11 p.m.: Smoking ordinance goes up in flames
By Aleasha Sandley, Staff Writer
“It’s an intrusion or infringement of the rights of business,” Councilman Ollie Dixon said before he voted against the ordinance.
Whether the council revisits the smoking ban remains to be seen. Pepelea said he would not be a part of any smoking ordinances after Thursday’s defeat. More comprehensive ordinances would not go over well with some area businesses, Pepelea said.
“I want to be there when they go tell Hoosier Park they can’t allow smoking there anymore,” Pepelea said.
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In other City Council business:
— The council tabled an ordinance that would have amended the city code regarding the animal shelter after council members’ questions were not answered as to the fees associated with animal surrender and adoption and if the Animal Care and Control Board should be limited to Anderson residents only.
— Approved on all three readings an ordinance fixing the salaries for Anderson’s firefighters.
— Approved a resolution certifying the plan and operation of the Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund Board.
— Approved resolutions authorizing the transfer of funds among Street Department accounts and from the Loss Fund to the Airport Fund and the Capital Improvement Fund to the Police Pension Fund.
BREAKOUT
A smoking ban ordinance was defeated when council members found that it was not comprehensive enough, offering too many exemptions. The defeated ordinance exempted:
— Private residences, except when used as licensed child care, adult day-care or health care facilities
— Vehicles used by employees while in the service of an employer when the employee is the only one in the vehicle
— Private vehicles when not being used for an employer