Marysville council narrowly approves midnight fireworks on July 4 and July 5; ordinance to be revisited

Marysville City Council voted 5-1 to allow residents to discharge fireworks until midnight on July 4 and July 5 this year; all other days during the proposed sale period would remain unchanged pending a fuller council vote.

Councilman Kevin moved the change during a broader discussion of Ordinance 1947, which would amend the city’s fireworks rules. "I move we let them shoot fireworks on the fourth and the fifth from 10 to midnight. The rest of the time from the 27th to 5th will be 10 to 10," Kevin said during the meeting.

The measure was presented as a temporary, narrow update intended to address this year’s calendar — when July 4 falls on a Friday — and to avoid deciding a controversial, more comprehensive ordinance without a full complement of council members. Josh, the city administrator, told the council that substantive changes proposed in the draft ordinance would not become effective before July 1 and that the city should get clear public guidance about this year’s hours.

Council debate focused on timing and public-notice concerns. One council member who was unable to attend had asked the council to delay action on the broader ordinance until a full council could consider it; other members said the city needed a clear stance for the July 4 period. A motion to extend discharge hours only on July 4 and July 5 carried 5-1.

The council recorded no immediate changes to the ordinance text beyond the emergency-style, year-specific extension; members said they will revisit the full ordinance at a later meeting when more councilors can attend and when the city can provide clearer public notice of any permanent changes.