PORT ANGELES — City Council members are moving toward banning personal use of fireworks.
On Tuesday, they unanimously directed city staff to prepare an ordinance banning personal fireworks.
City Manager Dan McKeen said staff members will have it ready for council consideration at its Feb. 17 meeting.
If approved, the ordinance would become effective in 2016.
Several members of an anti-fireworks group Safer 4th of July requested the prohibition during the public comment portion of the meeting.
Members of the group also presented a 17-page report, “Recommendation to Ban the Use of Personal Fireworks.”
“Personal fireworks have evolved into percussive-type bombs,” group organizer Jan Butler said, adding that fireworks are turning neighborhoods into war zones.
Councilman Brad Collins, who said he uses fireworks with his granddaughters, made the motion to have city staff prepare the ordinance for a public hearing “as soon as possible.”
Collins said irresponsible fireworks users are making it impossible for safe users of fireworks to enjoy them.
“It’s time to take action as quickly as we can,” he said.
Council members also approved the low-bid contract of $14.9 million for phase two of the combined sewer overflow project and a $331,000 contract for the Front Street stormwater separation project to TEK Construction Inc. of Bellingham.
In a related matter, they extended for 3½ years, until midway through 2033, the collection of monthly fees for the project.
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Senior Staff Writer Paul Gottlieb can be reached at 360-452-2345, ext. 5060, or at pgottlieb@peninsuladailynews.com.