GIRARD — In an effort to restrict the number of marijuana dispensaries in the city, council approved on Tuesday the first reading of a moratorium limiting them to one.

Fourth Ward Councilman Thomas Grumley, chairman of the health and safety committee, requested the legislation be prepared for the meeting.

He said Girard wants to be able to limit the number of marijuana and / or adult-use cannabis dispensary operations within the city to one establishment.

Officials said other communities, such as Austintown and Niles, have also limited the number in their communities to one and in designated areas.

Any dispensary in Girard must not be within 500 feet of a church, public library, playground, park or school.

Mayor Mark Zuppo said a dispensary has been approved and is planning a location near the intersection of Churchill Road and Route 422.

Zuppo mentioned that he has been in contact with state officials regarding concerns expressed by himself and mayors from other Ohio communities about the change in the percentage of sales tax each community with a dispensary would receive.

In Ohio, cannabis is currently taxed at 10%, and 36% of the tax revenue generated goes to the municipalities that have opted-in to approve marijuana dispensaries, but it has been proposed to reduce that to 20% over five years.

Zuppo mentioned that he and several other mayors intend to conduct a joint press conference on June 6 to express their concerns regarding the state’s proposals.

“The event will feature numerous local mayors and township trustees from Mahoning and Trumbull counties to address their dissatisfaction with the tax distribution for cannabis dispensaries,” Zuppo stated.

In other business, council met in executive session for about 45 minutes on personnel matters.

During the council meeting council voted 6-0 against establishing a permanent part-time position of assistant director of public safety and service for the city.

Currently, Mark Ragozine serves as the full-time safety service director.

On other business, Grumley asked officials what is being done to address the continued problems with high grass on some residential properties. In some cases, the grass is as high as 2 feet.

He said there have been recent days with no rain when property owners can cut their lawns.

Ragozine said the zoning department has been cracking down on high grass with residents being notified by the zoning staff.

Ragozine said some properties where the city has had to cut the lawn have assessed the property tax at the locations for the cost of the mowing.