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Home My WebLink AboutE-5 Staff Report - Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits for 20212021 TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS May 3, 2021 −1− CONSENT ITEM E-5 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: NICO DE ANDA-SCAIA, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER DATE: MAY 3, 2021 SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION SETTING THE NUMBER OF TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS FOR 2021 BACKGROUND: Each year, the Azusa City Council adopts a resolution related to the issuance of legal fireworks sales permits in anticipation of the July 4th holiday. Under this resolution, the City establishes a set number of allowable permits for legal fireworks sales under the ‘Transitional’ category based on adherence to City requirements and total applications received. Per City Ordinance, permits are restricted to nonprofit associations or similar groups organized for veteran, patriotic, youth- serving, civic betterment or charitable purposes that are based in and serve the Azusa community. Therefore, and based on the aforementioned criteria, the proposed recommendation herein is that the City Council adopt for year 2021 a new resolution setting the number of transitional fireworks sales permits at three (3). RECOMMENDATION: It is recommended that the City Council take the following action: 1) Approve Resolution No. 2021-C20 setting the number of transitional fireworks sales permits available for 2021 at three (3). ANALYSIS: In May, 2012, the City Council approved an urgency ordinance amending Chapter 30, Article IV, Section 30-132 and adding Section 30-133.5 relating to the issuance of legal fireworks sales permits in the City of Azusa. This ordinance established separate categories for fireworks sales permits, designating a ‘Legacy’ classification for longstanding and compliant permit holders with uninterrupted designation with the City; and a new category of “Transitional” permits for new organizations or permit applicants that no longer qualify under the Legacy designation. A key contrast between both categories is that Transitional permit applicants must apply each year for approval and total APPROVED CITY COUNCIL 05/03/2021 2021 TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS May 3, 2021 −2− annual permits issued under this category may be set and adjusted by the City Council, never to exceed five (5) in any given year. The purpose behind establishing these distinctions at that time was three-fold: to set clearer standards for the qualification and participation of organizations; to establish a formal process for the regulation and management of legal fireworks sales permits; and to alleviate longer-term impacts to the community and city organization through a system of gradual permit attrition. Over the coming years, and as Legacy organizations shut down and/or opt to no longer participate in the program, per city guidelines, Legacy permits will not be reissued. Per the City’s Ordinance, both Legacy and Transitional permits are restricted to nonprofit associations or similar groups organized for veteran, patriotic, youth-serving, civic betterment or charitable purposes that are based in and serve the Azusa community. For the year 2021, the City Council must adopt a resolution (Attachment 1) setting the number of Transitional fireworks sales permits available for the year based on adherence to City requirements and total applications received. Staff therefore recommends the City Council set the maximum number of Transitional fireworks sales permits at three (3). This number meets the current demand of appropriate qualifying applicants. Total Legacy and Transitional permit applicants for 2021 are outlined in the Table below: NAME OF ORGANIZATION CONTACT NAME FIREWORKS WHOLESALER Legacy Permits* APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY LETICIA ORTEGA TNT AZUSA HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMANCE ENSEMBLES PARENT BOOSTERS, INC. DOUGLAS MCKENNA TNT AZUSA FOURSQUARE CHURCH LIS FERRER TNT V.F.W. #8070 JESSE MARTINEZ TNT ST FRANCIS of ROME TERRI CASTOR TNT CALVARY CHAPEL AZUSA LOURDES CHAVEZ TNT HELPING HANDS of AZUSA JOHNNY R SANCHEZ TNT AZUSA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL NIEVES AVILA TNT GLADSTONE HIGH SCHOOL BAND BOOSTERS JUAN VELASQUEZ TNT AZUSA KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS RALPH RODRIGUEZ TNT GLADSTONE HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL JO ANNE GOMEZ TNT Transitional Permits CIVILIAN ASSOC OF POLICE PERSONNEL KELLI MCMATH TNT AZUSA FIRST ASSEMBLY OF GOD BOBBY NARVAEZ TNT AZUSA JR ALL AMERICAN FREDDY TINAJERO Phantom *Per Council’s previous direction, Legacy applicants that did not participate with a booth in 2020 due to COVID-19-related concerns were refunded last year’s fees and not penalized in this year’s application process. 2021 TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS May 3, 2021 −3− Public Education Efforts In advance of the July 4th holiday and in an effort to curb illegal fireworks use throughout the community, the City implements a comprehensive public information and outreach campaign to educate Azusans on the dangers of illegal fireworks use, as well as the City’s regulations and aggressive enforcement measures. Some of these efforts may include, but are not limited to the following: • Mandatory informational workshop for approved vendors • Flier distribution at Fireworks stands • Public announcements at City Council meetings • Digital advertisements on city website and social media platforms • Print advertisements regarding fines and enforcement in local media/newspapers • Possible postcard print distribution to targeted residential neighborhoods • Marquee displays in front of City Hall and Memorial Park • Virtual street display sign(s) at select locations FISCAL IMPACT: The permit fees include an Application fee of $400.00, State of California fee (CASp fee) of $4.00, Building Permit/Electrical fee of $160.89, Scholarship Donation fee of $250, and $500 (refundable) security deposit. Should the City Council make available three (3) transitional fireworks sales permits and all three (3) are awarded, $750 (3 x $250) in scholarship fees will be raised. The remaining fees simply cover actual costs. Prepared by: Reviewed and Approved: Nico De Anda-Scaia Sergio Gonzalez Deputy City Manager City Manager Attachments: 1) Resolution No. 2021-C20 Attachment 1 RESOLUTION NO. 2021-C20 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, TO ESTABLISH THE NUMBER OF TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS AUTHORIZED IN 2021 WHEREAS, the City of Azusa created a special category for Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits; and, WHEREAS, the City Council has the option to issue these permits to new organizations that meet certain requirements: nonprofit associations, corporations, or other similar groups organized for veteran, patriotic, youth-serving, civic betterment or charitable purposes that are based in the City of Azusa (i.e. have their regular principal and permanent meeting place in the City limits) and have been organized in the City for a minimum of three continuous years; and, WHEREAS, the City Council must establish the number of Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits available every year; and WHEREAS, the deadline to submit 2021 Fireworks Sales Permit Applications was 12:00 P.M. on April 1, 2021. NOW, THEREFORE, THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, DOES HEREBY RESOLVE AS FOLLOWS: SECTION 1. The City of Azusa hereby authorizes the City Manager to award up to three (3) Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits in 2021. SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this resolution. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 3rd day of May, 2021. __________________________________ Robert Gonzales, Mayor I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 2021-C20 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 3rd day of May 2021, by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: __________________________________ Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr., City Clerk