The contentious issue of banning medical pot shops went by as quietly as smoke at Tuesday night’s Pendleton City Council meeting. Of course, this was only the first reading of the proposal.

Before the meeting, Mayor Phillip Houk said if there was a crowd he would consider opening the floor to statements. But he never had to make that call. The few folks on hand were there for other business. City Manager Robb Corbett introduced the city law that would prohibit medical marijuana dispensaries for a year. The council will take it up for a vote at their April 4 meeting.

Pendleton is among a host of cities and counties considering or implementing moratoriums on dispensaries.

In 2013, House Bill 3460 directed the Oregon Health Authority to establish a registration system for medical marijuana facilities. And in early March the Legislature approved Senate Bill 1531, which allows cities and counties to set up restrictions on how medical pot shops operate. The bill also allows cities and counties to ban dispensaries until May 15, 2015.

State Sen. Bill Hansell, R-Athena, authored SB 1531. He said cities and counties are likely to approve the moratoriums because that’s the safest bet to stay in line with federal anti-marijuana laws and avoid the threat of lawsuits.

In active business, the council approved a $600,000 loan through Banner Bank to pay for expansion of the Pendleton Convention Center. The city will pay back the loan over 15 years.

The council also gave its nod to city facilities manager Glenn Graham to form a committee to raise funds to replace the 18-year-old ice rink flooring at Roy Raley Park. Graham said the flooring is worn out and will cost $80,000 to replace. The local youth ice hockey association will help raise funds and Corbett set the first meeting for April 1 at 6 p.m. in the Community Room at city hall, 500 S.W. Dorion Ave.

Council also approved a $15 weekly fee for participants in the city’s Summer Parks Adventure Camp. Recreation director Lisa Patrick said that would generate revenue to cover the costs of the six-week program.

The city also received a $10,000 check from the Pacific Power Foundation to help pay for a bronze statute of rodeo legend George Fletcher.

Contact Phil Wright at pwright@eastoregonian.com or 541-966-0833.

This story originally appeared in East Oregonian.