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The Nevada City Council pushed off a discussion aimed at drafting a law banning smoking in the city's parks.
The council will discuss it at its next meeting after health department officials, who were instrumental in a 2007 resolution that called for voluntary compliance against smoking in the city's parks, were not present because they weren't notified.
Councilman David McKay remarked to Nevada City Parks and Recreation Supervisor Dawn Zydonis, who had brought the issue to the council, “I don't appreciate something coming on our agenda when you don't have your ducks in a row.”
Meanwhile, Nevada City Police Chief Lou Trovato argued that if any law were put into place, it would still be difficult to enforce.
“If the police don't see it, they can't write a ticket,” Trovato said. “In a situation where somebody calls (about drinking or smoking), that person needs to sign or put their name in the ticket and needs to be willing to go to court and say they saw the individual doing something. And most times, they don't want to get involved.”
The council also pushed off an idea to charge for use of its chambers, waiting to get a look at a log of groups and organizations that have used it in the past.
The council will discuss it at its next meeting after health department officials, who were instrumental in a 2007 resolution that called for voluntary compliance against smoking in the city's parks, were not present because they weren't notified.
Councilman David McKay remarked to Nevada City Parks and Recreation Supervisor Dawn Zydonis, who had brought the issue to the council, “I don't appreciate something coming on our agenda when you don't have your ducks in a row.”
Meanwhile, Nevada City Police Chief Lou Trovato argued that if any law were put into place, it would still be difficult to enforce.
“If the police don't see it, they can't write a ticket,” Trovato said. “In a situation where somebody calls (about drinking or smoking), that person needs to sign or put their name in the ticket and needs to be willing to go to court and say they saw the individual doing something. And most times, they don't want to get involved.”
The council also pushed off an idea to charge for use of its chambers, waiting to get a look at a log of groups and organizations that have used it in the past.
In other news
• The council briefly discussed permanently moving its meetings to 6:30 p.m.City Manager Gene Albaugh, while advising the council, suggested waiting till the item was placed on the council's agenda before partaking in a discussion. He said the city's staff could draft a resolution regarding the matter.
However, before Albaugh could get the council off the unscheduled subject, council members Sally Harris and Barbara Coffman opined that there should also be a time limit on council meetings in addition to any earlier start time.
• City Manager Gene Albaugh reports that the Amgen Tour of California will announce the cities included in its route in the morning of Oct. 22 in Los Angeles.
“If Nevada City is selected, there will be a reception and news conference in Sacramento about 4 p.m.,” wrote Albaugh. “Our mayor has been invited to the Sacramento event and will be well-prepared to make an acceptance statement on behalf of our city.
To contact Staff Writer and Online Community Manager Zuri Berry, e-mail zberry@theunion.com or call (530) 477-4244.
