Council delays vote on fireworks ordinance, agrees to remove sales provision and standardize use hours

The Dickinson City Council debated proposed changes to the city’s fireworks ordinance and voted to postpone action so staff can return with a revised draft.

Council members discussed three main issues: whether to allow retail sales, how to regulate temporary sales structures, and what hours and days residents may legally possess and discharge fireworks. Council members expressed concern about temporary vendors and zoning for sales; after discussion the council directed staff to remove provisions authorizing sales from the current draft and return with language focused on possession and use.

On use hours the council reached consensus to standardize possession and use windows rather than keep differing end times for July 4 and New Year’s Eve. The council instructed staff to draft possession/use hours starting at 9 a.m. and ending at 11:59 p.m. on designated celebration days, with staff to provide precise dates and clear, simple wording in the next draft. A council member said the intent is to avoid fireworks in the early-morning hours while keeping a clearly understandable standard for residents.

Why it matters: The change would alter where fireworks can be sold and when they can be used inside city limits. Councilmembers cited public-safety concerns (fire risk and injuries) and nuisance concerns (late-night discharges in residential areas) in arguing for limits and for removing temporary-sales language until zoning or code for temporary structures is clarified.

The council moved, seconded and passed a motion to postpone final action so staff can return with a revised ordinance. The meeting minutes record the motion and that the postponement passed; the council asked staff to draft final language using the sales removal and uniform use-hour guidance given in discussion.

No formal vote on an amended ordinance was taken at the meeting; the item will return to a future council agenda with a revised draft.