Utica council approves fireworks tents, Gasoline Alley car show, appointments and several budget/equipment measures; fireworks ordinance review postponed

The Utica City Council on May 13 approved a string of event permits, administrative motions and budget adjustments while postponing a separate fireworks ordinance review to allow more time for edits.

Most immediately visible were approvals for temporary fireworks sales tents at three locations and permit conditions focusing on public-safety insurance and temporary signage limits. The council also approved the annual Gasoline Alley car show and a related Auburn Road closure for Aug. 9, 2025, confirmed two appointments to city boards and council, and authorized several department budget amendments and equipment purchases.

Fireworks tents and signage: The council approved three temporary fireworks sales and tent permits with largely identical conditions: permits are contingent on proper building-department permits, the city being added as an additional insured on the vendor insurance policy, and adherence to the city’s temporary-sign ordinance limit of 12 square feet (council directed vendors to reduce larger banners to comply). The three approved locations and key permit details on the record were: - 45101 Shaner: Approved for June 15 through July 4, 2025, pending proper permits, addition of the city as additional insured, and compliance with the 12-square-foot temporary-sign limit (motion carried). Vendor Michael Conackery told the council he operates multiple locations and emphasized safety and state-required insurance. - 44800 Van Dyke: Approved for June 23 through July 6, 2025 (motion carried) provided the city is named as additional insured and the vendor abides by the 12-square-foot temporary sign requirement; the vendor said 12 square feet would be insufficient but agreed to reduce signage to meet the ordinance. - 13277 Hall Road: Approved (dates on the record) pending permits and insurance; vendor said the operation has been longstanding and that state fees are remitted to cities; council emphasized signage must comply with city rules. Council members debated the public-safety and fiscal tradeoffs. Some members worried that tent sales shift enforcement and emergency costs to local taxpayers despite state insurance minimums; others argued they are lawful and provide consumers convenience and state-distributed fire-safety fee revenue to municipalities. The city attorney advised that local ordinances could, if council chose, later restrict or ban tent sales but that would require zoning ordinance action and public hearings.

Gasoline Alley car show and street closure: The council approved the City of Utica and Utica Lions hosting the Gasoline Alley car show on Saturday, Aug. 9, 2025 on Auburn Road, and authorized closing Auburn Road from the library driveway to Cass Avenue from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. The Utica Lions’ Jean Pro described the event as community-focused and not a major fundraiser after expenses; council expressed support.

Earned Sick Time policy: The council adopted the Earned Sick Time Act policy as presented by the city attorney, who said the policy was drafted by a labor attorney to comply with new state legislation and that the city is obligated to adopt it. The motion carried unanimously.

Appointments and personnel: Council voted to appoint Councilwoman Faith Torenzi as mayor pro tem (to replace Ken Sikora) and to fill a council vacancy by appointing Joel DeVrent to serve until Dec. 31, 2026. The council also appointed former councilmember and Utica firefighter Mike Ryan to the City of Utica Municipal Building Authority; all appointments were approved by roll-call votes.

Budget and equipment actions: The council approved multiple administrative measures and purchases, including: - Fire department: Authorized a budget amendment and replacement purchase for a stolen PPV fan (insurance recovery $4,600; purchase $5,100 to R & R Fire Truck Repair Inc.; deductible $500). Council discussed circumstances of the loss and remedial action taken by department leadership. - Police: Approved purchase of seven desktop computers, nine monitors and soundbars to meet Windows 11 security compliance (total $8,515.60) and installation services (not to exceed $2,500); reallocated $2,500 from office equipment to IT services for installation costs. - Mobile vehicle barrier: Authorized purchase of a Meridian Archer mobile vehicle barrier system (sole-source approval based on state grant conditions) not to exceed the $200,000 state grant award; the system includes mobile barriers, trailer and rapid gate storage. - FBI task force: Approved budget adjustments to record federal reimbursements for overtime related to an officer assigned to an FBI violent-crimes task force. - Iron/Irondale Trail Bridge: Authorized HRC to begin design engineering on the Iron/Irondale Trail Bridge Project and amended the street-department budget to accept $263,000 in MEDC grant funding for design and engineering. - Water/sewer: Approved a FY25 revenue/expenditure amendment for a paid 2-inch water meter from Ford Garage ($2,341.63). - Fund balance housekeeping: Moved $193,297.13 from the assigned fund balance for capital improvements into the committed fund balance for capital improvements to consolidate accounts.

Pension and ordinance timing: The council voted to postpone consideration of a tentative pension agreement (actuarial materials) until the June 10 meeting to allow member review. The council also voted to postpone a separate proposed fireworks ordinance amendment to the next meeting to allow additional edits and to harmonize it with the zoning-related draft that will follow planning review.

The council concluded by approving routine consent items and adjourning.