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Ordinance Amendment No. 2019-01 — Commercial Cannabis Ordinance Updates <br />August 20, 2019 <br />Page 10 <br />industry in order to decrease disparities in life outcomes for marginalized communities. The <br />social equity requirement addresses employment and ownership opportunities, training with the <br />City's Workforce Development program, and employee investment opportunities. <br />In addition, requirements for expedited processing and renewal assistance for low-income and <br />resident applicants, potential fee deferrals and staff assistance to such applicants can be <br />incorporated in the new agreements in the event the City decides to expand the cannabis <br />licensing program sometime in the future or provides for an associated competitive process for <br />future licenses. <br />Internal Review and Public Outreach <br />The proposed amendments in Tables 1 and 2 have been vetted by the City's interagency <br />commercial cannabis team, which includes representatives from the Planning and Building <br />Agency (Planning and Code Enforcement divisions), the Police Department, the Finance and <br />Management Services Agency, the Community Development Agency (Economic Development), <br />and the City Attorney's Office. <br />The City notified interested parties to ensure they are aware of and have access to the latest <br />efforts to the proposed amendments. Interested parties include all current/operating and pending <br />commercial cannabis businesses, those who have expressed interest in submitting applications, <br />and the Santa Ana Cannabis Association (SACA). <br />ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT <br />There is no environmental impact associated with this action. In accordance with the California <br />Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the subject actions are exempt from further review pursuant <br />to Section 15061(b)(3) of the CEQA Guidelines. <br />FISCAL IMPACT <br />There is no fiscal impact associated with approval of this action as projected revenues are <br />incorporated within the City's 2019-20 budget. Failure to adopt the above recommended action <br />items, however, would have a negative impact as a significant portion of the commercial <br />cannabis applicants awaiting adoption of those recommended items before committing to <br />entering the approval, permitting, and licensing process will defer or cancel their decision to enter <br />the Santa Ana market and anticipated revenues will not be realized. <br />STRATEGIC PLAN ALIGNMENT & PUBLIC OUTREACH <br />Approval of this item supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #3 - Economic Development, <br />Objective #2 (create new opportunities for business/job growth and encourage private <br />development through new General Plan and Zoning Ordinance policies), Objective #3 (promote a <br />solutions -based customer focus in all efforts to facilitate development and investment in the <br />community), and Objective #5 (leverage private investment that results in tax base expansion <br />and job creation citywide). Approval of this item also supports the City's efforts to meet Goal #4 - <br />City Financial Stability; Objective #3 (achieve a structurally balanced budget with appropriate <br />reserve levels). 75A_1 3 <br />