HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes - 3/11/1998 - Community Development Committee � COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE MEETING
March 11, 1998
Members Present : Chairman Alderman McClatchey, Alderman
Murgatroyd, Alderman Bolger arrived at 6 :45
Others Present : Alderman Glab, City Administrator Lobatio,
City Clerk Althoff, High School Principals
Tom Carl and Greg Johnson
Alderman Baird arrived at 7 : 15 p.m.
The meeting was called to order by Chairman Alderman McClatchy at
6 :40 p.m. Chairman McClatchey stated the purpose of the
committee meeting is to discuss the desirability of drafting an
ordinance regulating tobacco products .
Chairman McClatchey noted several municipalities in McHenry
County have passed ordinances regulating tobacco products . It
was his recommendation to proceed with developing ordinance
provisions, penalties and a fine structure . Some discussion
followed.
City Administrator Lobaito also recommended requiring all
� retailers selling tobacco products to obtain a city license . In
addition cigarette vendingmachines should be regulated.
Violations could ultimately result in license revocation. Some
discussion followed regarding the desirability of regulating
advertisement both inside and outside licensed tobacco retailers'
establishments .
Alderman Bolger arrived at 6 :45 p.m.
McHenry Hi_gh School East Campus Principal, Tom Carl and West
Campus Principal Gregory Johnson addressed the committee . They
stated the school districts strong support of a tobacco ordinance
specifically prohibiting possession by minors . They noted a
significant problem with minors smoking and the apparent natural
attraction to such activity by younger peers . The problem has
escalated since the inception of the High School District' s open
campus policy. It is the feeling of the High School Staff and
School District Board that the problem will be significantly
reduced, even possibly eliminated, after the first few citations .
Some discussion followed regarding the penalty for first time
offenders . The committee suggested further investigation of
community service and the initiation, through Family Services, of
attendance at a tobacco awareness education program.
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� Communit�� Development Committee
March 11, 1998
Page Two
Alderman Glab stated his support of requiring of informational
signs informing the public of the age restrictions for purchase
of tobacco products displayed near the display of tobacco
products .
Alderman Murgatroyd arrived at 7 : 00 p.m.
East Campus High School Principal, Tom Carl, in response to
committee inquiry stated it was the School District' s position
that most of the smoking by minors was due, in most, part to peer
pressure as opposed to defiance . Further discussion followed
regarding the ease of obtaining tobacco products by minors .
Alderman �urgatroyd noted the pending settlement of the federal
suit against tobacco companies may eliminate tobacco product
vending machines altogether. He also distributed a newspaper
article noting State Representative Caarolyn Krause of Mount
Prospect is sponsoring a bill that would require all tobacco
retailers in the state of Illinois to obtain a license . He
suggested a resolution support Ms . Krause' s efforts be presented
to full council for consideration and action. Alderman
� Murgatroyd also informed the committee of the existance of
trainers who can educate retailers on the new federal law
requirements regarding tobacco sales . The committee recommended
all City of McHenry tobacco retailers be required to attend a
minimum of one training session prior to obtaining a license .
Alderman F3aird arrived at 7 : 15 p.m.
It was the opinion of both East Campus Prinicipal Carl and West
Campus Principal Johnson that monetary fines would be more
effective than requiring community service, particularly for
repeat offenders . The committee instructed staff to investigate
whether a judge can be given the latitude to establish fines
depending on individual circumstances within a prescribed
monetary range . It was also recommended a warning period be
initiated prior to initial ordinance enforcement .
Chairman McClatchey requested City Attorney McArdle draft an
ordinance with the discussed provisions within the next few weeks
for committee review. He stated his intent to present the
ordinance for full council review and action prior to the High
School District' s year-end.
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Community Development Committee Meeting
� March 11, 1998
Page Three
Some further discussion occurred regarding vending machine
accessibility. City Administrator stated the ordinance will
prohibit the location of vending machines in areas accessible to
the general public except those vending machines utilizing
locking devices controlled by responsible employees preventing
the operation by persons under 18 years of age.
City Administrator Lobaito noted the annexation fee policy
information was provided for committee review and not intended
for discussion at this evening' s committee meeting.
Motion by Baird, seconded by Bolger to adjourn at 7 :28 p.m.
Voti�g Aye : Baird, Bolger, McClatchey
Voti�g Nay: None
Abse�t : None
Motion carried.
The meeting was adjourned at 7 :28 p.m.
�- Respect __ submitted,
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C airman A1 erman F. M latchey
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