City Passes Moratorium

Monticello City Council held a special called meeting last Wednesday, July 20. With Mayor DeAshley Thurman not in attendance, Mayor Pro Tem Doug Currie presided over the meeting to discuss two action items.

The first action item discussed was for a new retail beer, wine, and malt beverages license for Akash Grocery Bank, commonly known as the A1. The reasoning behind this new application was due to a new leaser, Akash Amanual. A motion was made by Council member Jenny Murphy with a second by Council member David Wease, with the vote passing 5-0.

The second action item discussed a resolution to impose a moratorium on new vaping and hookah sales. Mr. Currie stated that this moratorium would be in place for two months as a policy was drafted on vaping and hookah sales. He cites that there is no current policy due to the emergence in sales for vapes and hookah sales.

Mrs. Murphy stated that several people spoke at a previous meeting against having a vape shop on the square for a number of reasons, and states that this resonates the feeling of majority of the city. Mr. Wease, however, stated that the citizens should decide what they want and don’t want on the square. He called for a referendum on the matter.

Council member Cynthia Miller agreed with Mr. Wease stating that it wouldn’t be fair to tell people what they can and cannot sell in a business. Mrs. Miller suggested that the item be tabled to the next meeting.

Mr. Currie and Mrs. Murphy disagreed with this. Mrs. Murphy stated that a store that sells vape and hookah items should not belong on the square. Mr. Currie emphasized the problem of vaping with children, citing it being the number one disciplinary problem in the school system. Adding to the discussion was Council Member Larry Thurman. Mr. Thurman stated that he’s seen kids purchase and use these products and that he feels this is a danger to the children in the community.

Despite the lengthy deliberation, a motion was made by Mrs. Murphy, seconded by Mr. Currie and passed 5-0 across the council. Mr. Currie also added before and after the vote that the ordinances of the city need to be looked at across the board, as some are outdated.

A draft the ordinance obtained by The News shows that a first reading will take place on August 8. It can then be voted on and amended on September 12 following a second reading.