Citing the secondary effects of allowing marijuana facilities in a community, the Antioch City Council Tuesday night moved closer to permanently banning nearly all marijuana facilities in the city. Under the proposed ban, specialized facilities, such as licensed clinics or care centers could still provide marijuana for qualified patients.

The council, which in April had instituted an interim ordnance on medical marijuana dispensaries, moved quickly to continue the process of permanently banning the facilities after learning in a staff report that concerns exist about increased crime and the sale of drugs to minors in areas surrounding dispensaries in other cities.

“I don’t want to see these drugs in the hands of young people,” said Mayor Wade Harper.

The council’s decision is complicated by the difference between state and federal laws governing marijuana, which attorneys have recently warned leaves cities vulnerable to prosecution.

The use of marijuana for any purpose is illegal under federal law, but allowed under California law following the passage of Prop. 215 in 1996. Prop. 215 grants immunity from criminal prosecution or sanction to seriously ill Californians who use marijuana for medical purposes. Further state legislation in 2003 granted protection to medical marijuana dispensaries.

The date for the council to finalize the ban has not been decided yet.

Brentwood City Council

PG&E spokesman Tom Guarino gave the Brentwood City Council an update on a major gas pipeline replacement project recently begun on Fairview Avenue. The project, which will run along Fairview from Fairview Court to John Muir Parkway, will continue until the fall.

The work, to be done in sections, will require lane closures and possible detours, and could impact traffic to and from Ron Nunn School on Central Avenue.

The seven-mile section of 24-inch diameter pipe is between 50 and 60 years old, Guarino said, and is being replaced as part of a system-wide overhaul of gas transmission facilities PG&E operates.

The council questioned Guarino closely on the project, especially with regard to minimizing impacts on the school. Guarino promised to work closely with the city to minimize impacts and provide plenty of notice about the project’s progress He said locals might see trucks and equipment in the area, hear occasional loud noises, or smell gas when the old pipe is removed later this year. At no time will gas service be lost to any PG&E customers as a result of the work, he said.

The work will be done during the day, and shut down every evening no later than 5:30. Residents can get questions or concerns answered by calling 888-743-7431.

Discovery Bay CSD Board

The newly sworn-in Discovery Bay Community Services District (CSD) board held its first meeting of the year, and the first official action was to elect the 2013 president and vice-president.

The CSD board unanimously voted to elect Director Ray Tetreault as president and Director Mark Simon as vice-president. Both will serve a one-year term.

Other CSD changes for 2013 include the reorganization of the following district representative appointments:

REGIONAL COMMITTEES

Contra Costa County Aviation Advisory

Kevin Graves and Chris Steele

CCC Code Enforcement

Bill Pease and Mark Simon

CCC Special Districts

Ray Tetreault and Kevin Graves

ECCC Fire Protection District Liaison

Kevin Graves and Mark Simon

ECC Water Management Agency

Ray Tetreault and Mark Simon

LAFCO Liaison

Bill Pease and Chris Steele

P6 Committee (police services)

Ray Tetreault and Mark Simon

School District Representative

Chris Steele and Kevin Graves

Regional Transportation Agencies

Bill Pease and Kevin Graves

SUBCOMMITTEES

Budget

Mark Simon and Ray Tetreault

Communications

Kevin Graves and Chris Steele

Community Center

Chris Steele and Kevin Graves

Investment Oversight

Chris Steele and Mark Simon

Landscaping

Mark Simon and Ray Tetreault

Parks and Recreation

Bill Pease and Kevin Graves

Public Financing Authority

Ray Tetreault and Mark Simon

Water and Wastewater

Ray Tetreault and Kevin Graves

Oakley City Council

The Oakley City Council kicked off the new year by selecting a new pin design to help disseminate the city’s new image celebrating its proximity to the Delta and its agricultural roots as a vineyard community.

Of the 23 designs submitted by the public, the City Council chose the design of Dawn Morrow, who has lived in Oakley for more than 20 years. The oval design features Oakley’s iconic oak leaf emblem while incorporating Delta waves and the landscape of one of Oakley’s historic vineyards. Morrow’s design was also favored by the public in an online poll.

Morrow will work with city leaders to enhance the design based on the council’s suggestions. A final design will be presented to the council at a future meeting before the pin goes into production. The text at the top of the pin in the final reproduction will read “Vineyards on the Delta.”

As an expression of the city’s appreciation, Morrow will receive a $250 cash prize and be recognized by a city proclamation. The two runners-up in the online vote, Mathew Pickard and David Shandoa, will also be recognized at future council meeting.