No more smoking in Hyde Park's parks, council decrees

By Lexie Kite

February 16, 2005 | HYDE PARK -- The City Council voted to prohibit tobacco in all parks and recreational areas owned or leased by the city Tuesday night.

The ordinance was open to a public hearing Tuesday night, but the council expressed interest in the fact that no area residents came to voice their opinions. The ordinance was unanimously approved after a short discussion on the issue.

"I think the ordinance is a good thing for the health of all people in public areas," Councilman David Suisse said. "Not only are several diseases associated with tobacco, but many people are highly allergic to the smoke."

Councilman Charles Wheeler added the idea that the tobacco ban may help eliminate litter in the city parks, as well as issues with people consuming alcohol on city-owned property.

Park residents will be informed about the tobacco ban.

"Don't you think we have an obligation to post the ordinance for the city to see?" Mayor David Kooyman said. "As a city council, we need to let our citizens know what the laws are so they don't break them."

Kooyman said he has been made aware that Logan City is considering passing a similar tobacco ordinance, but it is purely coincidental that the issue is being discussed in Hyde Park and Logan at the same time.

The council also approved an annexation request made by Thomas A. Jones to build a subdivision between 400 North and 300 and 400 West in Hyde Park city limits. A public hearing was held on the issue, but no residents attended.

Approval of Resolution 05-02 to charge fees for photo copying and researching official documents was discussed. Kooyman moved to change the wording of the resolution.

"We are not going to charge the people for everything researched -- that isn't the idea," Kooyman said. "We are charging for things that cost our staff extensive amounts of time. I'd like to pass this resolution based on this understanding."

The council approved the resolution to charge 25 cents per photocopy of city documents, $25 for the first half-hour of research and $6.25 per 15 minutes exceeding the first 30 minutes. The approval was based on the idea that rates will be charged if research exceeds one-half hour.

In other business, the chairman of Planning and Zoning, Mark Lynne, went over the minutes of the Feb. 2 meeting. He said the committee issued four building permits, one home permit, one commercial building permit and one house addition permit. The approval of a daycare license for Diane Sorensen was also discussed.

David Suisse, who is the head of Government Building and Emergency Management, announced the evening of Wednesday, April 20, to be reserved for a mock disaster run-through. He said emergency personnel like the fire and police departments, Red Cross and city council are required to attend.

The Parks department, headed by Charles Wheeler, asked for authorization to spend roughly $500 on three trees for Lee Park to replace trees that had died. The council approved his request.

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