VIENNA — There is a lot of interest in whether or not the City of Vienna will be the site of marijuana cultivation and/or manufacturing of infused products if the company, Hippos, wins a state license to do so. There is also interest in what this new industry will mean for the city if permitted to build its business in the city’s industrial development park.

At the December Vienna City Council meeting, the council members discussed this. South Ward Alderwoman and Acting Mayor, Brenda Davis, said they will know soon – as all licenses will be issued by Feb. 1, 2020.

The license dates released by the state include: testing Dec. 19, transport Dec. 23, cultivation Dec. 26, manufacturing Jan. 10, dispensary Jan. 24, and seed to sell Jan. 31.

Davis said she knows there are some Vienna citizens who are not pleased by a marijuana business locating in the city. But, Davis said no one has told her they think it’s a mistake for Vienna. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services is the agency tasked with regulating the marijuana business in Missouri and Davis said she’s read the regulations and they are strict with a lot of oversight and security. She said people who are upset don’t realize the guidelines for this emerging industry are strict.

It was noted the state will not let the city know if Hippos has been successful in its license applications, but that it will be done by the company itself. Representatives of Hippos came to look at the site along Highway V last week.

City Clerk Sherry James said one person complained because she was concerned about a lot of lights at the industrial park.

Davis said she is not 100 percent sure it was the right decision to go forward and allow the city to be a possible site for marijuana cultivation and product manufacturing, “But our intent was good and we are trying to improve our community.”

Police Chief Shannon Thompson said the city has a good safety net if the licensing does not come to pass, but this is a chance to get about 25 jobs in Vienna. Davis said they’ll know soon.

North Ward Alderman Tyler “TC” James said the city needs developers and it needs more housing.

Missouri became the 33rd state to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes after 65% of voters in November 2018 approved Amendment 2, which created a lot of interest among business owners looking to capitalize on the new market. Marijuana is expected to top more than $100 million in sales by 2025. Sales are expected to begin as early as spring 2020.

The state raked in a total of more than $13 million in nonrefundable fees from 2,163 marijuana business applications filed by at least 700 different groups. Some applicants will be disappointed as Missouri will issue just 60 licenses to grow marijuana, 86 to make marijuana-infused products, and 192 to open dispensaries—a maximum of 24 in each of Missouri’s eight congressional districts.

In other business at the council’s December meeting:

• The council briefly discussed if there is any interest among residents who would like to be mayor of Vienna. Davis said she’d like to see if the council’s alderpersons can live in either precinct within the city. I would be easier to get people to serve on the city council. She said it is appropriate because the town is small and close-knit. The south ward is limited in that not many people live in that part of town. Davis said she likes her council position and would like to keep it. But they may have trouble replacing her if she takes the mayor’s position. It may be easier to get a candidate for alderperson than it is to get someone to run for mayor. 

Davis asked Clerk James to see what she can find out about allowing the alderpersons to represent everyone in the city, not just in their precinct.

• Clerk James reported the health insurance premium for the three employees on the health insurance has increased 8.6% from $414 per month to $453.79 per month per employee. This is an increase of $39.60 per month per employee an increase in premium of $1,440 a year for the city for the three salaried employees using the health insurance. Clerk James said it’s a Lifestyles Health Plan through Medova. The representative said the increase is because not everyone had a wellness check during the year or they did not go online and do the wellness program. Alderman James said premiums go up no matter what and there is always an excuse for it.

Davis said they can revisit the increase at budget time but the increase is not that much. James said as long as the city can afford to provide people with health insurance they should do it to keep decent people.

• Chief Thompson reported three part time officers are quitting in December. Thompson said one officer only wants one day a week, another officer said he can’t keep up, and another does not have time to do it.

He said the city has been advertising for part time help at $12 an hour and at this point he’s not sure what to do. It could be that the city may not always have someone in the car on duty, but on call. Full time will cost the city $10,000 to $12,000 more a year but its easier to find full time than several part time officers. Thompson said the city is having trouble competing for police officers.

• Clerk James reported cash fund balances: General Fund $11,202.95, Water Fund $35,543.11, Street Fund $31,690.71, and Sewer Fund $20,905.78.

Year-to-date revenues and expenses were reported: General Fund revenues $133,168.56 (40 percent of budget) and expenses $143,243.54 (44 percent); Water Fund revenues $69,789.34 (41 percent) and expenses $60,969.08 (42 percent); Street Fund revenues $37,673.55 (37 percent) and expenses $19,732.96 (29 percent); and Sewer Fund revenues $35,697.17 (45 percent) and expenses $12,984.29 (28 percent).

James noted they are on track in all the budgets as they are 42 percent into the budget year and both the revenues and expenses are right where they should be.