07-12-2010 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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MINUTES OF THE ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING Monday, July 12, 2010 7:00 o'clock p.m. (3. TOBACCO -FREE YOUTHRECREATION, ORONO YOUTHINACTION, Continued) Ellie Houston stated the study by the University of Minnesota has also found that there were few enforcement problems reported with these policies. In 2004, a survey was sent out to 1500 randomly chosen Minnesota residents. Of those 1500, 70 percent had used a city park within the last month. Of those that used the park, 70 percent support the tobacco free policies in parks and other recreational areas. Overall, with this type of policy in place, communities have found less litter and an increased use in the parks. Various means of enforcement include use of local media, manuals, and newsletters. The most effective means of enforcement is through the use of signs that can be placed at a number of various locations, such as playground entrances, athletic fields, trails, parks, docks, beaches, etc. Community members will also have the ability to ask smokers not to smoke in these areas since it is no longer allowed. Engler requested. the City Council give strong consideration to adopting this policy for Orono's parks and recreational areas. White commented the amount of cigarette butts collected by the students at Hackberry and Summit Beach is appalling. White commended the students on doing .a good job presenting their data and rationale for the policy. Murphy commented he is in support of the policy and asked where the State of Minnesota stands on this is policy. Murphy noted the Luce Line Trail goes through the City of Orono but they are managed by the DNR. Karissa Wentzel stated they have not done any direct work with the DNR but that they have worked with the Three Rivers Parks District and their trails and parks are not currently under this policy. Wentzel indicated they typically work with cities but that they would be willing to contact the DNR and provide them with information on the policy. McMillan complimented the students on their fine presentation. McMillan noted that some of these were policy statements and some were ordinances. Mattick stated the City does have some rules and regulations already governing city parks and that he would recommend codifying it rather than implementing a policy since it would be easier to enforce and a penalty could be applied. White thanked the students for coming to tonight's meeting and presenting their findings. Bremer indicated she is in support of the concept and that it will be necessary to have staff draft the necessary documents for approval. Bremer moved, Franchot seconded, to direct staff to draft a resolution consistent with the discussion banning all tobacco - related products in Orono's city parks. VOTE: Ayes 5, Nays 0. Wentzel requested that she receive notification when the Council has an ordinance or resolution for • adoption as the youth group would like to attend the meeting. Page 3 of 16