The URL can be used to link to this page

Home My WebLink AboutPublic Hearing - BOCC (005)Special Meeting -Consideration of the ban on sales and/or discharge of fireworks in unincorporated Grant County (outside of city limits) July 1, 2021 3:20 p.m. In Attendance: Cindy Carter, Chair Danny E. Stone, Vice -Chair Rob Jones, Member Barbara J. Vasquez, Clerk of the Board Public: See sign in sheet The Commissioners held an Open Public Meeting to consider of the ban on sales and/or discharge of fireworks in unincorporated Grant County (outside of city limits). Commissioner Carter opened the meeting and stated the 2016 Board of Count Commissioners stoners passed the Ordinance giving them the ability to ban fireworks in the event of Extreme Fire Danger (Grant County Code Chapter 6.04 titled "Fireworks"). Nathan Poplawski, Fire Marshal stated weather conditions are always dry. His recommendation today to ban the sale and/or discharge of fireworks is due to weather conditions and wind factor. He stated that all fire personnel are in towns and available. Commissioner Carter stated she does not take this lightly and cares about firefighters. Responsible esponseble people will follow the rules. There is a sector of the public who will not and incur a fine. Fire fighters believe fires will now occur in remote areas. She does not believe this ban will slow fireworks down. She does not want to take away the people's freedom and is not in favor of the ban. Commissioner Stone stated he agrees with Commissioner Carter's assessment of freedoms but his struggle is low rainfall and the high fire potential. He felt there were enough calls coming gin and felt the need to address the issue. Commissioner Jones is not in favor of a ban. Being behind the game, he believes sales are° already being made and understands businesses are losing money. Wants to look at this again in January anuary and get on this earlier. Numerous members of the public spoke both in favor and against the ban. Commissioner Stone moved to declare an emergency and ban the discharge of fireworks. ks. The motion died due to lack of a second. The meeting adjourned and fireworks were not banned for the 2021 season. Grant County Board ofCounty Commissioners SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE July l,2OZ1 SPECIAL MEETING NOTICE DATE THURSDAY JULY 1'2O21 TIME 3:20 P.M --3.3OP.K4. PLACE 35CStreet NVV Ephrata, WA Or Webex Event address for attendees: Event number: 1408883101 Event password: BOCC- UL01 Video Address: 14G8083101@gnsntcowamebex.com You can also dial 173.243.2.08and enter your meeting number. Audio conference: Toreceive acall back, provide your phone number when you join the eventorcall the number below and enter the access code. ' United States Toll +1-408-418-8388 Access code: 146 868 3101 CONTACT. BARBARA J.VASQUEZCLERK <]FTHE B(]ARD,5OB-754-2O1lEXT 29O1 K. Recommendation from the Grant County Fire Marshal toBan the Sale of and/or Discharge ofFireworks in Unincorporated Grant County UU. TvvoDraft Resolutions vviUbepresented for adoption � Grant County Board Of County Commissioners Please Sign In For The Record PUBLIC MEETING Proposed Ban of Fireworks in Unincorporated Grant County DATE July 1, 202.1 TIME 3:20pm Please Print N:\StafABVasquez\Fon-ns\Pub1ic Hearing\0 Sign In Sheet, Open Record.docx Grant County Board Of County Commissioners . Please Sign In For The Record PUBLIC MEETING Proposed Ban of Fireworks in Unincorporated Grant County DATE July J, 2021 TIME 3:20pni .Please Print N:\Staff\BVasquez\Fon-ns\Pub1ic Hearing\O Sign In Sheet, Open Record.doex June 30,2021 Cindy Carter Danny Stone Rob Jones GRANT COUNTY DEVELOPMENT SERVICES P.O. BOX 37 - 264 WEST DIVISION AVENUE EPHRATA, WA 98823 (509) 754-201 1 EXT 3001 iRespe fully. s 'lyl" -'e athan Poplaws cli I V E Grant CM ounty Fire arshal E C s�� 3 a 2021 IERS nou L,�Nf commisSION "TO MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE NEEDS, SERVING TOGETHER WITH PUBLIC AND PRIVATE ENTITIES, WHILE FOSTERING A RESPECTFUL AND SUCCESSFUL WORK ENVIRONMENT." Barbara Vasquez From: Nathan Poplawski Sent: Wednesday, June 30, 2021 2:39 PM To: Cindy Carter; Danny E. Stone; Robert Jones Cc: Barbara Vasquez; Damien Hooper Subject: Fireworks sale and/or discharge ban Attachments: Firework Ban Reccomendation.P df All - I've attached a letter recommending a ban on the sale and/or discharge of fireworks. There are two currently permitted professional pyro displays scheduled. One on Friday at Sunland Estates, and one on Saturday at Crescent Bar. Both permits have a condition that states: "Show may be cancelled in the event of extreme fire danger or high winds". You would need to exempt these shows from any resolution ifou want them Y to go on. If exempted, myself or the Chief Deputy Fire Marshal will be present prior to the shows to determine conditions and if the show will be allowed to proceed. Respectfully, F1. NatkawPopLawsk,)C Fire Marshal Grant County Development Services POB 37 / 264 W. Division St Ephrata, WA 98823 509.754.2011 ext. 3001 npoplawski(cr�grantcountywa qov www.arantcountywa aov 1 6/28/2021 Grant County, WA Code of Ordinances Chapter 6.04 - FIREWORKS Footnotes: Editor's note-- Ord. No. 16 -032 -CC, adopted Mar. 29, 2016, repealed the former Ch. 6.04, 6.04.010 and d enacted a new Ch. 6.04 as set out herein. The former Ch. 6.04 pertained to similar subject matter and derived from Res. 11 4532(part), adopted 1970. 6.04.010 - Definitions. For the purposes of this section "Extreme Fire Danger" shall be defined a g s periods of hot, dry weather accompanied by low fuel moistures and or diminished firefighting resources as determined by the fire marshal. 6.04.020 - Fireworks permitting authority. Pursuant to RCW 70.77.260 1. The Board of County Commissioners, (BOCC), of Grant County does hereby appoint the Fire Marshal of Grant County or their designee as the designated officer for ' g the unincorporated areas of the county and in those jurisdictions who are contracted with the county to receive applications for firework permits to insure compliance with state and local code for the approval and issuance of a permit. 2. The Grant County Fire Marshal shall develop policies and procedures' for the sale and discharge of fireworks with -in the county. 6.04.030 - Emergency Ban of Fireworks. 1. The Grant County Fire Marshal may recommend to the BOCC arohibi ' p tion on the sale and or discharge of Fireworks due to "Extreme Fire Danger". 2. The BOCC will determine and issue the ban torohibit the sale and p or discharge of fireworks. 6.04.040 - Violation Penalty. Discharge of fireworks .during periods of declared "Extreme Fire Danger" ' ' g is a misdemeanor and any person violating this ordinance shall, upon conviction, be fined u to thousand p one dollars or be imprisoned for up to ninety days, or be subject to both such fine and imprisonment. p t. - �- Grant Count y Board of County Com missioners Press Release For Immediate Release For more information contact: Grant County Commissioners Office Grant County Courthouse PO Box 37 Ephrata, Washington 98823 Phone: (509) 754-2011 ext 2901 July 1, 2021 GRANT COUNTY COMMISSIONERS VOTE TO NOT BAN FIREWORKS EPHRATA — After a special meeting this afternoon which included over 50 comments from local officials and the public —comments both supporting and opposing aban --the Grant County Board of County Commissioners did not ban the sales or discharge of fireworks for unincorporated Grant County (outside city limits). A motion by Commissioner Danny Stone to ban the sale of fireworks did not receive a second motion from either Commissioner Cindy Carter or Commissioner Rob Jones, and therefore did not move on for a vote. The Board of County Commissioners continues to urge the public • g p to use fireworks safely during the Fourth of July holiday weekend. The weather has not changed. It is hot and dry. Make smart and safe choices. If you need a second opinion as to your situation being safe, you shouldrobabl ' p y put your fireworks away and save them for New Years. We are asking theeo le of Grant C p p County to make smart choices for themselves and their neighbors. The Board did express interest for working in the future with local' ' officials to create new plans regarding safe fireworks discharge while reducing communityrisk which ich would help meet the needs of all citizens. Current unincorporated areas where fireworks are banned include: D ' Desert Aire, Sunland Estates, Gorge Amphitheater and campground, Crescent Bar Marine View Heights. End of Notice