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HomeMy WebLinkAbout08/22/2006 COW minutes MINUTES COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE AUGUST 22, 2006 I. CALL TO ORDER The meeting was called to order at 7:04 p.m., in the Village Board Room of Village Hall, 50 South Emerson Street, by Mayor Pro Tem Michael Zade!. Present at the meeting were: Trustees Timothy Corcoran, Paul Hoefert, John Korn, Richard Lohrstorfer, Michaele Skowron and Michael Zade!. Absent from the meeting was Mayor Irvana Wilks. Staff members present included: Village Manager Michael Janonis, Assistant Village Manager David Strahl and Management Intern Michael Dallas. II. MINUTES Request to defer approval of Minutes of August 8, 2006. Motion made by Trustee Corcoran and Seconded by Trustee Skowron. Deferral was approved. III. CITIZENS TO BE HEARD None. IV. SMOKING REGULATIONS DISCUSSION Village Manager Janonis stated this is a continuation of the May 9, 2006 discussion. He is requesting Village Board direction to staff as to the parameters for drafting of the Smoking Regulation Ordinance if they are so inclined to regulate. Invitations have been sent out to possibly impacted businesses and the public has been offered input through a dedicated e-mail address. Albert Harriet, National Director of the Illinois Food and Beverage Association, spoke. He suggests a comprehensive regulation that would allow for some consideration of smokers on the premises. He does not believe there is a need to protect the hospitality employees from smokers and would suggest avoiding an all-inclusive smoking ban within the Village. Paul Tate, 906 Sumac, spoke. He stated he has no financial investment in smoking but is opposed to smoking bans through government regulations. He feels that private property should be regulated by the owners based on their economic interests. 1 Jim Pappas, owner of Papp's Bar and Grill spoke. He stated Mount Prospect is a unique town and the Village has been willing to discuss programs with impacted persons previously and would hope the same would be true in this instance. He stated he is in a somewhat unique position because his establishment is directly across the street from Des Plaines which has no smoking regulations which could put him at an unfair competitive advantage. He stated that there could be a designated smoking area with smoke removal devices in place. Katherine Sawyer, Regional Vice President of the American Cancer Society, spoke. She wanted to congratulate the Board for considering the issue and stated smoking has been studied enough to show it is a health hazard and would support a 100% ban within the Village. Ted Pappas, co-owner of Papp's Bar and Grill, spoke. He stated that cancer exposures are everywhere and does not feel the Village should use California as an example for a 100% ban due to the weather conditions in the area. He also stated that he has seen the opposite data that business has declined in states where the ban was put in contrary to other comments. He stated he is concerned about government regulations on a chosen legal activity. General comments from Village Board members included the following items: There has been opportunity to consider this topic and the freedom to act on one's behalf should be limited to the point where there is an impact on another individual. There is a concern that the regulation should be tempered. There was also a suggestion that the regulation could be drafted in several steps. The comment was made that there is no debate about the health effects of smoking. There could be an understanding that going to a specific location automatically accepts the fact that smoking will be taking place in that location as long as there is a separation of patrons for any other activity at such an establishment for the enjoyment of the other activities within the restaurant. The step-by-step hazard regulation is similar to how hazard regulations in the workplace were created and just as any other safety hazard exists, this should be regulated. It was also suggested that a clear zone be established around the front of buildings. There was a question about smoking regulation in outdoor eating areas and how such a ban would impact those areas. A comment was made about the wide variance in regulations among different communities and it was felt that balance should be struck for Mount Prospect. Village Manager Janonis stated there appears to be direction for regulation from the Board and he stated staff can draft an Ordinance for consideration that would exempt bars from the regulation as long as some kind of smoke removal device is present. Once that draft is presented, the Village Board could modify that as necessary to achieve the goals of the Board. He would anticipate a draft Ordinance returning to the Board between 30-45 days from now. V. VILLAGE MANAGER'S REPORT None. 2 VI. ANY OTHER BUSINESS None. VII. The Closed Session was cancelled. VIII. ADJOURNMENT The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m. ~ ~~ ~--fdf DAVID STRAHL Assistant Village Manager 3