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Council splits over final fireworks retail license; awards 14th license after substitute motions
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Summary
With 15 applicants for 14 retail fireworks licenses, the council debated priority rules for continuous license holders and nonprofits, heard competing pleas from vendors and churches, and ultimately approved the motion on the floor after substitute amendments were considered.
Papillion councilmembers spent more than an hour debating how to allocate the city’s 14 available retail fireworks permits after 15 entities applied for the 2026 season.
City code sets first priority for applicants who have had a council-approved retail fireworks license continuously for the last five calendar years, second priority for nonprofits that provide charitable/community operations, and then discretionary factors such as length of service and a plan for community betterment. A staff report listing all applicants was available to council.
Councilman Memgarden moved to award the final spot to Southridge Church, a new nonprofit applicant. Councilman Gaines offered a substitute motion to award the slot to First Lutheran Church, which has priority under the code but had not consistently used the license in recent years. Representatives from both applicants and fireworks vendors addressed the council. Joe Chase, representing Bolino Fireworks, said First Lutheran had applied every year and had worked to meet city requirements despite past logistical challenges. Carrie Trowbridge, representing Wild Willie’s fireworks on behalf of Southridge Church, urged the council to award Southridge because of its 20 years of community presence.
Counsel and staff read the relevant ordinance language into the record and clarified that changing the maximum number of licenses would require an amendment to the ordinance (first, second and third readings) and could not be completed at the same meeting. Council members disagreed about past practice and fairness: some argued the five‑year priority should not protect an applicant that never used the license, while others said the priority is explicit and should be respected. Several members signaled willingness to pursue an ordinance amendment later to add a license if desired.
Council took votes on substitute and main motions. After the substitute motion failed, the original motion on the floor — to award the license to Southridge Church — carried; the minutes record a final outcome as "motion passes." Some roll-call tallies in the transcript are ambiguous in formatting, but the record shows multiple roll-call votes and that council directed staff to work on a possible ordinance amendment for future seasons.
The council also approved the overall fireworks application resolution (R260021) as amended on the floor and noted staff will return with any ordinance amendments needed to change the license cap.
