City Council
MEETING DATE: 4/11/2018
TITLE:
Title
Second Reading of an Ordinance Prohibiting the Purchase and Discharge of Illegal Fireworks and Revising Administrative Citation and Administrative Fine and Adding Illegal Fireworks Enforcement
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FROM:
Paul S. Wilson, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation
Staff recommends the City Council approve a second reading of an ordinance prohibiting the purchase and discharge of illegal fireworks within the city limits; and revising the administrative citation and administrative fine to individuals who are discharging illegal fireworks; and to property owners, lessees or persons in lawful possession of the property who are permitting the discharge of illegal fireworks. Additionally, the ordinance provides the Fire Chief or his or her designee with the power to deputize persons, including employees, to enforce Chapter 5.80 of the City of Cathedral City Municipal code, pursuant to all applicable laws.
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BACKGROUND:
The first reading of the ordinance was on March 28, 2018. Upon approval of the second reading, the ordinance would take effect May 12, 2018.
The purchase and discharge of illegal fireworks is a threat to public safety and a nuisance to residents and their pets. The use of illegal fireworks is most acute on the days before and after the Fourth of July, Labor Day and New Year's Eve holidays.
DISCUSSION:
The recommended ordinance will impose steps to significantly reduce the use of illegal fireworks in the city. The proposed ordinance makes it easier to cite the offenders, including property owners and residents at locations of illegal fireworks being discharged. It increases the fine for the dischargers of illegal fireworks and those allowing the discharge of illegal fireworks on their property and authorizes a task force to specifically cite individuals setting off illegal fireworks in the city limits.
The ordinance maintains the legal status for fireworks identified by the State of ...
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