One of the first orders of business for the Carroll City Council on Monday night was the review of changes to city ordinances outlining the sales and use of fireworks within city limits. The staff presented a newly drafted ordinance that upholds the fireworks use ban as a replacement to the current one. City Manager, Mike Pogge-Weaver says the changes include more clear definitions for each category.
The new ordinance also outlines the penalties for violations as a simple misdemeanor, with possible fines of no less than $250, and upholds the current display fireworks rules. Display fireworks use remains unlawful unless a permit is requested by municipalities, fair associations, amusement parks or other organizations employing a competent operator. The second item addressed was the amendment of city ordinance regarding transient merchant permits. The change will ban transient merchants from the use of temporary structures for more than five days within a 60-day period for sales of fireworks.
Council member Jerry Fleshner says he believes they are doing the right thing as there just has not been time to delve more deeply into the issue.
Clay Haley agreed, saying he thinks this is the right step to take this year to give them time to complete their due diligence and then come back to do the right thing for the people of Carroll in the future. The second and third readings of the ordinance change and amendment were waived by the council and then unanimously approved. Copies of those ordinances are included below.
