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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 03 - Electronic CigarettesMEMO TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: BRUNO RUMBELOW, CITY MANAGER / MEETING DATE: MARCH 4, 2014 SUBJECT: ELECTRONIC CIGARETTES IN PARKS AND PARK FACILITIES The Parks & Recreation Advisory Board discussed electronic cigarettes at the February 13, 2014 meeting and passed a motion to recommend the Council amend the ordinance to include electronic cigarettes as being unlawful in parks and park facilities that are posted as non - smoking today by ordinance. Currently, the ordinance encompasses the Oak Grove Soccer Complex, the Oak Grove Softball Complex, the Oak Grove Ballfield Complex, the Meadowmere Park Soccer Complex and the Botanical Gardens. The discussion centered around the fact that children cannot differentiate between electronic cigarettes and cigarettes and that it sends the wrong message to the children if electronic cigarettes are allowed in parks and park facilities. By Administrative Policy, e- cigarettes have recently been restricted in all indoor city facilities where smoking is prohibited. In addition, there is no record that prohibiting smoking at City pools was discussed during the 2009/2010 timeframe when smoking in parks was discussed. If the Council is amenable, we will draft that ordinance change along with the e- cigarette ban and put it on the next agenda for formal action.