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HomeMy WebLinkAboutMINUTES - 07272010 - SD.4RECOMMENDATION(S): INTRODUCE Ordinance No. 2010-10, which prohibits smoking in certain outdoor areas of existing multi-unit residences; prohibits smoking in all dwelling units of new multi-unit residences and requires non-smoking provisions to be added to specified leases and lease amendments, WAIVE reading, and FIX August 3, 2010 for adoption. FISCAL IMPACT: Minimal fiscal impact. A portion of the Proposition 99 funding Contra Costa Health Services receives for it Tobacco Prevention Project could be allocated to implementation. BACKGROUND: Secondhand Smoke is designated a Class A, known human carcinogen by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. A 2005 California Environmental Protection Agency report points to even stronger evidence linking secondhand tobacco smoke to a wide variety of adverse health effects, including increased incidences of cancer, heart disease and respiratory ailments. This report led to the designation of secondhand smoke as a toxic air contaminant by the California Air Resources APPROVE OTHER RECOMMENDATION OF CNTY ADMINISTRATOR RECOMMENDATION OF BOARD COMMITTEE Action of Board On: 07/27/2010 APPROVED AS RECOMMENDED OTHER Clerks Notes:See Addendum VOTE OF SUPERVISORS AYE:John Gioia, District I Supervisor Gayle B. Uilkema, District II Supervisor Mary N. Piepho, District III Supervisor Susan A. Bonilla, District IV Supervisor Federal D. Glover, District V Supervisor Contact: Wendel Brunner, M.D, 313-6712 I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. ATTESTED: July 27, 2010 David J. Twa, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors By: June McHuen, Deputy cc: Tasha Scott, Barbara Borbon, Jamie Jenett SD. 4 To:Board of Supervisors From:William Walker, M.D., Health Services Director Date:July 27, 2010 Contra Costa County Subject:Strengthening Secondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance to Protect Residents of Multi-Unit Housing from Secondhand Smoke Exposure BACKGROUND: (CONT'D) Board in January 2006. In June 2006, the US Surgeon General declared that there was no safe level of exposure to secondhand smoke. The Board of Supervisors adopted the Secondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance later that year and strengthened these protections in October 2009. (See Attachment 1, “Provisions of Contra Costa County Secondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance, March 2010”). Since January 2009, four cities in Contra Costa County have adopted Comprehensive Secondhand Smoke Protections policies with strong Multi-unit housing provisions, including three that prohibit smoking in 100% of all new Multi-unit housing. Multi-unit housing drifting smoke complaints received by staff have increased and now constitute over 50% the calls received. After hearing a staff report in October 2009 on challenges to protecting residents from secondhand smoke in Multi-unit housing and to implementing the County’s Ordinance, the Family and Human Services Committee directed Health Services staff to work with County Counsel to draft several new provisions to the Secondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance for Board of Supervisor consideration. These new provisions were presented to the Committee in May 2010 and include: 1) Designation of all new multi-unit housing units as 100% smokefree; 2) Designation of all balconies, patios, decks and carports as smokefree for all existing and new multi-unit housing residences; and 3) Requiring lease terms that designate smoking in a non-smoking area as a breach of the lease. The proposed amendments to the Secondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance are intended to address drifting secondhand smoke issues for those residents living in multi-unit housing. There was discussion of staff’s implementation plan for the proposed new provisions, which included notification of landlords of these changes through a mailing to landlords and through the Conservation and Development’s permit center. The Family and Human Services Committee recommended these provisions move forward to the full Board for consideration. Attachments: 1. Provisions of Contra Costa County Secondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance, March 2010. 2. Ordinance 2010-10, Amendment to County Secondhand Smoke Ordinance, Division 445 of the County Ordinance Code. CLERK'S ADDENDUM Denice Dennis, Public Health Department, presented the staff report. The following Denice Dennis, Public Health Department, presented the staff report. The following people presented public comment: Serena Chen, American Lung Association; Ralph Hoffman , resident of Walnut Creek; Ronald J. Andronico Jr., resident of Crockett; Paul Doolittle, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 302 and Tobacco Prevention Coalition. Through consideration of introducing Ordinance No. 2010-10, the Board voted unanimously to CONTINUE the matter to August 10, 2010, to include language clarifying the use of lease addendums in existing, versus new multi-unit, housing units, and to specificly and clearly state that medical marijuana is included in the proposed ordinance as a form of smoking. The Board also directed County Counsel to review the laws pertaining to medical marijuana and directed County staff to consult with the California Apartment Association to solicit their feedback. ATTACHMENTS G:\C&G DIRECTORY\NON CONTRACTS\Ordinance 2010-10.pdf G:\C&G DIRECTORY\NON CONTRACTS\Provisions of the Contra Costa CountySecondhand Smoke Protections Ordinance March 2010.doc