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Council weighs tougher fireworks, railroad and traffic enforcement; stop sign planned at cemetery entrance
Summary
Council members discussed stricter enforcement of fireworks, concerns about railroad crossings blocking emergency response, Highway 30 speeding (78 citations in June, 50 for speeding), and agreed to install a stop sign at the cemetery 6th Street entrance.
Council members discussed public-safety concerns around fireworks, blocked railroad crossings, speeding on Highway 30 and traffic through the cemetery.
Officials noted that local code currently allows fireworks July 1–8 and that state law requires fireworks to be discharged on private property. Councilmembers cited citizen complaints and asked staff to investigate enforcement and potential fine structures; one councilmember proposed banning fireworks on streets and enforcing cleanup after events.
Railroad blockages were discussed as a risk to emergency response, with council members reporting some response delays of 30–40 minutes. On Highway 30, council members said there were 78 citations in June, 50 of which were for speeding and many issued to out-of-town drivers. The council considered monitoring intersections and installing cameras; Shawn Kelly had been the prior contact for cameras, and Kelly O’Brien was identified as the city’s public relations representative.
On cemetery access, the council discussed adding stop signs at the 6th and 5th Street entrances and, after weighing neighborhood and grounds-impact concerns, reached consensus to post a stop sign at the 6th Street entrance.
