San Juan Bautista council members on June 21 voted against a planned ordinance requiring regulation of tobacco retailers. The ordinance would have required businesses in the City of History to purchase an annual license allowing them to sell tobacco.
Vice Mayor Chris Martorana said he thought the council had tabled the ordinance at its previous meeting. “Since our last meeting the state has changed the law,” he said.,
In March, the California State Senate voted to raise the legal age to buy tobacco from 18 to 21. The new law went into effect June 9.
Martorana suggested the council bring back the ordinance at a later point in a different form if it is needed.
Budget approved
In other action, council members also approved the city’s 2016- 2017 fiscal budget. While no formal presentation was given at the meeting, the board unanimously agreed the plan would meet city needs.
“It’s the best one we’ve had,” said Councilman Robert Lund. “We were able to increase security and project funding.”
City Manager Roger Grimsley said the city was able to set aside $81,000 to cover security expenses which will allow the city to hire a security firm to serve for an eight-hour shift, seven days a week.
Water and sewer payment plan
The council also voted to continue discussing a motion to establish a water and sewer payment plan for limited income individuals. The payment plan would have reduced payments by 12 percent starting July 1 for individuals who are 62 years or older, a head of the household and part of the PG&E Care Program.
Councilman Jim West said, “I thought it was a great idea when we started but I think we should get all of the water projects done.”
Martorana expressed reservations about adopting a new policy that may not be needed, saying, “I’ve never had a single person say anything” about the need for a different payment plan for some residents.
“I’ve had a couple of people, primarily elderly women,” Grimsley responded. “It’s a step toward showing compassion. If it gets out of hand, we can take it away.”
Martorana encouraged residents to approach the council if they have an opinion about the payment plan idea, which is scheduled to be discussed at the next city council meeting.
Historic Park collaboration
Council members approved the creation of an Ad Hoc Committee to collaborate with the State Historic Park. The committee, made up of council member Tony Boch, Martorana and Grimsley, will act as a liaison between the council and Assemblyman Luis Alejo’s office to help make the Orchard Garden Lot, located on Third Street, more accessible. The city will be able to decide what it wants to do with the park and how to maintain it.
Mission preservation
In other council news, Tami Adam, president of the Mission San Juan Bautista Preservation Fund, gave a presentation on the organization’s efforts to save the mission.
The nonprofit is trying to raise $14 million to retrofit the 200-year-old mission, the largest in California. The project would rebuild and replace the mission’s roof and strengthen its adobe walls with steel rods.
Adam encouraged the council and the community to make it their “mission to save the mission” as it is a vital part of the community.
Anyone interested on donating can make contributions payable to the “Mission San Juan Bautista Preservation Fund,” and mail them to P.O. Box 222, San Juan Bautista, 95045. Community members can also donate through a GoFundMe page or through the Amazon Smile program. For more information visit http://savemissionsjb.org/.
The next city council meeting will be held on July 19 at 6 p.m. in the council chambers at City Hall on Second Street in San Juan Bautista.