By JANUARY WETZEL, Tribune
After a monthlong postponement, Seymour Common Council members will vote Monday on whether the city should regulate smoking in public places and places of employment.
The ordinance will be introduced as new business during the regular council meeting at 7 p.m. at City Hall and will be discussed then.
The public may make comments during the meeting.
If the ordinance passes on first reading by a majority vote, the second and final vote would take place at 7 p.m. May 22.
The issue was put on hold last month in order to give Councilwoman Mary Voss time to recover from surgery. Voss is chair of the governmental affairs committee, which is handling the smoking proposal.
Last month, Voss emphasized that public comments will be heard at both readings.
Residents have had opportunity to voice their opinions on the issue during public forums this winter.
Councilmen Bob Beatty and Dexter Steele have said in past meetings they will vote against the ordinance.
The proposal is modeled on the law recently adopted in Columbus.
That ordinance:
n Would prohibit smoking in elevators, restrooms, lobbies, reception areas, buses and taxis, service lines, retail stores, restaurants, public areas of libraries and museums, theaters, public agencies, hospitals and nursing homes and polling places.
n Would not affect private homes except when used as a child care, adult day care or health care center, designated smoking rooms in hotels, retail tobacco stores, private clubs, bars and outdoor areas of places of employment.
The ordinance also proposes a $50 fine for violations.
A question was raised about who would enforce the law at the council’s March 27 meeting.
Options discussed then included the city’s code enforcement officer and Seymour Fire Department.