Laserfiche WebLink
Mounds View City Council Page Seven <br />~gular Meeting December 23, 1991 <br />7. Samantha Orduno, City Administrator, reviewed Staff Report No. <br />91-131C regarding the designation of all City Buildings and City <br />Vehicles as Smoke Free. Orduno stated that the trend nationwide <br />has been to designate all government buildings and vehicles as <br />Smoke Free. Orduno stated that this No Smoking policy will go <br />into effect January 1, 1992 with two designated smoking areas. These <br />designated areas are the Police Garage and the Public Works Garage. <br />Orduno said she had received many complaints regarding smoking from <br />non-smoking employees and residents. <br />Councilmember Blanchard stated that the City has loyal, long-ti.me <br />employees that are smokers and there was .nothing in their job <br />descriptions stating they couldn't smoke. These individuals are <br />not second class citizens and they too have rights. <br />Orduno stated that smoking is offensive in areas where people .eat and <br />it is a proven health hazard. Orduno further stated it is for the <br />health, safety and welfare of all the employees to have the building <br />smoke-free. Orduno again stated that she had received complaints from <br />staff as well as residents regarding smoking in the building. Orduno <br />stated that in no way does this smoking policy refer to the smoker's as <br />• second class citizens. <br />Councilmember Rickaby suggested that instead of Mounds View buildings <br />the policy should read any "City-owned" buildings. <br />Mayor Linke asked when this policy was brought up to the employees. <br />Orduno stated that the department heads had been discussing it <br />for about a month in their department head meetings and that she. <br />had held an employee meeting two weeks ago and had informed the <br />employees. Orduno further stated that at this time there are two <br />designated places for smoking and that eventually these two areas <br />would be phased out and the building would become smoke-free. <br />Discussion followed by the Council regarding the penalties for <br />violation of the smoking policy. <br />Councilmember Rickaby inquired as to how long the suspension <br />would be with regards to the third violation. Would the <br />Council wait until the employee violates the third time and <br />then decide how long the suspension would be without pay? <br />Mayor Linke indicated provisions are set in the personnel <br />code with regards to suspension of employees. <br />Councilmember Rickaby commented that this leaves the City open room to <br />discrimination. <br />