Council OKs No Smoking Ordinance In Warsaw City Buildings, Vehicles
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
By Jennifer [email protected]
City employees previously were allowed to smoke in break rooms, but the ordinance now does not allow that.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he had a meeting with department heads about the ordinance before Monday's meeting and did not hear complaints.
Human Resources Director Jennifer Whitaker said the Warsaw Police Department has had a no-smoking policy within the department, but have allowed employees to smoke in a garage by the department. Smoking in the garage now is prohibited.[[In-content Ad]]The ordinance states that in keeping with the city's intent to provide a safe and healthy work environment, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed structures including vehicles and equipment that is owned, leased or operated by the city of Warsaw. Indoor designated smoking areas in any enclosed structure in the city also is prohibited.
Smoking is permitted in designated smoking areas outdoors and in open-air structures during appropriate breaks and mealtimes subject to prohibition for safety reasons such as exposure to chemicals and materials.
Designated smoking areas must not be adjacent to any front, side or back doors. No smoking or designated smoking signs will be allowed to be posted in city facilities.
The no-smoking policy applies to all employees, visitors, vendors and contractors working for the city.
Smoking (including smokeless tobacco) while in uniform, on job sites, emergency scenes, public appearances or training sessions is subject to specific departmental policy.
Discipline for violation of the ordinance will be corrective rather than punitive. Emphasis will be placed on review of departmental policy.
Termination of employment for numerous violations of the smoke-free workplace rule will only be issued for repeated violations after policy review, verbal reprimand and written reprimand have occurred.
Nothing in the section will preclude the employer from taking necessary disciplinary action for other incidents which may be related to the violation of the smoke-free workplace rule. These include excessive absence from the work area, and taking more break time than allowed.
The council also approved on first reading a proposed general employee salary ordinance for 2008.
The proposed budget is for department heads, appointed positions and salaried and non-salaried employees of Warsaw. Another reading will take place Aug. 6.
Wiggins said he will decide budget hearing dates for the proposed 2008 budget for non-profits agencies and departmental budgets and get back to the council with dates.
Councilman Bob Morrison informed the council Rob Barker, chief of training for the Warsaw Fire Department, received recognition for firefighter of the year for the second congressional district at an American Legion conference in Merrillville last week.
The convention honors outstanding firefighters, emergency medical technicians and law enforcement in Indiana. Barker was honored with a plaque, and a plaque also was given to the American Legion Post 49.
The council also
n Approved a WPD K-9 activity report for January through June 2007.
n Approved a resolution to transfer $78,946 from the general fund to the general bond fund.
n Approved two requests from WPD to place $550 received from a check into the professional services account, and $4,417.83 to be placed in the printing and advertising account.
The department recently received a reimbursement check from the National Association of Victims of Crime Assistance Administrators.
The check was for educational and promotional materials for community awareness projects used during the 2007 National Crime Victim's Rights Week April 18-22. The materials were purchased from the police budget.
n Approved a resolution for the Warsaw Street Department to place $27,962.15 into the street department's main and motor vehicle highway budgets.
The department recently received a reimbursement check from the State of Indiana Department of Homeland Security for reimbursement expenses incurred during the snow storm Feb. 14-15.
Latest News
E-Editions
City employees previously were allowed to smoke in break rooms, but the ordinance now does not allow that.
Mayor Ernie Wiggins said he had a meeting with department heads about the ordinance before Monday's meeting and did not hear complaints.
Human Resources Director Jennifer Whitaker said the Warsaw Police Department has had a no-smoking policy within the department, but have allowed employees to smoke in a garage by the department. Smoking in the garage now is prohibited.[[In-content Ad]]The ordinance states that in keeping with the city's intent to provide a safe and healthy work environment, smoking is prohibited in all enclosed structures including vehicles and equipment that is owned, leased or operated by the city of Warsaw. Indoor designated smoking areas in any enclosed structure in the city also is prohibited.
Smoking is permitted in designated smoking areas outdoors and in open-air structures during appropriate breaks and mealtimes subject to prohibition for safety reasons such as exposure to chemicals and materials.
Designated smoking areas must not be adjacent to any front, side or back doors. No smoking or designated smoking signs will be allowed to be posted in city facilities.
The no-smoking policy applies to all employees, visitors, vendors and contractors working for the city.
Smoking (including smokeless tobacco) while in uniform, on job sites, emergency scenes, public appearances or training sessions is subject to specific departmental policy.
Discipline for violation of the ordinance will be corrective rather than punitive. Emphasis will be placed on review of departmental policy.
Termination of employment for numerous violations of the smoke-free workplace rule will only be issued for repeated violations after policy review, verbal reprimand and written reprimand have occurred.
Nothing in the section will preclude the employer from taking necessary disciplinary action for other incidents which may be related to the violation of the smoke-free workplace rule. These include excessive absence from the work area, and taking more break time than allowed.
The council also approved on first reading a proposed general employee salary ordinance for 2008.
The proposed budget is for department heads, appointed positions and salaried and non-salaried employees of Warsaw. Another reading will take place Aug. 6.
Wiggins said he will decide budget hearing dates for the proposed 2008 budget for non-profits agencies and departmental budgets and get back to the council with dates.
Councilman Bob Morrison informed the council Rob Barker, chief of training for the Warsaw Fire Department, received recognition for firefighter of the year for the second congressional district at an American Legion conference in Merrillville last week.
The convention honors outstanding firefighters, emergency medical technicians and law enforcement in Indiana. Barker was honored with a plaque, and a plaque also was given to the American Legion Post 49.
The council also
n Approved a WPD K-9 activity report for January through June 2007.
n Approved a resolution to transfer $78,946 from the general fund to the general bond fund.
n Approved two requests from WPD to place $550 received from a check into the professional services account, and $4,417.83 to be placed in the printing and advertising account.
The department recently received a reimbursement check from the National Association of Victims of Crime Assistance Administrators.
The check was for educational and promotional materials for community awareness projects used during the 2007 National Crime Victim's Rights Week April 18-22. The materials were purchased from the police budget.
n Approved a resolution for the Warsaw Street Department to place $27,962.15 into the street department's main and motor vehicle highway budgets.
The department recently received a reimbursement check from the State of Indiana Department of Homeland Security for reimbursement expenses incurred during the snow storm Feb. 14-15.
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092