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The Grass Valley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday night to send a proposed tobacco retailing license issue back to city staff to work out a schedule for fines for those who sell tobacco to minors.
That means a revised ordinance won't be voted on until November, city administrator Dan Holler said.
While retailers were supportive of the idea to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to those under the age of 18, many balked Tuesday when faced with the prospect of additional fees for a city license ensuring they have the right to sell tobacco products in the city.
Police Chief John Foster said a fee for licensing will allow his department to spend the money and staff time necessary to enforce state law. Without the yearly license fee — which could be anywhere from $100 to $200 annually — it's likely his department could not afford to do yearly inspections of the more than 35 tobacco retailers in Grass Valley.
“I think we all agree (the license) makes sense,” Foster said. “The challenge is that there are additional licenses and fees the retailer must bear.”
The tobacco licensing issue was brought to light by the Nevada County Tobacco Use Prevention Youth and Adult Coalition. The group has conducted surveys gauging whether retailers sell tobacco products to minors.
Foster said the issue of underage smoking is consistently among the chief concerns of residents in an annual police attitude survey.
Lowell Robinson, whose holdings include a convenience store at the corner of Bennett and East Main Street, said he is supportive of the ordinance, “but I am afraid of more rules and regulations and fees and taxes that go with it.”
Mitch Garber, an employee who works at both Flyers convenience stores in Grass Valley, said his business already pays between $2,500 and $3,000 yearly for various licenses, including a license to operate by the state Board of Equalization.
Cigarettes, with their high taxes, “are a loss leader for us at this point,” he said.
While the council supported the idea, member Dan Miller said he didn't want to put the burden on the retailer selling the product — but on the employee who does.
“We're asking the retailer to pay more, we're asking them to get another license ... Every time you turn around, there's another government regulation, another fee, and it ticks me off,” Miller said.
Yolanda Cookson said the city should remain focused on taking care of Grass Valley's youth, and that the ordinance would help do that.
“The city needs teeth with this, to show the people that we care about the youth of Grass Valley,” she said.
That means a revised ordinance won't be voted on until November, city administrator Dan Holler said.
While retailers were supportive of the idea to prohibit the sale of tobacco products to those under the age of 18, many balked Tuesday when faced with the prospect of additional fees for a city license ensuring they have the right to sell tobacco products in the city.
Police Chief John Foster said a fee for licensing will allow his department to spend the money and staff time necessary to enforce state law. Without the yearly license fee — which could be anywhere from $100 to $200 annually — it's likely his department could not afford to do yearly inspections of the more than 35 tobacco retailers in Grass Valley.
“I think we all agree (the license) makes sense,” Foster said. “The challenge is that there are additional licenses and fees the retailer must bear.”
The tobacco licensing issue was brought to light by the Nevada County Tobacco Use Prevention Youth and Adult Coalition. The group has conducted surveys gauging whether retailers sell tobacco products to minors.
Foster said the issue of underage smoking is consistently among the chief concerns of residents in an annual police attitude survey.
Lowell Robinson, whose holdings include a convenience store at the corner of Bennett and East Main Street, said he is supportive of the ordinance, “but I am afraid of more rules and regulations and fees and taxes that go with it.”
Mitch Garber, an employee who works at both Flyers convenience stores in Grass Valley, said his business already pays between $2,500 and $3,000 yearly for various licenses, including a license to operate by the state Board of Equalization.
Cigarettes, with their high taxes, “are a loss leader for us at this point,” he said.
While the council supported the idea, member Dan Miller said he didn't want to put the burden on the retailer selling the product — but on the employee who does.
“We're asking the retailer to pay more, we're asking them to get another license ... Every time you turn around, there's another government regulation, another fee, and it ticks me off,” Miller said.
Yolanda Cookson said the city should remain focused on taking care of Grass Valley's youth, and that the ordinance would help do that.
“The city needs teeth with this, to show the people that we care about the youth of Grass Valley,” she said.
