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PARKS, RECREATION, AND NATURAL RESOURCES COMMITTEE
Minutes for special work session on: March 7, 2007
ITEM 1 Call to order.
The meeting was called to order in the Council Chambers at 6:00 PM.
ITEM 2 Roll call.
All Committee members were present: P. Messinger, J. Hayes, K. Miller, S. Kelly, J. Peterson, H. Lovelace,
R. Walia, and T. Goodwin. Director Steve Michaud was also present.
ITEM 3 Citizen Comments.
There were no citizens present at the meeting for items other than those scheduled on the agenda.
ITEM 4 Tobacco free policy discussion regarding park property and other public spaces.
The Committee began the discussion by expressing various opinions on the overall subject of prohibiting
tobacco use in parks, open spaces, and trail corridors. There were several different philosophical
statements concerning the use of tobacco in public spaces. However, all members generally agreed that
hazards do exist with secondhand tobacco and it does, in fact, contribute to litter problems at high use
park areas. Committee members also came to the conclusion that the development and implementation of
a policy is much preferred in the beginning as opposed to implementation of a stricter ordinance. With
that statement, the Committee then discussed the various policy language to address the tobacco issue.
Suggestions ranged from being more restrictive in the language to statements concerning a voluntary
compliance. Committee members also collectively agreed that a strong statement be made about tobacco
use around youth athletic facilities, in particular, when youth are present. In consideration of the
discussion, staff suggested that committee members e-mail their individual suggestions and that several
variations of a policy will be drafted for consideration at the March 14, 2007 meeting. From those various
draft policies, committee members could quickly develop a consensus on the exact wording and make a
recommendation that would be forwarded to City Council for consideration.
Pat Stieg, a Dakota County Public Health Official, was also present at the meeting and offered his
suggestions throughout the conversation.
ITEM 5 Unfinished business.
There were no items to discuss.
ITEM 6 New business.
There were no new items to discuss.
ITEM 7 Announcements.
The next meeting of the Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources Committee is scheduled for March 14,
2007 at 6:00 PM at City Hall (Council Chambers).
ITEM 8 Adjourn.
The meeting adjourned at 7:15 PM.
Respectfully submitted, ATTEST:
______________________________ _____________________________
Steve Michaud, Director Kevin Miller, Chair