner of Foods 4 U is selling 0.5 acres to Lotsa Pasta That’za Pizza, and the parking lot at that business will be expanded.
Council members also approved on first reading an ordinance revising the rules and qualifications for serving on city boards and commissions. The ordinance states that a person wishing to serve on a city board or commission must undergo a criminal background check. Under the ordinance, prospective members could be disqualified for appointment if the background check reveals convictions within seven years for crimes of violence, moral turpitude, felony theft or embezzlement, as well as crimes against persons or government. Crimes against children are not subject to the seven-year statute of limitations, according to the ordinance.
City Attorney Mike Green said people can only be disqualified from serving on a board or commission for what is in the ordinance. The council will hold a public hearing on the ordinance at their next meeting July 26.
Other council actionAlso Tuesday, the council approved:
A renewal hotel and restaurant liquor license for Pepperhead restaurant, 44 W. Main St.,An ordinance vacating an alleyway on the Calkins Building property, 121 E. First St.,A resolution to support the Southwest Colorado Collective Impact Initiative, a regional collaborative with the goal of providing a system to support every child in the community,An authorization for Jaynes Construction to apply for an early grading permit for the Montezuma County combined courts project, located at 865 N. Park St.,A renewal of the contract with the Cortez Welcome Center beginning July 1, andScheduling a public hearing date for July 26 for a new hotel and restaurant liquor license for Taste of India restaurant, at 1013 E. Main St.