Report Prepared by: Steve Carrigan, City Manager
Title
SUBJECT: Report on Fourth of July Enforcement Strategies and Public Outreach Campaign by the City's Illegal Fireworks Task Force Committee; Approval of Banners on Light Poles on Main Street
REPORT IN BRIEF
Provides an update to the City Council on the City's efforts to combat illegal fireworks within the City limits and the public outreach efforts being made to deter people from using, selling and possessing illegal fireworks and approves the placement of banners on light poles on Main Street.
RECOMMENDATION
City Council - Adopt a motion receiving the informational report on the City's efforts to combat illegal fireworks and approving the request to place banners on light poles downtown from June 5, 2018 to July 6, 2018.
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ALTERNATIVES
1. Approve as recommended by staff; or
2. Deny; or
3. Continue to a future council meeting, to be determined by motion of the City Council.
AUTHORITY
Merced City Charter section 200.
CITY COUNCIL PRIORITIES
The Fourth of July Enforcement Strategies and Public Outreach Campaign align with the City Council's goals of promoting public peace, welfare and safety.
DISCUSSION
The use of illegal fireworks during the Fourth of July holiday has progressively increased over the past few years and become problematic for residents of our City. Last year, following the Fourth of July holiday, City Councilmember Kevin Blake asked staff to put together a plan to address the issues related to the use of illegal fireworks. In January, several staff members were asked to form the City's inaugural Illegal Fireworks Task Force Committee. The purpose of this committee is to formulate enforcement strategies to curb the use, sales and possession of illegal fireworks within the City's limits during the Fourth of July holiday and to develop a public outreach campaign to educate the public and deter people from using, selling and possessing illegal fireworks.
The Illegal Firewo...
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