Forest Park council adopts public-defender contract, awards lawn-care contracts and imposes 180-day marijuana moratorium

The Forest Park City Council on March 4 unanimously approved a package of administrative and policy actions, including an annual public-defender contract, two lawn-care contract awards and a temporary moratorium on adult-use marijuana zoning applications.

Ordinance 02-224: Adoption of public-defender contract
Council moved to suspend the rules and read Ordinance 02-224 by title. The ordinance amends a prior appointment and authorizes the city manager to enter a contract with Darren (public defender) to provide legal services; the roll-call vote was recorded as Adams, Brown, Clark, Harrison, Holtz, Moore and Sylvester voting yes (7-0). The ordinance passed.

Resolutions 08-2024 and 09-2024: Mowing and maintenance contract awards
Council suspended the rules and read Resolutions 08-2024 and 09-2024, authorizing the city manager to award contracts for mowing and maintenance of specified city properties following an RFP process. Recommended bidders were Shield Landscaping and At Your Service Land Care; both resolutions passed on roll-call votes of 7-0.

Resolution 10-2024: Moratorium on adult-use marijuana zoning applications
Council read Resolution 10-2024 by title and adopted it. The resolution declares a 180-day moratorium on accepting zoning applications and issuing certificates of compliance for adult-use marijuana dispensaries, cultivators, processors, testing facilities and similar establishments while the city reviews zoning rules and awaits pending state legislation. The moratorium takes effect upon passage and automatically expires after 180 days unless council acts to extend or terminate it; the vote was 7-0.

Votes at a glance
- Ordinance 02-224 (public-defender contract): Passed 7-0 (Adams, Brown, Clark, Harrison, Holtz, Moore, Sylvester = yes).
- Resolution 08-2024 (mowing/maintenance award): Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 09-2024 (mowing/maintenance award): Passed 7-0.
- Resolution 10-2024 (180-day moratorium on adult-use marijuana zoning applications): Passed 7-0.

Council concluded the new-business agenda and adjourned. Clerk of council Teia Bailey read the ordinances and resolutions as required during the meeting.