Request for Qualifications for Storefront Dispensary Operator
On September 5, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 17-135, establishing regulations relating to Operator’s Permits for storefront retail cannabis. The regulations specify that the City Council may deem one or more businesses “qualified to obtain an Operator’s Permit” after issuing a Request for Qualifications (RFQ). Also on September 5, 2017, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 17-136, which authorized the issuance of the RFQ for an Operator’s Permit for a storefront retail cannabis business.
On September 6, 2017, City staff issued the RFQ approved by the City Council. The City received seven submittals in response to the RFQ. A panel comprised of City staff members reviewed and evaluated the submittals, and recommended the top four scored firms to the City Council.
On November 21, 2017, the City Council adopted resolutions deeming two of the four recommended firms as qualified to obtain an Operator’s Permit for storefront retail cannabis: Resolution No. 17-178 for Rochambeau Inc.; and Resolution No. 17-179 for East Bay Therapeutics.
On February 22, 2018 Rochambeau Inc. received approval of a conditional Use Permit to operate a dispensary at 3996 San Pablo Ave. On April 26 2018 East Bay Therapeutics received approval of Conditional Use Permit to operate a dispensary at 5745 Peladaeu St. The community benefits proposed by the selected operators in their RFQ submittals are secured through the conditions of approval placed on the Operator’s Permits.
Links to the RFQ, staff reports and resolutions are provided in the “Staff Reports/Background” section below.
To date, the City Council has not directed staff to initiate an RFQ process for any additional storefront retail cannabis operators.