The City Council meeting Monday was unlike any in months for duration and controversy as a parade of speakers addressed the board on the pros and cons of a workplace smoking ban and a plan to fund parking in the Arts District drew criticism and one panelist walked out of the meeting.
For 1 hour, 35 minutes, 20 persons took to the podium and addressed City Council members on the wisdom of passing, or not, of the proposed workplace smoking ordinance. There were no limits placed on speakers — but equity prevailed — as an equal number of proponents and opponents addressed the council.
After 95 minutes, the council agreed to take have city staff apply the new concerns applied to a draft that City Council members may decide upon at its April 5 meeting. With an executive session, the meeting continued for another two-plus hours as members discussed real estate in the closed period.
Ward 4 Councilman Lou Magdits sought a decision as to whether council would decide the issue or allow the voters to rule on a citywide workplace smoking ban.
The board agreed 10-1 to authorize another draft. Ward 3 Councilman Gary Hicks opposed. Ward 2 Councilman Don Barklage was the only board member absent.
In a surprising occurrence, Mayor William S. Jenks III and Ward 6 Councilwoman Donna Hawley agreed that a final draft needed to be seen before that measure could be decided.
“I’ve been taking notes all over my pages,” Jenks said after listening to the myriad of public comments.
“We can’t vote on this tonight. It’s a public hearing. That’s what this is for (input). We need another draft to present (to the council).”
Hawley concurred, but that cohesiveness waned 1 hour, 10 minutes later.
Later, it was Jenks who pounded his gavel asking for order as Hawley was exchanging barbs with Benton Square co-owner Steven Scholz, who, during the Comments for the Good of the Order segment, thanked City Council members for their vote to fund parking near the 101-year-old former school house.
The Ward 6 Councilwoman’s concern is the legality of the move to transfer $78,316 from reserves to fund the parking lot near Benton Square.
The agreement will make partners of the city and neighbors of the area, namely the Baptist Church adjacent to Cedar Street and between Fourth and Fifth streets.
Council agreed 8-1 to allow for the lease agreement.
Councilmembers from Ward 3 Sue Eudaly and Hicks left the extended meeting before that vote.
