SHEFFIELD — Members of the public and the city’s business community will have a chance to voice their opinions on a no-smoking ordinance presented to Sheffield council members Monday night.

There was little discussion of the ordinance presented by Councilman Steve Stanley, but council members agreed to hold a public hearing on the ordinance during the Dec. 3 council meeting, even though it is not required.

Stanley said the ordinance is based on a bill introduced by State Sen. Vivian Davis Figures, D-Mobile, and approved by the state Senate. Stanley said the bill did not receive the support of the state House and died.

If approved in Sheffield, it would prohibit smoking in all public places such as bars, restaurants, health care facilities, government buildings and workplaces, according to Melanie Dickens, tobacco prevention and control coordinator with the Lauderdale County Health Department. Dickens has been working with Stanley on the proposed ordinance.

The ordinance also has the support of the American Heart Association and the American Lung Association.

“I’ve been working on this for the past two years,” Stanley said.

He said the main objective of the ordinance is to protect people from second-hand smoke.

Stanley said approving the ordinance would be a positive move for the city.

He encouraged his fellow council members to read the ordinance and do their own research before voting on it Dec. 3.

Mayor Ian Sanford said business owners who might oppose the ban might not be able to attend the public hearing because they would be working.

Stanley said they could submit written comments or send someone in their place to voice their opinion.

In other business, the council:

• reappointed Councilwoman Mary Stevens to the Planning Commission, James Marks to the Civil Service Board and Judy Bedsole to the Library Board;

• appointed Melanie Dickens to the Historic Sheffield Commission and Brian Young to the Sheffield Utilities Board;

• approved expense reimbursements of $15.03 to Senior Center Director Angie Roberts; $276.90 to David Milstead, of the Historic Sheffield Commission; and $300 to Shirley Rhodes, a resident overcharged for work performed by the Street Department;

• approved a resolution to seek bids for inmate food service for the city jail;

• approved the purchase of new video cameras and locks for the Police Department;

• increased the annual cost of a business license from $10 to $12;

• announced that the Sheffield Christmas Parade will be 6 p.m. Dec. 1.

Russ Corey can be reached at 256-740-5738 or russ.corey@TimesDaily.com.