RONAN — The city council approved an amendment to a recently passed medical marijuana ordinance Monday night, banning the drug’s consumption in public places.

After originally passing an ordinance that made growing and selling marijuana in city limits illegal during the June 28 meeting, the council voted unanimously to add a provision making it “unlawful and a misdemeanor…to use medical cannabis anywhere upon public property or within public view within the city limits of the City of Ronan.”

“We can’t tell you you can’t take your medicine, but we can tell you to take it at home, not in the streets or city park,” Mayor Kim Aipperspach explained.

Comparing it to an open alcoholic container provision, Aipperspach said the council “can regulate the sale, but we can’t regulate use.”

The motion to amend the ordinance passed unanimously and will go into effect immediately.

Rural water circuit rider Harry Whalen attended the meeting to ask for council approval to work on a new water rate structure. His new plan would charge residents $26.84 base rate per 3,000 gallons with an overage cost of $1.86 per 1,000 gallons or a $26.84 base rate per 6,000 gallons and an overage rate at $3.65 per 1,000 gallons.

“No one gives away 6,000 gallons of water in the base rate any more,” he said. “I want to help people consume less water and still have a nice green lawn.”

Councilman Paul Soukup voiced concern over potential strong public opposition to the rate increase, as residents currently pay about $13.80 per 6,000 gallons, he said. Whalen, who has 52 years of experience working in the water business, said he is prepared for opposition, but he will try to explain to citizens that the increase will help the city obtain a significant amount of grant monies.

The council approved his request to go ahead with planning for his proposed water rate and Aipperspach said a public hearing on the issue will be held in six to eight weeks.

Police chief Dan Wadsworth and assistant chief Art Walgren were on hand to ask council approval for the purchase of a 2002 Chevy Impala. The department has seven vehicles currently, Wadsworth said, but three have over 140,000 miles on their engines. Walgren said the Impala is a V6, while the vehicle the Chevy will replace is a V8, meaning the department could conceivably save on improved gas efficiency.

In old business, city clerk Kaylene Melton brought up the issue of the city paying for some of the public works department worker’s cell phone bills.

“We do depend on the cell phones,” she said. “It’s not just a convenience anymore, it’s a necessity.”

The council discussed the issue but will ultimately leave the decision with department head Kevin Templer.

In other business, the council approved open container permits for three different events: Pioneer Days, from July 30 to Aug. 1, a 30-year reunion for Ronan High School at the city park on July 31 and the St. Luke company picnic on Aug. 17.

The council will next meet on Monday, July 26.