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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMemo - Read Before Packet - 8/22/2017 - Memorandum From Delynn Coldiron Re: Work Session Agenda Item #3 - Updated Presentation Materials For The Smoking Ordinance DiscussionAugust 22, 2017 Smoking Ordinance Update Delynn Coldiron, Interim City Clerk and Jeremy Yonce, Police Lieutenant Questions for Council • Does Council want to continue the smoking restriction for City-owned or operated public property? • Does Council want to see any changes to the Downtown Smoke- Free Zone? • Does Council desire to make any additional changes to the existing smoking regulations? 2 Timeline 1984 Initial Smoking Ordinance 2003 Smoke-free bars, restaurants, and workplaces 2006 Colorado Clean Indoor Air Act 2013 Smoke-free outdoor dining areas, bar patios, and Transfort’s public transit facilities 2014 E-cigarettes and 100% hotel/motel rooms 2015 City properties, parks, trails and natural areas 2016 Special Events and the Downtown Smoke-Free Zone 3 New Health District data shows smoking rates for Fort Collins have dropped to a new low of 8% (from 12% 3 years ago) Parks, Trails, and Natural Areas 82% 80% 80% 81% 75% 85% 74% 4 City Facilities and Grounds 62% - Employee Survey 61% - General Survey #2 5 Special Events and Downtown 6 First Year 7 First Year 8 Enforcement 9 Concerns We Are Hearing • Downtown Smoke-Free Zone is too big • Designated smoking areas are needed • No way to educate everyone – especially visitors • Restrictions create a competitive disadvantage for Old Town compared to other Fort Collins’ shopping areas • Penalty should not be criminal • Enforcement has damaged relationships with Police 10 Options to Consider A. No Changes B. Add designated smoking areas to current Downtown Smoke-Free Zone C. Reduce area of Downtown Smoke-Free Zone D. Repeal restrictions and move back to the 20’ rule E. Combination of items 11 12 Potential Designated Smoking Zones 13 Potential Reduced Downtown Smoke-Free Zone 14 No Downtown Smoke-Free Zone 20’ Rule Only Additional Items to Consider • Lifting smoking restrictions in the Downtown Smoke-Free Zone • 10:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. • 20’ rule would apply • Allows Police to focus on other policing issues • Changing penalty to Lesser Offense • Eliminating provisions for imprisonment • Initial violations – reduced fine and possible deferred judgment • Pursuing a petty offense category 15 Questions for Council • Does Council want to continue the smoking restriction for City-owned or operated public property? • Yes • Does Council want to see any changes to the Downtown Smoke-Free Zone? • Keep existing boundaries as they currently exist • Add Designated Smoking areas to Downtown • Lift smoking ban in the Downtown Smoke-Free Zone from 10 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. • Does Council desire to make any additional changes to the existing smoking regulations? • Eliminate provisions for imprisonment • Pursue a petty offense category Staff Recommendations 16