4.3. SR 05-28-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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MEMORANDUM Item 4.3 TO: FROM: DATE: SUBJECT: Mayor and Council f~~/x Bruce A. West, Fire Chie May 28, 2002 Consider Adoption of Fireworks Ordinance and Resolution Adopting Permit Fees for a Fireworks Permit Back,'round The Minnesota legislature passed a bill that was signed into law by Governor Ventura legalizing a form of consumer fireworks. This law took effect on Tuesday, April 30, 2002, and allows year-round sales and use of non-explosive and non-aerial consumer fireworks. These are best defined as sparklers, fountains, cones, spinners, and so on. Anything that shoots a projectile is still illegal in the State of Minnesota, as well as anything that explodes. Additionally, any kind of firecracker is still illegal. Fireworks have been illegal in the State of Minnesota since 1941. Opposition to the fireworks bill came from all fire service organizations, the medical community, environmental groups, as well as the League of Minnesota Cities. Enclosed is a copy of the proposed fireworks ordinance regulating the display, sales, storage, and use of consumer fireworks within our community. A few highlights of the fireworks ordinance are as follows: 1. Permit all retail sales. 2. Impose a permit fee to cover the cost of plan review, initial inspection, ongoing compliance inspections, law enforcement compliance, and confiscation disposal costs. 3. Limit the quantity allowed in any structure with threshold limits dependent on the level of fire protection. An example: a sprinkled building would be allowed to have a larger quantity of product for sale in restock than a non sprinkled building within our community. 4. The sale of fireworks as permitted by Minnesota State Statute shall occur only on property zoned as stated within the proposed fireworks ordinance. 5. Transient sales of fireworks are not permitted.