Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Nearly an hour and 20 minutes of public input, several lengthy essays from Councilors, and one amendment were all considered as the Sioux Falls City Council took up the second reading of a proposed ban on smoking in all city owned outdoor venues.
Councilor Christine Erickson offered an amendment to the original ordinance, which allows smokers to still light up in areas such as the PREMIER Center parking lot. However, smoking will not be allowed in city parks while youth athletic events are underway and in city playgrounds.
The amendment was added to the ordinance on a 6-2 vote. Councilors then voted 6-2 to pass the ordinance as a whole, with Michelle Erpenbach and Rick Kiley providing the no votes.
Mayor Huether cut off the public input session of the discussion after nearly 80 minutes. Citizens from both sides came out to have their voices heard, ranging from children who told stories about how their lung conditions flared because of secondhand smoke in city parks to others who said they would never play a round at any city owned golf course again if the ban was passed. Several doctors at Avera also spoke in support of the ban. Terry Torkildson, General Manager of the PREMIER Center, chipped in his two cents about what it would mean for performers who light up while on stage at the venue as well.
Councilor Greg Nitzert provided a summery of his own thought process, saying he has wrestled back and forth on the issue after his phone rang non-stop for two days. "My voice mail has been full on more than one occasion," said the freshman Councilor.