LAKE COUNTY, Calif. — The Lakeport City Council held a discussion on Tuesday about safe and sane fireworks in the city, taking public comments that overwhelmingly supported continuing to allow the seasonal sales of the fireworks.
City Manager Kevin Ingram presented the discussion, explaining that last fall the council had requested a future discussion be planned on safe and sane fireworks sales within the city of Lakeport, the only place where such fireworks are allowed to be sold in all of Lake County, and only for several days before the Independence Day holiday.
Safe and sane fireworks are allowed to be sold in the city under the auspices of Measure C, a voter initiative passed in 2009 in response to an effort by the city to stop the sales.
The measure, which passed with a 60.6% yes vote, allows fireworks sales to be conducted by four local nonprofit groups each year.
Nonprofits in Lakeport have been allowed to sell safe and sane fireworks as an annual fundraiser for 53 years, raising a reported $2 million in that time, according to a representative of the Lake County Channel Cats, one of the nonprofits allowed to sell them.
“Over the years, residents have lodged complaints about the sale and use of fireworks, including County residents outside of the incorporated area of Lakeport. With the devastating wildland fires occurring in Lake County, the number of protests has continued to rise,” Ingram explained in his written report.
The Public Works and Lakeport Police Departments have placed signs at city limits warning that taking the fireworks out of the city is illegal, required sellers to give written notice that use of fireworks is limited to the incorporated boundaries of the city, and had “aggressive communications” across various city media platforms about fireworks related rules.
Ingram said the items’s purpose was to provide background and a platform for discussion.
“The council does not have the ability to make changes to Measure C as it is,” Ingram said, adding that changes would have to go through the initiative process.
During the discussion, Police Chief Brad Rasmussen said that illegal fireworks are an out of control problem not just locally but statewide.
Councilman Brandon Disney said he went to the Lakeport Fire Protection District and spoke to two different fire captains on separate shifts. Both told him that they’ve had no issues with safe and sane fireworks causing fires.
Nearly a dozen community members spoke on the issue; of those, only one, Supervisor Michael Green — who while still a council member last year had wanted the fireworks discussion to be held — spoke against continuing the sales.
The majority said the fireworks sales benefit nonprofits — including scholarship and swimming programs — and that they honor the country’s history and veterans.
Green said he’s witnessed safe and sane fireworks causing fires in the downtown, including in a trash can one year.
Illegal fireworks are a problem, Green said. “We give them effective cover with everyone blowing off their safe and sane fireworks,” he said, adding they’re an attractive nuisance.
He said it’s not good enough to keep allowing them because they haven’t started a major fire yet. “Because that’s the operative word — yet.”
Green suggested they look at the county’s stringent ordinance about fireworks, last updated in 2016, for guidance.
In response, Dennis Revell, speaking on behalf of his client, TNT Fireworks, pointed out that through Measure C, Lakeport’s voters put in place a much tougher ordinance than the county’s, with higher fines and other requirements. “That does not exist in the county regrettably.”
He said cities across California are having serious issues with illegal fireworks. Revell referenced a 45-minute illegal firework display on March 26 in the city of Los Angeles that authorities couldn’t stop.
“It has reached epidemic proportions,” he said.
Revell said that’s why Cal Fire, companies like TNT Fireworks and other stakeholders are working to get AB 1403 adopted and find a solution to stop the supply chain of illegal fireworks.
He emailed the City Council on Monday to offer several suggestions, including hiring private security firms to help patrol the city during the July 4 holiday.
Revell also proposed that a surcharge on the fireworks that the nonprofits charge be increased and that, along with support from TNT Fireworks, could help underwrite the costs of those enhanced security measures in the first year.
Lakeport Fire Chief Patrick Reitz said it was important not to confuse safe and sane fireworks and illegal fireworks, adding that responsible use is really where the problem lies.
Reitz recognized the benefits of the fireworks sales for Lakeport, from tourism to money for nonprofits.
Fire officials would like to see all of it go away. “The reality is, it’s not going to,” Reitz said, suggesting that people need to rely on each other to keep the community safe. At the same time, the fire department stands ready to do its part.
Councilman Kenny Parlet said after public comment, “You can’t always live in total fear,” adding that’s what has gone on for the past two and a half years, a reference to the pandemic.
Councilwoman Kim Costa said she disagreed with some of Parlet’s sentiments.
“Thinking about what may occur is what planning is about, and that’s why we’re here,” she said.
Costa said she aligns with Green, and thinks it’s crazy to have fireworks in a wildfire-prone area, when fire conditions are high in July.
However, she said she heard what people want, suggesting that maybe the best of all worlds is that the responsible citizens help educate others.
Disney said most of the issues the city experiences on July 4 is due to the amount of people, but he didn’t think the city wanted to limit the people who visit because of the benefits.
Regarding the threat of fireworks, “We have done a good job to keep it to a minimum and I want to continue that streak,” Disney said.
Referring to Revell’s suggestion about the additional regulatory fee and financial support for enforcement, Ingram said he’s spoken with City Attorney David Ruderman and increasing the financial surcharge would not require a voter-initiated change. He said staff could bring back more information on that proposal.
“I think that’s a great idea,” said Costa.
The council agreed by consensus to direct staff to bring back more information about the proposal.
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Lakeport City Council discusses fireworks sales, proposal for additional security
- Elizabeth Larson
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