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Cedar Falls votes to ban fireworks

Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier - 8/8/2017

Aug. 08--CEDAR FALLS -- The City Council on Monday night voted 4-2 to ban the discharge of fireworks inside the city limits.

One member was absent.

The council acted during a committee of the whole work session. Members must still approve an ordinance formally enacting the ban. City Attorney Kevin Rogers indicated that ordinance likely will be ready in September. It will require council approval on three readings at successive meetings for final adoption.

The ban does not prohibit the sale or possession of fireworks in the city, only their discharge. The ordinance would allow permits from the city for commercial fireworks displays.

Council members supporting the ban said they received numerous complaints during the weeks fireworks were permitted after the Legislature approved their sale and discharge, unless proscribed by city ordinance, for the first time in about 80 years.

Council member Dave Wieland said his phone rang off the hook.

"This is a highly emotional issue for people in Cedar Falls," Wieland said, for people with pets or veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder. He said half of the residents he spoke with wanted fireworks discharge banned or the time period drastically constrained. "But they're looking for action from us now," Wieland said.

"I've gotten more calls on this than I've gotten on University Avenue," said council member Mark Miller, referring to the controversial University reconstruction project. "I'm more than cognizant of everybody's peace of mind in their homes, number one. But number two, it's litter. I don't know under what other scenario it's all right for you to put something on somebody else's yard. Because a bottle rocket isn't going to land on your (own) property 90 percent of the time.

"To me a ban makes more sense than anything," Miller said. "It takes the variables out for our police department."

"I'm really concerned about the veterans," council member John Runchey said. "I think some of them suffer and are probably reluctant to come forward. I would have no problem banning these from Cedar Falls."

Public Safety Diretor Jeff Olson made no recommendation but offered options. He said it is his understanding other cities in Black Hawk County, such Waterloo and Evansdale, were considering uniform ordinances limiting the days and times for fireworks.

Council members Tom Blanford and Susan deBuhr voted against a ban. Blanford said he felt a ban was unenforceable and would place an undue burden on police. He, like deBuhr, favored severely limiting fireworks' discharge, possible to July 4 or New Year's Eve only.

Council member Nick Taiber was absent.

The Iowa Legislature legalized the sale and use of consumer fireworks this year, allowing them to be shot off on private property from June 1 through July 8 and again from Dec. 10 through Jan. 3.

Waterloo councilmen voted 6-1 in May to only allow fireworks use from June 30 through July 4, while some cities like Cedar Falls allowed the full state time frame and others banned them entirely.

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(c)2017 Waterloo-Cedar Falls Courier (Waterloo, Iowa)

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