City Council Study Session Summary 2002 06 11

Home Browse Search

SSSUM 2002 06 11 Tom Hogue, Lafayette City Council and member of East County Arts Alive, explained that they approached this study with the realization that there would not be a lot of tax dollars available. The consultant proposed a twenty-acre venue with retail, etc., a 1,000-seat main hall and a 500-seat second hall. The venue would need to generate its own funding. Erik Hartronft stated that East County Arts Alive is interested in whether or not the Council feels this is a good idea and would benefit the citizens. He explained that the next step would be to see what each community could contribute to the facility and develop a memorandum of understanding between the communities. Chuck Sisk asked why the towns of Erie and Superior were omitted from the funding. Tom Hogue stated that they were invited to participate but were unable to at the time. He explained that the communities would be invited again. He stated that the next step would be for the members to iron out the details of an intergovernmental agreement. Erik explained that Erie & Superior would need to pay equitably what everyone else has paid so far. Tom Hogue stated that they are not looking for funding until 2004; however, they would like staff support to develop an intergovernmental agreement. There was some discussion on where the staff time would come from. Mayor Davidson directed the East County Arts Alive organization to present an outline to Council of what the organization would expect in an intergovernmental agreement and thanked them for the work they have put forth on this project. Smoking Task Force Recommendations City Council directed members of the Smoking Task Force to discuss the current smoking ordinance and recommend possible changes. The task force was not able to reach a consensus about how to address the risk to public health in restaurants and bars. Some members feel strongly that restaurants and bars are public places available to all and by slowing smoking in those areas, the City is making it impossible for residents to frequent restaurants as they choose if they do not want to be around smoke. Other members feel that stricter requirements regarding smoking would create an undo burden on restaurants and could possibly put some out of business. Mark Johnson and Susan Morris, members of the task force, presented arguments for and against smoking restrictions for restaurants. Arguments for full smoking restrictions are: The health effects of secondhand smoke on patrons and restaurant staff is of sufficient danger that restaurants should be required to physically separate smoking and ventilate non- smoking areas from smoking areas. 2