The St. Ignatius Town Council approved the first reading of the cannabis ordinance, approved fire department equipment purchases and drafted a golf cart ordinance on Nov. 4.  

The council has been discussing a cannabis ordinance to limit the number of dispensaries or any commercial establishment engaged in the retail sale of cannabis based on the town population. This ordinance was drafted during last month's meeting on Oct. 7 and will allow one dispensary per every 1,000 people in St. Ignatius.  

This ordinance will follow Montana state law, which requires a dispensary to be located 500 away from any church, synagogue or place of worship. It also requires dispensaries not to be within 500 feet of any public or private school or post-secondary school. The State of Montana measures this distance from the front door of each building, but the St. Ignatius Council revised theirs to be in a straight line from the two buildings' exterior walls.  

When the ordinance was drafted on Oct. 7, there was some discussion about extending the ordinance to 1,000 feet from any educational building or place of worship. Council president Daniel Thompson raised some concern about 1,000 feet because he felt they were "shutting the town down,” if the current dispensary, Silverleaf Snyelmn, went out of business.  

The council passed the first reading of the amended draft ordinance, which grandfathers in the current dispensary because it would violate the ordinance due to its distance from the Boys and Girls Club in St. Ignatius. The council will take a final vote on this ordinance on Nov. 18.  

The council drafted a golf-cart ordinance, which would allow golf carts to be driven on city streets. The council previously had an ordinance against this but decided to revisit it due to citizens' requests.  

State law allows golf carts to be authorized on city streets as long as they have head lamps, stop lamps, a horn, rear-view mirror and a reflector. The golf cart must go slower than 25 miles an hour, and the driver must have a valid driver's license.  

The golf cart must also be registered through the county and must follow any motor vehicle regulations. Any violation would be subject to traditional motor vehicle fines and violations. The first reading of this ordinance will be read and voted on during next month's meeting on Dec. 2.  

Also on the agenda, Fire Chief Paul Adams asked the council to approve the purchase of two Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) for the St. Ignatius Volunteer Fire Department. This is a form of personal protective equipment that gives firefighters breathable air from a high-pressure cylinder in hazardous situations.  

Adams explained that these are commonly used for house fires. These units cost $7,500 each, and the department currently has 13 that are expired.  

Adams said the seals are bad, and parts are no longer manufactured for this equipment. Plus, the SCBAs have reached their life expectancy.  

Adams said the St. Ignatius Rural Fire Board will be purchasing two SCBAs for the department and replacing some turnouts, which are the protective fire gear firefighter's wear. A full set of turnout gear costs $8,000. 

At minimum, Adams hopes to replace four SCBAs this year and asked the city to partner with the rural board in this purchase.  

The council approved the purchase of two SCBAs and is discussing how to continue these equipment expenses to be prepared for the future.