Smoking amendments pass 1st reading at Council meeting

Amendments to Green River’s ordinances regarding smoking in public places passed its first reading Tuesday night.

The amendments include definitions for electronic vaporizers and other similar devices, effectively banning them from areas smoking tobacco products are prohibited. A public hearing on the proposal also took place, with no one commenting if they supported or opposed the proposed amendments.

According to City Prosecutor Bobby Pineda, the amendments were drafted after Councilman Gary Killpack told the Council about concerns he heard from residents. The Council previously amended laws regarding minors in possession of tobacco products to include vaporizers, but initially didn’t add those definitions to other ordinances.

“It seems to be a logical step. If you can’t smoke there, you shouldn’t be able to vape there,” Pineda said.

The Council will have to complete two more readings of the proposed changes before the amendments are approved. Residents will be permitted to comment on the proposal during the public comment portions of the Council meetings.

Other business

The Council approved placing Sherry Schumacher on the Sweetwater County Board of Health. Schumacher replaces Nancy Eklund for the remainder of her term, which expires Nov. 1, 2022.

The Council approved a budget resolution to accept a Sweetwater County School District No. 2 grant for funding the Summer Day Camp Program. According to Katie Duncombe, recreation supervisor, the program has grown so much that two buses are needed to transport children. The city saw an increase of 26 participants in 2019, with 130 involved in 2018 and 156 this year. The grant amounts to $11,439.