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MOTION: Councilmember Hernandez moved to approve the recommended <br /> action for Item No. 40, seconded by Councilmember Penaloza. <br /> The motion carried, 7-0, by the following roll call vote: <br /> AYES: COUNCILMEMBER BACERRA, COUNCiLMEMBER <br /> HERNANDEZ, COUNCILMEMBER LOPEZ, <br /> COUNCILMEMBER PENALOZA, COUNCILMEMBER PHAN, <br /> MAYOR PRO TEM VAZQUEZ, MAYOR AMEZCUA <br /> NOES: NONE <br /> ABSTAIN: NONE <br /> ABSENT: NONE <br /> Status: 7— 0—Pass <br /> **END OF PUBLIC HEARING* <br /> COUNCILMEMBER REQUESTED ITEMS <br /> 41.Moratorium on New Smoke Shops — Councilmember Lopez <br /> MINUTES: Councilmember Lopez stated the item was brought forward directly from <br /> community members, constituents, and some retailers following neighborhood meetings <br /> and spoke regarding the City's lack of zoning tools to limit the number of smoke shops, <br /> prevent cluster, or restrict their proximity to sensitive uses like schools and parks and a <br /> lack of a clear land use category creates enforcement and management challenges for <br /> the Police Department and Code Enforcement. She expressed anticipation for the City <br /> Manager to bring forward code changes, updates, and recommendations to the council. <br /> Mayor Amezcua thanked Councilmember Lopez for bringing the item forward and <br /> recommended a more permanent solution in the form of an ordinance. She inquired on <br /> the potential turnaround time for ordinance consideration. <br /> City Manager Alvaro Nunez expressed confidence in bringing forward an ordinance with <br /> the requested aspects within 90 days, noted certain language already exists in Chapter <br /> 98 and Chapter 41, and stated staff will work with the City Attorney's office to establish <br /> due process. <br /> Councilmember Vazquez thanked Councilmember Lopez for bringing the item forward <br /> and the Mayor for proposing a more stringent solution and stressed the importance of <br /> preventing smoke shops from being built near schools. <br /> Councilmember Bacerra asked the City Manager to consider bringing back <br /> recommendations that include establishing required distances from sensitive uses, <br /> establishing separation buffers between smoke shops themselves, conditional use permit <br /> process, requiring public hearings, and ensuring residents within a certain radius are <br /> notified of these uses. <br /> CITY COUNCIL 24 DECEMBER 2, 2025 <br />