Grass Valley to reconsider licensing tobacco retailers
A proposed ordinance regulating stores that sell tobacco will be back before the Grass Valley City Council Tuesday.
The council first discussed the issue at its Sept. 22 meeting, but voted unanimously to send the proposal back to city staff to work out a schedule for fines for those who sell tobacco to minors.
While retailers were supportive of the idea to limit the sale of tobacco products to those under the age of 18, many had balked when faced with the prospect of additional fees for a city license.
Police Chief John Foster said in September that a fee for licensing would allow his department to spend the money and staff time necessary to perform yearly inspections of the more than 35 tobacco retailers in Grass Valley.
Customers must be 18 to purchase tobacco products in California, though Grass Valley leaders say there’s little enforcement against those who violate the law. The Nevada County Tobacco Use Prevention Youth and Adult Coalition performed a use survey in 2008 in which underage youths attempted to purchase tobacco from 28 stores in the Grass Valley city limits; two stores sold products to minors.
The proposed ordinance would take effect Jan. 31, 2010 and the annual license fee would be set at $100.
The ordinance would prohibit a license from being issued for a period of one year following the revocation of a license and sets a minimum of one compliance check a year that will be modeled after the state Alcohol Beverage Control Board program. More detailed information was added to the ordinance to clarify penalties and suspension time frames.
If passed, Grass Valley would join Nevada City with a retail tobacco ordinance; Nevada City passed its ordinance in 2006.
An infill study for the commercial portion of the Glenbrook basin also is on the council agenda.
The city is using a Planning and Technical Assistance grant of $35,000 and nearly $9,000 in program income funds to pay for the study, which is intended to determine future development and job creation opportunities in the area.
Key areas of the basin will be studied for their potential to absorb additional development. The consultant will conduct stakeholder interviews and hold two public workshops.
The council is expected to approve a contract agreement with Berkeley-based consultant Wahlstrom & Associates to complete the study for $33,250.
The study will kick off in January, with public workshops scheduled in June. The study is to be completed and presented to the council in August 2010.
The city council meets at 7 p.m. today in council chambers, Grass Valley City Hall, 125 East Main St.
By Liz Kellar, Theunion
