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SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION

                                                                        May 30, 2013

Council President Sally Clark and

Members of the Seattle City Council
601 Fifth Avenue, Second floor

P. O. Box 34025
Seattle, Washington 98124-4025

RE:                  Council Bill 117781 regarding Marijuana Siting and Distribution Issues

Dear President Clark and Members of the Council: 

            At its May 28^th meeting, the Seattle Community Council Federation voted unanimously to urge you to postpone your June 3^rd vote on Council Bill 117781.  Federation members studied and discussed the proposed ordinance keeping in mind the provisions of Initiative 502 legalizing the recreational use of marijuana.  We believe it is premature to vote on the CB 117781 because of the many issues in the initiative that have not been addressed in the proposed ordinance, the apparent lack of coordination with the Washington State Liquor Control Board and the inadequate public involvement in the local process. 

            For one thing, the proposed ordinance does not distinguish between the state law governing medical marijuana and the provisions within I-502 governing the recreational use of marijuana.  CB 117781 addresses the siting, distribution, production, selling and delivery of marijuana with no regard to the provisions of I-502 and the proposed state rules governing licensing for producers, processors and retailers and tax issues.  It is clear from I-502 that home grown marijuana for recreation use and sale is illegal—that the drug for recreational use must be purchased from a state-licensed retailer—but  the proposed city ordinance does not address this discrepancy. 

            The proposed ordinance seems to allow the growing of less than 45 marijuana plants in single family neighborhoods with no regard to proximity to schools, playgrounds, community centers, parks, libraries—contrary to the provisions of Initiative 502. 

            These are just a few issues we have identified with Council Bill 117781.  The Federation strongly urges you to postpone a vote on this measure and to allow a broader public process and coordination with the Liquor Control Board.  Thank you for considering our comments. 

                                                                        Sincerely,

                                                                       

                                                                        Jeannie Hale, President

                                                                        3425 West Laurelhurst Drive NE

                                                                        Seattle, Washington  98105

                                                                        206-525-5135 / fax 206-525-9631

                                                                        jeannieh@serv.net

cc:  Washington State Liquor Control Board

SEATTLE COMMUNITY COUNCIL FEDERATION

Monthly Meeting, Tuesday, May 28, 2013, 7 p.m.

Central Area Senior Center, 500 30th Avenue South  98144

[This beautiful facility with free parking and a grand view of Lake Washington is just three blocks east of Martin Luther King, Jr. Way S. and one block south of S. Jackson Street]

AGENDA

Why is there a lack of low-cost, high bandwidth internet,

TV cable and telephone choices?  What can be done about it?

A roundtable of invited speakers, with audience participation

AND

Designation of the 18-acre Battelle/Talaris property as historic

Internet, cable TV, and telephone access in Seattle and throughout the United States is more expensive, with less data capacity and less consumer choice than in many other countries--and the gap is widening.  Just a few companies control the glass fiber lines needed for better telecommunications, and they are minimizing improvements and maximizing profits while lobbying to keep their monopolies.  What solutions can Seattle seek in Washington, D.C. and Olympia?  What can Seattle do itself to promote more competition and investment?  Join in this roundtable, which will include the latest on Seattle’s agreement with Gigabit² to install ultra-high broadband in 14 demonstration neighborhoods. 

Friends of Battelle/Talaris will brief the group about their nomination to the Seattle Landmarks Board for historic protections of the 18-acre open space site complex between NE 41st and 44th streets, just south of where NE 45th turns in to Sand Point Way in Laurelhurst.  Learn about the process and share your views.

The May 28 meeting will include our monthly Round Robin with the opportunity to share news about your neighborhood’s issues and projects.  If you have informational materials to distribute at the meeting, please bring them or e-mail electronic copies or links to jeannieh@serv.net.

7:00     Introductions/Minutes /Treasurer’s Report / President’s Report

7:10     Why does Seattle (and the U.S.) lack low-cost, high bandwidth internet, TV cable, and telephone choices, and what can be done about it?

8:05     Possible Landmark designation for Battelle/Talaris property

8:40     Round Robin of issues and projects in your neighborhood

9:00     Adjourn

The Seattle Community Council Federation (http://seattlefederation.blogspot.com/) is one of the nation’s oldest and most active coalitions of community associations.  It was founded in 1946 to facilitate resettlement of Seattle’s Japanese-American residents who had returned from wartime internment to reclaim their homes and businesses; and to help Black veterans coming back from the war.  Over the decades, SCCF has grown to cover the entire City.  Its monthly meetings are open to the public, and suggestions for agenda items are always welcome. Yearly dues for member groups are $50, and new groups are always welcome.  Individual donations are also welcome, and go very far, as SCCF is all volunteer.  Please mail your check to SCCF, 2370 Yale Avenue East, Seattle, WA 98102-3310.  For questions, contact Treasurer Chris Leman at 206-322-5463 or cleman@oo.net.