Smoking Ban Exemption Reintroduced, Rec Complex Study Released at Aldermen Meeting

The debate surrounding a smoking ban exemption for continued on Monday night when Third Ward Alderman Andrew Leahy reintroduced a bill that .

Leahy, the bill's sponsor, added the bill to the agenda, but asked the board to table it until Second Ward Alderman Mike Marshall returns from his absence. He has been in recovery after enduring a heart attack several weeks ago. The bill originally failed in a 4-3 vote.

"It needs five votes to pass. I need a full board," Leahy said after the meeting.

Leahy is confident that Marshall will vote to approve the exemption, but the board isn't Leahy's biggest obstacle. Mayor Pat Kelly said he would veto any exemption.

Kelly said its unfair to grant exemptions to a bar that's open to the general public.

"We should do it across the board for all the businesses in our community," said Kelly about the smoking ban. "Chances are, if it's passed, I'll veto it."

The procedures for the bill's next steps are complex. Here's the quick explanation:

• Leahy can reintroduce the bill during the board's next meeting, but he can't bring it up for a vote. Neither can other aldermen who previously voted in favor of the bill. Only those who voted against it—or who haven't voted at all—can bring the bill up for a vote.
• The bill requires at least five aldermen for passage. It received 4-3 vote in favor during the Feb. 7 meeting, failing to reach the required amount.
• Even after passage, the mayor can veto any bill.
• If the mayor vetoes the bill, then six aldermen—or a supermajority—are required to override the veto.

For the bill to pass, Leahy needs Marshall and at least one more alderman to favor the exemption.

Recreation Complex Study

Any renovation to the will cost the city at least $3.6 million, and perhaps an additional $2 million, said representatives from engineering firm George Butler Associates (GBA).

With a sinking foundation, old electrical systems and an aging building, the complex requires either renovation, expansion or demolition. The city hired the firm to consult the city on the complex's future.

The firm delivered a summarized report to the Board of Aldermen on Monday night. Suzanne Berkey, an engineer with the firm, said the complex requires maintenance and renovation to make the building compliant with fire codes and ADA accessible.

"No drastic measures would need to be taken," Berkey said. "It seems to be an economical decision to maintain and bring the building up to date."

Spending $3.6 million would add accessibility, replace electrical systems and fix cosmetic problems in the building. Another $1.2 million could give the city an added gymnasium.

The firm wasn't hired to study the Brentwood Ice Arena, but previous reports estimate that future renovations would cost about $1 million, said Michele Frankowski, director of Parks and Recreation.

The Public Works Committee will discuss the report next week and offer suggestions to the other aldermen at a future Board of Aldermen meeting.

In other Board of Aldermen news:

• The board approved the city's $9,309 agreement with SFP Landscaping for maintenance near the intersection of Strassner Drive and Brentwood Boulevard. Alderman Leahy was the only dissenting vote. He said the city's Public Works Department could handle landscape maintenance but Mayor Pat Kelly said it cost the city less to hire a private company. "The amount of labor that our public works is spending here costs more than what this contract costs," Kelly said.
• The board reduced setback requirements for swimming pools from 15 feet to 10 feet.
• The mayor reminded everyone that a will occur on Sunday. To help with parking, a shuttle service will transport attendees from the Brentwood Recreation Complex over to the new firehouse. He said he expects County Executive Charlie Dooley and State Senator John Lamping to attend the event.