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HomeMy WebLinkAboutEmergency Services Committee Minutes 09.27.2010 MINUTES EMERGENCY SERVICES COMMITTEE SEPTEMBER 27, 2010 5:30 P.M. COUNCIL CHAMBERS Members Present: Doug Poehls Chuck Dickerson Emelie Eaton Norm Stamper Clete Knaub Others Present: Rick Musson Jan Faught Animal Ordinances Doug stated that this is the agenda because the committee had a request to allow other animals in the ordinance, such as chickens. Norm stated that the city ordinance includes rabbits and pigeons along with dogs and cats. Usually if chickens are allowed in a city, then there is a limit of four or six with hens only and no roosters. This request has been asked more than once because of 4 -H. Doug asked for discussion from the audience and the committee. Mrs. Schreiner, 706 2 Avenue, said she would not like to see chickens in the city limits because they are very dirty and messy animals. Darrell McGillen, 511 W. 11 stated that there was the issue of having chickens to raise eggs and then a rooster was needed. In past discussions, there was the question of having chickens as a pet or as livestock. Years ago, people said they needed chickens to produce eggs so there was the issue if they were the same as livestock. Livestock was considered for livelihood and was restricted from the city limits. Pigeons were not considered livestock and were not restricted. Doug said he would have copies of the ordinance for discussion at a future meeting. Medical Director Jan Faught said she didn't have an update on a medical director. A medical director signed up for the EMT class that started last week. The two haven't had a chance to get together to talk about this persons interest as a medical director. Dr. Hager from St. Vincent's in Laurel rode on board with the ambulance and was impressed with the ride. He said he was an EMT in medical school, an ER doctor for fifteen years and has been a medical director before. She thought she might give him a call sometime, thank him for being on that call and see if he was interested. l Fireworks Doug stated he was opening this subject up for discussion. He knew some people wanted to see it abolished and some people do not. There are some valid problems in the city with fireworks on the 3rd and 4 of July. He isn't sure if changing the fireworks ordinance will change any of the problems. The only thing that may change it is to abolish all the 4 of July events, which the city has no control over. They have no control over the JC's 3` of July dance or the firemen's fireworks display. When the city organizations ask the city council to have a city activity, why would they deny it? For example, if the Farmers Market asks for a permit for Wednesday evenings, why would we deny civic groups from having a civic activity within the city? Maybe the only way to address it would be to hire more policemen. The discussion led to increasing the fine. There is now a fine of $25.00 with a maximum of $100.00. A suggestion from the audience was to allow fireworks on the 3rd, 4th and 5 and to enforce the fine if they are shot off any other time. It was suggested to increase the fines. People should have a few days to shoot fireworks. Doug said the issue is with the large fireworks that are not legal in the state at all. Darrell McGillen believes there really is no one that wants to abolish the fireworks. There are problems with the fireworks that annoy people. He said we need to look at the problems. Instead of talking about getting rid of the event, we need to do something to improve it. He asked if there is still a committee to look over the events within the city, as to what plans are or for instance how many people will take part. It was determined that there isn't a committee any more to do this. Darrell said he didn't want to see the fireworks falter as the Herbsfest did. There are frustrations with the use of illegal fireworks, events in the park that annoy the neighbors, and even complaints about changing parade routes, but these are things that can be worked out and improved. He feels this committee is looking at what direction we can go with this and how it can be done. Chief Rick Musson left at 5:45. Darrel said it has been suggested by the Fire Chief and Fire Marshal to open up a four -day event and make fireworks legal till midnight. If it's abused, then enforce it with a stiff fine. Hopefully, the police department can find some extra help through some revenue. It will take a year or two to convince people this is a serious matter. If the problem is with illegal fireworks, then the police department needs to contact the ATF and let them follow through with putting a stop to the illegal fireworks in the state. It is obvious when an event brings in thousands of people there will be problems. Darrell doesn't want to see another large community event disappear. Doug stated that one comment was to increase fines. Discussion was to set a fine so the offenders feel it. Suggestion was to start it at $500.00. Doug said he would talk with the city attorney about changing the fine and if it should escalate to higher amounts. He would also ask about changing the ordinance. Doug asked Dave and Sharon Herman if they would be in agreement with legalizing fireworks on July 3 and 4 till midnight. Dave said not really as that still constitutes a disturbance of the peace. Doug said his concern is if the city legalizes fireworks, then it leaves the liability up to the city. Chuck Dickerson suggested going to the county sheriff's office and get volunteers to take calls for fireworks. They would take only calls for fireworks directly from the dispatch, no radios or walkie talkies so the citizens could hear conversation. They would go to the residence and issue fines. The officers would be paid a percentage of the fines collected. There was a reminder that at the last meeting Chief Musson stated that the sheriffs department can't write tickets in the City of Laurel. Doug will check into this with Rick. Comment was then made that the county could be put in charge of crowd control, which would free up a police officer for taking calls for fireworks. It is thought that the information needs to be put into the paper, that officers will answer all complaints within the city limits and include a list of fines that will be charged if they are in violation. Chuck Dickerson left at 6:00. Emelie asked what constitutes the first offense. There had been some discussion that some addresses have been visited more than once. Doug clarified that it would have to be left up to the police officer's discretion whether or not to write a ticket. As long as fireworks are illegal in the city limits, a fine would be given for all fireworks, not only the large ones. Clete said as a veteran he likes to be able to celebrate of July 4 He agrees with the problem of shooting off fireworks till 3:00 a.m. and the large ones that make it questionable if the firemen are starting their display. He said in talking to people he feels the city has put their police officers in a bad position. Either the city enforces the ordinance or not and now there is no consistency. Whether there are no fireworks allowed or just lady fingers for instance, the city has to charge their police officers to be consistent. If we aren't consistent, then it isn't fair and it perpetuates itself. Also, it will have to be clearly advertised ahead of time. Doug said that he has talked to the Chief of Police and he will contact the ATF for some training for his officers. The local ATF officer lives in Laurel. Doug stated the committee is going in the right direction by increasing the amount of fines, asking the Chief of Police to ask the county for additional help, and not making it a discretionary decision on the part of the police officers. A question was asked about the liability issues if the city allows fireworks on the 3 or 4 If fireworks that are shot off in the middle of the street, a public right of way, damage a personal car, then the city could be liable because they were allowed within the city. It was suggested in the past to legalize fireworks if they were shot off only on private property, but that is not always done. It was said there should be zero tolerance. A comment was made, if no fireworks are allowed within the city limits then there will be more fires in the county. It was also suggested to talk to the county commissioners about not legalizing fireworks in the county. This would prevent the amount of fires that are in the county, however, it would hurt the organizations that use the sale of fireworks as a money making project. Doug will put this item of interest on the next scheduled meeting with the county commissioners. He will also check with the insurance agent regarding the liability with the city and then check with the code enforcement in Billings to see what they have done to alleviate the problem in the City of Billings. Billings does not have the large crowds coming into town and they have more officers. Clete stated, as someone that has been in combat and spent 22 years securing the freedoms of our country, that a part of him wonders if we are going to be cloistered and can't set off a fire cracker on the 4 of July. He understands the inherited problems. If it starts with a lady finger, where do you draw the line, and this makes him troubled philosophically and he just wanted to throw that out. Sharon Herman said that is one reason the fire department started their show so people can get their enjoyment in that way. Doug will talk with the attorney about changing the ordinance and increasing the fines. He stated this will be on the agenda for the meeting next month. Respectfully submitted, Neva Hall Secretary