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Council begins code update to ban smoking in parks and clarify overnight-use rules
Summary
On first reading staff proposed Ordinance 10 to add a smoking prohibition across parks and to clarify overnight-use and open-burning exceptions for Memorial Park (city-provided pits and permitted grills). Second reading scheduled for the July meeting.
City staff introduced a first reading of Ordinance 10 to amend Chapter 95 (parks and recreation) to add an explicit prohibition on smoking (including marijuana) throughout public recreational areas and to clarify overnight-use and open-burning rules at Memorial Park.
Staff said the change would make explicit what currently exists on signs and policies by putting a smoking ban in the city code covering parks, trails, shelters, the veterans memorial and parking areas adjacent to parks. The proposed ordinance gives a specific definition of "smoking" to include inhaling, exhaling and use of vaping or similar devices.
Staff also proposed amending the overnight-use section for Memorial Park to permit open fires only in city-provided fire pits or grills and to allow propane/gas/charcoal grills that are permitted. The change is intended to provide clearer enforcement authority beyond signage.
The item was introduced as a first reading; staff said no motion is required now and the second reading is scheduled for the July 6 meeting.
