Larry Blaskey
Douglas Dispatch

The Call to the Public portion of the Douglas City Council meeting on March 9 did not last long as both speakers were cut off by a vote of the council following what the council determined was leading to slanderous remarks about the city staff.

The remarks, made by Richard Lopez and Olga Robles, were accusatory concerning staff conduct during the recent recall process against Douglas Mayor Dr. Michael Gomez.

That recall effort failed due to inconsistencies in the collection of the petition signatures.

Neither were long into their statements when first City Attorney Juan Pablo Flores stopped Lopez and an action by Councilman Mitch Lindemann halted comments by Robles.

Flores stated he was concerned abou the direction Lopez statements were heading concerning alleged staff actions, when they were not allowed to defend themselves during the court hearing two weeks ago in Bisbee.

After Flores and Gomez went back and forth concerning protocol in this matter, Lindemann moved to cease Lopez speech. In both cases the council voted 6-0 to stop the Call to the Public by both Robles and Lopez.

Councilman Bob Fernandez was excused from the meeting.

In other action, the council:

• Approved the reappointment of David Pettes and appointments of Adalberto Araiza, Rudy Sierra, Connie Linder and Eric Mapp to the Personnel Appeals Board.

• Reviewed a presentation from Victor Gonzalez, Douglass Regional Development Corporation, on a business update and $50,000 grant award from the Arizona Commerce Authority.

• Approved third reading of Ordinance 11-977conerning Planning and Zoning limits on the use of land for registered nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries and the growth and cultivation of medical marijuana.

• Approved second reading of Ordinance 11-998 authorizing a land exchange with Western Region Non-Profit Housing Corporation for various parcels of improved real estate, identified as two parcels on 18th Street and Bonita Avenue totaling 16,063 square feet and another city parcel totaling 749 square feet on the north side of the parcel in exchange for 40,541 square foot parcel of land bordering 15th Street Park along Delores and Estrella. The city is still waiting for an independent appraisal. The exchange also will provide some housecleaning of areas used by the city, but not in their ownership.

• Approved Resolution 11-830 authorizing an intergovernmental agreement between the city and Cochise County to provide certain election supplies and services for the city’s special election scheduled for May 17, 2011.