FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF JUNE 18, 2024
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: Interim City Manager Alex Posada
SUBJECT: Fireworks Education, Enforcement, and Entertainment
The City Council will receive and file information regarding this year’s fireworks education campaign, enforcement efforts, and entertainment to be provided
BACKGROUND:
The City has a three -fold approach to fireworks: education, enforcement, and a community event on the Fourth of July. The only time Safe and Sane fireworks may be used within the City Limits is a twelve-hour period on the Fourth of July from 11:00 a.m. to 11:00 p. m. The enforcement penalty is a $1,000 fine. Like many cities, Santa Maria experiences rampant use of illegal fireworks. Last year about 30 citations were issued.
The intent is to encourage the community to responsibly celebrate the nation’s birthday.
DISCUSSION:
Education: The City has commenced another annual widespread and bilingual fireworks education campaign. Bilingual messages were placed on social media, local radio stations, City government access TV channel 23, posters aboard buses and in City offices, the City website, and through the local news media. The Fire Chief speaks in English and Spanish in two public service announcements that were distributed to KEYT/KCOY and KSBY. All City-permitted Safe and Sane fireworks booths are required to include one of the City’s fireworks fliers in each bag of pyrotechnics purchased; the City printed 15,000 of these bilingual fliers. Yard signs with wire stakes reading “Celebrate July 4th Neighborly, Noise Sensitive Resident Lives Here, Be Courteous to Your Neighbors” are again freely available for City residents. Staff coordinated messaging with County animal services to inform pet owners how to care for their animals. The fireworks hotline (805) 925-0951 extension 3473 (FIRE) is monitored by the Police Department.
Enforcement: The Fireworks Enforcement Operation for 2024 has commenced. Police Officers are monitoring social media for fireworks sales and potentially will conduct search warrants for deterrence. Public safety personnel are patrolling for and r esponding to fireworks as resources allow. The City again will have an aircraft equipped with GPS and video to fly over the City on the Fourth of July to immediately and geographically locate any launches of illegal fireworks, enabling authorities to issue citations to the property owner(s). The City Rangers also will be issuing fireworks citations.
2 Entertainment: Celebrate Independence Day at the Red, White, & Zoom! The 4th of July “Tech-tacular” Drone Show & Festival will be held on Thursday, July 4th at the Elks Baseball Field behind the Abel Maldonado Community Youth Center. This free family event will take place from 2:00 to 9:00 p.m. There will be an outdoor concert beginning at 6:00 p.m., refreshments will be available for sale by local food truck s. In addition, the event will include children’s arts and craft activities, lawn games, bounce houses, and free recreational swimming from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m.
Fiscal Considerations:
Approximately $4,500 was expended on the fireworks educational campaign.
Impact to the Community:
The City strives to balance the demands of people opposed to illegal fireworks, with available public safety resources and the demands of competing calls for service, and the City’s longstanding tradition of allowing sales of le gal “Safe and Sane” fireworks. Staff recognizes the trauma suffered by noise-sensitive residents as well as panicked pets from fireworks. In 2015, the City Council approved staff’s recommendations to create third - party administrative citations, undertake a comprehensive education campaign, and increase fees for fireworks booths from $183 to $500 to cover costs for staff regulatory oversight and cleanup of fireworks, as well as increase penalties for using fireworks to $1,000.