City council approved a hydraulic fracturing ban within city limits during its Monday night meeting.

The legislation was approved 7-0 in response to the city charter amendment enacted by residents in August.

The charter amendment, which will be voted on Nov. 5, outlaws fracking, the storage of wastewater and creation of “fossil fuel” production facilities such as pipelines and storage facilities.

Third Ward Council Member Mike Aspacher see the ordinance, which bans fracking and the storage of wastewater, as a better way to approach the issue.

“It’s our responsibility to protect the safety and well-being of citizens,” Aspacher said. “This provides the opportunity to do that in a direct and open fashion” compared to the amendment, which could be openly interpreted.

Aspacher then pointed out that the amendment and charter do not match up. The charter outlines how the city government functions, while the amendment forces the city to enforce a ban.

At-Large Council Member Robert McOmber added that if it weren’t for the amendment, the ordinance would have never been drafted in the first place.

“This is a solution in search of a problem,” McOmber said. “If fracking was about to occur, I’d be in favor, but we’re a a long way from that happening.”