Agenda - Parks and Recreation Commission - 05/13/2004

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Motion carded. Voting Yes: Chairperson Johns, Commissioners LaMere, Shryock, Lehman, Olds, and Pontius. Voting No: None. Absent: Commissioner Ostrum. Chairperson Johns noted the website needed to be updated with the time change. Case #7: Tobacco Free Parks Civil Engineer II Linton stated the City received information on making the parks tobacco free. Implementation of this policy would require a new ordinance and draft ordinance language was included. He explained tobacco waste required a lot of maintenance time and eliminating this waste in the City's parks would make them look better and free staff to work on other parts of the parks. Enforcement of this policy would require support of the Ramsey Youth Athletic Association (RYAA) and other groups that hold regularly scheduled events in the parks. Civil Engineer II Linton stated the Commission 'is asked to make a motion regarding this proposal. An affirmative motion should include forwarding the proposal to the City Council for creation and adoption of the ordinance. Civil Engineer 1~ Linton noted a large number of handouts were available for review, as this had been implemented in many cities. Commissioner Olds asked if there would be signage in the parks. Principal City Engineer Olson responded he went to a meeting with Anoka County and there were grant opportunities to pay for signs tltroughout the parks, along with flyers and handouts containing information. A presentation was given regarding other cities that had adopted tobacco-free parks and he noted there was not a great deal of enforcement that took place, as strong enforcement could be seen as society "picking on certain people" because smoking areas were continually disappearing. It would give people working with youth activities the right to prohibit smoking during those activities. Chairperson Johns asked if it should be an ordinance or a policy. Principal City Engineer Olson responded it would be a policy change; however, if the City began enforcement, an ordinance would need to be introduced for an enforcement technique. He asked if the Commission wanted an ordinance. Chairperson Johns responded a policy was a good beginning. Commissioner Lehman stated he thought it was a great idea for the health of the community's children, as parks should be places to improve health and wellbeing. Most public facilities were becoming tobacco free and the policy would give residents a feeling that they had the right to say something. Commissioner Olds asked if there was anything that identified alcohol use in City parks. Park and Recreation Commission/April 8, 2004 Page 16 of 21