Fireworks still on council agenda

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

— For 52 years, it’s been against city law to discharge fireworks in the city limits. That law has been broken by many and is difficult to enforce, police have told city officials.

City Council members, in an effort to change the ordinance prohibiting the sale and discharge of fireworks, have met twice in a week to amend the city’s current ordinance.

Two new ordinances were presented by city attorney Howard Slinkard at the regular council meeting Tuesday, but were not read. Changes suggested in the ordinance will be added and the ordinance will be read for the first reading at the May council meeting.

One ordinance removes fireworks from the original ordinance prohibiting discharge of guns, and the second ordinance, allows the sale and discharge of fireworks. Both are scheduled to be read at the May council meeting.

The city first adopted an ordinance in 1959 prohibiting the discharge of guns and fireworks within the city limits. In 1993, that ordinance was amended to prohibit the discharge of bows unless shooting into a backstop.

Over the past three years, the council has talked of amending the ordinance, but this is the firstdraft that has been presented. A question broached by Slinkard was whether the discharge of fireworks outside of the dates approved by the state was permitted.

Slinkard said it’s possible if the fireworks were Class B, it is allowed by a state police permit.

As council members talked, they removed a line prohibiting aerial fireworks that travel on a stick, as requested by council member Steve Guthrie.

State law sets June 20-July 10 and Dec. 10 to Jan. 5 for parameters for selling and discharge of fireworks. The city’s ordinance will allow the same dates.

Other requirements in the ordinance mandate that the sellers hold a valid license issued as well as a city permit (with a fee of $250) per location.

In discussing the cost forthe permit, city officials agreed it would require at least three trips by an inspector from the Fire Department, one from the city building official and several from the Police Department. It was agreed to set the fee at $250 to cover the city’s cost in governing a fireworks stand within the city limits.

“It’s not that high, but it should cover our administrative costs,” Mayor Jackie Crabtree said.

Slinkard agreed to get the changes incorporated in the ordinance and have it ready for the first reading at the May council meeting.

In other business, the city approved declaring an old generator and a trencher to be surplus by the city’s water/wastewater department.

The next regular City Council meeting is set for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 17.

News, Pages 1 on 04/27/2011