There will be some changes to local rules in the city of Cumming.

At a work session on Tuesday, members of the Cumming City Council approved changes to local rules for vape shops, alcoholic beverages at certain city facilities and local businesses. All votes were 4-0, with Lewis Ledbetter absent, unless otherwise noted.

Vape ordinance

Councilmembers approved a new ordinance to regulate vape shops in the city. Cumming Police Chief Casey Tatum said rules would allow the city to go in and inspect products but can’t do so now “without a legal reason.”

He said some local students had recently been taken to the hospital due to items purchased in the city.

“Last week, there were three kids transported from North Forsyth High School to the emergency room for a product that was bought here in the city,” Tatum said.

Jennifer Caracciolo, a spokeswoman with Forsyth County Schools, later clarified that only two students had been transported since January and none were last week or at the same time. 

City Attorney Kevin Tallant said the rules were similar to those in place in Forsyth County.

Products such as hookahs and rolling papers will also be required to be screened off to those under 18. Certain permits will also be required for businesses.

Alcohol at rec center

New rules were clarified at the meeting for alcohol at certain events at the Cumming Recreation Center.

At the center, drinks can only be served by caterers with a city pouring permit. The city will schedule security officers from the city police department and pass the cost to those hosting the event, while events will only be allowed when no youth programming is happening.

“Quite frankly, we are trying to dissuade the thinking that, ‘Hey, we can have a party at the park and we can bring a cooler full of beer’ or ‘I can just bring money and I can buy some,’” said Greg Little, city director of recreation and parks.

No vote was required for the policy change.

Business license ordinance

The city also approved a new ordinance to allow the city to suspend or revoke business licenses “if the business is being used for the commission of crimes” or violating laws.

“We have experienced a situation recently where businesses have been able to commit violations of state law to defraud customers, and we did not have the options to deal with it,” said City Attorney Kevin Tallant.

Tallant said the ordinance also meant the city could repeal licenses of massage parlors that violate the city’s massage ordinance.

Business owners will have an opportunity to appeal suspension and revocations before the city council.