DEARBORN, Mo. — Dearborn residents could be dealing with a new smoking ban soon, but the ordinance would only apply to city-owned property.
At the Monday, Oct. 10 Dearborn Board of Aldermen meeting, aldermen Bob Bryan recommended putting into city code a ban on smoking, smokeless tobacco and E-cigarettes near and inside city buildings. The board discussed the matter and eventually decided to make a provision for designated smoking areas to be determined.
At this time, the ban would not extend to business like bars and restaurants.
The main areas discussed were City Hall, Dean Park and the Dearborn Community Center. Since a designated smoking area exists outside the community center building, leaders want to look at the idea of viable places to put one elsewhere.
Adding the designated area provision allows the leaders to add or remove places to smoke without the need to rewrite city code. Signs will be added as necessary to designate the smoking areas if the ordinance ends up passed.
Legal counsel will be asked to draw up language, and the matter could be up for a vote at the November meeting.
The city also unanimously voted to continue a lease agreement with Steve Knighton for the right to farm eight acres of land located near the sewer lagoon. Only one bid was received, and Knighton will pay $110 an acre at a cost of $880 a year for three years.
The previous agreement was for three years.
Recently, aldermen expressed some concern over the upkeep of weeds on the property, but Knighton indicated a miscommunication with a chemical led to the overgrowth. The new agreement will include a maintenance clause to keep the weeds under control.
City leaders also noted the recent appearance of graffiti on city property in Dean Park.
Officials have cleaned the area once and will continue to try and find those responsible. In addition, a recent image was turned in that showed an unidentified individual going through the city’s scrap metal dumpster and possibly taking items.
The Dearborn Community Betterment Association will again sponsor its Haunted Hollow this Halloween.
The Scary Barn will be located at Fourth and August streets and will be open from 7 to 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Oct. 31. Groups can schedule to visit on Saturday, Oct. 29 by calling Karen at (816) 294-7043 or emailing at pallyfoster@embarqmail.com.
Organizers also added a kiddie land, opening at 6 p.m., that will feature non-scary fun and activities. The road in the area will be shut down to allow the event to take place.
Renovations have been done to improve the safety of the barn.
Non-perishable food items and monetary donations for the Community Food Network will be accepted. This generally serves as one of the biggest fundraisers for that program, according to organizers.