HomeMy WebLinkAbout2009-05-26 Council Minutes - Work SessionCouncil Members Present:
Staff Present:
KENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MAY 26, 2009
6:00 P.M.
KENAI CITY COUNCIL CHAMBERS
MAYOR PAT PORTER, PRESIDING
NOTES
P. Porter, r. Ross, J. Moore, B. Eldridge, R. Molloy
City Clerk C. Freas, City Attorney C. Graves, and
City Manager R. Koch
Mayor Porter called the work session to order at approximately 6:00 p.m. General
discussion followed related to the current code related to smoking in eating
establishments and bowling alleys (KMC 12.40) and suggested amendments that were
presented in Ordinance No. 2390 -2009. Both documents were included in the work
session packet.
Comments included:
The current ordinance would need amending to allow incorporation of
posting a business that it is a non smoking premise. If someone would smoke on the
premises and it was posted, it would be citable.
Groups that would have an outdoor event could post no smoking and it
would be citable if someone were to smoke.
A suggestion made there be minimum requirements related to the size of
signs to post a non smoking premise.
A suggestion made to include health care facilities to allow for
enforcement.
Suggested amendment wording was given as 'owner /operator of business
may choose to place sign.
Suggested areas of 20 to 50 feet from the entrance of a building would be
prohibited.
The floor was opened to public comment.
Susan Smalley Spoke with regard to people not always having the ability to 'choose'
where to work, whether the business allows smoking or not, because of the need to
support their household.
Jennifer Olendorff Spoke with regard to workers deserving to be treated equally;
the economy should not trump health issues; and, any work and public place should
be declared "smoke free."
KENAI CITY COUNCIL WORK SESSION
MAY 26, 2009
PAGE 2
Emily Nenon, American Cancer Society Offered herself as a resource in writing
the ordinance; felt workers should be protected from secondhand smoke; and, the City
of Juneau had adopted a no smoking ordinance.
Discussion continued with comments including
Concern the city would be the only city with a no- smoking ordinance and
it would put the city's businesses at a disadvantage with businesses outside of the
city.
Businesses want a level playing field as they fear economic loss.
Suggestion made to discuss a statewide smoke free law with state
officials.
Suggestion made the City of Kenai consider a resolution encouraging the
Legislature to take up a statewide smoke free law.
Private clubs may find their memberships lessening because people find
they do not want to be there because of the smoke.
A suggestion the Kenai and Soldotna city councils meet in a work session
to discuss smoke free ordinances.
Administration was requested to prepare an ordinance to amend the current smoking
regulation ordinance to include comments made with regard to posting of businesses
who opt to have no- smoking premises; posting of outdoor events; a 20 foot buffer
outside premises signed to be smoke free; and include medical facilities.
The work session ended at approximately 8:10 p.m.
Notes prepared by:
Carol L. Freas, City Clerk