During a recent city council meeting, resident Art Kelly raised two significant concerns regarding local regulations and public safety in Richland.

Kelly first addressed the issue of fireworks, questioning the necessity of allowing their discharge for eight days around the Fourth of July. He expressed concern for the impact on working individuals, pets, and the general public, particularly highlighting the illegal use of aerial fireworks in neighborhoods. Kelly pointed out that enforcement of existing ordinances appears ineffective, as police and city staff must witness the violations firsthand. He suggested that the city consider increasing fines or hiring additional enforcement personnel to improve compliance. Furthermore, he criticized the practice of permitting fireworks at Howard Amon Park, citing the extensive debris left behind after celebrations, which he described as creating a hazardous environment.

In his second point, Kelly turned his attention to the city’s slurry seal application process. He noted discrepancies between the city’s practices and those of other municipalities, specifically regarding the cleanup of loose gravel left on streets. Kelly raised concerns about the safety risks posed to bicyclists due to gravel accumulation, questioning whether the city or the contractor had failed to adequately address the cleanup. He sought clarification on whether such oversights are standard in slurry seal contracts.

Kelly concluded his remarks by thanking the city council members for their service, emphasizing the importance of addressing these community concerns.