Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Public Safety topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council clarifies enforcement, penalties for illegal fireworks ordinance
Summary
Council members questioned new penalty language in a draft illegal-fireworks ordinance; the city attorney explained the code carries both criminal misdemeanor fines and an administrative citation option, and members urged more data and outreach before relying on fines alone.
Council members probed the draft illegal-fireworks ordinance's penalties, asking whether the measure would expose residents to two $1,000 penalties and who would impose them. "So there are 2 $1,000 fines...Correct? I mean, 1 is, 1000 dollars...the 1st 1 is up to 1000 dollars...but the 2nd 1 is each violation of this article shall be punishable by an administrative fine in the amount of 1000 dollars," Council member Romero asked during debate.
The city attorney clarified that the ordinance contains both remedies: a misdemeanor fine imposed by a criminal proceeding and a separate administrative fine for each violation, and that the administrative citation was expected to be the primary enforcement mechanism because it does not require court actions. "That would be a fine that's imposed as part of the criminal proceeding...and...with the citations, that's where most of the enforcement will probably happen," the city attorney said. Several council members said they supported deterrence but questioned whether high monetary penalties alone would prevent fireworks use and suggested data-driven outreach and enforcement planning before relying primarily on fines.
