HomeMy WebLinkAbout7.2 Smoke Free Focus Group
CITY CLERK
File # D[3j[lJ[Q]-[!][Q)
AGENDA STATEMENT
CITY COUNCIL MEETING DATE: May 6, 2008
SUBJECT:
Smoke-free Multifamily Focus Group Recruitment
Report Prepared by Roger Bradley, Administrative Analyst
RECOMMENDATION:
1)
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Proposed Taskforce Application
ATTACHMENTS:
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2)
Provide Staff with direction on the implementation of a
Smoke-free Multifamily Dwelling Taskforce.
Direct Staff to solicit applications for the Smoke-free
Multifamily Dwelling Taskforce.
FINANCIAL STATEMENT: None
DESCRIPTION: At the City Council Meeting on December 18, 2007, the City
Council directed Staff to research and present recommendations for augmenting the City's Smoking
Pollution Control policies and regulations. As part ofthis direction, Staff was to present recommendations
for the creation of a taskforce that would work on the establishment of smoke- free multifamily units and
multifamily smoking related policies. Multifamily dwellings and units refer to the City's apartment
housing stock.
Current Law
. Council has passed a Secondhand Smoke Ordinance, which allows a private citizen to purse legal
remedies to abate secondhand smoke as a nuisance.
. In addition, smoking is prohibited within the following enclosed places: common areas of multi-
unit, multi-residence, or multi-family buildings including, but not limited to, apartments,
condominiums, retirement facilities, and nursing homes.
. Smoking is also prohibited in areas that have a common or shared air space with other enclosed
areas in which smoking is prohibited such as air conditioning systems, heating systems, ventilation
systems, entries, doorways, hallways, and stairways.
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COPY TO: Janice Louie, ALCO Tobacco Coalition
Page 1 of2
ITEM NO.
7.2.
F:\Council\Agenda Statements\2007-2008\as-focus group recruitment.doc
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State Law
. In apartment and condominium complexes, the indoor common areas (including hallways,
stairwells, laundry rooms, and recreation rooms) are subject to workplace smoking prohibitions
contained in the California Labor Code, if these areas are places of employment.
Recommended Taskforce Objectives
. Present recommendations on the percentage of units in new and existing multi-family rental
residences that would be designated as smoke-free.
. Present recommendations on any buffer zones around smoke-free multifamily units.
. Present recommendations on the process for incorporating smoke-free units that currently are
occupied by a smoker; i.e., whether they are to be phased in as smoke-free over a specific period of
time, converted when the legal occupant vacates the unit, or some other protocol.
. Present recommendation on an appropriate definition of multifamily unit for prohibition
application; i.e., two or more units, five or more units, ten or more units, or as appropriate.
. Present recommended requirements for apartment complexes to disclose to prospective tenants the
number and location of any smoke-free units within a complex, location of any smoking areas, and
any procedures for addressing smoking-related complaints.
. Present recommendations on the prohibition of smoking in outdoor common areas of multifamily
dwellings and the creation of outdoor areas in which smoking would be allowed. Common
outdoor areas may include recreation facilities (e.g., basketball courts and swimming pools),
common outdoor space (e.g., courtyards and paths), and/or parking areas.
Staff recommends that the Smoke-free Multifamily Dwelling Taskforce be open to all members of the
community. However, in an effort to seek balanced representation from all facets of the community, Staff
recommends that interested community members apply for the taskforce using the attached application. In
order to solicit participation in the taskforce, Staff will place an advertisement in the local newspaper and
send notices of taskforce openings to apartment complex owners and occupants as well as to individuals,
government agencies, and private/nonprofit organizations that have an interest in the community (e.g.,
Alameda County Tobacco Coalition, Rental Housing Owner's Association, and American Lung
Association).
Staff recommends that the size of the taskforce be limited to 10-12 members to ensure adequate input
from the various sectors of the City while allowing adequate management of the overall process. Simply,
smaller groups may limit representation, while larger groups sometimes breakdown into smaller groups,
presenting difficulties in task completion.
The proposed timeline for the selection and duration of the taskforce is as follows:
May 6,2008 - City Council Approval of Taskforce
May 11, 2008 - Newspaper Display Advertisement / Posting on City Website
June 2, 2008 - Application Deadline
June 17,2008 - City Council Appointments to Taskforce
July 2008 - Taskforce Convenes
September 2008 - Taskforce Completion Date
RECOMMENDATION: Staff recommends that the City Council provide Staff with direction
on the implementation of a Smoke-free Multifamily Dwelling Taskforce and Direct Staff to solicit
applications for the Smoke-free Multifamily Dwelling Taskforce.
Page 2 of2
(V-11
SMOKE-FREE MULTIFAMILY DWELLING TASK FORCE APPLICATION
NAME:
ADDRESS:
TELEPHONE (Daytime):
(Evening):
EXPLAIN WHY YOU WOULD LIKE TO SERVE ON THIS TASK FORCE:
PRIOR PUBLIC SERVICE OR CIVIC ACTIVITY:
ARE YOU ABLE TO ATTEND WEEKLY MEETINGS IF NECESSARY:
ARE YOU ABLE TO ATTEND MEETINGS DURING BUSINESS HOURS:
ARE YOU A RESIDENT OF A DUBLIN MUL TIF AMIL Y COMPLEX:
DO YOU OWN/OPERATE A DUBLIN MUL TIF AMIL Y COMPLEX:
ARE YOU A SMOKER:
YES
YES
YES
YES
YES
NO
NO
NO
NO
NO
OTHER INFORMATION OR COMMENTS:
SIGNATURE:
DATE:
Please return by Monday, June 2, 2008 to:
City of Dublin, 100 Civic Plaza, Dublin, CA 94568, Attn: Roger Bradley, Administrative Analyst
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ATTACHMENT 1 (J