Unalaska, AK – The City Council will discuss and take public comments on a revised smoking ordinance this evening, Tuesday, March 31. The proposed ordinance bans smoking in all public places and places that employ four or more people or provide childcare. It does not ban smoking in hotel rooms or in employee housing, other than in bunkhouses. The new version also would allow smoking in a stand alone bar that employs fewer than three people. Currently that does not apply to any bar in town. The ban allows smoking at least 10 feet from most entrances. If a person violates the ban, he or she would be fined $100. Businesses could also be fined if they don't post signs or remove ash trays. If the ban is enacted either by the council or by a public vote, it would go into affect January 1, 2010. However, this version of the ban is still up for revisions.

During tonight's meeting the council will also discuss a potential 36 to 53 percent rate increase at the landfill and a vehicle registration charge to cover rising landfill costs. The council will vote on the first reading of a water rate increase of 6.3 percent per 1,000 gallons of water for the next 15 months. This will help ease a revenue shortfall for the water utility.

The council meets tonight at 7 pm at City Hall. Tonight's meeting is preceded by a lecture by Dr. Andrew Trites on his Stellar sea lion research, which is partially funded by the city.