At their Monday meeting, Athens City Council members announced they would not put a smoking ban proposal on the November ballot.
Councilwoman Nancy Bain, D-3rd ward, said the city’s expected anti-smoking regulations would exempt bars and could, depending on the final ordinance Bain introduces, exempt some restaurants as well.
Bain said the bar exemption probably would be connected to the type of liquor license a drinking establishment has. But Bain could not specify how the ordinance would affect restaurants that primarily serve food and also hold a liquor license.
There is not enough support among the seven council members to extend smoking prohibitions in bars — only Bain and councilman Edward Baum, R-at large, support the smoking ban in all places. Baum attributed his continued support of the smoking ban to the overwhelming evidence that second-hand smoke is a health hazard.
A new ordinance probably would not be introduced until September, after another public meeting to discuss the issue. Council will have two more regularly scheduled meetings in July and then will be on recess in August.
Council members also discussed funding for improvements made to Court Street. It would cost the city about $380,000 to fund the project, but next year’s Community Development Block Grant would only allocate about $90,000. The money would help pay the cost of renovating the final block of Court Street between State and Carpenter Streets.
Athens Area Chamber of Commerce president Larry Payne said they would like to finish the project and would help raise additional funding. If Council commits to the project now, costs for a summer construction project could be reduced.
Ohio University has committed $50,000 to the project and several property owners have said they would help pay for the work.
The city has not received the $90,000 grant funding yet, but Athens mayor Ric Abel needed Council’s approval before submitting the grant request.
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Natalie Long
