Orange County NC Website
Browse       Search
15 <br /> 1 were invited to a meeting of the Town of Hillsborough where the elected officials officially voiced <br /> 2 their concerns. The draft minutes from that meeting are in the packet. <br /> 3 Commissioner Yuhasz said that at the elected officials meeting the Towns of Mebane, <br /> 4 Carrboro, and Chapel Hill were represented, but not Hillsborough. <br /> 5 Commissioner McKee made reference to the regulation of smoking on private property <br /> 6 "where the public is invited." He asked John Roberts to explain "invited." He is concerned <br /> 7 when this affects private property. <br /> 8 John Roberts said that any privately owned commercial establishment where the public <br /> 9 would have reason to go to conduct business by invitation or otherwise, that type of <br /> 10 establishment would be covered under this. It would not cover private residence. <br /> 11 Commissioner McKee asked about the condominiums and common areas. <br /> 12 John Roberts said that condominium owners only own within the walls of the structure. <br /> 13 The association still owns the common areas. <br /> 14 Colleen Bridger concurred with John Roberts regarding the condominiums and that only <br /> 15 common areas would be under this regulation. Regarding the businesses, it is only indoors and <br /> 16 not outdoors. <br /> 17 Commissioner McKee made reference to the fine of $25 for violators and said that there <br /> 18 does not seem to be any consequences if the fine is not paid. <br /> 19 John Roberts said that the statute says nothing more than the payment of the cash <br /> 20 penalty. <br /> 21 Chair Pelissier asked Colleen Bridger to talk about what was discussed in the elected <br /> 22 officials meeting. <br /> 23 Colleen Bridger said that she needed to clarify the office building issue. She said that <br /> 24 the only area that would be covered under this rule would be the common areas in the office <br /> 25 building. One of the significant things they wanted to get across is that this is about education <br /> 26 and empowerment. They want to make sure that people understand where smoking is allowed <br /> 27 and not allowed. <br /> 28 Commissioner Gordon said that she is a strong supporter of smoke-free public places. <br /> 29 Commissioner Yuhasz said that Commissioner McKee did list a wide range of places <br /> 30 where this rule would apply and that is accurate and intentional. He said that there is a wide <br /> 31 range of places where people have smoke imposed on them against their will. The purpose of <br /> 32 this rule is to minimize those types of activities and to protect people who do not want to smoke <br /> 33 or breathe other people's smoke. <br /> 34 Chair Pelissier said that to her this is a no-brainer. <br /> 35 <br /> 36 ORD-2012-054 <br /> 37 <br /> 38 <br /> 39 AN ORDINANCE APPROVING AN ORANGE COUNTY BOARD OF HEALTH RULE <br /> 40 PROHIBITING SMOKING IN COUNTY AND TOWN BUILDINGS, GROUNDS, VEHICLES, <br /> 41 AND PUBLIC PLACES <br /> 42 <br /> 43 <br /> 44 WHEREAS, in 2009 the North Carolina General Assembly enacted Session Law 2009-27, <br /> 45 which authorized local governments and local boards of health to prohibit smoking in certain <br /> 46 areas; and <br /> 47 <br /> 48 WHEREAS, rules adopted by local boards of health are generally applicable throughout the <br /> 49 county of adoption including within town jurisdictions; and <br /> 50 <br />