Town of St. Paul council approved two motions that dealt with the upcoming Centerfield Music Festival, which will be held on June 14 and 15, including a motion that will prohibit any use of cannabis at the music festival.
Following the legalization of cannabis in October of 2018, the town's smoking bylaw was passed on Oct. 22, 2018, due to the changes that took place across the nation.
"In accordance to provincial legislation and Section 3 of (the bylaw), no person shall smoke in any indoor place to which the public is ordinarily invited or permitted to attend, or in any of the following places: (section 3.1.d) Outdoor Public Event (except in designated areas as approved by the Town)," said CAO Kim Heyman, while introducing the agenda item to council on Tuesday night.
"The principle of Centerfield Music Festival is that it is a family event, which is frequented by minors. It is the recommendation of staff that Council not approve the consumption of cannabis anywhere on the premises of the Centerfield Music Festival," said Heyman.
Coun. Gary Ward made a motion "that council not approve the consumption of cannabis anywhere on the premises of the Centerfield Music Festival as it is deemed to be a family friendly event." The motion was carried.
Councillors didn't not bring up any questions, concerns, or comments prior to the motion being passed.
Speaking after the meeting, Mayor Maureen Miller said organizers of Centerfield were aware that it was up to the town to decide if cannabis would be allowed at the event.
"We have always planned Centerfield to be a family event, so in consideration of all families, we have decided to not permit consumption within the parameters," said the mayor.
Councillors Brad Eamon and Nathan Taylor were not in attendance at the April 23 meeting, when the motion was carried.
Overall, when looking back on the past six months since legalization came into place Miller says that aside from preparing the Land Use Bylaw, "we have not noted any differences."
"However, to date we have not had any approval of retail dispensary," she added.
Traffic management
Council approved a traffic management plan that will see street closure of Highway 29 (50 Avenue) from 54 Street to 53 Street.
On June 14, the closure will be from 4:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m., and on June 15, the closure will be from 1:30 p.m. to 11:30 p.m.
Members of the St. Paul Fire Department will be staffing the road closures, and providing first response coverage for fire and life safety events within the concert bowl.
A letter of support endorsing the road closure was received by the town from RCMP.
"The rationale for temporarily restricting Highway 29 to non-essential traffic during the concert times is that it will mitigate the occurrence of distracted driving as people are driving past the festival venue," reads the letter, signed by Staff Sgt. Corey Blize. The closure also helps in creating an emergency lane, and could speed the delivery of police, medical and fire services during the concert time.
The road closure also makes for safer pedestrian crossing along the highway at the conclusion of the concert on both days.
