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Council to put fireworks-restriction petition on ballot, staff to refine ordinance wording
Summary
Councilors responded to a citizen petition to reduce loud-firework days around July 4 by favoring a public vote; staff outlined the sufficiency-check process and deadlines for getting the measure on the November 3 ballot.
Staff reported receipt of a petition proposing to curb loud-fireworks hours around July 4 and explained the legal and procedural steps the city must follow to verify signatures and, if sufficient, either adopt the ordinance or place it before voters.
Brent explained the technical timeline: 15% of voters in the last presidential election are needed to qualify (71 valid signatures in Horace's most recent count), staff has 20 days to verify sufficiency, petitioners have seven days to cure, and the council has 60 days after certification to adopt the ordinance or refer it to an election. Brent noted that to get on the Nov. 3 ballot the city needs to notify the county by Aug. 31.
Several council members said they prefer letting voters decide. One councilor noted that if council sets the election date the sponsoring committee cannot withdraw the petition. Council asked staff to return with cleaner ordinance language and tabled the item until the next meeting to allow legal review and final wording.
Why it matters: the petition would change the city's fireworks ordinance for July 4 timeframes and could create a binding change if voters approve it on the ballot.
