ITEM 17.2 ATTACHMENT 13
Ordinance No. XX-2025 Page 7 of 7
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Rancho Cordova on the __________day of__________, 2025 by the following vote:
AYES:
NOES:
ABSENT:
ABSTAIN:
____________________________
Siri Pulipati, Mayor
ATTEST:
Stacy Leitner, CMC
City Clerk
MEMORANDUM
City Council Staff Report - Page 1 of 3
ITEM 19.1.
DATE: November 3, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Russell Ducharme, Neighborhood Services Manager
Erin Naderi, Management Analyst
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON ILLEGAL FIREWORKS AND SAFE AND SANE
TEMPORARY FIREWORK STANDS
RECOMMENDATION
Staff is seeking input on proposed adjustments to fine structures related to the use of illegal fireworks. Staff is also requesting that the City Council review the current Municipal Code provisions and licensing procedures related to safe and sane fireworks and provide feedback on potential updates to those regulations.
RESULT OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
As a result of the discussion, staff will make any requested modifications to the proposed changes based on City Council feedback and return at a future meeting for Council adoption of the changes.
BACKGROUND
Illegal Fireworks:
On August 4, 2025, staff provided the City Council with an update regarding illegal firework enforcement efforts and the operation of temporary firework stands within the city.
Following that discussion, Council directed staff to conduct additional research on potential ordinance amendments, program data analysis, and operational improvements to enhance the effectiveness of the city’s fireworks management program.
At this meeting, staff will present a comprehensive follow-up presentation summarizing progress and recommendations in the following key areas:
1. Illegal Fireworks Communication Plan
-Education Strategy: Public outreach efforts designed to increase community awareness regarding fireworks laws, safety, and penalties.
-Partnership Approach: Collaboration with community partners, public safety agencies, and media outlets to strengthen communication and compliance.
2. Drone Deployment and Enforcement Expansion
City Council Staff Report - Page 2 of 3
-Program Enhancement: Recommendation to increase the number of drones used during fireworks enforcement periods.
-Coverage Objective: Improve aerial surveillance capacity and area coverage to enhance detection, evidence collection, and response coordination.
3. Ordinance Amendment Recommendations
-Fine Structure Review: Evaluate increasing administrative penalties for illegal fireworks violations.
-Fine Cap Adjustment: Consider raising the maximum allowable fine under the current municipal code.
-Appeal Fee Update: Assess the appeal fee to ensure cost recovery and administrative efficiency.
4. Program Data Analysis
-Year-to-Year Comparison: Review enforcement data from prior years to identify trends, enforcement outcomes, and compliance rates.
-Performance Metrics: Evaluate the effectiveness of communication, enforcement, and operational strategies in reducing illegal fireworks activity.
Firework Stand License:
At the August 4, 2025 City Council meeting, staff presented an overview of the city’s fireworks booth licensing process and proposed several updates to ensure the program remains fair, equitable, and beneficial to Rancho Cordova nonprofits and residents. Following that discussion, the City Council directed staff to conduct a stakeholder meeting with fireworks distributors and participating nonprofit organizations to gather feedback before finalizing any proposed Municipal Code amendments.
On September 25, 2025, staff held the Fireworks Booth Licensing Stakeholder Meeting, offering both in-person and virtual participation. The meeting generated strong attendance and productive dialogue, with representatives from TNT Fireworks, Phantom Fireworks, and multiple nonprofit organizations sharing their perspectives. A follow-up survey was also distributed to all invitees, ensuring that those who could not attend had an opportunity to provide input.
Based on the feedback received from the stakeholder meeting and survey responses, staff has refined its approach and is recommending a focused set of Municipal Code updates rather than broad structural changes. These proposed updates are intended to clarify eligibility requirements, modernize submission timelines, and maintain equitable access for participating nonprofits.
The following recommendations are being presented for City Council review and direction:
1. Revise the application submittal window in RCMC 4.54.360B so that applications are accepted no earlier than March 1st and no later than the first Monday in May, replacing the outdated “second Tuesday in April” deadline.
2. Add the definition to RCMC 4.54.205, “Principal and Permanent Meeting Place” to align with the State Fire Marshal’s Model Ordinance and remove the “Planning Area” terminology from RCMC 4.54.350A1(a).
o “Principal and permanent meeting place shall include, but not be limited to, a permanent structure, playing field, geographic area, or service population which resides in or is located within the City of Rancho Cordova.”
City Council Staff Report - Page 3 of 3
3. Add a secondary procedural eligibility pathway for nonprofits without a physical location in Rancho Cordova that partner with a qualifying local nonprofit and provide a letter of testimonial verifying that proceeds benefit Rancho Cordova residents or programs.
These revisions reflect community and stakeholder input while preserving fairness, local benefit, and administrative clarity in the fireworks booth licensing process.
Any future code modifications would be developed based on that input and presented for formal consideration at a future date.
FISCAL IMPACT AND FUNDING SOURCE
There is no formal action taken.
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Presentation
Illegal Firework Enforcement
and Temporary Firework
Stands
November 3, 2025
CityOfRanchoCordova.org
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
2 Meeting Goals
• Provide data requested at the August 4, 2025, Council meeting • Communication Plan
• Drone Deployment and Expansion of Enforcement.
• Program Data Analysis
• Ordinance Amendment Recommendations
• Safe and Sane Temporary Firework Stand Recap and Recommendations.
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
3 Communication Plan
• November/early December Mailing: First piece generating awareness about the new fi
ne structure and requirements. Will also identify dangers and tips in advance of New Year’s Eve. Mail to all residents.
• News Alert: Issue News Alert about new fine structure in December and April • Annual Mailout: Amplify November message and reiterate new fines/dangers. • 4th of July Mailout
• Social Media Amplification: Continue with widespread social media amplification to r
einforce mailers. Timing should be linked to major holidays where illegal fireworks are being used.
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
4 Communication Plan
• Paid Social Media Ads: This would be a test and learn in which we geolocate and d
eploy digital ads, highlighting fines and linking to our website information • Digital Amplification: Ensure information is recurring in Dec/Jan, April/May/June. • Updated fireworks website page: Update the existing fireworks webpage on the city w
ebsite with new fine structure, reporting information, and more. • Billboards: Create billboard art that discourages use of illegal fireworks • Media Relations: Pitch media in December and April to amplify new fine structure a
nd seriousness of issue.
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
5 Drone Deployment and Enforcement Expansion
July 4th Enforcement
• Increase the number of drone teams from 3 to 8
o 4 teams on the north side of Folsom
o 2 teams on the south side of Folsom
o 2 teams south of Douglas
• Increase administrative staff from 2 to 6
o Process Drone data and notices
o Call takers for resident's requests
• Reduce the number of field teams from 4 to 2
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
6 Program Data Analysis
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
7 Program Data Analysis
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
8 Program Data Analysis
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
9 Jurisdiction Enforcement Comparison
Jurisdiction 2025 Citations Citation Amount Square miles Population City of Rancho Cordova 47 47, 000.00$ 34.57 85,451.00 City of Sacramento 44 267,000.00$ 97.7 524,943.00 City of Elk Grove 41 330,000.00$ 42.03 182,842.00 City of Citrus Heights 40 300,000.00$ 14.2 87,583.00 County of Sacramento 72 72,000.00$ 984 600,000.00 ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
10 Ordinance Modifications
• Staff has analyzed several fining mechanisms used by other cities and counties as we
ll as program data. Staff is recommending the following modifications to the municipal code:
o $1,000 per illegal firework launched
From both private and public property
o $10,000 cap per property
o Increase the fee to appeal an Administrative Citation from $250 to $500 ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
11 Ordinance Modifications - 4.54.305
G. A violation of this section shall be charged as a misdemeanor punishable by a fine or imprisonment in the county jail for not more than six months, or both. In addition to any other remedy allowed by law, any host who violates this section is subject to all remedies available pursuant to RCMC 1.01.190.
Violations of this section are declared to be a public nuisance. Any host who violates this section is liable for all the response costs relating to the violation. Any fines pursuant to this section, if delinquent, may be recoverable by property lien or special assessment pursuant to RCMC 1.01.200.
A violation of this section is subject to an administrative fine as follows:
• 1. One thousand dollars f
or first violation per violation; each single illegal firework shall be considered a separate violation.
• 2. T wo thousand five hundred dollars for second violation within one year of the first violation; • 3. Five thousand dollars for each additional violation within one year of the first violation; • 4. Ten thousand dollars for each violation which occurs on school properties.
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
12 Ordinance Modifications - 4.54.300
Except as otherwise provided in this article, no person shall possess, sell, use, display or explode any rocket, firecracker, Roman candle, squib, torpedo, torpedo cane, fire balloon, wire core sparkler, wooden core sparkler, black cartridge or other combustible device or explosive substance or any kind of fireworks, by whatsoever name known, within the city. These items, as well as any “safe and sane fireworks” possessed, sold, used, or displayed outside of the authorized time period identified in RCMC 4.54.320 ,
are prohibited. For the purposes of this article, “fireworks” has the same meaning as in California Health and Safety Code Section 12511
.
• A violation of this section is subject to an administrative fine as follows:
• 1. One thousand dollars p er violation; each single illegal firework shall be considered a separate violation.
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
13 Safe and Sane Temporary Firework Stand Recap
• The City is reviewing the fireworks booth licensing process to ensureit r
emains fair, equitable, and sustainable.
• Council previously directed staff to gather feedback from p
articipating nonprofits and distributors before recommending any municipal code updates.
• The goal is to align the program with community benefit, reducec onfusion in the code, and maintain opportunities for Rancho Cordova–based organizations.
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
14 Stakeholder Meeting
• Held on S eptember 25, 2025, with both in- person and virtual attendance options with over 12 people in attendance.
• Discussion generated valuable feedback and constructive dialogue on pr
oposed changes.
• Follow-up survey sent to all invitees so even those unable to attend could share feedback, we had 13 responses.
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
15 Survey Results
0 2 4 6 8 10 12 14
Allow firework stand applications to be submitted no later than the first Monday in May. (Currently due second Tuesday in April)
Restrict eligibility to nonprofits with a presence in Rancho Cordova. Require documentation or a testimonial from a partner agency demonstrating measurable support provided within Rancho Cordova.
Cap booths at 1 per 5,000 residents (approx. 17 booths citywide), all current nonprofits would be grandfathered in. A lottery would be created only when additional availability opens up for additional
Increase minimum spacing between booths (from 600 ft to 1,000 ft) Limit one booth per organization.
1 - Strongly disagree
2 - Disagree
3 - Neutral
4 - Agree
5 - Strongly Agree
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
16 Proposed Recommendations
1. Revise the application submittal window in RCMC 4.54.360B sotha t applications are accepted no earlier than March 1st and no later than the first Monday in May, replacing the outdated “second Tuesday inApril” deadline.
2. Add the definition to RCMC 4.54.205, “ Principal and Permanent Meeting Place” to align with the State Fire Marshal’s Model Ordinance andremove the “Planning Area” terminology from RCMC 4.54.350A1(a).
• “Principal and permanent meeting place shall include, but not be limited to, a p
ermanent structure, playing field, geographic area, or service population which resides in or is located within the City of Rancho Cordova.”
3. Add a secondary pr ocedural eligibility pathway for nonprofits without a physical location in Rancho Cordova that partner with a qualifying local nonprofit and provide a letter of testimonial verifying that proceeds benefit Rancho Cordova residents or programs.
ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
THANK YOU
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
CityOfRanchoCordova.org
17 ITEM 19.1.
ATTACHMENT 1
MEMORANDUM
City Council Staff Report - Page 1 of 3
ITEM 19.2.
DATE: November 3, 2025
TO: Honorable Mayor and Council Members
FROM: Kim Juran, Administrative Services Director
Randi Kay Stephens, Management Analyst II
SUBJECT: COMMUNITY ENHANCEMENT & INVESTMENT FUND UPDATE AND
DISCUSSION
RECOMMENDATION
Receive information and provide direction on FY 2026-2027 community grantmaking, a request to amend the Folsom Lake College Rancho Cordova College Promise Program's FY 2025-2026 allocation, and the transition of the Community Enhancement & Investment Fund's (CEIF) Citizen Oversight Board to a Citizen Oversight Committee.
RESULT OF RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council's direction and guidance will be used to update the Fiscal Year 2026-2027 grant application process, provide staff information on proceeding with an amendment to the current Folsom Lake College Rancho Cordova College Promise Program, and clarify the future design of the body providing direct oversight for Measures H and R.
BACKGROUND
The Community Enhancement & Investment Fund Department staff are interested in receiving policy direction from the City Council on several matters that impact both Fiscal Year 2025-26 funding allocations and the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026-27 grant cycle.
Confirm the Community Grant Process for FY 2026-2027
The next community grant application period will take place February 9 - March 13, 2026. Staff seeks guidance from the City Council on any desired updates to eligibility or types of applications being sought or excluded, so that marketing and instructions for the upcoming application period can be revised as needed. If no additional changes are requested, staff will continue to operate the community grantmaking program as implemented in FY 2025-2026:
• Economic Development-related proposals will NOT be considered during the CEIF grant process. Economic Development has created a separate sponsorship program that aligns with the City Council-approved Economic Development Strategic Plan. • Referring cultural and community events and programs to the city's micro-grant program process which allows applications requesting up to $10,000 throughout the year. • The city will accept applications under the following categories: Arts, Culture, History, and Entertainment; Youth Programs & Services (includes Education); and Community
City Council Staff Report - Page 2 of 3
Assistance Programs (Other). Incubator Fund grantees are considered under any category where a new applicant seeks support under $25,000.
Funding for the Rancho Cordova Promise Program (Folsom Lake College) The Community Enhancement & Investment Fund has provided grant support for the Rancho Cordova College Promise Program at Folsom Lake College (FLC). The FLC team will be coming to the City Council in Winter 2026 with a full update on program outcomes and metrics.
However, in advance of that presentation, a decision on funding is necessary for the project to continue through the academic year ending in June 2026. The current contract has been amended and extended to cover additional time but does not include additional dollars as FLC was spending existing grant funds, which have now been fully expended. Staff is seeking direction from Council on a potential amendment that would increase the current year commitment to the Promise Program by $95,000, with an amount of $32,000 for Fall 2025 and $63,000 for Spring 2026 student costs. Should the City Council recommend the amendment to existing grant funding, staff will bring an item back on the consent calendar at a future meeting date for approval. Staff also seeks City Council's direction on whether to ask FLC to be an applicant in the upcoming FY 2026-2027 community grant application period or if the Council would like to have a budget line in the amount of $150,000 per year dedicated to the Rancho Cordova College Promise Program from the CEIF allocation.
Transitioning the Citizen Oversight Board to a Committee The city established the Community Enhancement & Investment Fund Oversight Board in 2017 to provide an additional layer of transparency to the community on how these voter-approved tax dollars are spent. While not specifically required by the ballot language, the intent was to engage a group of residents to review the accomplishments achieved with CEIF funds and make recommendations on projects and programs to highlight in the annual report and/or transparency portal. The Oversight Board was established as a five-member board appointed by majority vote of the City Council, with two at-large youth representatives at the high school and college level. While Oversight Board members are appointed to two-year terms, often times members will transition off of the board prior to the end of the term, requiring a formal recruitment to fill a vacancy, which can take several months from start of the recruitment to appointment. Oversight Board vacancies often result in delays in when the board can meet.
Since its inception, the CEIF Oversight Board has met approximately once or twice per year. In addition, board members are currently required to complete annual Form 700 and bi-annual ethics training under AB1234, an additional administrative burden to both board members and staff.
Based on the lessons learned since the creation of the Oversight Board, staff is recommending that City Council consider potential changes. Staff is proposing two options for City Council consideration and feedback:
• Option 1 is transitioning the Citizen Oversight Board to a committee to streamline the recruitment process and allow more flexibility in how the committee operates. The current process has board members joining for one to two meetings per year and the administrative and time requirements for serving are more cumbersome than the meetings themselves. Board members do not have a financial interest in the grants reviewed and are not allowed to be current recipients of community grant funding as part of their service. Removing the state-mandated training and administrative requirements during a term of service will simplify the experience and result in a more productive use of a participant's time. The composition of the board could remain the
City Council Staff Report - Page 3 of 3
same with a total of seven (7) members, five (5) members that are full-time residents aged 18 and over, as well as two (2) at-large students representing Folsom Lake College's Promise Program as well as a local school district through an annual rotation among Folsom Cordova Unified School District, Elk Grove Unified School District, and Sacramento City Unified School District. All current committee members would be able to continue their service on the committee through this transition and the terms of the committee service would remain. In the interest of expediting recruitments, staff could be authorized to accept applications and appoint members for service on the Citizen Oversight Committee going forward or the appointment could continue to be a Council action. Staff believes that the goal of having an oversight committee for an additional level of transparency would continue to be met.
• Option 2 is transitioning from a formal board of appointed members to a model of bi- annual community meetings open to all interested members of the public. These meetings would be heavily promoted via city communication channels to encourage participation and could potentially engage a larger group of citizens than the current CEIF Oversight Board process. These meetings could include presentations from CEIF funding recipients on how they are putting these dollars to work in the community and allow for community engagement and interaction. Staff believes that this model could potentially result in greater citizen engagement and interest than the Oversight Board or Committee model.
If Council is supportive of either of the options provided above, staff will return at a future meeting date with the appropriate resolutions for Council action. If Council prefers not to pursue either of the recommendations above, staff will continue to utilize the current CEIF Oversight Board model.
FISCAL IMPACT AND FUNDING SOURCE
This discussion will provide potential updates to the criteria used for the upcoming Fiscal Year 2026-2027 grant process, which has historically allocated approximately $3 million in annual funding to community organizations. The amendment to the Rancho Cordova College Promise Program at Folsom Lake College would result in an additional cost of $66,500 to the FY 2025- 2026 Measure H community grant program. The transition of the Citizen Oversight Board to a Citizen Oversight Committee would improve efficiency and make more productive use of board/committee members' time.
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Presentation
Community Enhancement & Investment Fund
Update and Process Discussion
November 3, 2025
CityOfRanchoCordova.org
ITEM 19.2.
ATTACHMENT 1
Objective:
Gather policy and process guidance
and direction from the Council on
several matters:
Confirming Grant Process for FY
2026
-2027
Funding for Rancho Cordova
P
romise Program (Folsom Lake
College)
Transitioning the Citizen Oversight
B
oard to a Committee
ITEM 19.2.
ATTACHMENT 1
3 Community Grant Process for FY 2025-2026
Community Grant Program
categories were updated
for FY 2025-2026:
• Arts, Culture, History, and
Entertainment
• Youth Programs & Services
(includes Education)
• Community Assistance Programs
(formerly known as “other”)
• Pilot Programs (Two-Years for
Long-Term Grantees)
• Incubator Fund ($25,000 or less)
Updated the
Microgrant Program
to refer cultural
events to nimble
$10,000 grant
opportunity
Removed economic
development-related
proposals (including
workforce) from
consideration
ITEM 19.2.
ATTACHMENT 1
4 Proposed Changes for FY 2026-2027
Establish a
consistent
budget
worksheet
Applicants will
be required to
highlight per
participant
costs
Structure grant
agreements to
pay on a per
participant cost
ITEM 19.2.
ATTACHMENT 1
5 Folsom Lake College Promise Program
Program Background
• Provides a grant of up to $886 per
semester (equivalent to tuition
amount)
• 50-60 students served in recent years
• Higher persistence rate by semester
and year than traditional FLC students
Funding Status
• FLC has been utilizing $450K of funding
received in Fiscal Year 2017-18 and estimated
that sufficient funds remained for the 2025-26
academic year
• Estimated shortfall for 2025-26 is $95,000
• Council direction requested for Fiscal Year
2026-27 if FLC should apply as a grantee or be
automatically funded
ITEM 19.2.
ATTACHMENT 1
6 CEIF Oversight Board
Background
• Created in 2017 at the request of Council to provide an additional layer of transparency
• The oversight board reviews the accomplishments achieved with CEIF funds and makes recommendations on
projects/programs to highlight
• Five-member board appointed by majority of Council plus two at large youth representatives
• Since it is currently a formal board, all members must complete a Form 700 and bi-annual ethics training, which often requires more time than the meeting(s) itself
ITEM 19.2.
ATTACHMENT 1
7 CEIF Oversight Board Potential Changes
Option 1: Transition Citizen Oversight Board
to Committee
• Committee could continue to meet annually to review
previous fiscal year’s allocations and expenses,
community grantee report compliance and make
recommendations for highlights in the annual report
and digital resources.
• Committee services removes barriers to participation
by members of the public and saves staff time (AB1234,
Form 700s, and Recruitment Process)
• Maintains the current composition of 5 full-time
residents of Rancho Cordova that are over 18 as well as 2 student participants representing both the Rancho
Cordova College Promise Program and a local school
district (rotation among the three districts)
• Transparency continues through multiple channels
including the City Audit, OpenGov, CEIF Website, City’s Annual Report, Newsletters and Social Media
Option 2: Transition from a formal board of
appointed members to bi-annual community
meetings open to any interested members of
the public
• Notify the public via city communication channels of
meeting days and times to encourage participation
• Provides an opportunity for engagement of a
potentially larger group of citizens to learn more about how CEIF dollars are spent and how this information is
shared
• These meetings could include presentations from CEIF
funding recipients
ITEM 19.2.
ATTACHMENT 1