HomeMy WebLinkAboutE-8 Staff Report - Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits for 2024TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS
May 6, 2024
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CONSENT ITEM
E-8
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER
FROM: NICO DE ANDA-SCAIA, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER
DATE: MAY 6, 2024
SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION SETTING THE NUMBER OF
TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS FOR 2024
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 the 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 2024 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. 2024-25 setting the number of transitional fireworks sales
permits available for 2024 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
May 6, 2024
TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS
May 6, 2024
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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 2024, 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 2024 are outlined in the Table below:
NAME OF ORGANIZATION CONTACT NAME FIREWORKS
WHOLESALER
Legacy Permits*
APOSTOLIC ASSEMBLY LETICIA ORTEGA TNT
AZUSA HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL ALFRED ZAMORA TNT
AZUSA HIGH SCHOOL PERFORMANCE
ENSEMBLES PARENT BOOSTERS, INC. DOUGLAS MCKENNA TNT
AZUSA FOURSQUARE CHURCH JAMES MENDOZA TNT
V.F.W. #8070 JESSE MARTINEZ TNT
ST FRANCES of ROME TERRI CASTRO TNT
CALVARY CHAPEL SAN GABRIEL
VALLEY
PATRICIA CORONA
MARTINEZ TNT
HELPING HANDS of AZUSA JOHNNY R SANCHEZ TNT
AZUSA KNIGHTS of COLUMBUS RALPH RODRIGUEZ TNT
Transitional Permits
AZUSA FIRST ASSEMBLY of GOD BOBBY NARVAEZ TNT
AZUSA JR ALL AMERICAN FREDDY TINAJERO Phantom
AZUSA AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE* JUAN JUAREZ TNT
*Azusa American Little League is a new applicant this year, and has applied under the
Transitional Permit category. This brings the total permit applications received for 2024 to
twelve (12) across both Legacy and Transitional categories, and represents an overall increase of
one (1) Transitional Permit application in comparison to last year.
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
TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS
May 6, 2024
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aggressive enforcement measures. Some of these efforts may include, but are not limited to the
following:
•Mandatory informational workshop/documentation 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
•Postcard print distribution to targeted residential neighborhoods
•Marquee displays in front of City Hall, Senior Center, and Memorial Park
•Virtual street display sign(s) at select locations
FISCAL IMPACT:
The permit fees include an Application fee of $450, State of California fee (CASp fee) of $4.00,
Building Permit/Electrical fee of $177.72, 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. 2024-C25
Attachment 1
RESOLUTION NO. 2024-C25
A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA,
CALIFORNIA, TO ESTABLISH THE NUMBER OF TRANSITIONAL
FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS AUTHORIZED IN 2024
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 2024 Fireworks Sales Permit Applications was 12:00
P.M. on April 1, 2024.
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 2024.
SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this resolution.
PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 6th day of May, 2024.
__________________________________
Robert Gonzales, Mayor
I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 2024-C25 was duly adopted
by the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 6th day of May
2024, by the following vote of the Council:
AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS:
ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS:
__________________________________
Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr., City Clerk