The South Pasadena City Council Wednesday night got its first look at an amendment to an ordinance covering the citywide smoking ban.
Smoking is currently prohibited in public parks and public places, including restaurants, theaters, museums and restrooms, among other sites, according to South Pasadena City Manager Stephanie DeWolfe. The existing ordinance is contained in section 17.53-17.56 of the South Pasadena Municipal Code.
The proposed change would expand the smoking ban to include public sidewalks, including walkways, parkways, curbs and gutters, according to DeWolfe.
The council was expected to discuss the proposed change Wednesday night during its meeting, and if the proposed ordinance is approved, it will be scheduled for a second reading and adoption at the next regularly scheduled city council meeting May 16, according to DeWolfe. The change also could be sent back for further review or could be defeated, which is not anticipated. If the council approves the change Wednesday night, it would be brought back for a second reading, possibly as soon as the next scheduled meeting on May 16. The new ordinance would go into effect 30 days from that date.
DeWolfe explained in an email to the Review that an ordinance “is more formal and authoritative than a resolution. (It’s a) local law that usually regulates persons or property and usually relates to a matter of a general and permanent nature.”
Smoking is allowed on a “single-family property, and at a distance of 25 feet from all areas where it is prohibited.
“For example, smoking is prohibited in all ‘enclosed workplaces of commercial enterprise,’ so at a typical office building, smoking is permitted only outside the building at a distance of 25 feet from the building, but not on public sidewalks or other public property,” DeWolfe said in the email.
Violation of any part of the ordinance is punishable by a fine and bail forfeiture of no less than $100.
The council also was slated to review and discuss the multi-year Capital Improvement Plan for fiscal years 2019-2023 and provide feedback to city staff. The city’s draft budget for fiscal year 2018-2019 is scheduled to be presented at its May 16 regularly scheduled meeting. The city’s fiscal year goes from July 1, 2018 to June 30, 2019.
The South Pasadena City Council meetings are held on the first and third Wednesday of the month at 7:30 p.m. in the Amedee O. “Dick” Richards, Jr. council chambers at 1424 Mission St. Regular meetings are broadcasted live on Time-Warner Cable Channel 19 and AT&T Channel 99.
