CITY OF SEBASTOPOL
CITY COUNCIL
AGENDA ITEM
Meeting Date: February 21, 2023
To: Honorable Mayor and City Councilmembers
From: Interim Fire Chief
Subject: Receipt and Approval of 2023 Fireworks Show: Approval of Request from the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club to Conduct their Annual Fireworks Show on July 3, 2023 located on private property of the West Sonoma County Union High School District, Analy High School, 6950 Analy Avenue, Sebastopol and finding this action exempt under CEQA Section 15304(e)
Recommendation: That the City Council Approve the Request from the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club to Conduct their Annual Fireworks Show on July 3, 2023
Funding: Currently Budgeted: Yes ___________________ No __ XX____ N/A Net General Fund Cost: None
Account Code/Costs authorized in City Approved Budget: __AK__(verified by Administrative Services Department) INTRODUCTION:
This item is to request that the City Council approves the Request from the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club to conduct their Annual Fireworks Show on July 3, 2023, located on private property of the West Sonoma County Union High School District, Analy High School, 6950 Analy Avenue, Sebastopol.
BACKGROUND:
The Kiwanis Club is a 501 (c) 3 non-profit charitable organization run by a group of volunteers who are dedicated to changing the world, one child and one community at a time. For the past 45 years the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club has been permitted use of the Analy High School stadium and baseball field for the 3rd of July Fireworks Event. The fireworks show is a huge community event that attracts local community members from Sebastopol and the greater Sonoma County Area. The profits from the Annual Fireworks Show are given back to the community with more than 50% going directly to local students.
Direct Benefits include but are not limited to:
• 9- $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors from all campuses • 3- $1,000 donations to Project Graduation at all campuses • Grant Awards to various departments and athletic groups and booster organizations At the City of Sebastopol, City Council meeting on May 18, 2021, the Council approved adoption of Ordinance Number 1133. Ordinance 1133 repeals prior ordinances allowing the sale and use of "Safe and Sane" fireworks during regulated hours. The revised ordinance includes newly added language allowing one permit in each calendar year for a fireworks display show. The City of Sebastopol is responsible for permitting the fireworks show with the licensed and bonded Pyrotechnics Company approved by the State Fire Marshal's Office. The West Sonoma County High School District is responsible for permitting the use of their school facilities to host the event.
Agenda Item 9 Agenda Item 9
City Council Meeting February 21,
2023 Page 1 of 4
At the City of Sebastopol, City Council meeting on July 28, 2021, the Council eliminated the Lottery Policy Application Process and permanently assigned the Annual Fireworks Show to the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club with the following requirements:
• By January 15th of each year the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club will provide to the city information as to whether the Kiwanis will conduct or not the Annual Fireworks Show • The Sebastopol Kiwanis Club holds the First Right of Refusal • The Annual Fireworks Show will be scheduled on July 3rd of each year • Other non-profits would be invited and included in the event as appropriate DISCUSSION:
Then Fire Chief Braga met with all three of the non-profits that had previously sold Safe & Sane Fireworks during the week prior to the 4th of July. The Sebastopol Lions Club, Sebastopol Sea Serpents, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Post 3919, all indicated that they support the Sebastopol Kiwanis, and it was the unanimous decision of all three non-profits to support the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club in their continuance of their Annual Fireworks Show. It should be noted that the Kiwanis Club inadvertently missed the January 15th notification of intent to conduct an annual firework as the notice was received on February 7, 2023. This 3-week delay is not otherwise germane to the intent of the policy or recommendation.
CITY COUNCIL AND/OR GENERAL PLAN GOALS/OBJECTIVES::
This item reflects the City Council Goals and Values as listed below:
The City of Sebastopol is committed to maintaining a high quality of life for current and future members of our community, through excellent public service and careful stewardship of its financial, human, and natural resources.
Goal 5 - Provide Open and Responsive Municipal Government Leadership
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
The proposed action is exempt from the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
PUBLIC COMMENT:
As of the writing of this staff report, the city has not received any public comment. However, if staff receives public comment from interested parties following the publication and distribution of this staff report, such comments will be provided to the City Council as supplemental materials before or at the meeting. In addition, public comments may be offered during the public comment portion of this item.
PUBLIC NOTICE:
This item was noticed in accordance with the Ralph M. Brown Act and was available for public viewing and review at least 72 hours prior to scheduled meeting date.
FISCAL ANALYSIS:
There is no direct fiscal impact associated with the recommended action tonight.
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council Approve the Letter from the Sebastopol Kiwanis Club to Conduct their Annual Fireworks Show on July 3, 2023, located on private property of the West Sonoma County Union High School District, Analy High School, 6950 Analy Avenue, Sebastopol.
Agenda Item 9 Agenda Item 9
City Council Meeting February 21, 2023
Attachment:
Sebastopol Kiwanis Club Letter
Agenda Item 9 Agenda Item 9
City Council Meeting February 21, 2023
Agenda Item 9 Agenda Item 9
City Council Meeting February 21, 2023