ON THE AGENDA Here are some of...

ON THE AGENDA

Here are some of the issues the council will consider Monday.

FIREWORKS LAW

The council will hear a second reading of an ordinance that would

restrict the sale of fireworks and consider some revisions to a

council policy that would also restrict the sale of fireworks. Both

were approved on May 3.

Some of the changes, suggested by Councilman Mike Scheafer, who

initiated the restrictions, include allowing high schools to have a

maximum of six stands instead of four and allowing Group 1 youth

athletic organizations -- which include nonprofits who partner with

the city, have at least 90% residents, have open registration

regardless of skill level and provide an “everyone plays” philosophy

-- to have a maximum of four stands.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Since this is the last reading of the ordinance and policy, expect

more heated discussion since there are so many parties who have a

stake in the outcome, including the fireworks industry, nonprofit

organizations, youth sports organizations, colleges and residents.

17TH STREET IMPROVEMENTS

Council members will direct staff members regarding East 17th

Street landscape improvements they would like to see done between

Orange Avenue and 500 feet east of Santa Ana Avenue. Some of the

improvements include planting trees at the back of sidewalks so they

don’t adversely affect pedestrian pathways and to protect the

branches from large trucks on the street.

WHAT TO EXPECT

The improvements are meant to increase the aesthetic quality of

the area and enhance the visibility of businesses and signs, so they

will probably go forward as planned.

SPECIAL EVENT REGULATIONS

The council will consider enacting a law regulating special event

permits and block parties. This would replace the city’s existing

procedures for special event permits and add a new clause regulating

block parties.

The council will also consider resolutions establishing

pre-designated event routes for special events requiring street

closures and incorporating the special event fees into the city’s

other rates, fees and charges schedule. There will be no change in

any fees.

The law is designed to be “content-neutral,” which means a special

event permit would not be issued based on the type of speech involved

with the event. Also, decisions regarding issue permits and

conditions for the permits would no longer be at the sole discretion

of the city manager.

WHAT TO EXPECT

Because the law would bring the city up to date with

constitutional law, it will likely be approved.