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HomeMy WebLinkAboutSupplemental Attachments - 7/17/2017Ward 3 Meeting Decision On Fireworks Usage From the July 13, 2017 Ward 3 Meeting, the following were decided upon by a majority of those in attendance: 1.) Fireworks should be permitted for use in the City of Waterloo from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM on July 4th; 2.) Other than #1 above, fireworks usage in the City of Waterloo is banned; 3.) Sales of Fireworks is restricted to Industrial Park areas of the City of Waterloo; 4.) To use fireworks in the City of Waterloo, a person: must be 18, not over the legal limit of intoxication; be at least 200 yards from hospitals and senior facilities; be on a person's own property; pick up debris made by fireworks usage; not direct usage at an angle/towards other's real property, including public property; 5.) Anywhere Fireworks are sold must alert all buyers both in print and verbally of the restrictions on use within the City of Waterloo; 6.) That the City Council and Mayor send a letter to the State Legislators and the Governor demanding to either rescind the Fireworks Law as passed and signed this year or set a statewide time for usage of #1 above. * What it Iooks like around our house on the days leading up to July 4 * Dog hearing protection provided by Mutt Muffs :,‘"\nliErMAISSAIS2'. pointed out to an officer where in the Sherwood Court Apartment complex they were lighting off I've had several online discussions with the side that likes fireworks. I've made it clear that I want all fireworks banned because I have PTSD and fireworks are a trigger. After what we just went through I especially would like to see the aerials banned as they are the loudest and disturb the most people. Some of the arguments to keep fireworks legal I've heard don't make any sense. think the newest ones are that the Cadillac Lanes fireworks tent had veterans with PTSD selling fireworks and that veterans with PTSD were buying fireworks. - Just because a person has PTSD doesn't mean fireworks are a trigger. Like most other illnesses people have different symptoms. People keep saying, "Wait until the novelty wears off." —There isn't a cure for stupidity. People that light them off at 2a.m. are going to continue because they lack respect for their neighbors. However, I'll bet the people that got citations thought twice about doing it again. If I was triggered by clowns, should they be banned? My daughter detests ketchup. Should it be banned? I have a friend allergic to latex. That should probably be banned too. They also tried to compare noises of a lot less decibels than aerial explosions. I, others that fireworks are a trigger, animals and other people that loud noises cause sensory issues can't hide from the explosion of an aerial firework. Box fans and the TV/Stereo turned up a little louder was all that 1 used to need to block the sound of fireworks leading up to July 4. I was told by one person (see: attached Facebook discussion) that it didn't matter if there was a kid with sensory issues he would still light off his fireworks and he had no clue why he shouldn't There are two questions I like to ask and have yet to get a satisfactory answer. 1. If fireworks are to celebrate our country's independence day. Why do they have to be fired off on other days? 2. How does a person avoid hearing a neighbor lighting of multiple aerials that finish with a bang that can be heard over 1/2 mile away? Complaint calls — Number - All calls not listed. I called and gave an address in the 200 block of Baltimore Street but it didn't show up on the Calls for Service. It looks like the dispatcher may have assumed it was connected to calls received in the 200 block of Denver Street. If multiple people called about the same address would that show on a report or is it just different incidents? i.e. 10 people call about the same address. I'd like to see it mandated that at certain times there is a guaranteed citation. No officer discretion. I reserve officers aerials way after midnight. When the officer pulled in it looked like they were getting ready to light more. They got a warning and hollered at me after the officer left. There continued to be problems before and after the allotted days and times from that same apartment. Like on Halloween I think during the firework season it would be good use of the police department . They can take a detectives car and sit and watch in the most troubling areas. From what I was reading in central lowa around the 4th it sounded like more of Iowa's major cities would be looking into banning the lighting of all firework, As I said in the beginning I would like to see a ban of all fireworks. Now I feel even stronger about banning any firework that leaves the ground. I can block out the sound of firecrackers. I can't hear firecrackers a 1/4 mile away. The only way I can block out the noise from my neighbor lighting off aerials that explode with a bang is to turn up my headphones to levels that would damage my hearing. I urge you to look at our noise ordinance, especially the residential noise table, the definition of "Noise Disturbance" and how they relate to aerial firework explosions. Along with the other two questions I'm waiting for a satisfactory answer to is a question I asked before the city council, why is mine or any citizen of Waterloo's property less important than the city property that fireworks are banned from? The five days was a compromise that didn't work. If you don't want to ban fireworks like cities did and more are doing but are looking to try another compromise before banning them. Try NO FIREWORKS THAT LEAVE THE GROUND AND EXPLODE and also look to our state capitol. Des Moines fireworks are allowed on July 4 only and starts at 4:30pm and ends at 11:00. It's easy for land others to make accommodations for a partial day of non -aerial fireworks twice a year. THANK YOU! Another argument for fireworks is they're fine in states that fireworks are legal? / Dogs in other states do just fine. Here are a few replies (a page worth) to a Facebook post from a Massachusetts organization that will show you otherwise. None of the replies are from someone in Iowa. Vested Interest in K9s, Inc.. July 2 at 6:45pm Remember our four le; : ed friends this 4th of July holiday weekend. NOS' so FOND OF"THE ORKS. PLEASE KEEP ME 1Nf11 4111 OF JULY. 306 shares Comments Pat Jones I'd really appreciate it if fireworks were limited to the actual holiday. I've already spent hours this weekend trying to calm my dog and there's still today and tomorrow for this "4 -day" holiday. I've purchased a calming wrap, but it won't arrive in...See More • July 3 at 9:05am Janice Albig Zimmer And I have to worry about the horses and cows on my farm. We stall the horses that night and have music playing and fans going in the barn, and put the cows up in a wooded field where they feel protected. Dogs, of course, in the house. Some idiots around this farm country still have to shoot off fireworks. Thank God the ground isn't dry. • July 3 at 7:30am Ea Paulette Penzes My dog is terrified thinking he's going to get SHOT. He was rescued from a horrible breeder (no longer alive) .... when the place was closed down by animal control, they found dead dogs laying around rotting after the man shot them. I keep telling my... See More • July 3 at 3 17p Elizabeth MacNaughton Yep, my husky mix has been under my bed for the last couple of weeks, between thunderstorms and people getting a "head start" on the 4th. July 3 at 9:54am Bottle rocket found under my gate after we returned home July 5, around 1:15a.m. Judging by the angle of the bottle rocket and that its pointing towards the street it probably ricocheted off of my house. ) The following photos are of fireworks I found when we returned home July 5, around 1:15a.m. Below: Trash collected The following photos are of cement pads that I had installed on my/the city's property for garbage and recycle cans waiting to be emptied. July 4, my neighbors from 308 Baltimore decided to use it as a launch pad for their fireworks. I wasn't in Waterloo at the time. Even if I could give permission to light them off there I wouldn't have. https www.facebook.comclan.trelkalpostsll 01 556079831 34 1 24 Judd Saul Stop using vets as an excuse to restrict fireworks_ I had a tent in Waterloo that was operated by veterans who have been in combat and have PTSD, they were running the tent to raise money for the veterans transitional home. Which they will be getting a very nice check in about 2 weeks. Several veterans who had PTSD carne to our tents buying fireworks and think people are being ridiculous and disrespectful trying to use them as an excuse to get rid of our freedoms- Guess what, dogs in other states where fireworks are legal are just fine. And your dog will get over it because they are dogs. Like Reply Myke Goings Judd Saul - For SOME (as in not everyone) with PTSD fireworks are a trigger. So what's your thoughts about children with Autism and others that have sensory issues and fireworks are a problem? Like Reply Hide 17 Replies Dave Winger I won't speak for Judd. But my opinion is that less than 1% of the population shouldn't be able to curtail the freedoms and liberties of the remaining 99%. If I was triggered by clowns, should they he banned? My daughter detests ketchup. Should it be banned' l have a friend allergic to latex. That should probably be banned too. Like Reply Co 1 t hi -z; Myke Goings Dave Winger Please cite your 1% source. Please be sure that it includes veterans who won't seek treatment because they don't want to lose their concealed carry permits; are embarrassed, etc; civilians that fireworks are a trigger and the other medical conditions that fireworks are an issue. Like Reply 1 Dave Winger 1% is from the VA. I would stand my statement if it were 10%. And I am one of the 1%. As are many of my brothers. Like Reply Judd Saul I don't believe in people's ailments dictating the behavior of others, let alone using government to restrict freedoms because of it. Like Reply 0i f1 kis Myke Goings Judd, So if I'm understanding you right if a child with Autism lived next door to you and the sound of exploding aerials was a trigger to their behaviors you'd still light them off. WOWI Like Reply _ Judd Saul No, I would do the right thing and talk to my neighbor first. And with mutual respect, we could plan accordingly. Like Reply Myke Goings But still light them off? Like Reply - Nal Judd Saul Yes. Why not? Like Reply _- • Myke Goings Because you're causing the child and family distress. Like - Reply ' nr Lr.''` _;:_: • Myke Goings Dave - Your numbers are off a bit - VA says civilians 4% and veterans depending on service era but between 11-20% - https:hftps://www.ptsd.va gov/../basics/how-common-is-ptsd. asp Here's another study - http://www veteransandptsd.com/PTSD- statistics_html Please provide of a link to your information. How Common Is PTSD? PTSD: National Center for PTSD Find out how many people have PTSD and who is most likely to develop PTSD. Like Reply Remove Preview Dave Winger About 7% of Americans are veterans. According to the VA. If 11% of veterans have PTSD (according to the VA), that comes to 0.77% of the population are veterans WITH PTSD. So... I rounded up a tittle bit... Like Replyi � I Judd Saul Myke, stop using what if scenarios to justify your dislike of patriotic explosives Like Reply 1 i Myke Goings Judd Saul It may not be happening in the world you live in but it's not a "what if' these are real world happenings - https://www. google.com/search.. _ gr CIRRI \\Itill llr'ewurIKS hews stork.' -- Google Search Like Reply Remove Preview Judd Saul Where's the news story about the millions of Americans who had parties and celebrated around fireworks? Like Reply Myke Goings Hmmm_.. changed the subject. I believe we were talking about you thinking I was using "what if' scenarios. That roust mean we're done talking about how cruel you'd be with a neighbor who had a child with Autism and was distressed by the explosion of fireworks. Have a good night) , Like Reply Judd Saul Point being.. there's always a "this one guy" somewhere is always there if you look for it. Just like people use an extremely rare case to justify baby murder. If you look for a example to back up a hypothetical situation, you will find it. Now, that being said. Don't put me into your hypothetical fantasy. Because that is not my personal realistic and current situation. You don't like fireworks_ We get it. Like Reply Myke Goings Dave the information is missing for the other groups that I asked to be in your 1% cite. But then you said, "I would stand my statement if it were 10%." [SIC] From that statement I take that like Judd it doesn't matter you want to shoot off your fireworks so why waste both of our time. Have a good night) 04 Like Reply Janet Amsbary I hope they do that so it weeds out the ones who don't go by the law. But not punish the ones who do. Like Reply, Myke Goings I'm getting sick and tired of people using the don't like/ban it analogies Your daughter can avoid ketchup_ Your friend can avoid latex. Someone please answer this for me. How does a person avoid hearing a neighbor lighting off multiple aerials that finish with a bang that can be heard over a 1/2 mile away? Like Reply Dave Winger How does a person avoid their neighbor's pneumatic nailers when putting on a new roof? What about their loud lawn mower or Harley Davidson? I'm not saying to not be a courteous neighbor. Because I ani. But having the government ban fireworks is unnecessary. I'm sure most police officers would rather be dealing with other matters_ Like Reply Myke Goings That's not comparing the same decibels as an aerial. For what you listed it's easy! Box fans, stereolTV volume or a combination of the two. If that doesn't work there's 3M Digital Worktunes Hearing Protector with AM/FM Stereo Radio and Blue Tooth but I couldn't tum the volume up loud enough to block the sound of aerials exploding without damaging my hearing. They even work for firecrackers and 1 would guess aerials that crackle without the bang. - https.//www.farmandfleet.com/.../931273-3m-workturies... <edited link> Like Reply = _ Myke Goings According to Judd Saul hypothetical situations aren't allowed. Like Reply