12/07/1992 Meeting (2) - Laserfiche WebLink

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. Alan Wilm, 2818 Warren Street, introduced himself as Co-Chair of both the Neighborhood leaders Council (NlC) and the Churchill Area Neighbors. He recalled the reasons why the NlC supported the limit on the use of fireworks in the south hills area last year. He recommended that the City Manager be given the authority to limit the sale and use of fireworks during specified periods and in specified geographic areas. Curt Carrol, 14500 Southeast 98th Court, Clackamas, introduced himself as a representative of a nonprofit organization which supplies Class C fireworks. He said that a number of local nonprofit groups rely on fireworks sales to fund their operational costs. He said that his organization holds an orienta- tion each year on the safety and laws related to fireworks and pointed out that safety information is provided at many fireworks stands. He said that there are more accidents and fires as a result of the use of illegal fire- works. He said the key to having the safest fireworks season is through education. Bob Brown, PO Box 836, Clackamas, introduced himself as a member of the State Fireworks Task Force and representative of a wholesale distributor of fire- works. He pointed out that the 76 percent decrease in the number of fires in 1992 from the previous year in Eugene compared to a 16 percent decrease statewide. He expressed support for authorizing the City Manager to impose a ban due to hazardous conditions. Jim Breeden, Breeden Brothers, distributed copies of an excerpt of the . Building Code, including sections 455.030 through 455.080. Referring to the excerpt, he said he understood that the City Council did not have the authori- ty to change State Building Code regulations. There being no other requests to speak, the public hearing was closed. Mr. Nuss provided a staff response to the testimony. He said the ban on fireworks was proposed based on the number of calls for Fire/EMS related to fireworks as well as the council's directive to staff. He said that among the approximately 60 fireworks stands in Eugene last year, 23 stands were nonprof- it groups. He said that a proposal regarding slope and grade access has been drafted based on adopted national and state standards. Responding to a question from Mayor Miller regarding Mr. Breeden's testimony, Mr. Gleason explained that approval of the ordinance would authorize him to enforce the State Building Code. Responding to a question from Mr. Robinette, Mr. Nuss said that nine states have complete bans on fireworks and that 26 states have laws similar to Oregon's which allow certain Class C fireworks. Responding to a question from Mr. MacDonald regarding Mr. Breeden's testimony, Bill Gary, City Attorney's Office, explained that the City Council was required to adopt the State-adopted Building Code and was provided with some discretion to adopt regulations that differ than the State Fire Code so long . MINUTES--Eugene City Council December 7, 1992 Page 9 7:30 p.m.