OCONTO – Marijuana is not legal in Wisconsin, but the city of Oconto is taking an additional step to nonetheless block it from the community.

A new ordinance prohibiting establishments that deal in marijuana or drug paraphernalia was approved April 9 by the Committee of the Whole.

The ordinance, which will be come up for final vote at Tuesday's City Council meeting, was approved without question or comment on a 5-0 vote. Kim Bronikowski was absent.

City Attorney Frank Calvert said the proposal was brought to him by Oconto Police Chief Mike Rehberg.

“It’s something some municipalities are beginning to take a look at, with the potential of not knowing exactly where this thing is going in the state of Wisconsin,” Calvert said.

Gov. Tony Evers in February proposed decriminalizing marijuana, though no legislative steps have been taken since. However, 16 counties and two communities voted to permit the use of marijuana in a November referendum.

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Amendments to two other ordinances were also approved without discussion, 5-0.

One would require owners of rental properties to register with the city and provide contact information. The measure would make sure city employees, such as police or the building inspector, can reach either owners or managers of properties.

Many other municipalities are doing this, Calvert said.

The other codified a practice in which the city sometimes allows a property owner to build a garage on a lot prior to starting construction of the residence. That has not been allowed, over concerns that someone would build a garage or accessory building and then not construct the residence.

The new language provides for the building inspector to decide such requests and set time limits.

Other items approved by the committee to be considered for final approval were:

increasing the wages of two Utility Department employees who have “operator in charge” qualifications by $1.77 per hour to $25.87. The 7.34 percent pay increases were recommended by the Utility Commission and was intended to equalize their pay with another employee who was already being paid at the higher rate, said City Administrator Sara Perrizo.

hiring a new employee for the Department of Public Works. Perrizo declined to identify who was hired or the salary, saying in an email “the decision is not final until City Council approves it on Tuesday.” The new person replaces Joey Steier, who resigned.

purchase a new police car, contingent on approval from the Police and Fire Commission, from Peterson Ford, Oconto Falls. The price is $32,961, but the city is receiving $5,500 by trading in a van, bringing the final cost is $27,461.

The committee also approved providing $1,500 and free boat launches to the Sheboygan Walleye Club for its annual tournament its held at the harbor for many years.

Perrizo said a movement on their board this year was to move to Marinette, which had offering the club $1,500 plus free launches for the day of the event.

Perrizo said she and Lloyd Heier attempted to speak to the Harbor Commission about it at its last meeting, but there was not a quorum, so they decided to make the same offer.

City policy allows the city administrator to authorize expenditures of $3,000 or less, and Perrizo noted the harbor fund has sufficient funds.

“Last year, they had 110 boats here, with two boaters each,” she said. “I think it's a good value for what they’re asking, and to keep them here.”

Perrizo said the club received the city’s offer well but has go through its board before accepting it.

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