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Soledad council upholds ordinance deadline; approves three nonprofit fireworks permits, denies late request
Summary
Council declined to grant an exception to the city’s April 15 fireworks‑permit deadline set by municipal ordinance and approved the three timely nonprofit applicants; the late applicant (Victory Outreach/Liberty Chapel) requested mercy but staff said ordinance changes require public hearings and cannot be completed in time for July 4 sales.
The Soledad City Council on Wednesday declined a request for a late fireworks‑permit exception and approved three timely nonprofit permit applications for June/July sales.
Members of Victory Outreach (Liberty Chapel) appealed to council during public comment, explaining the group missed the April 15 application deadline and seeking an exception so they could operate a fundraiser booth. “It was my fault we missed the deadline,” one speaker said, adding the proceeds benefit outreach programs and recovery services.
City staff described the legal constraints. A planning‑counter staff member explained that the city’s fireworks permit season runs March 15–April 15 and that the municipal code (chapter 8) contains a clear deadline with “no exceptions.” Community and Economic Development Director Beatrice Trujillo told council that amending the ordinance would require at least two public hearings and noticing, a process that could not be completed before the July 4 sales window.
Council debated fairness and precedent. Some members said they were sympathetic and open to “mercy”; others warned that granting an exception would be precedent‑setting and unfair to applicants who met the deadline. The city attorney reminded council that prior changes (an ordinance amendment in 2019) were intended to prevent ad‑hoc exceptions.
Ultimately the council voted to accept the three timely nonprofit permit applications (listed in the staff report) and did not grant the late application. A recusal was recorded for a council member who identified a conflict regarding Liberty Chapel. Staff suggested the late applicant seek voluntary arrangements with approved permittees as an alternative.
Staff noted the permit process had previously capped the number of franchise permits at five by resolution and that this year three qualified nonprofit applications had been submitted and screened per code.
