AGENDA REPORT
REQUEST FOR CITY COUNCIL ACTION
DATE: 09/02/2020
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
FROM: Police Department
SUBJECT:
Title
City Council consideration of a Cannabis Regulation Task Force (CRTF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the Corona Police Department.
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RECOMMENDED ACTION:
Recommended action
That the City Council:
a. Approve the Cannabis Regulation Task Force Memorandum of Understanding between the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the Corona Police Department.
b. Authorize the Chief of Police to execute the Cannabis Regulation Task Force Memorandum of Understanding between the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office and the Corona Police Department.
c. Authorize the Chief of Police to negotiate and execute any amendments to this MOU which are either non substantive or otherwise in compliance with the City Council’s actions hereunder.
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ANALYSIS:
The Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee has been meeting since July 2019 to develop the regulations, policies, and standards for the Cannabis Program. The Committee’s progress has been presented and discussed at multiple public study sessions, most recently on August 17, 2020. Based on the June 2020 study session, direction to move forward with the development of the cannabis program was granted. Furthermore, it was determined that additional staffing was required to establish the application process, review submittals, conduct applicant background investigations, and other program functions.
On July 1, 2020, the City Council authorized the Corona Police Department a full-time Police Detective to be placed on the Cannabis Regulation Task Force (CRTF). This position also included the authorization of a vehicle, training, and equipment. In addition, a full-time Administrative Assistant was also authorized. Both positions were approved to begin September 1, 2020 for the Cannabis Program.
The recommended Memorandum of Understanding will place this Detective on the Riverside County CRTF. This will allow the Detective to be fully trained prior to final approval of the Cannabis Program Ordinance.
This task force is a multijurisdictional team consisting of sworn and non-sworn personnel from several law enforcement agencies in Riverside County, under the immediate supervision of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office. The CRTF will identify, investigate, apprehend, and prosecute (civilly and/or criminally) those persons and illicit businesses committing consumer, environmental, regulatory, and criminal offenses related to fraudulent and unfair business practices. These business practices threaten public safety and undermine legitimate state and local cannabis businesses.
The Detective assigned to the CRTF will also be able to provide field assistance for background investigation and prosecution of any illicit cannabis operations prior to legal businesses opening and will continue to monitor for illicit business activity after the legal industry begins operations.
CRTF is expected to be an on-going task force. There is a sixty-day written notice requirement allowing either party to terminate if needed. It is recommended that the Chief of Police be allowed authorization to determine continued participation, as long as there is no fiscal impact or other significant changes to the MOU.
The City Attorney has reviewed and approved as to form the proposed CRTF MOU.
COMMITTEE ACTION:
The recommended action is a result of discussion with the Cannabis Ad Hoc Committee and the full City Council at the June 24, 2020 study session.
STRATEGIC PLAN:
This Council Action supports the City’s Strategic Plan Goal #4 to Actively Engage in Public and Private Partnerships to Provide Services and Amenities (b) proactively develop partnerships with local and regional business interests and agencies.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Approval of the recommended actions will not have a fiscal impact on either the General Fund or the Police Department’s budget. The MOU assigns and designates related law enforcement responsibilities.
Additionally, the MOU will allow the City to participate in distribution of forfeitures as related to any CRTF seizures.
ENVIRONMENTAL ANALYSIS:
No environmental review is required because the proposed action is exempt under the California Environment Quality Act.
PREPARED BY: MICHELLE ADAMS, MANAGEMENT ANALYST II
REVIEWED BY: PAUL MERCADO, POLICE CAPTAIN
REVIEWED BY: GEORGE JOHNSTONE, CHIEF OF POLICE
REVIEWED BY: ROGER BRADLEY, ASSISTANT CITY MANAGER
SUBMITTED BY: JACOB ELLIS, CITY MANAGER
Attachments:
1. Riverside County District Attorney Cannabis Regulation Task Force Memorandum of Understanding
2. Extent of MOU and Certification of Authority - City of Corona