Additional ordinance change amends permitted use fees on Elkhorn Lake
By Kellen Olshefski
Editor
The City of Elkhorn Common Council voted in favor of two amendments to the municipal code at its Monday night meeting, one of which amends permitted use fees for powerboats on Elkhorn Lake in Babe Mann Park and the other which prohibits the possession of synthetic cannabinoids.
Under the ordinance change regarding powerboats on Elkhorn Lake, the city amended the ordinance to permits costing $2,500, as previously agreed upon, from $4,000, an error contained in the original version of the ordinance that was passed.
Under city ordinances, powerboats are now allowed on Elkhorn Lake, but only on a special-event, permit-basis, to be approved by the council.
Fees for permits are $350 for a single day, $750 for a weekend (Friday through Sunday) and $2,500 for a seasonal permit, limited to six weekend dates and three weekday evening each week during the season, but no more than 18 weekdays.
A second amendment focused on the city’s ordinance prohibiting possession of tetrahydrocannabinols, more commonly known as THC, adding synthetic cannabinoids to the list. Synthetic cannabinoids are more commonly known as synthetic marijuana with street names such as “K-2” and “Spice.”
According to the ordinance, the sale and use of synthetic cannabinoids is increasing, there is a lack of testing by the Food and Drug Administration on the chemicals used in synthetic marijuana products to determine where they are safe for human consumption and the National Drug Intelligence Center of the U.S. Department of Justice has indicated the products have numerous adverse effects, including panic attacks, intense hallucinations, vomiting, seizures, numbness and elevated pulse and blood pressure.
Under the ordinance amendment, no one is allowed to possess synthetic cannabinoids in any form, including all substances and chemicals listed under Section 961.14(tb) of the Wisconsin Statutes, unless specifically excepted by federal regulations.
The Council voted unanimously in favor of both amendments.
