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Commission reminded to weigh full ban vs. 100-foot buffer for smoking, vaping in city parks
Summary
Parks advisory committee recommended a blanket ban on smoking and vaping in city parks; mayor asked commissioners to consider a possible compromise — banning smoking/vaping within 100 feet of play areas and pavilions — before the formal vote scheduled for the next meeting.
The commission discussed a forthcoming vote on city park rules that would ban smoking and vaping; the parks advisory committee recommended a full ban, and the mayor asked commissioners to reflect on a possible compromise before tomorrow’s agenda.
The item is significant because it would change the rules governing use of public parks and the location where smoking or vaping is allowed.
The mayor told the commission the parks advisory committee had recommended a blanket prohibition: “no smoking or vaping in our parks, period,” and said the committee’s recommendation will be on the agenda at the next meeting. He asked members to consider a compromise that would instead prohibit smoking and vaping within 100 feet of playgrounds, pavilions and similar gathering areas so commissioners would have time to consider both options overnight.
Commissioner Kugel said she appreciated the compromise because a prior, identical proposal had failed to win enough votes at a commission meeting on Feb. 25; she said bringing the exact same language back shortly afterward had been unhelpful and said a middle-ground option was worth discussing at the formal meeting.
Staff will present the parks advisory committee’s reasoning and the two options (full ban or 100-foot buffer) at the commission meeting scheduled for formal action.
