HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 2a: Restricting Use of Tobacco Products at City Park and Recreation Areas op IF;°�0'�� °°r STAFF REPORT
Recreation and Community Services Department
DATE: March 6, 2012
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Sara Somogyi, Recreation & Community Services Director a-
Prepared by: Ryan Wright, Recreation & Community Services Assistant
Director /4)
SUBJECT: Report, Discussion, and Direction Regarding Restricting Use of
Tobacco products at City Park and Recreation Areas.
Recommended Action: Provide Direction
SUMMARY
Periodically the City of Arcadia receives inquiries and complaints from residents
requesting staff implement measures to prohibit the use of tobacco products at City parks
and recreation areas. The American Lung Association grades California cities on their
efforts to improve air quality on an annual basis using criteria in a number of areas. Each
year the City of Arcadia receives an "F" grade. In conjunction with the poor "grade"
provided to the City from the American Lung Association, staff has analyzed potential
solutions to eliminate the use of tobacco products. Therefore, staff and the Recreation
and Parks Commission recommended completely prohibiting tobacco products at City
parks and recreation areas.
DISCUSSION
Currently, the State of California, Health and Safety Code Section 104495 prohibits the
use of tobacco products within 25 feet of a playground or tot lot sandbox area. This is the
same section which enables a school facility to create a smoke free environment and is
also currently enforced in City parks. Similarly, the City implements California
Government Code Sections 7596-7598 which requires smoking to take place no closer
than 20 feet from the main entrance, exits, or windows of a public building. In 2011, a no
smoking policy was implemented at Wilderness Park per Arcadia Municipal Code 3121
and California Fire Code 310.8 due to hazardous environmental conditions.
Although the City has some preventative policies in place, complaints from residents are
still received each year. To better understand how other agencies are handling similar
requests, City staff receives and analyzes the American Lung Association's "State of
Tobacco Control" report grade which consistently provides an overall "F" grade for the
City of Arcadia. A key contributor to this letter grade is poor performance in the
"Smokefree Outdoor Air" section which includes public events and recreation areas.
When comparing policies with other local agencies, staff has recognized that Alhambra,
Baldwin Park, Claremont, El Monte, Glendora, La Verne, Monterey Park, Pasadena,
Rosemead, San Dimas, South Pasadena, and Temple City have all implemented
ordinances which prohibit smoking in all recreation areas. This is just a small list when
compared to the 123 municipalities with the same policy in the state of California.
It is a challenge only to enforce laws prohibiting tobacco use in specific areas of City
parks. Also, some City programs are conducted on school property which already
prohibits tobacco use. Therefore, staff believes a complete prohibition at all parks would
create a better, more understandable way to inform the public of the no smoking
restrictions and to provide a healthier environment at the parks.
City staff provided the Recreation & Parks Commission a recommendation to prohibit any
form of tobacco use on all City park property or recreation areas, such as the City Hall
lawn. The only exception which would continue to allow tobacco use in designated
locations would be the Arcadia Par-3 Golf Course. After some deliberation, the
Recreation & Parks Commission accepted this recommendation 5-0. Recreation staff
has also had preliminary conversations with the Public Works Services Department to
discuss necessary signage options, as well as the Police Department regarding
enforcement.
FISCAL IMPACT
The only preliminary cost associated to the modification would be the creation and
installation of signs at each location for approximately $6,000 which could be a budgeted
general fund expense in FY12-13.
RECOMMENDATION
It is recommend City Council provide direction to City Staff if there is consensus to
modify the Arcadia Municipal Code and prohibit the use of tobacco products in
City parks and recreation areas.
Approved :
Donald Penman, City Manager