HomeMy WebLinkAbout20070416 - VIII-C-1MEMO V111-G1
Cih of Nasfings
Parks & Recreation
Department
9zo U- loth st.
Hastings, t~•1N 550;:
Ph: E651)480-b175
Fax: (651) 437-t+396
ivw~~.ci.hastings. mn. us
Aquatic Center
901 ~taplc St.
Hastings, MN ij03=
Vh: (6~ t) 4A0-239
Fax: (651) 437-5 X96
Civic Arena
2Rr11 Redwine Rh•d.
astiugs, h1N >5033
'h: (6~ I) 480-6191
Fax: ((i5 t) 4i7-4940
Date: 4/ 10/07
To: Honorable Mayor and City Council
From: Barry Bernstein, Parks and Recreation Director
Subject: Tobacco-Free Parks
I was approached by Jodie Pier from Dakota County Public Health about the
possibility and opportunity to pursue the idea of having our City parks become a
tobacco-free envirorunent.
I brought this idea forward to the NRRC at our last meeting. I have enclosed the
minutes from the discussion and the action from the NRRC regarding this topic.
]) Tobacco-Free Presentation: The Dakota County Health Department along
with 10 students from Hastings High School made a presentation to the
NRRC requesting that the City of Hastings adopt aTobacco-Free Policy on
all City Park Property. Many cities and park systems have already adopted
this policy for a variety of reasons. These include: 1) children model adult
behavior, 2) consistent policies send a consistent message, 3) cigarette litter
is harmful, and 4} secondhand smoke is dangerous. Director Bernstein
mentioned that enforcement of this policy is a concern, especially at Vet's
Park during the Adult Softball Leagues. Commissioner Schommer felt that
adopting this policy would be a step in the right direction. He also brought
out that HYAA already has a restriction on smoking for both coaches and
parents. Comrriissioner Miller thought that this policy would be a good step
towards a societal norm that smoking in public is not o.k. Commissioner
Vandehoef felt that this would be a good message for the city to send.
MOTION: Commissioner Miller motioned that the City of Hastings adopt
the Tobacco-Free Parks Policy. Seconded by Commissioner Schommer.
Passed unanimously.
If you wish to consider this policy further, please direct staff to draft a resolution that
would identify and explain a policy that would not allow tobacco use in some or all
City parks? If the City Council directs staff to draft a resolution, it will be brought
before counci] in May.
Thank you!