To promote public health, safety and welfare, the Hastings City Council Tuesday banned vaping, prohibiting those under 18 from possessing tobacco or tobacco-less products, and prohibits the sale, giving or furnishing of e-cigarettes, also called electronic cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-pipes, e-hookahs, or electronic nicotine delivery systems, to minors and also prohibits the purchase, possession, or use of e-cigarettes by minors in the city.
Violations are civil infractions punishable a fines and/or jail. Councilman Don Smith asked if it was banned in parks because he sees a lot of it there and was told it was. Smith suggested signs to let people know of the change.
The state has changed the dates when municipalities can prohibit the discharge of fireworks, City Manager Jeff Mansfield said. Now, Hastings bans fireworks except for the day before, day of and day after 10 specified holidays. The council approved amending its ordinance to comply with the law.
The new times are from:
*11a.m. on Dec. 31 to 1 a.m. on Jan. 1
*11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday immediately before
Memorial Day
* 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on June 29 and 30 and July 1, 2, 3, and 4
* 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on July 5, if that date is a Friday or Saturday
* 11 a.m. to 11:45 p.m. on the Saturday and Sunday immediately before
Labor Day.
In other business, the council approved:
*closing the driveway into Tyden Park to general public during the “Very Barry Summer Event” 10th annual event on June 8 from 9 a.m. to noon, including an hour before and an hour after for cleanup. It is anticipated that 100 families will attend. There is parking on the small lot above the park and Barry County Transit will provide transportation for folks from city parking lots to the park.
*hosting Summerfest on Aug. 23-25 this year. Organizers asked that Center Street again be closed for events.
*the Walldorff BrewPub and Bistro's request to close South Jefferson street and serve alcohol outside from 2 p.m. Saturday, July 20 to 2 a.m. Sunday, July 21 to host its Blues, Brews and BBQ's street party and mark its 13 years in business.
