Council approves special fireworks permit 4-1 and flags gaps in 'safe and sane' ordinance

Holtville City Council voted 4-1 to issue a special fireworks permit at its May 9 meeting, and members debated the city’s handling of permit deadlines, fees and a possibly lapsed "safe and sane" ordinance.

A council member moved to issue the permit for a special fireworks event; the motion passed on a roll call with four yes votes and one no. Roll call recorded John Munger — yes; Mike Pacheco — yes; Murray (Marie) Anderson — no; Vanessa Ramirez — yes; Mayor Mike Goodsell — yes.

Council discussion focused on why the high school has sometimes received a fee waiver while the Chamber of Commerce event is charged. A council member asked, "Why are we waiving it for the high school?" Staff said the high school event generates no revenue and requires city staffing, whereas the Chamber event brings revenue; staff also said the original fee began at $1,000 and was cut to $500.

Staff also told the council the city's "safe and sane" fireworks ordinance appears poorly drafted, contains dates the city has not met and may contain a sunset provision that Code Publishing — the company that posts the city’s ordinances online — flagged as meaning the ordinance is not currently in effect. Staff said they have discussed redrafting the ordinance and offered to meet with vendors to craft a clearer local rule.

Council members raised liability concerns if private individuals buy permissive consumer fireworks outside the city’s permit process. One council member warned of a hypothetical: "Johnny Smith buys the same…goes home, fires them off…and if it burns a place down, they start looking through the paperwork." Staff said the city does not typically take custodial possession of fireworks, but noted the chamber’s permit had been in hand since the prior meeting.

No ordinance revision or emergency rule change was adopted at the meeting; staff said they will pursue a redraft with sample language and return the issue to council for formal action.