Clallam County leaders appear headed toward a compromise that will provide a smoking area for the public and county employees near the courthouse in Port Angeles — but away from the complex’s main entrance.
Clallam County Personnel Director Marge Upham said recent negotiations with Teamsters union officials representing about 250 county workers concluded that the county commissioners should consider designating a smoking area near the courthouse.
Under discussion is a smoking shelter as part of an overall ordinance that restricts smoking in and around county facilities.
“The Teamsters want the board to create some sort of smoking kiosk that will have seating so smokers and nonsmokers can hang out there,” Upham said Monday.
Near jail entrance?
County officials have said the smokers shelter could be located on the east side of the courthouse adjacent to the county jail entrance where there are picnic tables.
“That’s a real controversial issue on whether the county should spend money on that,” Upham said of the proposed smoking shelter.
Commissioners have yet to voice opposition to the shelter, although they are required only to designate a smoking area for employees, Upham said.
Previously, the commissioners had considered a county Health Department proposal to ban smoking entirely on the courthouse property but allow employees to smoke in their vehicles in the east courthouse parking lot.
