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Home My WebLink AboutE.4 - Staff Report - Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits for 2025Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits May 5, 2025 Page 1 CONSENT ITEM E-4 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL VIA: SERGIO GONZALEZ, CITY MANAGER FROM: NICO DE ANDA-SCAIA, DEPUTY CITY MANAGER DATE: MAY 5, 2025 SUBJECT: CONSIDERATION OF A RESOLUTION SETTING THE NUMBER OF TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS FOR 2025 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 2025 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. 2025-27 setting the number of transitional fireworks sales permits available for 2025 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 5, 2025 Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits May 5, 2025 Page 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 2025, 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 2025 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 AMERICAN LITTLE LEAGUE EDDIE BANUELO TNT AZUSA CONNECTS FOUNDATION INC.*** MARY RIETTA- RAMIREZ TNT AZUSA JR ALL AMERICAN FREDDY TINAJERO Phantom *Azusa High School Performance Ensembles Parent Boosters, Inc. has reported that their non-profit status is not currently in good standing with the Secretary of State. City staff have been in communication with the applicant, and the applicant is working to resolve this issue. **City staff have identified a technical violation of the terms of the permit application and City Code Sec30-105(2-5) by the applicant, Helping Hands of Azusa. City staff have been in communication with the applicant to ensure that the City’s rules and regulations are followed. Transitional Fireworks Sales Permits May 5, 2025 Page 3 ***Azusa Connects Foundation, Inc. is a new applicant this year and has applied under the Transitional Permit category. This brings the total permit applications received for 2025 to twelve (12) across both Legacy and Transitional categories – the same total and overall allocation of permits 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 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 $190.94, 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 and will be deposited under trust account 50-08-000-141-2718 once the donation fees are received. 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. 2025-27 RESOLUTION NO. 2025-C27 A RESOLUTION OF THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF AZUSA, CALIFORNIA, TO ESTABLISH THE NUMBER OF TRANSITIONAL FIREWORKS SALES PERMITS AUTHORIZED IN 2025 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 2025 Fireworks Sales Permit Applications was on April 1, 2025. 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 2025. SECTION 2. The City Clerk shall certify the adoption of this resolution. PASSED, APPROVED and ADOPTED this 5th day of May, 2025. ___________________________________ Robert Gonzales Mayor ATTEST: ___________________________________ Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr. City Clerk STATE OF CALIFORNIA ) COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES ) ss. CITY OF AZUSA ) I HEREBY CERTIFY that the foregoing Resolution No. 2025-C27 was duly adopted by the City Council of the City of Azusa at a regular meeting thereof, held on the 5th day of May 2025, by the following vote of the Council: AYES: COUNCILMEMBERS: NOES: COUNCILMEMBERS: ABSENT: COUNCILMEMBERS: ___________________________________ Jeffrey Lawrence Cornejo, Jr. City Clerk APPROVED AS TO FORM: ___________________________________ Best Best & Krieger, LLP City Attorney