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TUESDAY, JANUARY 28, 1997 <br /> <br />stated that he had spoken with the Chief of Police who stated that if <br />the Ordinance were adopted, the Police Department would only charge <br />individuals with an offense if they were present in a room where <br />illegal drugs were openly displayed. Vice-Mayor Crabtree voiced <br />support for adoption of the Ordinance, stating he believed the Charter <br />gave Council the authority to adopt it. By a vote of 4-1 (Council <br />Member Haskell opposing), the following Ordinance was adopted on second <br />reading: <br /> <br />Sec. 13-43. Place used for illegal drugs a nuisance; presence at such <br />nuisance. <br /> <br />Any office, shop, restaurant, dance hall, theater, poolroom, clubhouse, <br />storehouse, warehouse, dwelling house, apartment, building of any kind, <br />vehicle, vessel, boat, or aircraft, in this city, which is used or <br />visited by persons for the purpose of illegally obtaining possession <br />of, manufacturing, or distributing controlled substances or marijuana, <br />or which is used for the illegal possession, manufacture, or <br />distribution of controlled substances or marijuana, shall be deemed a <br />common nuisance. Any person who is present in any such place where. <br />controlled substances or marijuana are in plain and open view shall be <br />guilty of a Class 2 misdemeanor. <br /> <br />Council Member Haskell distributed a proposal for reviewing ordinances <br />pending before Council. The proposal was as follows: (1) the person <br />suggesting the ordinance should provide a clear, concise written <br />statement of the proposed ordinance and the problem it proposes to <br />solve; (2) receive an opinion from the City Attorney on legal issues, <br />including authority of Council to adopt the ordinance; (3) have the <br />City Manager and his staff analyze likely impacts of the proposed <br />ordinance on the city government and budget, as well as the economy, <br />environment and people of the City; (4) what are the benefits expected <br />from the ordinance--how will the problem at hand be reduced or solved; <br />and (5) what, if any, are the major alternatives to the ordinance being <br />considered by Council. Council Member Haskell suggested that these <br />analyses should be provided to Council Members and be available to the <br /> <br /> <br />