The Salem City Council is expected to have a sealed bid to open at Monday night’s city council to purchase 14 acres in the westside industrial park for a cannabis grow facility. City Manager Rex Barbee has indicated Hometown Heroes, LLC has indicated they will submit a bid for the land west of the Spec Building. If the council concurs with what will likely be an option on the land if the state approves the grow location, the next step is a hearing before the Salem Planning Commission for a special use permit. The council at its last meeting voted to allow cannabis grow facilities in Industrial zones areas of the city, but only with a special use permit. The hearing has already been scheduled for next Tuesday night, April 12th, at six pm at the Salem Community Activity Center. Whatever the planning commission decides, the final decision on the special use permit lies with the city council.
The state permit is only to grow cannabis with NO sales allowed.
The council will also consider renewal of the School Resource Officer positions with the Salem Community High School and Salem Elementary District. Barbee notes the program has worked very well in both schools and they are encouraging a renewal of the agreement. The cost sharing of the proposed agreement is changed in favor of the city now that they have revenue available from the 1-cent sales tax for schools.
The council will be asked to change the gas tap fee to a sliding scale to match the cost the city is incurring in making the tap.
The council will also give first reading approval to the non-general fund portion of the budget.
A closed session is on the agenda to allow the council to discuss the possible sale of real estate.
The meeting begins at six Monday night at Salem City Hall.
