04221991 Regular Meeting - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

34 Regular Meeting April 22, 1991 Page 2 and Austin has had an ordinance since 1986. Drs. Robert Duran, Dean Jasper, Greg Moore, Al Cairus and Delbert Domstead advised of the diseases and related illnesses caused by smoking and are in support of the Council adopting an ordinance for San Marcos. Dr. Duran, President of the Tri-County Medical Society, stated there are many other doctors who also support the City having an ordinance. David Wiley, President of the Heart Association, stated he is in favor of a Clean Air Ordinance. He stated he is not trying to stop smokers, but does not want smoking allowed where non-smokers have to breathe. Joel Barnard stated there should be separate areas for smokers and non-smokers in restaurants and in workplaces. Sandy Schroeder stated San Marcos needs something more constraining than the Resolution we now have and offers support for the Council's adoption of an ordinance. Jeanna Aycock stated she does not take her two children to eat in restaurants because she does not want them to breathe the smoke and supports an ordinance. Ken Baldwin stated he is a theater student. His parents smoked, and he is healthier since he left home, and stated this is a safety/health issue. Carol Powers of Paper Bear stated she has not allowed smoking in her store for 13 years. She stated there would be more consistency with the adoption of an ordinance, and it would save embarrassment on the part of the business owners and customers who try to smoke. She stated her employees have expressed to her they prefer eating where smoking is not allowed. Jack Lindstrom stated he supports the adoption of an ordinance. He stated more citizens attend Council Meetings since smoking has been prohibited in the Council Chambers. Richard Jurick is in favor of a pro-health ordinance. Ron Hicks stated God gave us our bodies to take care of and that smoking is suicide. The Council reviewed Dr. Welch's draft of the provisions, which was included in the Council's packets. Mayor Morris stated she was in favor of a Clean Air Ordinance in which smoking would be a subsection" and other sections could be added in the future. The Council wants to contact the County and School (and other entities) to see if they want to designate smoking in specific areas with a person in charge. Mr. Guerra stated he is in favor of drafting the ordinance with the provisions of the American Cancer Society submitted by Dr. Welch. Mr. Plummer pointed out the provisions submitted by Dr. Welch would prohibit Furr's from having a smoking area. Mayor Morris stated some alternatives to the proposal are needed for restaurants and bars. Mayor Morris directed Staff review San Francisco, Austin and New Braunfels' ordin~nces. Mayor Morris is opposed to measuring the criteria based on income, wants hotel/motel lobbies to be included (if hotels choose to be), and wants the ordinance to specify who is responsible for posting the notices in buildings. The Council discussed enforcement of the ordinance and requested Staff to get input from the Restaurant Association and local businesses. Mr. Hart stated if the City is going to have an ordinance, to just do it. Dr. Welch stated the draft is not comprehensive enough to cover all provisions but submitted San Francisco and Austin's ordinances as model ordinances to work from. He stated the requirement of walls in restaurants is not realistic and does not want anyone put out of business. He stated the ordinance would be self enforcing if set up right, with the owners or citizens enforcing, then the Health Department if necessary. An ordinance will be presented to the Council the second meeting in May. Mayor Morris introduced for consideration approval of an Ordinance on first reading, the caption which was read as follows: AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SAN MARCOS, TEXAS, APPROVING THE TRANSFER OF THE EXISTING CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE FROM KARNACK CORPORATION TO TCI CABLEVISION OF TEXAS, INC.; PROVIDING THAT THIS TRANSFER SHALL BE SUBJECT TO ALL EXISTING TERMS OF THE CABLE TELEVISION FRANCHISE; PROVIDING FOR WRITTEN ACCEPTANCE TO BE FILED BY TCI CABLEVISION OF TEXAS, INC.; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE. Mr. Moore moved for approval of the Ordinance on first reading and Ms. Kissler seconded the motion. Mayor Morris stated the Council needs to be provided financial information for TCI of Texas, Inc. Mr. Steve Smith said thank you on behalf of the Johnson family for