Members of the Granite Falls Town Council Monday approved an updated smoking ordinance that will go into effect in January.

The revised ordinance states that "No Smoking" signs must be placed in all town buildings and town vehicles, except for undercover police vehicles. If a vehicle is used for undercover law enforcement operations, it must be cleaned at the end of each shift, day or trip.

In addition, the new ordinance authorizes the person in charge of town property, or their designee, to ask someone who is smoking to step outside or extinguish the flame. It also states if a town employee is violating the policy, they are "subject to disciplinary action up to and including termination of employment."

The changes will go into effect Jan. 2, 2010.

Meanwhile, council members adopted the Lake Rhodhiss Watershed Project and Restoration Plan.

Tony Gallegos, natural resources program administrator for the Western Piedmont Council of Governments, said Lake Rhodhiss has been classified as "impaired" since 2006. The plan includes 22 recommendations to improve the lake.

Gallegos said adopting this plan is voluntary for local governments and includes no direct capital expense. He also noted that future projects and improvements may come with expenses to local governments.

In other news:

* Council members adopted a resolution opposing the closing of the Hickory Mail Processing Center. If the Hickory center is consolidated with the Greensboro Processing Center, nearly 250 jobs would be lost.

* Council members agreed to pay $5,963 as a local match if they are awarded a $23,000 grant from the NC Rural Center. The grant would be used for a water system leak detection program and reclaimed water use evaluation.

* The council signed a declaration of withdrawal concerning a 25-foot stretch of land owned by Camelot Manor near the Brockford Inn. This action does not affect the town in any way. It simply is a housekeeping matter for improvements being done at Brockford Inn.

* Tax Collector Kim Anderson has been authorized to collect nearly $1.5 million in ad valorem taxes for 2009. This is a 3.95 percent increase from the 2008 tax levy.

* Council members will create two plaques in memory of former Granite Falls resident Maxie Williams. The plaques will be placed at the Baird House and at Granite Falls Middle School. Council members hope to have the plaques ready for Williams' memorial service Saturday, Nov. 14.