Coldwater council declines broader personal-fireworks expansion; will allow organized public displays

The Coldwater City Council on Jan. 13 accepted staff recommendations not to expand the city’s allowed days for personal fireworks, while confirming that organized public fireworks displays may proceed through the existing permitting process.

City Manager Keith Baker told the council staff had reviewed the request from members of the local Arab American community and state law and found an existing path for public displays using licensed pyrotechnic vendors. "We're recommending that you don't expand those days," Baker said, summarizing staff advice and the research into other municipalities’ approaches.

That recommendation followed a petition and a request from community members asking for allowance of fireworks connected to Eid observances. Baker said the city can facilitate larger, organized displays by permitting a vendor and coordinating with police and fire, but he recommended against creating additional personal-use days because of complaint volume and concerns about treating holidays differently. He noted that a few communities, such as Hamtramck, have made special provisions for Eid, but that most jurisdictions either follow state allowances or are more restrictive.

Miss Ahmed, a representative of the community group that made the request, said the group sought a short, controlled display timed after the Ramadan fast. "We also like I've said, we only requested, like, about an hour to like, 2 2 hours for that to be done," she said, adding the display would typically occur in summer months when weather permits.

Council members asked about the permitting process, cost and overtime for public safety staff. Baker said the process is in place and typically involves coordinating police and fire for safety zones and staffing; the city has not yet adopted a fee for commercial displays but could do so if the city begins to absorb overtime costs regularly. The city attorney and public safety staff advised that liability for private damage from fireworks would lie with the person igniting them rather than the city, but that expanding permitted days could open requests for additional holidays and require a broader policy review.

Council member motioned to accept staff recommendation; the motion carried with no opposition.

Staff will continue to allow public displays through the permitting process with licensed vendors and insurance requirements; council members said they would consider a fee if municipal overtime costs become frequent.