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Lewiston council adopts ordinance to follow external burn bans; sets $250 fine and removes library fees
Summary
At its March 17 meeting the Lewiston City Council adopted Ordinance 26-01 to automatically adopt county-agency burn bans, approved a $250 fine for burn‑ban violations, and removed library fees from the municipal Master Fee Schedule; all votes were unanimous.
Lewiston — The Lewiston City Council on March 17 adopted Ordinance 26-01 to allow the city to automatically adopt burn bans or restrictions issued by any agency with authority in the county and approved a $250 fine for violations of fire restrictions.
Mayor Bodily explained the need for a local enforcement mechanism: the city must establish a fee for burn‑ban violations so ordinances can be enforced. Councilmember F. Bodily moved to apply a $250 fine; Jonna Westover seconded. The council approved the fine "all in favor," and the motion carried unanimously.
Councilmembers also voted to remove library fees from the city's Master Fee Schedule so that the library board, as a governing body, can set and control its own fees. Councilmember Simper moved to remove the library fees; Morrison seconded and the motion passed unanimously.
The council opened a separate public hearing on Ordinance 26-01, which, as adopted, allows Lewiston to adopt burn bans or restrictions issued by other authorized agencies automatically. F. Bodily moved to adopt Ordinance 26-01; Westover seconded and the ordinance was adopted by unanimous vote.
Why it matters: Establishing a penalty and an automatic-adoption provision streamlines the city's ability to enforce restrictions during high fire danger by aligning local rules with county or other authorized agency orders. The removal of library fees from the municipal schedule clarifies the division of fee authority between city government and the library board.
What’s next: The ordinance is adopted as stated in the minutes; the minutes do not record a roll-call vote count beyond "all in favor." Implementation details such as publication of the ordinance, effective date, or administrative enforcement steps were not specified in the meeting minutes.
