Council delays fireworks ordinance change; approves fire-standby fee schedule

Sunnyside City Council on May 27 voted to delay final action on an amendment to the city’s fireworks rules so staff can supply additional financial context, but the council approved a separate fee schedule to recover fire-department standby costs for large public displays.

Police and fire officials and a public-safety subcommittee proposed tightening the period during which consumer fireworks may be discharged after last year’s broader allowance drew widespread complaints. The proposed change to Sunnyside Municipal Code (SMC 5.42) would limit permitted discharge days and require that public vendors/organizers obtain a permit. The council discussed raising a permit fee from $20 to $50; the chief said permitting sits with the permits department, not the fire department, and council would need to amend the city fee schedule as well.

Fire Chief (identified in packet) explained that the city’s prior municipal code referenced a Washington State Fire Chiefs Association fee schedule that no longer exists; without a local schedule the city had not been systematically charging for fire-standby service at public displays. The council approved a resolution adopting a city fee schedule to recover the cost of an engine and crew for public displays. The resolution uses the city’s schedule of fees and charges to set standby rates and aims for cost recovery.

At council, the chief said typical standby coverage requires an engine and a crew of three, including 30 minutes before and after an event. Councilor Ripley moved to adopt the fire-standby fee schedule; the deputy mayor seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Councilor Hancock asked for financial figures tied to the fireworks permit change, including any savings from shortening allowable discharge days; several councilors and the manager said last year’s trial produced little demonstrable recurring budget impact, though staff will confirm permit revenue from the prior year and estimate fiscal effects if the council raises fees.

Hancock and others elected to table the ordinance amendment until the next meeting so staff could return with an estimate of the revenue from last year’s permits and the projected effect of a higher permit fee; the council will consider a concurrent update to the fee schedule for the permit at that time.

The votes on the two actions were recorded: standby fee schedule approved (motion by Councilor Ripley; second by Deputy Mayor; unanimous yes); fireworks ordinance amendment tabled (motion by Councilor Hancock; second by Councilor Vasquez; unanimous yes).