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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