DURANT — City workers are prohibited from using smokeless tobacco while riding on the back of a garbage truck or on a tractor under an amendment to the city’s personnel manual approved during a Tuesday meeting of Durant City Council.

The new rule reads, “In keeping with the city’s intent to provide a safe work environment, smoking and the use of smokeless tobacco is prohibited throughout the workplace and extends to 25 feet beyond any portion of city buildings or facilities. Any tobacco use in city-owned or leased vehicles is also prohibited. This policy applies equally to all employees, customers and visitors.”

Assistant City Manager Tim Young said the policy mirrors what is already state law. Vice Mayor Ron Cross asked if it would apply to a worker riding a tractor and Young said that it would, although enforcement would be difficult.

Cross was against the new rule.

“I don’t think we need to be coming up with stuff like this,” he said. “If someone wants to use smokeless tobacco and is working outdoors, it’s ridiculous to tell them they can’t do that because it doesn’t affect anyone else.”

Cross said the ban would also prohibit a sanitation worker from using smokeless tobacco while riding on the back of a trash truck.

“I don’t think that’s right, guys,” Cross said.

Council Member Tom Marcum said he respectfully disagreed with Cross because tobacco use is not a healthy practice.

Mayor Jerry Tomlinson and council members Leon Sherrer, Bobby Story and Marcum voted for the anti-tobacco rule. Cross was opposed.

In other action, the council approved an ordinance to rezone property at 1218 W. Evergreen St. from two-family residential to highway commercial and commercial recreation. The structure is next to a photography studio and will be used for an insurance and financial office, according to Young.

There was no opposition to the zoning change.

City Court Clerk Lola Mattox was recognized for receiving the Court Clerk of the Year Horizon award from the Oklahoma Municipal Court Clerk’s Association. She was nominated by City Clerk Leta McNatt.

McNatt said that Mattox has streamlined the process of citation management and improved communication between the police department and the city court clerk’s office. Mattox has been city court clerk since July 2007.

Main Street Program Manager Donna Dow was recognized for receiving two awards recently from Oklahoma Main Street. The Durant program was recognized for best new business, Roma Italian Restaurant, and the Streetscape program.

“Donna has worked really hard on Main Street and we appreciate that,” said City Manager James Dunegan.

Tomlinson said the Streetscape program has dressed up downtown Durant.

“With what that (Streetscape) has done and Donna has done, our downtown is alive and well,” Tomlinson said.