For the first time since Gov. Terry Branstad signed the new fireworks bill, Senate File 489, into law on May 9, the Carroll City Council held discussions about regulating sales of first and second-class consumer fireworks within the city limits and whether or not they would continue to prohibit their use. The first thing council members did was ask for input from Fire Chief, Greg Schreck, and Chief of Police, Brad Burke. Schreck says the Iowa Firemen’s Association was opposed to legalizing any fireworks except for caps and sparklers, and he and his team are apprehensive about the use of the projectile-type of fireworks.
Chief Burke says from the law enforcement perspective, it would be best if this was an all or nothing proposition on use.
“What comes up, must come down,” says Councilman Jerry Fleshner. He sees allowing use as a big risk. The other council members agree they are not yet ready to jump into something that has the potential to not only increase the likelihood of injury or fire, but to also create a situation that former Carroll Police Chief, Jeff Cayler, says could adversely affect a number of residents.
And with more questions than answers, such as what will happen to Carroll homeowner insurance rates with an approval of use, the council opted to leave their current policy in place that prohibits the use of all but novelty fireworks, which are defined as sparklers, snakes, caps, etc. Anyone wishing to use first and second-class fireworks will only be allowed to do so outside of the city limits on private property. This, they say, will give them time to more fully understand the new state law that City Attorney David Bruner calls a mess, and to re-evaluate the policy after a year of seeing how use works in other communities. Regulation on the sale of fireworks was the other issue discussed in Monday night’s meeting, and we will bring you the outcome of that debate in an upcoming broadcast. The general dates and hours that municipalities can approve for firework use and the full audio can be found below.
Full audio of fireworks discussions:
