For City Council Meeting [January 26, 2021]
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council
APPROVAL: Sean Grayson, Acting City Manager
FROM: Brian Park, Interim Fire Chief
Title
Request City Council to receive update and provide and other direction on the Ad Hoc Firework Committee.
(ACTION)
Body
BACKGROUND
On July 14, 2020 the Rialto City Council established an Ad Hoc Firework Committee composed of 12 community members. The committee met 12 times from July 2020 through January of 2021. On November 10, 2020 the Rialto City Council heard a report from the committee and directed staff to consider ballot measures a resolution prohibiting the possession, use, and sale of fireworks in the City. On January 12, 2020 the City Council approved the continuation of the Ad Hoc Firework until August 1, 2021 and requested an update on the work of the committee return for consideration at the January 26, 2021 City Council meeting.
ANALYSIS/DISCUSSION
An Ad Hoc Firework Committee has been working to produce a comprehensive community-based plan to reduce the negative impacts of fireworks in the City of Rialto. This approach is intended to be proactive, integrate existing resources, involve community partners, is efficient and includes measurement criteria for council and the community to assess the effectiveness of the plan.
The Ad Hoc Firework Committee will continue to work with city staff and other key stakeholders to develop and deliver a compressive plan to the City Council for consideration in spring of 2021 that includes; education, engineering, enforcement and equity.
The AD HOC COMMITTEE GUIDELINES outlined upon formation:
Scope of Duties
To develop a long-range plan to stop significant adverse effects of all fireworks to our community, which includes our pets.
1. Develop education material and outreach to inform the community about the dangers and potential prosecution that may result from use of fireworks.
2. Evaluate and recommend new or alternative revenue measures, including but not limited to taxes, fees, user charges, related to non-profit groups activities.
3. Establish a new framework to cite, fine, and adjudicate the use of possession, sale, advertisement for sale, transportation, and/or manufacturing of illegal fireworks.
4. Evaluate any actions or other ballot measures related to safe and sane fireworks.
5. Review and evaluate previous enforcement plans and make recommendations on improvements.
The Committee has made progress in all of the tasks under the scope of duties. Detailed information on the education materials and outreach is available to be considered.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
The proposed action does not meet the definition of a project as defined by Section 15378 California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A “Project” means the whole of an action, which has a potential for resulting in either a direct physical change in the environment, or a reasonably foreseeable indirect physical change in the environment.
GENERAL PLAN CONSISTENCY
This action is consistent with Guiding Principle 3A in the General Plan:
Our City government will lead by example, and will operate in an open, transparent, and responsive manner that meets the needs of the citizens and is a good place to do business.
LEGAL REVIEW
The City Attorney has reviewed and supports this staff report
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Operating Budget Impact
No impact to the City’s Operating Budget
Capital Improvement Budget Impact
No impact to the City’s Capital Improvement Budget.
Licensing
This action does not require a business license
RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council to receive update and provide and other direction on the Ad Hoc Firework Committee.