07/02/1992 City CouncilFINAL COPY
ADOPTED BY CITY COUNCIL
JULY 21, 1992
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL MINUTES
SPECIAL MEETING
July 2, 1992
The special meeting of the Edmonds City Council was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by Mayor Laura
Hall 'at the Library Plaza Room, 650 Main St., Edmonds. All present joined in the flag salute.
PRESENT
STAFF
Laura Hall, Mayor Buzz Buzalsky, Fire Chief
Jeff.Palmer, Council President Mike Springer, Asst Chief
Dave Earling, Councilmember Dan Prinz, Police Chief
Michael Hall, Councilmember John Wallace, City Attorney
William Kasper, Councilmember Rhonda March, City Clerk
Tom Petruzzi, Councilmember Barb Mehlert, Recorder
Jim Cooper, Student Representative
ABSENT
Councilmember Nordquist
Councilmember Dwyer
(Councilmember Nordquist and Councilmember Dwyer previously notified the Council they would be
absent due to out of state travel obligations)
PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO ENACT A BAN ON THE SALE AND DISCHARGE OF ALL FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF
EDM NDS, EFFECTIVE 1993
K, It was noted that City Council President Palmer called for a special meeting to comply with state
law, which requires any local regulation that is more restrictive than Washington code as to the
type of fireworks that may be sold, be adopted one year before taking effect.
/�Of`. Mayor Hall asked Fire Chief Buzz Buzalsky to discuss the proposed ordinance, and give his com-
ments regarding the proposed ban on sale and discharge of all fireworks in the City of Edmonds
effective 1993.
Chief Buzalsky said when he first was appointed Fire Chief for the City of Edmonds, he was
pleased that Edmonds already had a one day restricted use of Fireworks. Chief Buzalsky felt this
one day restriction was already ahead of the game from what other entities have. Chief Buzalsky
said, however, any action to further lessen the loss due to fireworks would be appreciated on the
part of the Fire Department. Chief Buzalsky said most of the problems associated with fireworks
stem from the illegal use of fireworks.
Mike Springer, Assistant Fire Chief, said he has seen a decline in fire loss due to fireworks
since the City enacted the ordinance prohibiting any use of fireworks except for July 4.
Council President Palmer asked Asst. Chief Springer if he receives calls from citizens complain-
ing about fireworks usage on days other than July 4 and Asst. Chief Springer replied affirmative-
ly.
Councilmember Kasper said he is concerned over the present location of the City's fireworks dis-
play, and feels it should be moved to another location.
Dan Prinz, Police Chief, said his department experiences calls due to destruction caused by fire-
works such as blown up mail boxes, and other vandalism. Chief Prinz said, however, that the
amount of calls have decreased since the City enacted the ordinance restricting the use of fire-
works to July 4 only.
As there was one member of the public in the audience, the Mayor and Council asked him to step
forward and give his comments. Phil Weber, resident of Edmonds, objected to the proposed ban on
the sale and discharge of all fireworks. Mr. Weber said he and his family use legal fireworks
responsibly, and should be not punished.
The Council discussed the proposed ordinance. Councilmember Petruzzi said he would vote in favor
of the ordinance only if a public hearing was held at a later date so citizen comments could be
heard.
Council President Palmer said he and other Councilmembers have been inundated with comments from
the public demanding a total ban of fireworks usage. Council President Palmer said citizens have
voiced their opposition to fireworks use again and again.
Mayor Hall said she believes the comments by citizens relate to the dissatisfaction of the cur-
rent location of the City's annual fireworks display.
Council President Palmer feels Independence Day could be celebrated in many other fashions, and
does not feel the use of fireworks is an appropriate tool to celebrate the independence of our
Country.
Councilmember Earling said he has talked to'many citizens as of late, and the majority of the
citizens favored a total ban on the use and sale of all personal fireworks within the City of
Edmonds.
It was important to Councilmembers that 'a public hearing be held so that citizens could voice
their opinion on the matter. It was noted by Councilmembers that if there was an overwhelming
desire of the public not to ban the use and sale of fireworks, the ordinance to ban the use and
sale of fireworks effective 1993, couldbe reversed.
It was noted the proposed ordinance allowed various organizations who fit the necessary require-
ments, to still be able to put on a public firework display with the necessary permits. The pro-
posed ordinance stated a $50.00 application fee, however, Councilmembers felt a $10.00 fee would
be more appropriate.
COUNCIL PRESIDENT PALMER MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI, TO APPROVE ORDINANCE 2888
WHICH ENACTS A BAN ON THE SALE AND DISCHARGE .OF ALL FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF EDMONDS, EFFECTIVE
1993, WITH THE FEE REFERENCED IN THE ORDINANCE BEING REDUCED TO $10.00 MOTION CARRIED.
COUNCILMEMBER HALL MOVED, SECONDED BY COUNCILMEMBER PETRUZZI, TO HOLD A PUBLIC HEARING ON THE
ISSUE. MOTION CARRIED.
It was noted the public hearing would be scheduled in September of 1992.
With no further business before the Council, Mayor Hall adjourned the meeting at 6:45 p.m. "
R ond�al . March�,C i �tl erk Laura . al 1 , P1avor
FINAL COUNCIL APPROVED MINUTES
Page 2 July 2, 1992
SPECIAL MEETING
AGENDA
EDMONDS CITY COUNCIL
PLAZA MEETING ROOM - LIBRARY BUILDING
THURSDAY, JULY 2, 1992
SPECIAL MEETING - 6:00 P.M.
CALL TO ORDER
FLAG SALUTE
1. PROPOSED ORDINANCE TO ENACT A BAN ON THE SALE AND DISCHARGE OF ALL
FIREWORKS IN THE CITY OF EDMONDS, EFFECTIVE 1993.
ADJOURN
THE PUBLIC IS INVITED TO ATTEND
PARKING AND MEETING ROOMS ARE HANDICAPPED ACCESSIBLE