Police and Fire Committee

Police and Fire Committee Meeting Agenda September 14th, 2020 5:30pm Present: Kali Godfrey, Tami Christensen, Janet Sergent Absent: None Visitors: Mayor Norby, Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin, Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Shanks, PWD Hintz, Chief Kraft, Commissioner Duane Mitchell, Fire Chief Larry Christensen, Ross Rosaaen and Terry Gaudreau with TNT Fireworks, Clayton Carroll and Dawn Rehbein with Richland County Youth Hockey Fire Works City Code: Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin gave an update and review on the updating of the fireworks code. Alderwoman Christensen stated that City Hall and the Police Department are getting a lot of calls regarding the fireworks, and that this fireworks code has been in discussion for about three years. Mr. Rosaaen thinks that this will be an extreme change in the policy and will affect a lot of business. He also mentioned that no one ever came to him to talk about changing the fireworks code, and he understands that fireworks does have effect on people who suffer from PTSD but it does not really affect the people who live in Sidney. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin asked Mr. Rosaaen what his recommendation would be to reach out to more people, and how to get more Sidney citizens to participation the petition. Mr. Rosaaen thought that Police and Fire Committee should have talked more before making this drastic decision that will affect the nonprofits business in Sidney. Alderwoman Sergent asked what does the state recommend for fire works seasons, and Mr. Rosaaen said that it is the 24th through the 7th. Mr. Carroll mentioned that if days are shortened that it will affect the sales, and during fireworks season is when they make the most money for their nonprofit booth. Mr. Gaudreau mentioned that once you shorten the sales for the fire work booths in city limits then people will start buying fireworks out of city limits. Deputy Clerk/Treasurer Shanks mentioned that Mr. Jorgerson called City Hall on 9/14/20 at 8:45am to leave it alone, and not to take away anymore freedoms or liberties. Chief Kraft mentioned that this committee has zero intents to end fireworks all together just to change the code, and that when there were other committee meetings zero community members showed up to those meetings. Chief Kraft also provided the call warning and citation information for the SPD and fireworks for 2017, 2018, and 2019. Mayor Norby mentioned that a lot of the complaints that City Hall receives are that homeowners complaining about their pets. Mr. Mitchell mentioned he would like to see how much money the nonprofit booths would lose if they shortened the days. Chief Christensen stated the fire department is responding to more and more fires caused by fireworks. He stated over the years several dumpsters, garages and sheds have burned down due to mis use of fireworks caused by people in Sidney. Alderwoman Christensen made a motion to change the dates of the fireworks code for discharging to June 27th through June 30th until 11:00 pm, and July 1st through July 4th until midnight, and that the selling will stay the same ending at 10:00pm. Alderwoman Godfrey seconded the motion. With no further discussion, all present voted aye. Clerk/Treasurer Chamberlin mentioned that all firework booths will get a letter explaining the new solicitors license rules, and Chief Kraft mentioned that the main people running the firework booths will need to get a background check done. Meeting was adjourned at 6:39 pm. _________________________ Jessica Chamberlin, City Clerk _____________________________ Janet Sergent, Committee Chair