Months of discussion on a workplace ban on smoking ended Tuesday when the Chippewa Falls City Council voted 5-2 to wait for the state to act.

Voting in favor were council members Brian Flynn, Jason Anderson, Jack Covill, Greg Dachel and Susan Zukowski. Council president Dennis Doughty and council member Robert Hoekstra voted against.

Hoekstra said he can wait for the state to take action on a ban. “But I do think it’s a copout,” he said.

He added: “What if the state doesn’t do anything?”

Covill has been steadfast in his opposition to a ban.

“I would hope the bars and restaurant owners would do everything in their power to improve air quality,” Covill said.

The council also voted to move the city’s Parks and Recreation department offices to city hall and voted to amend an agreement for a development along Seymour Cray Sr. Boulevard.

For more on Tuesday’s meeting, see Wednesday’s printed edition of The Chippewa Herald.