04-26-05 PTRC Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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PARKS, TRAILS AND RECREA nON COMMITTEE MEETING APRIL 26, 2005 Page 7 of 10 . stated that the question raised here is what is good public policy for a City to adopt. He explained it is his beliefthat it is bad public policy for individual Cities to try and prohibit a person from doing something that is legal, such as tobacco use, despite its affects. He stated that he would be willing to vote in favor of posting signage that designates certain areas as tobacco- free zones, but to say tobacco use is not allowed, with no enforcement invites people to get into arguments over someone being able to exercise what is a legal right, for an adult, in this Community. He commended the young women stating that the long-term solution to the tobacco problem is precisely the kind of efforts they are going through here and at school. He stated that he is very proud of them for coming and making this presentation. Mr. Moore suggested including this topic as a major discussion point at the next PTRC meeting. Committee Member McClung thanked them for their presentation stating that they all did an excellent job. He commended them for being well spoken and active noting that this shows that the City of Arden Hills has a first rate high school. He stated that in his opinion this is the right thing for the City of Arden Hills to do even if other Cities haven't already acted. He urged the Committee to consider recommending approval of the policy to City Council. He stated that any City could regulate the uses of its public parks and trail systems noting that there are policies in place prohibiting the use of alcohol, shooting golfballs in public places in addition to many other examples. He stated that he does not see the barming of tobacco use in public parks to be any different than the banning of alcohol use. He stated that it is for the health and safety of the . Community. Acting Chair Werner thanked them for their presentation stating that the PTRC would let them know what they decide. She stated that the Committee is very proud of the girls for stepping forward and supporting issues such as this adding that they are proud to know they are from Mounds View. Brittany McFadden stated that she has traveled around the State listening to the discussions noting that it is her job to track all of these policies. She indicated that approximately four out of five Cities have implemented similar policies through their ordinance process and through the use of siguage. She stated that the University of Minnesota completed a recent survey of 1500 Minnesota Adults in December of 2004 noting that the survey was done to get a feel for the level of support around park policies address tobacco use. She stated that approximately 70 percent of those surveyed were in support ofthis type of policy. She stated that ofthe Cities in Minnesota that have implemented a policy, 88 percent reported no change in the level of park usage and 58 percent reported observing less litter in the parks. She stated that the Committee could make the suggestions and policies as strong as they prefer. 7. 2005 - 2009 Priorities Acting Chair Werner reviewed the 2005 - 2009 List of Priorities provided at the last meeting . noting that the Committee has been asked to review and prioritize with the plans to discuss further.