HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-23-12 Health & Public SafetyHEALTH & PUBLIC SAFETY
5:13 P.M.
JULY 23, 2012
Committee Members Present: Dr. Fred Ferlic, Karen White, Tim Scott, Henry Davis
Citizen Members Present: Kyle Chamberlin
Other Council Present: Valerie Schey, Dr. David Varner, Oliver Davis, Derek Dieter,
Gavin Ferlic
Other's Present: Kathy Cekanski - Farrand, Mayor Pete Buttigieg, Kevin Allen, Mike Schmuhl,
Mark Neal, Gary Gilot
Agenda: Bill No. 21 -12 — Smoking Regulations
Bill No. 24 -12 - Air Standards for Workplaces and Public Places
Chairperson Dr. Fred Ferlic called the Health and Public Safety Committee to order with two bills
on the docket for review. The first, Bill No. 21 -12 sponsored and presented by David Varner was
characterized as one that follows recent state law regarding smoking. It also Dr. Varner added
protects the right of people to choose. More specifically the bill allows business owners to allow
smoking if smoking allowed signs are clearly posted. Other business owners could choose to
post no smoking allowed signs.
Councilmember Gavin Ferlic while admitting the bill was an improvement said he could not
support it because he had hoped for a more comprehensive ban on smoking in public places as
in Bill No. 24 -12.
Citizen Member Kyle Chamberlin said the state law definition of public entrance for purposes of
posting was vague. That definition he felt needed to be refined as did the size and nature of the
signs being posted.
Oliver Davis supported the bill, feeling a ban on smoking in taverns altogether would hurt the
small Mom and Pop neighborhood businesses.
Ultimately Karen White motioned and Tim Scott seconded that the bill go to Council favorably
Under miscellaneous, Tim Scott reported his tour of Century Center. He was alarmed to see an
electrical panel controlling lighting dimmers was open, posing a real shock hazard and a liability
issue for the city. Varner said bids to convert lighting to LED's which would eliminate the hazard
were being sought. In the meantime the door to the room with the panel was to be kept locked.
There being no other business to come before the committee at this time, Chairperson Dr. Fred
Ferlic adjourned the meeting at 5:28 p.m.
Respectfully Submitted,
Dr. Fred Ferlic, Chairperson
Health & Public Safety Committee