Report to Mayor and City Council
Tuesday, June 06, 2017
Consent
SUBJECT:
Title
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF FIREWORKS STANDS FOR 2017 FIREWORKS SEASON (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
The City Council is asked to approve the attached list of non-profit, charitable organizations or associations to operate fireworks stands in 2017 (Exhibit No. 1).
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
APPROVE 17 fireworks stand permits issued to non-profit, charitable corporations or associations, contingent upon their compliance with the Carson Municipal Code (CMC), approvals of inspecting agencies, and mandatory attendance at the Fireworks Stand Operators Safety Seminar and Orientation Session.
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate.
IV. BACKGROUND
The CMC Article III, Chapter 1, Fire Prevention (Exhibit No. 3) regulates the use and selling of fireworks within the City of Carson. CMC Sections 3101.0 through 3101.10 establishes the City’s regulations, procedures, and processes for corporations or associations to obtain a City Fireworks Permit. Each year a list of all qualified applicants is presented to the City Council for formal approval.
The process for a Fireworks Permit is:
• City mails letters and Fireworks Permit application packets to organizations inviting them to reapply for the upcoming fireworks season.
• Completed application packets are accepted between March 1 and April 1, 2017.
• A completed application packet includes:
o The location of the organization’s principal and permanent meeting place in Carson.
o Applicant name and address, and name of each principal officer and their address information.
o Evidence of the organization’s 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
o Sworn statement that 50% of the organization’s membership resides in Carson.
o Purpose of the organization and when it was organized.
o Intended use of fireworks sales proceeds.
o Proposed fireworks stand location and site plan.
o Copy of executed lease, rental, or license agreement evidencing that the applicant has authority to locate and operate a fireworks stand at the designated location.
o Payment of $350.00
§ $25.00 permit application fee
§ $225.00 permit fee
§ $100.00 site-clearing deposit. The deposit is refundable upon the expiration of the permit, clean-up, and removal of the stand.
o Payment of $150.00 storage permit fee, if applicable.
§ Carson High Booster Club is the only organization that requested to have an additional storage container and paid the storage fee. The storage container will be located in the same parking lot, next to the stand and permitted according to the CMC regulations (Exhibit No. 4).
• The list of all qualified applicants is presented to the City Council for final approval in early June. Upon approval, fireworks stand permits are issued.
• All fireworks stands are permitted to be installed beginning 12:00 noon on June 21, 2017, and shall be removed by noon on July 12, 2017. Map of Firework Stand Locations (Exhibit No. 2).
• Safe and sane fireworks may be sold at a permitted stand:
o June 28 12:00 noon to 10:00 p.m.; and
o June 29 through July 4 from 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
• Unsold stock must be removed by 12:00 noon, July 7, 2017.
• The fireworks wholesalers pay the required wholesale permit fee of $1,530.00 for each of their fireworks stands.
• Each fireworks wholesaler also pays $327.00.
o $161.00 for Business License tax
o $15.00 application processing fee
o $1.00 CASp state mandated disability access fee
o $150.00 wholesale/storage permit fee
• Fireworks wholesalers paid the room rental fee at the Juanita Millender-McDonald Community Center Hall C for the Fireworks Stand Operators Safety Seminar and Orientation Session.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
All 17 Fireworks Permit applicants paid the required $350.00 in taxes, deposits and fees; totaling $5,950.00. The two fireworks wholesalers collectively paid $26,664.00 in taxes and fees. Once site-clearing deposits are refunded, the City will have recovered $30,914.00 of its costs to administer this program.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. 2017 Fireworks Permit Applicants and Locations (page 4)
2. Map of 2017 Fireworks Stand Locations (page 5)
3. Carson High Storage Plot Plan (page 6)
4. CMC Sections 3101-3105 - Fireworks Regulations (pages 7-29)
Prepared by: Cristine Gaiennie, Revenue Manager