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HomeMy Public PortalAbout2013.10.09 Special MinutesMINUTES McCall City Council Special Meeting High School Annex 401 North Mission Street October 9, 2013 Agenda Call to Order and Roll Call Public Forum Adjournment CALL TO ORDER AND ROLL CALL Mayor Bailey called the special meeting of the McCall City Council to order at 6:30 p.m. Council Member Aymon, Mayor Bailey, Council Member Scott, Council Member Swanson, and Council Member Witte were present. City staff present was Gene Drabinski, City Manager; and BessieJo Wagner, City Clerk. PUBLIC FORUM Introduction — Gene Drabinski, City Manager, gave a brief introduction of the topic and of the forum process. Heidi Lowe, Smoke Free Idaho, and Stacey Satterlee, Idaho State Director, Government Relations of the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, gave a brief presentation on the merits of a Smoke Free Idaho to get the conversation started. Lyle Nelson, St. Lukes McCall, stated that all comments whether those comments are in agreement or contrary to his own are valid. He stated that regulating tobacco is a perplexing issue and touches upon personal liberties, individual property rights, public safety, and personal and community economics. He stated that the way to approach the issue from a public stand point is to engage the community in the conversation. He stated that Valley County has a smoking population of 21%, which is almost 50% above the national average which is 15%. Mr. Nelson also posed the question as to why do kids smoke. Mr. Nelson gave four reasons why kids choose to smoke: 1. Because adults smoke 2. So they fit into their peer group 3. Smoking can relieve stress. 4. The tobacco companies' advertisements of smoking To keep children from smoking should be the community's focus for a smoke free environment. Mr. Nelson stated that according to Central District Health, smoking related illnesses are the McCall City Council Special Meeting Page 1 of 3 October 9, 2013 number one cause of death in Valley County. He stated that there were a number of ways to address the issue either through policies or by education. Comments from the Public: Tim Garber, owner of the Mill and Beside the Mill stated that Beside the Mill is the only bar in town that allows smoking. He did not feel government should dictate what people do with their own free will. Customers should be the ones who determine whether a place should be smoke free. He stated that his employees sign a document acknowledging that they would be working in an environment where smoking is allowed. He stated that a smoke free ordinance affects free liberties. Sarah Jessup, physician, stated the cigarettes had supported her, her entire life. She stated that she grew up on a tobacco farm, and was now a cardiologist. She stated that without cigarette smoking, there would only be a need for about half of the cardiologist in the Country. Ms. Jessup stated that cigarettes no longer support her as she runs a Community Care Clinic, which is a free clinic for uninsured people in the area. She stated that a number of her patients smoke and that smoking is associated with lower economic status. She stated that there were plenty of laws against illegal drugs and not one of those illegal drugs causes as much damage to health and economics as cigarettes. She stated that this should not even be an issue. Kevin Zubietta posed the question as to why would the City think it is their business to regulate what people are doing. Mayor Bailey responded stating that the City has the ability to legislate items that have to do with health and safety. Mr. Zubietta stated that wood fire smoke and car exhaust is all included in the air that we breathe and the only people that regulate that are the home and car owners. Council Member Aymon stated that was not necessarily true. She stated that in Boise they have burning bans due to the air quality. Mr. Zubietta opined that until the air quality in McCall reaches a point of poor quality should smoking be banned. Council Member Aymon responded stating that smoking should be banned due to health hazards posed by smoking and the cost, and the exposure to second hand smoke by workers. Mr. Zubietta stated that it should be up to the employer. He stated that if the City of McCall, as an employer, wanted to make the City a smoke free environment, more power to them. However, he stated that there should be no reason why the City Council could tell any employer that they cannot have any one smoke in their place of business. Mayor Bailey stated that the State gives the Cities in Idaho the ability to regulate issues of safety and health and the City may choose to exercise that right. Suzanne Mack commented that she personally would like to take a stance of being proactive versus reactive. She stated that she would like for the community to be in a place with a vision of where they want to be, such as Healthy Town USA, versus having to put up restrictions due to the lack of clean air. She would like to be ahead of the issue. Stephanie Noble, a nurse at the health department, stated that if you put all the emotions aside and look at the statistics, it's a no brainer to at least respect your neighbor so they do not have to breathe second hand smoke. Heidi Lowe gave a brief description of what other cities have done and included in their ordinances McCall City Council Special Meeting Page 2 of 3 October 9, 2013 Stacey Satterlee spoke about the process in Ketchum stating that a large issue was the bus stops. She stated that cities look at what is the need in their city and fashion the ordinance to fit their community's needs Mr. Garber felt it was a moral issue and that he did not feel that the City should push their morals on him. Ms. Lowe responded by stating that it really was not a moral issue; the issue is when your right to smoke impacts my right to breathe clean air. The intention is to protect the workers. There was a brief discussion regarding the enforcement issues. There was also discussion regarding other communities and the challenges faced when instituting a smoke free ordinance. Mr. Garber did not want to be dictated to on how to live. He felt it was a property rights issue. Mr. Zubietta did not feel that the City should determine what happens in his business. Mayor Bailey thanked those who attended for coming and expressing their views. ADJOURNMENT Without further business Ap) r•Jailey adjourned the meeting at 7:29 p.m. `. of Mce ���'�•, ATTEST: '% Donald C. Bailey, Mayor O� *��` • inn 0��, BessieJo a• er, C. Clerk McCall City Council Special Meeting Page 3 of 3 October 9, 2013