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Joe Camel is expected once again to be in the spotlight during tonight's Kenai City Council meeting when a public hearing is scheduled on an ordinance designed to put a little muscle in the city's cigarette smoking regulations.

Smoking is already prohibited in Kenai restaurants and bowling alleys, and the new ordinance would extend the ban to health care facilities, other businesses that choose to be non-smoking and at outdoor events that clearly mark event areas as "no smoking" areas.

The change also would establish a "minimum reasonable distance" of 20 feet from doors, windows and ventilation systems where smoking would not be allowed in order to ensure smoke does not enter enclosed areas where smoking is prohibited.

The Chugiak Baptist Organization also is on tap to address the council on volunteer services the organization provides to people participating in the personal use salmon dipnet fishery along Kenai beaches.

City Manager Rick Koch said the church folks are coming to the council meeting at the request of the city because some council members expressed concerns that dipnetters may perceive the volunteers to be official ambassadors of the city.

In the past, the Baptist organization has provided kids' activities, free hotdogs, drinking water and hot cocoa, filleting stations, traffic control, trash pickup and evening bonfires on north beach. This year, they would like to add south beach to their mission.

"They see it as a program to provide the opportunity for volunteers to serve others," Koch said.

In response to one councilman's remarks, the hotdogs and cocoa would not be offered free if a private entrepreneur approached the city about offering the items for sale to dipnetters.

"We have stressed (to the church organization) that they purchase their hotdogs and things locally," Koch said.

The group estimates its spending on the Kenai Peninsula at $50,000 during the fishery.

The council is scheduled to consider awarding a $62,800 contract to G & H Construction to replace some of the older planks on the Kenai boat ramp.

Koch said the company expects to complete the work during some projected low tides in August.

The city administration will seek council approval to submit a grant application for energy efficiency and conservation block grants. The city is in line to receive $50,000 in grants by way of the local government formula allocation.

The money would be used to replace lighting fixtures at the ConocoPhillips/City of Kenai Multipurpose Facility with high efficiency lighting. One half of the lights had already been replaced. This will complete the work according to Koch.

He said additional Department of Energy money is available for competitive bidding by cities through the economic stimulus plan. Kenai would apply for funding to improve the energy efficiency of city hall or the recreation center.

The council also is slated to discuss the status of the proposed Sprucewood Glen No. 2 Subdivision. Koch said the city's intention is to maintain the strip of undeveloped land along Walker Lane as a buffer, except for the lot at the corner of Walker and the Kenai Spur Highway. The city would also like to establish a definition of what constitutes a buffer.

Discussion also is planned on the report of the Salmon Task Force. Koch said the group is recommending the city create a natural resources commission including individuals with expertise in the fisheries and in natural resource management.

The council meeting is scheduled to begin at 7 p.m.

Phil Hermanek can be reached at phillip.hermanek@peninsulaclarion.com.