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Resident urges designated fireworks zones; council says it will consider future agenda
Summary
During public comment at the March 4 Universal City council meeting, resident John Haberleek praised street-sweeping crews and urged the city to study designated ground-only fireworks zones; council members said they may place the idea on a future agenda for discussion.
Resident John Haberleek used the public-comment period at the Universal City City Council meeting on March 4 to thank public-works crews for thorough street sweeping and to suggest the city consider designated fireworks zones where ground-based displays could be permitted.
Haberleek said he is not a fan of fireworks but acknowledged most residents continue to discharge them year-round. He suggested a compromise: a legal, contained area where people could use ground-based fireworks legally and safely, possibly at a park, a paved area owned by a church or a shopping center, and possibly coordinated with neighboring cities.
Haberleek: “I would love the city to consider establishing, if possible, sort of a legal fireworks zone…Not for things to be shot up in the air, but things to be done on the ground.”
Council members later discussed the idea during announcements. One council member said the suggestion was “worthwhile to have on a future agenda” and recommended staff consider enforcement options such as fines that could deter illegal discharges. The city’s current enforcement approach was not changed at the meeting, and no formal policy or ordinance was proposed.
Why it matters: Council members flagged fireworks as a recurring public-safety and quality-of-life concern and indicated they would consider whether a future agenda item should examine enforcement, designated zones, or public education.
No vote was taken; staff or council were asked to explore the issue further.
