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Council committee weighs tobacco, vaping and marijuana ban in city parks with a golf‑course carve‑out
Summary
The Environment & Parks Committee discussed Ordinance 2024‑13 to ban smoking and vaping on city parks and city‑managed property, including marijuana; the proposal would require signage and permits a carve‑out for the city‑owned Raintree Country Club to mark designated smoking and non‑smoking areas.
City officials and council members discussed a proposed ordinance to expand existing smoking restrictions to all city‑owned and city‑managed property, including parks and city vehicles, at an Environment & Parks Committee meeting on Nov. 12.
Chair Mr. Spate presented Ordinance 2024‑13, explaining the change updates older language that covered only Central Park and did not address vaping or marijuana. Administration staff said the draft removes an employee smoking‑area provision from the code and standardizes definitions for tobacco, marijuana, smoking and vaping across city ordinances.
Administration representatives said the park board supports the change, and the draft requires at least one sign at each city property entrance and updated language in rental agreements so users are notified of the ban. “A notification of the prohibition shall be included in appropriate forms, documents and other materials provided to residents when reserving city property facilities and grounds,” an administration speaker said.
Members raised enforcement and clarity questions: would sidewalks in front of private homes be covered (administration said no, the draft focuses on city‑owned and city‑managed property), how to mark golf‑course areas, and the practicalities of asking park users to stop smoking. The administration said staff will rely primarily on education and signage and reserve citation as an enforcement tool for the sheriff when necessary.
Several council members and residents urged plain, enforceable signage. Pat Karleski, speaking from the public, recommended prominent entrance signage that cites the ordinance so the rule is clear to park visitors.
The committee discussed a carve‑out for Raintree Country Club (a city‑owned golf course), which would be required to clearly post designated smoking and non‑smoking areas rather than signage at every tee; members asked staff to consult with Raintree on practical signage language. The item was discussed as a first reading; the committee did not ask for immediate passage and will return the matter to council with recommended clarifications.
