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El Lago council puts off smoking ban vote
By Mary Ann Hellinghausen
El Lago City Council Tuesday put off a vote on a smoking ban within the city limits to get clarification on exactly where lighting up will be banned.
Council members agreed that smoking should be banned inside restaurants but wanted time to study the wording of the ordinance regarding public areas.
They will reconsider the ban at their Jan. 19 meeting.
The proposed ordinance specified “enclosed public places’’ and council members questioned whether that included parks, swimming pool areas and outdoor patios at restaurants.
Mayor Brad Emel, owner of Seabrook Classic Cafe, said since his restaurant banned smoking last February, the environment has been healthier for him and his employees.
“The most important factor is employees who have to work (in restaurants),’’ he said, adding that he has had requests from employees at Boondoggles Brewery and Pub, an El Lago restaurant, to ban smoking.
Council members Cody Taylor and Amy Carr previously said they were in favor of the ban, noting that El Lago is about the only city in the Clear Lake area that has not adopted a ban on smoking in public areas.
“I can't speak for the smokers that will be affected, but I don't think it will negatively impact the business of the establishments involved,’’ Carr said.
El Lago has four restaurants within its limits - Boondoggle’s, Chelsea Wine Bar, Valdo’s Seafood House and Gazpacho's Bar and Restaurant.
Emel said his Seabrook restaurant lost some revenue initially when the ban was implemented, but it has not had a negative effect in the long run.
Boondoggle’s Manager Jeff Hicks did not attend Tuesday’s council meeting, but had said previously that his establishment will abide by whatever the council decides.
Council members agreed that smoking should be banned inside restaurants but wanted time to study the wording of the ordinance regarding public areas.
They will reconsider the ban at their Jan. 19 meeting.
The proposed ordinance specified “enclosed public places’’ and council members questioned whether that included parks, swimming pool areas and outdoor patios at restaurants.
Mayor Brad Emel, owner of Seabrook Classic Cafe, said since his restaurant banned smoking last February, the environment has been healthier for him and his employees.
“The most important factor is employees who have to work (in restaurants),’’ he said, adding that he has had requests from employees at Boondoggles Brewery and Pub, an El Lago restaurant, to ban smoking.
Council members Cody Taylor and Amy Carr previously said they were in favor of the ban, noting that El Lago is about the only city in the Clear Lake area that has not adopted a ban on smoking in public areas.
“I can't speak for the smokers that will be affected, but I don't think it will negatively impact the business of the establishments involved,’’ Carr said.
El Lago has four restaurants within its limits - Boondoggle’s, Chelsea Wine Bar, Valdo’s Seafood House and Gazpacho's Bar and Restaurant.
Emel said his Seabrook restaurant lost some revenue initially when the ban was implemented, but it has not had a negative effect in the long run.
Boondoggle’s Manager Jeff Hicks did not attend Tuesday’s council meeting, but had said previously that his establishment will abide by whatever the council decides.
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