Butte County

[ButteCounty Guy]

code enforcement and heavy CHP prescense on Oro Bangor road near the bake shoppe

Why would code enforcement be involved in a traffic stop? Why not public health and someone from the assessors office too? Even if you hate growers, it seems like you would wonder what is wrong with the law enforcement agencies if they can't pull over a car without a person that is supposed to do things like enforcing setbacks from property lines.

 

[Abja Roots]

All good information. Seems like driving during the day in these areas is getting hot.

I wonder if they'll keep trying to serve compliance checks after the main season wraps up? There will be more than a few greenhouses running during the winter with supp lighting, heaters, etc... I'd be surprised if they did.

They know it's the major harvest time right now. Everyone be careful out there.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

Why would code enforcement be involved in a traffic stop? Why not public health and someone from the assessors office too? Even if you hate growers, it seems like you would wonder what is wrong with the law enforcement agencies if they can't pull over a car without a person that is supposed to do things like enforcing setbacks from property lines.

i dont believe they were together, just in close proximity. multiple CHP cruisers had a station wagon pulled over and had the passenger outside the car maybe doing a field sobriety test. then right down the block was mr. douche mustache code enforcement guy in his white explorer driving towards the cops.

 

[TriSierra]

Friends tell me that they are pulling over cars coming down the hill from Berry Creek. It seems odd that they can pull a car over without probable cause. Don't they have to stop every car, or every third car or something? Can they pull you over if you've got dreads, or drive a pickup?

They pull anyone over - dreads or not, beater truck or SUV. I've been pulled over at 5am driving to an early morning flight and at 2pm going to pickup groceries; by both the CHP and sheriff, however I don't think they work in concert with each other. Its obvious when the sheriffs are working, so best to make a clean trip down beforehand.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

whats the protocol when you're pulled over? are they publicly stating its for marijuana interdiction? why has no one recorded these fucks and sued for search without real probable cause?

I'm tempted to load up a bunch of trash bags with garbage and head right through one of these checkpoints with the cameras rolling. maybe vacuum seal some PPD and have it explode in a cops face when they open it.

CODE ENFORCEMENT will be in concow area today!! they called a friend and are coming to recheck his place so I'm sure they have a few other stops there.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

Oroville >> Code enforcement cases involving medical marijuana have slowed as the end of the outdoor growing season nears.

The number of reports increased 13 percent to 1,428 from Sept. 14 through Friday. There were only three cases reported in the seven days before Friday, development services director Tim Snellings told the Butte County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday.

From August to September, there were 313 new cases.

Code enforcement supervisor Chris Jellison said 46.4 percent of the complaints remain open with 181 cases pending review. Information from the county indicates that 334 cases are in citation status.

The remaining 53.4 percent of cases aren’t currently in violation of the ordinance. Most of those cases, 464, are being monitored after the resident came into compliance, typically by removing plants outside the allowed growing area.

The ordinance, approved by voters last year, set growing area dimensions in the unincorporated county based on lot size. Outdoor grow sizes vary from 50 square feet for lots between a half-acre and 5 acres to 150 square feet for properties larger than 10 acres.

The number of issued citations continues to increase. Citations increased 48.7 percent to 748.

The total amount of issued fines continues to increase while fines that are actually paid still lag. The county says it has issued $3.04 million in fines, a 267 percent jump from last month.

Fines paid rose to $134,325, a 57 percent increase.

Snellings has said the county will use the nuisance abatement hearing process to get fines paid and to ask to recover costs for expenses.

After starting with one hearing through last month, 15 additional hearings have been called and two await a decision. Four hearings are scheduled.

The county notes that the citations have been upheld in all but one of the hearings.

If a nuisance abatement is upheld, the county can put a lien on the affected property.

LOOKING FORWARD

Much of Tuesday’s discussion was focused on possible changes to the ordinance next year and the impact from new state medical marijuana law recently signed by Gov. Jerry Brown.

County Administrative Officer Paul Hahn said the officials have learned a lot from this year’s abatement process. Officials would like to propose changes to streamline the process.



Because Measure A was approved as a referendum, the board can amend the ordinance without going to the voters.

Oroville-area Supervisor Bill Connelly said he wasn’t inclined to substantially change rules that were approved by a large percentage of voters.

County counsel Bruce Alpert said the changes are centered on the abatement process, not the grow area sizes. He said the matter would likely return to the board in January.

Connelly said he’s received a lot of phone calls about the new state rules, which create a state framework regulating cultivation and dispensing.

While one of the biggest changes on the state level is treating cannabis cultivation as agriculture, county officials said the law also allows local governments to control or restrict the activity. The current county rules would supercede the state law.

Hahn said a representative from the Rural County Representatives of California will discuss the new state laws at the board’s Nov. 10 meeting.

Questions include whether the county will have to require cultivators to obtain a permit or license. Such a permit would be required if the county allowed growing in agricultural areas, which currently isn’t allowed.

Hahn said Butte County isn’t alone in facing this issue. Even urban counties are grappling with how to regulate dispensaries.

Additionally, state voters will likely vote on propositions to legalize the recreational use of marijuana next year.

“It’s an issue that’s not going away anytime soon,” Hahn said.

 

[theJointedOne]

Fuck them. PPD in your face bitch

 

[Lime Green]

I appreciate the involvement of all of the people on this thread keeping it in real time. Big props. Other surrounding counties would do well to follow suit, but have not on this site, so far as I have seen.

 

[oldchuck]

A little research tells me you guys live in a very right wing community. Why do you stay?

 

[Yes4Prop215]

because its some of the best microclimates in CA for growing, and up until 2015 had some of the most liberal laws regarding cannabis growing.

and because property in mendo/sohum is 2-3x the price.

but trust me a bunch of people have left, i would leave if i could find a solid property somewhere else but the MLS is very short of good spots.

 

[TriSierra]

A little research tells me you guys live in a very right wing community. Why do you stay?

Because most of us don't tuck tail and run.

 

[ButteCounty Guy]

Some of us did tuck and run.

I did go to the meeting today. I finally met Andrew Merkel. I was not overwhelmed with the feeling that this was the group that was going to change our reality. I understand that being organized is important. This group is yet another that promises to be the perfect one. Isn't forming yet another group a step towards splintering the little support that exists? Aren't these people the same ones that promised that measure A would be defeated?

 

[Yes4Prop215]

its a different group with new leadership. the last groups kept being hijacked by the ultra libertarians and zeke. these new ladies have direct talks with the BOS in a more sane and professional manner. andrew merkel is NOT the face of the new campaign he made that pretty clear.

do i think Butte is gonna magically just reverse measure A? not a chance…..in fact it seems they already have funds secured to enforce it next year, and they want to make some changes to help speed up the abatement process, so things could theoretically get worse next year.

but….the fact the BOS is even contemplating the new laws and changes, and have floated out some numbers on what kind of permit revenue they want to bring in, is a start and a hope that maybe some kind of commercial MJ agriculture can happen in the future.

 

[MerryJane_Eyre]

"but….the fact the BOS is even contemplating the new laws and changes, and have floated out some numbers on what kind of permit revenue they want to bring in, is a start and a hope that maybe some kind of commercial MJ agriculture can happen in the future."

Do you have additional info as to the numbers the BOS is talking about?

Can I access minutes to the meeting somewhere?

Had I known there was a meeting going on yesterday I would have attended. How does a person find out about these meetings?

 

[Yes4Prop215]

right now everything is in initial stages and can't be publicly discussed, but come out to the BOS meeting on tuesday, november 10th at 930AM where the water board will be lecturing the BOS on the new marijuana regulations. and its a good chance for the group to meet up and make our prescense known.

and go check Inland Cannabis Farmers on Facebook, or the Butte County Patient Excemption Act group…maybe they merged?

 

[oldCounty]

Went to the meeting but am holding off on membership for now, interested to see what's discussed at the next one. Nice to hear theres been discussion with the BOS, but, I hope to hear more about where the bargaining is going to start as far as #s go. Too early for it now, I understand.

Someone mentioned a CMS (joomla specifically, but, there is drupal and others) for better organization. I think this could be a good idea. I know a few people, including myself, that won't touch Facebook. With better user management, the site can serve multiple uses and help discuss agendas/ideas for each meeting.

I'm also confused on certain objections regarding campaign tactics. Will try and make the BOS meeting.

Much appreciation to those involved for getting things started.

 

[CanniDo Cowboy]

"but….the fact the BOS is even contemplating the new laws and changes, and have floated out some numbers on what kind of permit revenue they want to bring in, is a start and a hope that maybe some kind of commercial MJ agriculture can happen in the future."

Do you have additional info as to the numbers the BOS is talking about?

Can I access minutes to the meeting somewhere?

Had I known there was a meeting going on yesterday I would have attended. How does a person find out about these meetings?

Every county has, within their own particular website, links to BOS calendars, meetings and actual documentation in the form of "minutes" of topics discussed, ruled upon etc. It should be known however, that the BOS really isnt the big wheel here. Generally, most all local government starts with the City Council. Whatever they pull out of their asses then gets passed on to the BOS for approval, denial, tabled or in many cases, sent back for modifications because frequently, the public isnt buying whatever is being sold. The BOS may be the big dogs but your city council is the real keeper of the kennel...cc

Butte County BOS meetings link- http://www.buttecounty.net/clerkoftheboard/BoardMeetings.aspx

 

[MerryJane_Eyre]

Thanks for the tip regarding the Facebook page. It does have some info on it and had I known about the page I would have known about the meeting. The page manager said she is going to post a recap of the Scooters meeting when she has the time (that’s what I was hoping for). I’m not a Facebook fan either but it does occasionally serve a purpose (a CMS would be better). Here’s a link to the FB page if anyone is interested:

https://www.facebook.com/Inland-Cannabis-Farmers-Association-1635173183422463/?fref=nf

I am aware of the BOS meeting and will try to attend on 11/10. I understand that RCRC is going to make a presentation to discuss the pending state MMJ laws. They have been making the rounds at various county BOS meetings. I think most growers live in unincorporated areas that are governed by the county. It should be interesting.

Thanks for the information everyone.

 

[Yes4Prop215]

yea they are setting up the website soon.


we need support and good turnout for the BOS meeting!

 

[ChopperDodger]

Code monkeys hitting gates and asking questions in Palermo, by Railbridge MacKintosh area, heads up