“I think the Bodznicks have done a great job of keeping everyone informed,” said Mayor Jimmie Lansford. “The Plan Commission, as well, did a good job with their hearing.”

The permit will allow John and Joe Florist to grow marijuana in a yet-to-be-built building that meets the state’s requirements. The facility is required to be high security and a vehicle entrance that allows transfers to be done in private.

The location will be considered a craft grow facility, meaning it will be small-scale and in this case, only used for growing medical marijuana. No sales can take place there.

Along with approving the application and the zoning changes, the City Council also approved an ordinance placing a 3% retailer’s occupation tax on marijuana.

Also approved during the meeting were the Plan Commission’s revisions to the facade grant program. Second time applicants will now have to wait until July 1 to see if there is any money leftover before they can apply again. Jan. 1 still is the start date for first-time applicants.

The council also approved the purchase of a new breathing apparatus for the Streator Fire Department, with approximately $143,000 coming from a Department of Homeland Security grant. 

City Engineer Jeremy Palm said the city also purchased a new robotic sewer camera after the older one, purchased in 1994, stopped working.

The next City Council meeting will take place at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 10, for its committee of the whole meeting.