In approximately four to six weeks, depending on the weather, Grass Valley’s first licensed cannabis dispensary is set to open its doors for customers over the age of 21 years old.
Cameron Brady and Ryan Haley, owners of Grass Valley Provisions, LLC (Provisions) located at 403 Idaho Maryland Road, were granted a business license by the city that went into effect on January 1, 2024.
On February 9, the City of Grass Valley received correspondence from Brady, highlighting the adverse economic effects of the city’s implemented tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and sweetened cannabis beverages taxes.
The impact of this THC tax becomes apparent when comparing the price of cannabis and cannabis beverages between Grass Valley and neighboring Nevada City.
The City Council will consider temporarily decreasing the additional business taxes collected from cannabis businesses operating within the City of Grass Valley for high-potency cannabis products at the upcoming regularly scheduled city council meeting slated for 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 26 at City Hall, located at 125 East Main Street.
The councilmembers will also consider approving the development agreement with Provisions which requires the owners of Provisions to pay a sum of $10,000 to be used exclusively for city programs to discourage youth access to cannabis, according to the agreement.
“The City of Grass Valley has a unique cannabis tax structure. For dispensaries, this includes four percent of gross receipts, as well as an additional tax on high potency cannabis flower, products, and beverages,” according to the letter signed by the owner’s Chief Legal Officer Cameron Brady.
The current tax structure for high potency cannabis and products sold in Grass Valley requires it be taxed up to one percent of the gross receipts multiplied by the percent of THC content product above 17 percent, and an additional tax of 20 percent of gross receipts from sweetened cannabis beverages, according to Brady’s letter.
“One gram of 90.13 percent THC cannabis oil retail for around $45. This single item when purchased in Nevada City would come to $57.58 including all applicable taxes. The same item if purchased in Grass Valley would come to $95.60,” the letter states.
Provisions owners propose the temporary reduction in the tax structure in order to compete with surrounding retail operations.
The temporary agreement shall extend for a period of two years after the effective date, unless otherwise terminated or extended by mutual consent of the the City of Grass Valley and Provisions owners.
The Planning Commission is scheduled to convene a public hearing on this matter on April 3, 2024.
Biweekly garbage service
Council members will also review the pros and cons of a biweekly service model for waste collection at the upcoming city council meeting as well.
Organic waste would be picked up weekly because of its slimy smelly nature, and this is proposed to reduce residential garbage by about 30 percent, according to the staff report.
Other garbage would be collected biweekly, according to the staff report.
Other options and amendments to the Waste Management Franchise Agreement tied to state-mandated implementation of SB 1383, pertaining to recycling and organic waste programs, will be presented to the council who may then offer direction to staff.
State-mandated implementation of the recycling and organic waste programs require organics, including food scraps, food-soiled paper, and yard trimmings to be separated from recyclables such as clean plastics, glass, metal, and paper products.
Discussions included variations of three and even four-cart systems where customers would potentially separate yard waste from organic food waste, in addition to garbage and recycling, according to the staff report.
The current rate proposal, which may be amended, included a bundled residential rate structure where residents automatically receive and pay for three carts—one each for garbage, recycling, and organics, according to the report.
Customers that compost their own yard waste and food scraps were not provided an option to sign up for garbage and recycling services while opting out of organic services.
The proposed biweekly waste model was implemented in Portland, Oregon, and offered advantages that would keep rates low, and prevent an increase in the number of trucks on the road.
Advantages also include the possibility that if customers know their garbage cart will only be picked up every other week, they will be more likely to use their organics cart for food waste to reduce odors and maximize the capacity of their garbage cart, according to the staff report.
A biweekly schedule may encourage customers to use their organic cart for their food scraps which is the intent of SB 1383.
Residents would also have an option to apply for a waiver and choose to self-haul, opting out of all Waste Management services.
Official completion of the Mill Street Plaza
The Downtown Streetscape Improvements Project, also known as the Mill Street Plaza, was officially completed on March 26, 2024 when the City of Grass Valley received an official notice of completion as listed within the consent items of the agenda.
Project work included the transformation of Mill Street from Neal to West Main Street to create a pedestrian friendly, town square atmosphere with lighting and landscaping improvements along Main Street between Church and Bennett Streets.
“All of the work has now been completed by Sierra Foothills Construction Company with a total of sixteen change orders issued for this project. Final project costs equaled $6,071,479.02,” according to the staff report.
The project was funded through capital improvement program budgets over two years from 2022 to 2024 and utilized a combination of water rate funds, impact fees, Measure E funds, general funds and the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) grant funds provided to give financial relief in the wake of COVID-19.
Civility pledge
In September 2023, the council instructed staff to create a Civility Pledge in response to a growing call to keep conversations respectful and professional during meetings as seen across the country.
The process has taken longer than anticipated, but at this week’s meeting the council will consider reviewing and offering feedback or possibly adopting the Pledge.
As drafted, The Pledge reads as follows:
“As a public servant, I hereby pledge to promote civility, productivity, and community engagement by communicating in a respectful manner, listening to and being mindful of the viewpoints of fellow citizens, and acknowledging that while everyone’s ideas may differ, our common goal is to contribute towards the betterment of our city. I pledge to remain kind while advocating for civil engagement and positive collaboration to strive toward achieving my community’s aspirations.”