By Nicky Boyette – At its Monday evening meeting, Eureka Springs City Council tried to clear the air regarding a proposed ordinance that would prohibit smoking in city parks. Alderman James DeVito said the original intent was to prohibit smoking in all city parks, but the ordinance prepared by Parks Director Justin Huss excluded Lake Leatherwood City Park.
DeVito pointed out the risk that lit cigars and cigarettes present to a wooded environment. He declared banning smoking in all city parks might have a positive impact on the rental of spaces at LLCP, and said he was okay with vaporizers because of the recent passage of the medical marijuana law that allows dosages with vaporizers.
Alderman Kristi Kendrick agreed with DeVito that an ordinance should include LLCP.
Alderman Mickey Schneider said the obvious question was how to police smoking at LLCP. She said it would be a violation of personal rights to prohibit smoking at there. Her advice was, “If you don’t like the smoke, move away from the smoker.”
Bill Featherstone, chair of the Parks Commission who was asked for his opinion, said he was in favor of selecting spaces to be non-smoking, such as the cabins.
DeVito insisted that allowing smoking in LLCP just because of the fear it might lose revenue would amount to catering to a small percentage of the populace.
Schneider responded, “Logic is a wonderful thing. If you don’t want to be by a smoker, don’t stand by one.” She looked toward DeVito and stated, “You don’t have the right to target a small group of people,” and continued to mutter at whatever DeVito said despite remonstrances from Mayor Butch Berry.
Berry reminded the group there was an ordinance prepared by Parks to consider, and DeVito moved to put it on the next agenda. Aldermen, including Schneider, were in agreement.
Cemetery budget
Alderman Bob Thomas had disseminated a spreadsheet that demonstrated the proposed budget for the cemetery was leaving the commission in a hole of more than $2,700. He was asking for was $4,500 more this year in the budget. Alderman David Mitchell was first to approve of support for Thomas’s request. Then alderman Terry McClung moved to return the budgeted amount for the cemetery back to $32,828, and council approved his motion.
Other items
- Council approved the third reading of Ordinance 2250 reclaiming unopened alleyways in Dairy Hollow, and Ordinance 2249, which regulates food trucks inside city limits.
- Aldermen acknowledged his ten years of service as alderman as DeVito attended his final meeting.
`Next meeting will be Monday, Jan. 9, 2017 at 6 p.m.