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<br />12. <br />Regular Meeting <br /> <br />November 25, 2002 <br /> <br />Page 12 <br /> <br />Julie Hanna stated she is a Southwest Texas student. She stated she felt <br />no one forces people to work in a smoking establishment. She stated the <br />Council's job is to listen to the majority of the citizens. She felt bar <br />owners should have the freedom to run their own businesses. 7) Gary <br />Gilbert stated he was the owner of Sunset Bowling Lanes. He stated San <br />Marcos was very different from New Braunfels, and both Ordinances should <br />not be compared. He felt Council had 3 options, first the Council could <br />leave the Ordinance as is, second Mr. Taylor and Mr. Mayhew could continue <br />working on the amendments with the different groups, and the last option <br />the Council has is a total ban. He stated he was opposed to a total ban. <br />8) Scott Olson stated he is part of the Student Government at Southwest <br />Texas. He stated if the Council decided to continue working on the <br />amendments of this Ordinance, he would like to be involved in those <br />meetings. He stated there are strong arguments on both sides of this <br />issue, but feels everyone needs to work together to make a better City. 9) <br />Mark Bunsy stated he works for River Pub Bar & Grill. He stated he feels <br />there is not a need to change the current Ordinance. He stated this is a <br />rights issue and each restaurant should have the freedom to choose. 10) <br />Tom McNair stated he quit smoking over 32 years ago. He felt the Council <br />does not need to listen to other cities. Council needs to do what is right <br />for the citizens of San Marcos. 11) Grace Davis stated she was a graduate <br />of San Marcos High School and Southwest Texas. She encouraged the Council <br />not to change the current Ordinance. She stated she felt any changes to <br />the Ordinance would be unacceptable. 12) Jaime Doty stated she felt <br />Council discussions regarding allowing some businesses to have smoking and <br />others not to have smoking would be unfair. Council should make the <br />Ordinance equal for all businesses in San Marcos. She stated if the <br />Council did not strengthen the current Ordinance, San Marcos will be known <br />as the ashtray of Central Texas. 13) Allison Jacobs stated she is a member <br />of the San Marcos Hospitality Coalition. She stated she is a manager of a <br />bar in San Marcos and does not feel the Ordinance needs to be amended. She <br />stated if Mr. Mayhew and Mr. Taylor continue meetings with the different <br />groups, she would like to be included in those meetings. Mr. Mayhew stated <br />he has reviewed the draft Ordinance and it does not call for a total <br />smoking ban. He felt the draft is a reasonable compromise. He stated <br />there were 800 signatures brought forward in regard to this Ordinance. He <br />stated he has listened to both sides of this issue and feels this draft is <br />a reasonable solution. He stated he would like to know the consensus of <br />the Council to move forward with strengthening the current Ordinance. Ms. <br />Narvaiz stated she built a spreadsheet of all the names on the petitions <br />that were submitted. She found several duplicates. She stated this is a <br />tough issue and she has heard both sides. She stated she supports the <br />proposed Ordinance amendments. Mr. Mihalkanin stated he has read through <br />all the information citizens have provided and received several calls on <br />this issue. He stated he respects both sides of the issue. He stated he <br />has concerns about regulating commerce and feels Council should not tell <br />businesses what to allow in their businesses. He stated he is not in favor <br />of a smoking ban. Mr. Taylor stated he has been working with the San <br />Marcos Hospitality Organization and Mr. Mayhew worked with the San Marcos <br />Clean Air Now to work on this Ordinance. He stated he was disappointed <br />