As you can see from the photo of Pauline Medrano here, council members spent the first 40 minutes of today's meeting
of the City Smoking Ordinance Special Ad-Hoc Committee scarfing down sandwiches -- too busy
to have a proper lunch, apparently, what with back-to-back meetings on the schedule.
(And looks like they love 'em some Lenny's too.) The munching made the early part of the meeting particularly confusing, as
those pro and con the expanded smoking ban bandied about stats in order to prove their
respective points. Said those against the ban, businesses would almost
certainly suffer with tighter restrictions in place. Said those pro banning the
butt, Nuh-unh.
With regards to the banning of smoking within 15 feet of an
entrance, the committee elected to only fine the smoker. Furthermore, the fine
would be implemented regardless of whether the illegal puffing was occurring on private
property or on a public sidewalk. The issue related to patios and other
allowable smoking areas is being held, supposedly, until those areas
are more clearly defined.
As it stands, the committee is moving forward and briefing
the entire council December 3 -- although 12 of the 14 council members were in
attendance today for at least for part of the meeting. There is hesitation from
the council's staff as to whether they have enough time to get the information
requested of them concerning such issues as the cigar bar controversy or the
number of establishments that will be effected by the ban and any economic
impact info that is available. More public opinions will be heard at the
December 3 council meeting, but speakers should register with the City Secretary
in advance.
Medrano said a final vote will be taken December 10. -Courtney Clenney