Laserfiche WebLink
retrieval and will allow us to track and monitor fireworks incidences and evaluate further <br />efforts to decrease illegal fireworks usage. Staff will also evaluate other upcoming <br />events and public meetings as opportunities to share materials with the public, including <br />Coffee with the Cops, State of the City, SteamFest, and Neighborhood Association <br />meetings. <br /> <br />Resolution to Increase Fines <br />In addition to a comprehensive communications campaign, staff recommends that the <br />City Council approve a resolution to increase the fines associated with illegal fireworks <br />use. The City’s current and proposed rates for administrative citations are provided <br />below: <br /> <br /> Current Fee Recommended <br />Fee <br />First Violation, with no written notice provided $50 $500 for First <br />Violation First Violation, with written notice provided $100 <br />Second Violation of the same code section by the <br />same person within a 12-month period of the first <br />violation <br />$200 $750 <br />Third Violation and each Subsequent Violation of <br />the same code section by the same person within <br />a 12 month period from the second or most <br />recent violation <br />$500 $1,000 <br /> <br />In addition to the City’s increase in Administrative Citation Fines, someone who violates <br />the State Fireworks Law can be fined and imprisoned. Per California Health & Safety <br />Code Section 18700, penalties for violating the State Fireworks Law can range from <br />fines of $500 to $50,000 and violators also can be imprisoned in the county jail. <br /> <br />Additional Enforcement Approach to be Researched <br />Due to the increase in the use of illegal fireworks and the difficulty in holding users and <br />possessors fully accountable, an increasing number of cities and counties are adopting <br />“Fireworks Social Host Ordinances”. Under these ordinances, owners, renters, leases, <br />and/or those that have possession of and use of a property can be held responsible for <br />illegal fireworks possession and use on that property. In this situation, law enforcement <br />can enforce illegal fireworks laws simply by verifying on what property the fireworks <br />were launched or used. A “Fireworks Social Host Ordinance” will be researched and if <br />deemed viable, presented to the Council at a later date. <br /> <br /> <br />8.B. - Page 5