MEETING DATE: 3/23/2016
TITLE:
Title
City of Cathedral City Safe and Sane Fireworks Program
End
FROM:
Paul S. Wilson, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Informational only, no action required
Body
BACKGROUND:
In 2013, the City of Cathedral City Council passed an ordinance permitting the annual sale and discharge of Safe and Sane Fireworks in Cathedral City, during the July 4th holiday time period.
The ordinance was implemented to accomplish two objectives:
First, it provided funding to cover the costs associated with public education and police patrols related to fireworks; and
Second, it offered non-profits an opportunity to recover funding that was eliminated during the City budget reductions in 2013.
The Safe and Sane Fireworks program is open to six non-profit groups, three of which are named in the ordinance to receive preference (The Cathedral City Boxing Club, The Calvary Christian School and St. Louis Catholic Church).
DISCUSSION:
Program Highlights:
1. Application period and review:
• Application period opens for one week.
• Applicant pays application fee ($100 non-refundable).
• Fire Department verifies non-profit status.
• Fire Department verifies City business license.
2. Mandatory Orientation Meeting:
• Requires two attendees from each applicant organization attend.
• Requires one attendee from each fireworks manufacturer/supplier to attend.
• Lottery is used if more than six non-profit applications are turned in.
• Fire Chief or his designee reviews program rules and required documentation with applicants, including;
Property owner authorization for booth location;
Insurance certificate naming the City of Cathedral City as additionally insured for $1M; and
State Board of Equalization temporary resale certificate.
3. Firework booths can be dropped off at approved locations no sooner than June 14.
4. Fireworks sales may begin no sooner than noon on June 28, and only after booths are successfully inspected by the Fire Department on the morning of June 28.
Fees collected are for the following program costs:
1. Application Fee ($100)
2. Fireworks Program Permit Fee ($2,749)
• Administrative tasks
• Public education advertising
• Police patrols
• Cleanup of public areas at end of program
3. Safety Permit Fee ($342)
• Costs associated with Fire Dept. enforcement of program, including inspections and citations (if necessary).
4. Deposit ($150) refundable
• Ensures sales site is left as it was found or better, and is returned to issuer upon successful inspection.
2016 Timeline for the Safe and Sane Fireworks Program:
March 28 Application notification begins via press release, websites and Facebook
April 11 Application period opens
April 14 Application period closes (4PM)
April 28 Mandatory meeting (2PM) and lottery (if necessary)
June 28 Booth inspection (8AM-12PM), Sales begin at 12PM
July 4 Safe and Sane Firework Sales end at 10PM
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $3,191 in program fees, received from each qualified group, represents the actual costs for administrative tasks, public education advertising, inspections, enforcement, and police patrols.
ATTACHMENTS:
Ordinance #723, Adopted May 22, 2013