Riverbank adopts fines for e-cigarette violations

Leaders this week narrowed from eight to four the options for splitting the city into voting districts, and are expected to choose the final plan Nov. 24.

The City Council also agreed to regulate e-tobacco sales, including fines ranging from $100 to $500 for violations such as selling to children. E-cigarette retailers did not object, Mayor Richard O’Brien said, while some audience members urged the council to ban smoking in all public places.

“They ban smoking at pro sporting events; I don’t see why we can’t ban it in areas where it affects other businesses,” O’Brien said, hoping to look at more restrictions in the future.

The council also considered luring restaurants downtown with loans for expensive grease traps, but decided against putting up $21,000 in seed money. Perhaps Riverbank could allow small restaurants to get by without grease traps if they keep all food waste out of sinks and “dry wipe” pots and pans before washing, the council decided.

This story was originally published November 12, 2015 at 4:45 PM with the headline "Riverbank adopts fines for e-cigarette violations."