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Council fails first reading of fireworks ordinance after procedural disagreement
Summary
The council rejected the first reading of an ordinance updating local fireworks enforcement to align with Iowa Senate File 303 (effective May 19, 2025). Councilmember Colton Miller urged condensing readings to avoid repeated votes; the motion failed 3–2 (Miller, Dean and Stoolman opposed).
The West Branch City Council voted down the first reading of an ordinance to update Chapter 41 (fireworks) on June 2, 2025, after members disagreed about how to handle the procedural readings.
City Attorney Kevin Olson explained the change is required to conform to Iowa Senate File 303, which went into effect May 19, 2025, and controls how local governments may enforce consumer fireworks rules. Councilmember Colton Miller expressed frustration at frequent state changes and suggested the council condense all three required readings into a single meeting rather than "wasting time" on repeated appearances; Olson said the council could instead pass only the first reading and return for subsequent readings at the next meeting.
When the council voted on the motion to advance the fireworks ordinance, Jerry Sexton and Mike Horihan voted aye; Colton Miller, Tom Dean and Jodee Stoolman voted no, causing the motion to fail. No public comments on the item were recorded. The council did approve the first reading of Ordinance 829 (flexible front yard allowances) earlier in the meeting.
