TITLE
Recommendation to request that the Fireworks Steering Committee reconvene starting in March of 2016 through the 4th of July holiday in an effort to be pro-active with fireworks education and enforcement.
DISCUSSION
On September 22nd the Public Safety Committee listened to testimony from numerous residents concerned with the use of illegal fireworks on the 4th of July holiday and months leading up to and after the holiday. In addition to the testimony given at the Public Safety Committee meeting the Mayor and City Council Offices received even more written communication from residents expressing identical concerns. In past years the City lead an effort to inform the public on the dangers of fireworks and that fireworks are illegal in the City. A Fireworks Steering Committee met on a regular basis beginning in the month March through the 4th of July holiday in an effort to be pro-active with fireworks education and enforcement. A number of City Departments participated in the committee including City Council, Harbor, Public Works, Fire, Police and Special Events and Filming. The committee was responsible for such tasks as creating public service announcements/video, press releases, distributing multilingual flyers, posting banners and signs, electronic messages, public education in schools, and notifying block party permit holders that fireworks are illegal.
It is anticipated that the use of illegal fireworks will continue to be a problem throughout the entire City and educating the public on the dangers of fireworks needs to be a priority again.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no significant fiscal impact with the establishment.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
COUNCILWOMAN SUZIE PRICE
THIRD DISTRICT
COUNCILMEMBER DARYL SUPERNAW
FOURTH DISTRICT
COUNCILMAN AL AUSTIN
EIGHTH DISTRICT