Mission Update
Development spurs smoking ban reconsideration
March 27, 2008
The political and business climate has changed enough for Mission to reconsider a smoking ban.
The political and business climate has changed enough for Mission to reconsider a smoking ban.
At the request of Mayor Laura McConwell, the City Council at the Finance and Administration Committee meeting March 12 ordered staff to draft an ordinance to ban smoking in new restaurants and bars.
The committee will decide in April whether to recommend the ordinance to the council.
McConwell said she wants the council to reconsider the ban before Gateway businesses open in Mission.
“I didn’t want to create a worse situation (with more smoking establishments),” she said. “I’m concerned because there are a lot of developments.”
Mission rejected an all-out smoking ban in August 2005.
The Finance/Administration Committee in January 2007 considered a ban in new restaurants and bars, but the idea never advanced past committee. Councilwoman Debbie Kring initiated that discussion.
Councilman Dave Shepard, Finance Committee chairman, said his opinion about a smoking ban had changed with the increasing number of area cities enacting bans.
“Candidly, three years ago I didn’t want to be the ones blazing the trail,” Shepard said. “I still don’t think it is our place to tell business what to do, but I do buy there’s a health argument.”
Kring said the health aspect has always concerned her.
“My concern is the children,” she said. “Children don’t drive and don’t choose to go to restaurants with smoke (of) their own free will.”
Councilman John Weber said any restrictions on businesses would be “the last nail in the coffin” with the shaky economy.
Gateway developers seemed to support the ban, Councilman Steve Schowengerdt said.
“They can do that on their own without us telling them to,” Weber said.
Mission Hills rejects smoking ban
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May 5, 2007
Jennifer Bhargava
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The Mission Hills City Council voted against a citywide smoking ban Tuesday night.
The council decided not to pass a smoking ordinance because, although the city contains country clubs, it has no businesses.
Councilman Bob Closser introduced the ordinance two years ago, but it was put on the shelf.
Since then, the three country clubs in the city have passed smoking bans. Council members argued that if they did pass a city smoking ban, it could negatively affect the clubs. If any of the privately owned clubs lifted their smoking bans, they would still have to comply with the city’s ordinance.
Several council members said they felt uncomfortable involving the government in private matters.
The ban was failed on a 4-to-1 vote, with Closser voting for it.
In other action, the council approved the sale and consumption of alcohol at The Keim Street Fair, a residential event.
Mission Hills, KS
http://www.missionhillsks.gov/index.asp?NID=67
http://www.missionhillsks.gov/index.asp?NID=67
