City Council Minutes 2002 08 20 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Louisville City Council Meeting August 20, 2002 Page 6 Slobe stated she was a member of three study groups; one was through the American Heart Association. She explained that since there is no history of heart related problems in her family, she contributes her heart condition to cigarette smoking. She voiced her support for the ban on smoking. Jay Berger, 1016 Main Street, Louisville, CO, stated he supports the ordinance, and has been a proponent of smoke-free public places for ten years. He stressed the issue of individual right has been discussed, however the only issue that should be considered is that of health and safety. He explained that once a proprietor opens his doors to business, it becomes a public place and subject to government safety standards. He suggested a provision be added to the ordinance, which would prohibit smoking within 50 feet of an exterior entrance to public places. Cindy Bedell, 662 W. Willow Street, Louisville, CO, stated she was pleased to hear the City was considering an ordinance banning smoke in public places. She addressed the tavern exclusion and noted that alcohol is a trigger for participated addiction and trigger behaviors should not be encouraged. She voiced her empathy for tobacco addicts, and stressed they have the right to engage in smoking in their own homes, however they do not have the right to subject other people to dangerous chemicals. Doug Grinbergs, 530 W. Sycamore Circle, Louisville, CO, expressed his support of the ordinance and urged City Council to move forward. He explained the City of Boulder's ordinance provides for separate ventilated spaces, but noted that Tulagi's has a smoking room, and even though it is separately ventilated, smoke filters through the rest of the building. He requested a non-smoking buffer around public places and referenced a Santa Barbara County, California ordinance, which provides for a 20-foot non-smoking buffer around commercial buildings and legislation contemplated by Nova Scotia, Canada, which would prohibit smoking at building entrances. COUNCIL COMMENTS Mayer thanked the public for their comments. He acknowledged that it is a health and safety issue and stated he would support the ordinance as written. He stressed that government has jurisdiction over quasi-public facilities. Sisk voiced his support of the ordinance banning smoking in public places. He expressed concern that private clubs were included in the ordinance, and stated that if the public were invited, non-smoking should be observed; however, restricting a private club would be unfair. He voiced support for a non-smoking buffer, however, stated it could be considered at another time. He thanked the Smoking Task Force for their work. He emphasized it is a health issue and that he fully supports the ordinance. Brown stated that an overwhelming majority of the public has expressed their support for the ordinance banning smoking. He reported on discussions with citizens on exemptions for certain businesses. He voiced his belief that some businesses will be put in jeopardy. 6