Previous Council Item

 Next Council Item Corresponding Agenda
List of Council Meetings List of Reports to Council Sunnyvale Home Page

 

RTC#02-323

August 13, 2002

Subject:

Study Issue Review - Need for Increased Downtown Smoking Regulations/Clean-up

Report IN BRief

Council approved a 2002 Study Issue regarding the Need for Increased Downtown Smoking Regulations/Clean-up on December 7, 2001. Budget Modification No. 24 Downtown Area Maintenance Project and Concrete Maintenance Program, was approved by Council on April 23, 2002 to increase the level of maintenance and clean up on Murphy Street. Now in effect is a daily clean up (Seven days per week) of all planter areas and all City installed ashtrays. Sidewalk steam cleaning is done both on a weekly and as needed basis.

Economic Development staff met with the Sunnyvale Downtown Business Association and spoke with Suzi Blackman, Chief Executive Officer of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce to receive their input regarding possible smoking regulations. The position of the Association and the Chamber of Commerce is that the current City's maintenance program is very effective. Neither the Association nor the Chamber desires any changes to the present policy. The Downtown business owners do not perceive this issue as a problem.

Staff recommends continuation of the increased maintenance efforts and no additional smoking regulations at this time.

Background

In December 2001 staff developed a Study Issue proposal based on Council direction to determine the need for possible increased Downtown Smoking regulations and clean-up. The Council action was based on citizen comments that "Murphy Street is continually littered with cigarette butts and other smoking materials. Outdoor smoking and littering has increased, since the State ban on smoking in restaurants and bars. This has caused many patrons to smoke along the street where some continually discard butts into planters and along sidewalks".

Existing Policy

Community Design Sub Element Goal D: Provide Public Facilities, which are accessible, attractive and add to the enjoyment of the physical environment.

DISCUSSION

Economic Development staff met with the Sunnyvale Downtown Association and spoke with the CEO of the Chamber of Commerce to obtain their perspective regarding the outdoors smoking and littering issue in the downtown. The Chamber does not perceive this an issue. The Chamber contacted some of their members who have businesses located in the downtown. As of the writing of this report, the businesses contacted by the Chamber have not responded to the Chamber’s call and therefore, the Chamber believes their downtown members do not regard this as an issue.

The discussion with the Sunnyvale Downtown Association centered on:

  • whether or not the City should designate smoking areas with ashtrays provided and maintained by the business owners, and
  • Whether or not an educational outreach program to patrons by the business owners was needed.

It is the position of the Sunnyvale Downtown Association that neither of the above options is needed. The Sunnyvale Downtown Association’s opinion is that the current City’s policy is very effective. They do not feel that a change to the policy is needed and the downtown business owners do not perceive this issue as a problem. The cleanliness of the downtown has increased since the City augmented the level of maintenance and continual clean up. The business owners would like for the City to continue with the current maintenance schedule.

Restaurants that have outdoor sitting and allow their patrons to smoke provide a place for the disposal of cigarette butts. The business owners maintain and clean their outdoor areas on a daily basis.

Business owners are also satisfied with the amount of ash trays/garbage receptacles provided by the City along Murphy Ave. The Sunnyvale Downtown Association does not think that more receptacles are needed. The Sunnyvale Downtown Association would like the City to continue the policy of maintaining the receptacles by painting and replacing any damaged units.

FISCAL IMPACT

Project 820610 Downtown Area Maintenance was recently increased by the City Council for FY 2002-2003 from $40,000 to $90,000 to support daily landscape and clean-up activities

 

PUBLIC CONTACT

The subject was discussed with the CEO of the Sunnyvale Chamber of Commerce and the Sunnyvale Downtown Business Association.

The City Council Agenda was posted outside City Hall, on the City's web site and on KSUN. Notice of the City Council Meeting was provided to the Sunnyvale Downtown Association and the Chamber of Commerce.

ALTERNATIVES

  1. Direct staff to continue the increased maintenance efforts with no additional smoking regulations at this time.
  2. Direct staff to develop local smoking regulations in addition to the current State regulations for Council consideration.

 

RECOMMENDATION

Adopt Alternative 1, Council directs staff to continue the increased maintenance efforts with no additional smoking regulations at this time.

Prepared by:
John Hopkins
Assistant Public Works Director

Reviewed by:
Karen Davis
Manager, Economic Development

Marvin A. Rose
Director, Public Works
Approved by:
Robert S. LaSala
City Manager

 

 

Previous Council Item

 Next Council Item Corresponding Agenda
List of Council Meetings List of Reports to Council Sunnyvale Home Page