CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Pass the ordinance amending Section 10-7-1 of the Naperville Municipal Code regarding approval of fireworks permit applications
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DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
SUBMITTED BY: Mark Puknaitis, Fire Chief
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
An ordinance recommending changes to the fireworks permit application process was presented at the October 18, 2022 City Council meeting. The recommendations streamlined the permit approval process to allow for the Fire Chief, or designee, to approve all fireworks permit applications. Several suggestions for modifications to the ordinance were raised through public input and City Council discussion.
DISCUSSION:
Several suggestions were made through the discussion at the October 18th City Council meeting regarding the fireworks permit process.
Staff from the Fire and Police Departments, Community Services Department, and City Manager’s Office discussed the suggestions and concluded the following:
1. Application timelines will be included in the Fire Department review process but do not need to be codified
2. No additional public notice requirements have been added
3. Staff spoke with the representative of the Naperville Salute about the modifications to the ordinance
4. The Police Department supports with the recommended code language and is also able to rely on state charges in the enforcement of illegal fireworks
Recognizing the limited number of permits today, the impact of large-scale community events and displays, and providing consistency with other permit processes, staff has updated the ordinance that was presented on October 18 with the following changes:
• The Independence Day fireworks display, as well as any fireworks display associated with a special event permit, will continue to require City Council approval. All other fireworks display permits will be reviewed and approved by the Fire Chief or designee.
• Permit and inspection fees have been added, as well as a fee for the standby Fire Department vehicle. These fees are reflective of the City costs to provide these services. In addition, the permit application process will be moving on-line.
The process for all fireworks permits will continue to undergo a thorough evaluation by the Fire Department Codes and Standards Division prior to any approval by the Fire Chief or consideration by the City Council. This evaluation includes, but is not limited to, certificates of liability, lists of materials, license information, and site and display plans.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Permit and inspection fees of $332.00 per display. Based on the current number of displays, this would result in revenues of approximately $1650 annually.