City Council
MEETING DATE: 4/22/2015
TITLE:
Title
Ordinance Implementing a Ban on All Fireworks in the City
End
FROM:
Charlie McClendon, City Manager
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends that the Council discuss the ordinance hold an up or down vote on a complete fireworks ban.
Body
BACKGROUND:
In 2003, the City Council adopted the "Safe and Sane" Fireworks program. The ordinance adopted was based on a program that had been successful in the City of Loma Linda. This program was designed to accomplish two objectives. First it would provide funding to cover the costs associated with patrol and public education related to Fireworks, and as well it would offer nonprofits the funding that was displaced during budget reductions. The program was originally open to four established non-profit organizations that, prior to budget cuts, had been receiving funds from the City. In addition, the program was open to four undetermined non-profit organizations. This created an opportunity for eight groups to participate in total. Today, the program is open to six groups, three of which are named in the ordinance.
Council discussed the current Fireworks ordinance in study session on March 25, 2015. Direction was provided to staff to continue with the existing program in 2015 and to collect data on Police and Fire calls associated with Fireworks and the amount of money raised by the non-profits as a result of the program. The data gathered was then to be presented to Council, probably in the fall of 2015.
Subsequently, during Council Comments on April 8, 2015 Councilmember Kaplan asked that an ordinance implementing a complete ban on Fireworks in Cathedral City be brought to Council now for an up or down vote. The proposed ordinance provides an effective date of August 1, 2015, so the current "Safe and Sane" program would be allowed to continue for the 2015 season.
DISCUSSION:
Highlights of the current Safe and Sane pr...
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