6.6. SR 05-17-2010 - Laserfiche WebLink

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~/ 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.