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6.6. SR 05-17-2010~/ City of Elk -.~ River REQUEST FOR ACTION To Item Number Ci Council 6.6. Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by Administration Ma 17, 2010 Steve Benoit, Recreation Mana er Item Description Reviewed by Tobacco Free Parks Policy Bill Maertz, Parks and Recreation Director Reviewed by Lori ohnson, Ci Administrator Action Requested Adoption of Tobacco Free Parks Policy Background/Discussion Over the past several months, the Parks and Recreation Commission has been examining the concept of implementing a tobacco free park policy that would restrict the use of tobacco products in City of Elk River parks. The rationale behind this initiative focuses on the following points: • Secondhand smoke is a human carcinogen for which there is no safe level of exposure. Exposure to secondhand smoke has immediate health consequences such as asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases. Secondhand smoke levels in outdoor public places can reach levels as high as those found in indoor facilities where smoking is permitted. • Discarded cigarettes pollute the land and water and may be ingested by toddlers, pets, birds or fish. Trash left from tobacco use also requires significant cleaning time from the Parks Maintenance staff. • As parents, leaders, coaches, and officials, we are thought of as role models and the use of tobacco products around youth has a negative effect on their lifestyle choices. Other Information to Consider The following area communities have adopted tobacco free park policies: • Ramsey • Zimmerman • Dayton • Maple Grove • St. Francis • Anoka • Monticello • Anoka County Parks Compliance Procedure The emphasis on enforcing the Tobacco-Free Parks and Recreation policy would be through voluntary compliance. Methods to educate the public such as signage and distributing information flyers to major park users groups would be utilized. City staff will be trained on a standard action plan on how to manage situations in the parks where patrons may be using tobacco products contrary to policy. Parks and Recreation Commission Recommendation The concept of a tobacco free park policy has been discussed over the past several Parks and Recreation Commission meetings. Components of these meetings included: • Discussion of background data on the tobacco use issue. Examining policies utilized by other agencies. An open meeting that was held to offer the public an opportunity to address the tobacco use issue. No comments were made either for or against a policy at the open meeting. At the Apri114, 2010 Parks and Recreation Commission meeting the commission voted 7-0 in support of the attached policy. Attachments ^ Parks and Recreation Tobacco-Free Parks System Policy draft. Action Motion by Second by Vote Follow Up Ci ver Parks and Recreation Tobacco-Free Parks System Policy (Draft) 1. Guideline Statement The City of Elk River Parks and Recreation Tobacco-Free Policy is designed to protect the health, welfare, and safety of our park patrons. Our organization is committed to the quality of life for all residents, therefore, we believe that: • Tobacco product use in the proximity of children, youth and adults engaging in or watching recreational activities does not promote a positive healthy lifestyle. • Our organization strives to offer the public park facilities that are clean and family friendly. Tobacco products consumed in public spaces axe often discarded on the ground, thus posing a risk of ingestion to toddlers and causing a litter problem. • As parents, leaders, coaches, and officials, we are thought of as role models. Use of tobacco by role models has a negative effect on youth. 2. Policy Statement The Ciry of Elk River does not allow the use of tobacco products on City-owned park land, recreational facilities, and open space. Open space is defined as undeveloped park land. 3. Compliance Procedures The emphasis on enforcing the Tobacco-Free parks and recreation policy is through voluntary compliance: • Appropriate City-owned park land, recreational facilities, and open space will have signage posted. • City staff will meet with activity organizations and/or leaders or coaches to discuss the policy and then distribute flyers with the "Tobacco Free" regulations. • City staff will make periodic observations of activity sites to monitor compliance.