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HomeMy WebLinkAbout4.26.2022.Special Session minutesApril 26, 2022 The Council of the City of Waterloo, Iowa, met in Special Session at Upper Iowa University, Waterloo Campus, 3563 University Avenue, Waterloo, Iowa, following notice published in the Waterloo Courier as provided by law, at 6:00 p.m., on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 Waterloo Mayor Quentin Hart and Cedar Falls Mayor Rob Greene in the Chair. Roll Call: Boesen, Nichols, Amos, Chiles, Grieder, Wilder and Feuss. Cedar Falls City Council members present: Kelly Dunn, Dave Sires, Dustin Ganfield, Simon Harding, Daryl Kruse, Susan deBuhr, and Gil Schultz. Absent: Susan deBuhr # - Feuss/Grieder that the Agenda, as proposed, for the Special Session on Tuesday, April 26, 2022 , at 6:00 p.m., be accepted and approved. Voice vote-Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. OTHER COUNCIL BUSINESS 1. Joint discussion with the City of Cedar Falls regarding changes to fireworks ordinances. Mayor Hart and Mayor Green provided opening remarks regarding the historic nature of the two communities coming together for a joint city council meeting. They further provided remarks on the reason for bringing the two communities together to discuss the two communities’ fireworks ordinances. Mayor Hart provided an overview of the days and times that fireworks are allowed to be used in Waterloo. He noted that enforcement has been increased in the last year, along with an increase in fines. Property owners in Waterloo are also able to be fined Mayor Rob Green of Cedar Falls provided an overview of the Cedar Falls ordinance. He noted that recreational usage is prohibited in the community outside of and listed the fines that apply for violating the ordinance. Mayor Green further noted that the State of Iowa recently changed the fireworks laws that prohibit cities from regulating zoning restrictions. Major Joe Leibold, Waterloo Police Department, provided an overview of citations issued and calls for service over the last two years. He noted that the data shows that most people were respectful of the Simon Harding, Cedar Falls, questioned how officers approach gathering evidence for citations. Major Leibold explained how evidence is gathered when investigating a fireworks complaint. Simon Harding shared that he would want to change the ordinance to mirror the waterloo ord. and include public education. Mayor Green questioned if there have been littering citations. Major Leibold shared that the officers did issue littering citations. Mr. Boesen noted that if there are littering the next day it can become a code enforcement call. He added that landlords need to be educated on the change in the ordinance. Nia Wilder noted that the fireworks sales individuals at crossroads put waterloo regulations in ….with each purchase so that consumers know the regulations. Joe Leibold added that the fireworks sales people were very happy to help educate customers. Acting Police Chief Berte shared that their recommendation was to allow fireworks usage initially. He added that he really likes Waterloo’s ordinance and some of the things they have done to educate people. He shared falls for service and citation statistics for Cedar Falls. Simon Harding questioned if Waterloo is thinking about changing their ordinance. Mayor Hart stated that we are not looking at changing the ordinance and the biggest thing is that there should be consistency and education about when to use. Mayor Green shared that people in Cedar Falls are getting confused when they buy fireworks in Waterloo because the flyer they receive shows hours of use in Waterloo. Mr. Amos requested an overview of fire calls for service and Chief Pat Treloar provided an overview of calls for service for the City of Waterloo. Chief John Bostwick provided an overview of calls for service for the City of Cedar Falls. Chief Treloar noted that there are injuries happening but Waterloo Fire Rescue is not transporting these calls as they are not 911 related. Daryl Kruse cedar falls questioned if the cities should considering changing the usage based on air quality conditions. Kelly Dunn cedar falls commented that it would be difficult to regulate based on air quality and it would be more beneficial to citizens to have similar hours of use between the two communities and focus on education and safety. Waterloo City Council members and Cedar Falls City Council members deliberated the pros and cons of fireworks usage, public education, the impact of fireworks on people with PTSD, children and pets, Simon Harding advocated for mirroring waterloo but if cedar falls continues to ban fireworks, they need to retool the ban to help with public education. Mr. Feuss stated that if the state allows the use give those that want to shoot off fireworks the opportunity to do so legally. Mr. Grieder noted that he used to support the ban but has changed his mind because he was able to see that the majority of people are respectful of the hours of usage but when the ban was in place people shot off fireworks whenever they wanted. Mr. Nichols commented on the benefit of allowing a small window for citizens to use fireworks. Mayor Green questioned if Waterloo has had issues with vendors selling fireworks that are banned. Major Leibold shared that he believes that vendors have been compliant. Fire Chief Treloar shared that early on Waterloo Fire did inspections but they did not find instances of vendors selling banned varieties of fireworks. Mayor Green questioned if Waterloo has conducted stings to ensure that the stores are complying with the public education component of the ordinance. Major Leibold noted that Waterloo dedicated a Lieutenant to do weekly check-ins with all of the vendors to monitor if they are following the ordinance. Dustin Ganfeld commented that he believes that the small window is something he can stand behind. Simon Harding wants fine to go up to 375 allow usage, and mimic waterloo in education and increased enforcement. Mr. Grieder commented that once people get a ticket word gets around that the city is enforcing and people comply with the law. Mr. Feuss asked Major Leibold to speak to the zero tolerance enforcement. Major Leibold provided an overview of how zero tolerance worked in Waterloo. Kelly Dunn stated she likes the Zero tolerance policy. Daryl Kruse commented that landlords should not receive a ticket, it is an overreach, and they should not get a ticket for tenant’s actions. Major Leibold commented that he does not believe one ticket would have been written to a landlord. Mr. Boesen questioned if the lease could be written that it is prohibited to shoot off tickets on the property. Kruse agreed that the lease could be written in such a way. He emphasized that it is an overreach to fine the landlord for the tenant’s actions. Daryl Kruse commented that there should be some teeth added to the litter cleanup aspect. He suggested that it should be required that litter be cleaned up by noon the next day. Mayor Green questioned if the Cedar Falls city council would be amenable to adopting Waterloo’s ordinance. Dave Sires thanked waterloo for doing the work of allowing people to shoot off fireworks and develop a program that works well. There was a consensus from cedar falls council members to adopt the waterloo ordinance. ADJOURNMENT # - Feuss/Grieder that the Council adjourn at 7:22 p.m. Voice vote-Ayes: Seven. Motion carried. Kelley Felchle City Clerk