St. Charles City Council Drops Smoking Ban, May Require Signage

After holding three town hall meetings to get residents' input about a proposed smoking ban in the City of St. Charles, the city council has given up on the idea.

At the July 9 council work session, Board President Dave Beckering reported the results of the meetings: Out of 102 responses, 51 people were opposed to any kind of a ban; 44 were in support of a total ban; two supported a ban with exemptions; and five weren't clear which side they took.

"Clearly, we had passionate people on both sides," Beckering said.

Beckering said that he and Mayor Sally Faith had talked about the proposed ban and that both had spoken with the St. Charles County Council.

"After all this discussion, we don’t have a consensus here," he said. 

Beckering said that he thought a total ban would put St. Charles city businesses at a "distinct disadvantage." Casino patrons would go to Maryland Heights where there is no ban, he said, and other businesses would also suffer. 

"St. Peters has nothing on the books," Beckering said. "If it (a smoking ban) was statewide, I’d be happy."

Beckering proposed a new idea, requiring signage at all businesses in St. Charles to "conspicuously announce" if they allow smoking or if they are smoke free.

"So you know before you go in the door," he said. 

Beckering suggested that staff draft an ordinance, coordinating with county so that city efforts wouldn't duplicate or contradict any actions the county might take in the future.

Beckering said that some thought would have to be put into deciding if signage would only be required for enclosed buildings and if there would be penalties for business that did not comply.

The rest of the board had little to say up to that point, but some council members began asking questions, such as if the signs would be visible from the street, if they would be uniform in their language, if they would conflict with current city regulations, and if symbols should be used instead of words.

Beckering asked for staff to make recommendations.

"I don’t want to be in the sign business," he said.