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Sunnyside amends fireworks rules, moves permit fees into fee schedule; council debates timing and waivers
Summary
The Sunnyside City Council on June 9 adopted changes to municipal code chapter 5.42 that narrow allowable discharge days for fireworks and move permit fees into the city's fee schedule. Council also approved a fee schedule that raises permit and standby fees; members agreed to revisit timing and possible waivers for community groups.
The Sunnyside City Council on June 9 adopted an ordinance amending chapter 5.42 of the Sunnyside Municipal Code to reduce the days when private fireworks may be discharged and to move permit fee language from the code into the city's schedule of fees and charges.
The change shifts the dollar amounts out of the code and into the administrative fee schedule, which council members said will speed future adjustments. The council also approved a companion resolution setting permit fees and a $200-an-hour standby fee for one fire truck and three firefighters to be on site during public displays.
Fire Chief (acting) explained to council that the ordinance condenses the number of legal discharge days and that state law requires any change to the allowed days to wait one year before taking effect: "Any changes that are voted on tonight do not go into effect until 1 year from today," the chief said. The chief and city staff said the fee-setting change does not trigger the same one-year waiting period.
Sherry Holden, representing the Sunnyside Lions Club, asked the council to waive the new standby fee for the Lions' July 4 public display, saying the sudden $200-per-hour charge ‘‘places a financial strain on our ability to hold the event as planned.’’ The council discussed options and staff said waivers are at the council's discretion; members agreed to consider timing and waivers at an upcoming meeting rather than immediately rescinding the approved fees.
Council members voted to adopt the ordinance and the fee schedule. Several councilors urged flexibility for longstanding community events and suggested delaying the effective date for the new fees so groups can budget. Deputy Mayor and others said they would bring a proposal at the next meeting to set an implementation date (council discussed October 1 as a possible start for the fees) and to consider specific waivers for groups such as the Lions Club.
The council also heard from staff that the city will remain under the existing five-day allowance for fireworks for this July 4; the narrower discharge window in the amended code will become effective one year after adoption per state rules. The council's vote on the ordinance and the fee resolution were recorded as passed.
Council members indicated they will return to the fee timing and waiver requests at the next regular meeting, giving community groups more lead time to plan and budget.
