Title
Adoption of Proposed Ordinance Amendments
PURPOSE: The purpose of this agenda item is to amend several portions of the Town’s Code of Ordinances, incorporating best practices from peer municipalities and recommendations from Town staff for ease of implementation and use.
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Department
DEPARTMENT: Town Manager’s Office / Parks & Recreation / Fire Department
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Council Direction
COUNCIL DIRECTION:
___ Race/Equity ___ Climate X Comprehensive Plan X Other
Council Direction Statement
• Public Alcohol Consumption Amendment - this amendment promotes the Comprehensive Plan goals enhancing recreational opportunities through providing additional available spaces for events to be held involving alcohol, subject to Town policies.
• Smoking and Vaping Amendment - this amendment promotes the Comprehensive Plan goals enhancing safe access to parks and recreational facilities by placing restrictions on the outdoor use of physical and electronic tobacco products, as well as provisions for their regulated use in designated areas.
• Fire Code Amendment - this amendment promotes general goals in fire prevention and overall public safety through outlining prohibited circumstances for outdoor burning, and specific circumstances and conditions under which outdoor burning is permissible.
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Information
INFORMATION:
• Public Alcohol Consumption Amendment - this amendment adds the Drakeford Library Complex to the list of Town-owned properties eligible to hold events at which alcohol may be served subject to Town policies.
• Smoking and Vaping Amendment - this amendment adds specific language regulating the use of electronic nicotine delivery devices within Town buildings, as well as new language applying smoking and vaping restrictions to outdoor areas such as parks, playgrounds, and partially-enclosed outdoor structures.
• Fire Code Amendment - this amendment adds language outlining the definition of a fire code violation under state law and Town ordinances, with additional language defining the parameters of permissible versus prohibited outdoor burning.
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Fiscal and Staff Impact
FISCAL IMPACT:
• Public Alcohol Consumption Amendment - this amendment may incur some fiscal or staff costs in the event of damages or other disturbance to the Drakeford Library Complex property in relation to the serving of alcohol. The Town may derive some additional revenues from expanding the variety of events that can be held in rented Complex spaces.
• Smoking and Vaping Amendment - this amendment may incur some costs related to enforcement and placement of appropriate signage indicating smoking or non-smoking zones.
• Fire Code Amendment - this amendment may incur some staff costs as the Fire Department dedicates resources to educating residents on changes in policies and potentially increased compliance actions as new language delineates what is and is not permissible.
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Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
• Public Alcohol Consumption Amendment - it is recommended that the Council PASS this amendment to expand the available spaces for events involving alcohol consumption on Town property. This serves to increase the variety and availability of programming to members of the public.
• Smoking and Vaping Amendment - it is recommended that the Council PASS this amendment to expand restrictions on the use of tobacco and electronic nicotine delivery products on Town property. Extending these restrictions to outdoor properties serves to promote public health and protect vulnerable populations from exposure to secondhand smoke and irritants. Additionally, providing the Town Manager with the ability to designate areas for smoking mitigates the exclusion of smoking individuals from common spaces by providing specific parameters for smoking and vaping.
• Fire Code Amendment - its is recommended that the Council PASS this amendment to amend the Town’s Fire Code. The proposed revisions serve a clarifying purpose that will improve ease of understanding and compliance for residents and Fire Department officials alike. The specificity of permitted burning practices provides the Department with clear reference material for compliance actions, while also giving residents clearer guidelines on how to remain in compliance. The amendment would also support general fire prevention efforts through reducing instances of hazardous or potentially hazardous open flames.
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