City Council
MEETING DATE: 9/27/2017
TITLE:
Title
Safe and Sane Fireworks - Ordinance Amendment
FROM:
Paul S. Wilson, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve an amendment to Ordinance 723 removing the preference for three named non-profits to be issued a "Safe and Sane" fireworks permit.
Body
BACKGROUND:
An amended Ordinance 723 was introduced for first reading at the City Council meeting on September 13, 2017.
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 period.
The ordinance was implemented to accomplish two objectives; First, to provide funding to cover the costs of public education and police enforcement related to fireworks; and Second, to allow non-profits an opportunity to recover youth-oriented funding that was eliminated during prior City budget reductions.
DISCUSSION:
The "Safe and Sane" fireworks program was open to six non-profit groups, three of which were named in the prior ordinance to receive preference; The Cathedral City Boxing Club [no longer active]; The Calvary Christian School; and St. Louis Catholic Church.
The Staff recommendation is to remove the preference cited in the prior ordinance and permit all non-profit groups, qualified as "Safe and Sane" fireworks applicants, to be eligible for one of six non-profit fireworks permits.
The amended ordinance would allow "Safe and Sane" fireworks applicants, if more than six apply, to be drawn from a lottery. This would provide a more equal opportunity for the non-profits to participate in the "Safe and Sane" fireworks program.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The $3,191. "Safe and Sane" fireworks program fees, received from each qualified non-profit, provides funding for the administrative tasks, public education advertising, inspections and additional police officers for enforcement of fireworks.
ATTACHMENTS:
Am...
Click here for full text