Ontario officials will seek public comment on a proposal by Los Angeles-based MedMen to build and operate a 35,000- to 40,000-square-foot medical marijuana growing operation somewhere in Richland County — possibly on two undisclosed industrially zoned parcels within Ontario city limits.

Mayor Randy Hutchinson was non-commital about a conference call held recently with Barrett Thomas, director of economic development for the Richland Community Development Group; a MedMen company representative; and Shelby Mayor Steve Schag, in which the company described its plans to apply for a state license to open a marijuana growing operation. The marijuana would be for medical use.

MedMen is expanding its operations outside of California, with plans to open operations in Reno and elsewhere around the U.S., Hutchinson said.

While some of its facilities function both as growing sites and dispensaries, the one in Richland County was described as a secured warehouse strictly for growing, with no sales on site, he said. "If this would locate here in Richland County, the plant they're going to build would only be for cultivation," he said.

The facility was described as employing 35 to 40 people, at salaries ranging from $35,000 to $90,000, for a $1 million payroll, Hutchinson told Ontario council.

Hutchinson said he planned to ask a company representative to appear at the next Ontario council meeting on March 1, tentatively during caucus, around 6:15 p.m.

MedMen has "been denied by several cities around the county," the mayor said.

Third Ward Councilman Mark A. Weidemyre was among several Ontario council members trying to work out how local residents might react to the idea of a business that has not traditionally been allowed to operate in Ohio, but is now permitted. "One million dollars worth of payroll — that's a lot of payroll," he said. "And some good paying jobs."

"It's legal, that's the bottom line," Weidemyre added. But "it's a touchy subject."

"I think at minimum, when you get something like this, you have got to get feedback," said Councilman-At-Large Larry Arnold. City officials would require MedMen to come in to explain its plan to the public, he said, adding city officials have run other businesses through very tough questioning, including guys who came to city officials hoping to start a paintball business, which "never was illegal," he said.

Second Ward Councilwoman Michele Webb said Ohio has legalized growing marijuana  for medical use. "That's what they are producing, not recreational," she said.

Hutchinson said the two property lots MedMen was considering — in a location he was not free to share — are in an industrial area, and are not close to houses or schools.

MedMen indicated it would like to apply for state licensing by the end of April, the mayor told council.

Hutchinson said he wanted to get the word out that city officials are seeking public comment on the proposal. "My goal is to set it up for the next council meeting," so residents can give their input, the mayor said.

On Sept. 7, Ontario council enacted a six-month moratorium on considering or granting any applications for permits related to cultivation, processing or retail dispensaries of medical marijuana within the city.

City officials said that moratorium expires in March.

In other business Wednesday, council's personnel committee met to consider several issues, including the possibility of salary increases for council members. starting next years. Arnold said a "step" increase would be considered for council members returning to office, rewarding their knowledge of city operations — "not so much a carte blanche for everybody."

Concerns that the city make adequate plans to train replacements for the high percentage of Ontario municipal workers who are close to retirement also were discussed. "We have an aging workforce," Weidemyre said. "I'd like to see a business continuity or a succession plan."

And Mayor Hutchinson outlined his plan to rewrite portions of ordinances related to part-time workers — outlining which positions are part-time, setting maximum hours, and clarifying benefits.