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Resident urges stronger fireworks patrols and code enforcement over long-running meatpacking nuisance
Summary
Lee Johnson told the council he has observed illegal bottle rockets in restricted areas and expressed concern about dry conditions; he also urged enforcement against a long-running nuisance at Gary's Meats where he said structures and storage violate city ordinances. Council and staff said a beautification outreach letter is being sent and that police and fire departments patrol restricted fireworks zones.
At the open public forum Lee Johnson of Payson described repeated illegal fireworks use in restricted areas near his home and warned the council that dry conditions could turn those incidents into structure fires. "We have not yet seen any patrol over the years to combat this," Johnson said, urging the city to increase enforcement and patrols around known problem areas (public comment, SEG 276'298). Council and staff replied that police and fire patrol restricted zones during permitted nights and that citations are being issued when violations are reported (response from Chair and staff, SEG 347'356).
Johnson also criticized an ongoing nuisance he described at Gary's Meats, saying enclosures are not up to code and that the property appears like a "wholesale wrecking yard" with pallets and vehicles for sale. Council said code enforcement and a beautification committee are addressing problem businesses and that staff would revisit the property to ensure compliance. The city said it has previously worked with the business on nuisance issues and will follow up (SEG 307'312; staff follow-up: SEG 605'12).
