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MINUTES <br />PARKS & REC COMMISSION <br />SEPTEMBER 7, 2023 <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br />5 <br /> <br />The Recreation Coordinator noted that many communities use signage identifying the area as a <br />tobacco-free zone. <br /> <br />Commissioner Abruzzese acknowledged that neighboring communities have similar ordinances <br />and therefore this would provide consistency. <br /> <br />Commissioner Mui asked if they could require a clause that the enforcement data is tracked to <br />ensure that it is enforced equally. <br /> <br />Chair Horwath asked who would be in charge of enforcement, whether that is parks staff, police, <br />or residents complaining. He stated that the police can report back on enforcement but residents <br />that feel empowered to inform people may be prejudicial. <br /> <br />Commissioner Schletty commented that neighbors saying something to people in the park would <br />not have teeth in terms of enforcement. <br /> <br />Commissioner DeLong Miller commented that she would think the posting of the area as <br />tobacco-free would be the goal, similar to alcohol use. She noted that some people may still <br />choose to break the rule, but others will abide. <br /> <br />Commissioner Schletty asked what the fine for an ordinance violation of this nature. <br /> <br />The Parks & Rec Director noted that typically when he has told people alcohol is not allowed, <br />people are nice about it and say that they did not know and put the alcohol away. He noted that <br />it is more of an educational action. <br /> <br />Chair Horwath commented that he supports this as an educational campaign but did not think the <br />police would spend their time looking for violators in the park. He stated that as someone who <br />works in a park, he agrees with staff that when he approaches people to tell them that is not <br />allowed in the park, they typically comply. <br /> <br />Commissioner Abruzzese stated that she would be more interested in the police statistics as a <br />misdemeanor on someone’s record would have an impact. <br /> <br />Chair Horwath stated he does support this type of ordinance but would like to include the word <br />smoking. He noted that if this is the same language used by other communities, he would <br />support it as is. He commented that he has worked in parks for his entire adult life and has never <br />heard of someone receiving a misdemeanor for smoking in a park and therefore would not <br />require the statistics to be provided. <br /> <br />The Parks & Rec Director commented that he could request data on violations, but doubted that <br />any department would publicly provide statistics on the color of someone’s skin.