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<br />
<br />February 9,2009
<br />
<br />SUBJECT
<br />Ordinance prohibiting smoking in all Redwood City parks
<br />
<br />RECOMMENDATION
<br />Introduce an ordinance amending Section 25.2.02 (L) of the Redwood City Municipal
<br />Code to prohibit smoking in all Redwood City parks
<br />
<br />BACKGROUND
<br />The proposed Smoke-Free Parks Ordinance (Attachment 1) would prohibit smoking in
<br />all City parks. Staff requested that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services
<br />(PRCS) Commission consider recommending a change in the ordinance when staff
<br />became aware ofa smoking-related conflict that arose during a Music in the Park event.
<br />When there are large gatherings at park events, people smoking in the vicinity have
<br />often caused an unpleasant experience for those sensitive to second hand smoke.
<br />
<br />The Commission turned the matter over to its Park Rules Enforcement Subcommittee
<br />for consideration. The Subcommittee decided' that their most i'mportant task was to get
<br />a sense of public opinion on the topic. As a result, in May 2008, staff issued press
<br />releases, REC e-news notices and email blasts to direct the public to an on-line survey.
<br />Over 300 surveys were received, and 86% of those responding favored a ban on
<br />smoking. In general, those supporting the ban cited public health issues and the high
<br />use of parks by children. The 140/0 who opposed the ban felt that it would infringe on
<br />civil liberties and would be virtually unenforceable. The Commission asked staff to
<br />increase outreach efforts when no one appeared on the subject at the October 22, 2008
<br />meeting. Staff placed paid advertisements in the Redwood City Daily News in addition
<br />to press releases, email blasts and use of the City website. The efforts resulted in
<br />several news stories and television coverage on the day of the November Commission
<br />meeting, but did not bring in any speakers.
<br />
<br />Other cities have recognized the health and safety benefits of smoke-free parks.
<br />locally, the cities of Belmont, Burlingame, and the County of San Mateo have banned
<br />smoking in their parks. Other cities that have adopted similar policie.s include:
<br />Roseville, Sacramento, San Francisco, Davis, Fresno, Modesto, Dublin, Emeryville,
<br />Salinas, San Diego, Pasadena, Santa Clarita, and over three dozen other cities in
<br />California. Attachment 2 (Supporting Data) provides further information on the health
<br />issues of second hand smoke, which are summarized in the findings for the amended
<br />ordinance. Attachment 3 (Outreach Sample) provides an example of an informational
<br />flyer used by the City of Santa Clarita to explain the no smoking ordinance to the public,
<br />following approval of the ordinance. Should the City Council approve this amended
<br />ordinance, the PReS Department plans to distribute a similar informational flyer~
<br />
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