Fulton’s city officials’ smoke-free discussion, alcohol sales ongoing

Benita Fuzzell

Fulton’s city officials once again discussed a request from Commissioner Martha Vowell, who had previously asked them to consider the adoption of a smoke free city ordinance, and the sale of alcohol on Sunday.

During regular Commission session Sept. 24 at Fulton’s City Hall, Vowell questioned City Attorney Allison Whitledge about progress made on compiling an ordinance to be presented to the commission for their review, with Whitledge stating questions remained as to the Alcoholic Beverage Control’s requirements and regulation before she would be able to provide a draft of such an ordinance for that purpose.

As to the smoke free city proposal by Vowell, she said violations could be policed by citizens, with fines or other penalties assigned to business owners, over individuals. She said the placement of designated smoking areas a minimum of 15 feet away from business entrances could be considered by business owners as well.

Mayor David Prater told Commissioners Vowell, Jeff Vaughn, Darcy Linn and Elaine Forrester that while he agreed health risks are associated with second hand smoke, he would also have to give consideration to business owners, noting perhaps it should be up to them regarding the allowance or prohibition of smoking, with citizens and patrons of businesses also given the choice as to whether they would patronize businesses who did allow smoking.

Mayor Prater said he and City Manager Mike Gunn had questioned some liquor store owners as well as restaurant owners about their opinions on being given the opportunity to sell alcohol on Sundays, with a few remaining to be contacted.

He said there were some who stated they would not consider opening and/or selling alcohol on Sundays, and others who indicated they would.

He said he thought consideration should be given to business owners who could be impacted one way or the other as well as citizens who contribute toward the city budget and elect the commissioners to represent them.

Commissioner Vowell said she had understood there is movement in motion to establish Fulton County as a whole, as a smoke free county, so it could be that the city of Fulton might not ultimately find it necessary to initiate the smoke-free policy.

Whitledge said if she was able to be provided with questions she still had regarding ABC regulations, she would have the proposed ordinances ready for the first regular city commission meeting in October.

The first reading of an ordinance to establish tax rates for real and personal property was heard, designating .2980 cents per $100 of assessed value for real property and .3916 cents per $100 assessed value for personal property in the city. A second reading and publication is required for adopting. A public hearing was held regarding the propose tax rate, just prior to the commencement of the regular commission session, with no citizens in attendance.

City Manager Mike Gunn updated the officials on his recent attendance at the Kentucky League of Cities conferences, with plans in the works to coordinate meeting periodically with City Managers from Paducah, Murray and Calvert City, as well as Hickman, beginning this week with a lunch meeting in Fulton. He also reported during the KLC conference, the city’s Banana Festival was singled out from 700 statewide festivals which the place annually, and recognized.

Gunn commended the city staff, police department, fire department and public works department for their assistance during the recent Banana Festival, and reported he had received a number of favorable comments about this year’s festival.