Title
Consider/Discuss/Act on an Ordinance Amending the Code of Ordinances, Chapter 42, Fire Prevention and Protection, and Appendix A, Schedule of Fees, Relating to the Fireworks Display Permit Fees
summary
MEETING DATE: April 5, 2011
DEPARTMENT: Fire Department
CONTACT: Mark Wallace, Fire Chief
RECOMMENDED ACTION: Adopt Ordinance
ITEM SUMMARY:
• Proposed Fireworks Permit Fee = $ 800
• Average total cost of fire works displays based on a study of FY0809 fireworks displays was $ 812.50
• The proposed ordinance adds a specific permit fee for private fireworks displays that consolidates existing charges for such event into one, pre-paid permit fee.
• Proposed fee would cover all of the costs for plan review, site inspection, safety standby crews and equipment and post event safety inspections that are currently required.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
• Off-duty personnel would be paid overtime instead of being paid directly by the event sponsor.
• Current Costs
o Plan Review and Inspection Rate - $ 47.00 / hour (1/2 hour minimum) includes Inspector’s staff vehicle
o Firefighter Special Event Rate - $ 35/hour (2 hour minimum)
o Brush Truck - $ 25/hour (same duration as firefighters)
o Staff Vehicle - $ 25.00 per hour (1/2 hour minimum)
• Typical Fire Works Display Cost (Summary)
|
Typical Example |
Time |
Cost |
|
Plan Review |
1 hr |
$ 47 |
|
Pre-event Site Inspection |
1 hr |
$ 47 |
|
Explosives On Site Standby |
4-6 hrs |
$ 564 |
|
Event Emergency Standby Coverage |
2 hrs. |
$ 190 |
|
Typical Total |
|
$ 848 |
• Explanation of Typical Costs
o Plan Review - 1 hour by one Fire Systems Engineer ($47.00)
o Pre-event Site Safety Inspection - 1 hour by one Fire Inspector ($ 47.00)
o Upon Arrival of Explosives on Site - 2 Fire Inspectors for 4-6 hours prior to time of display ignition (arrival of ordinance is determined by pyrotechnical supplier staff and not by FD personnel) $ 564.00
o Event Emergency Response Coverage - 2 Firefighters with Engine or Brush Truck - ½ hour before time of display ignition until site is made safe after the event (typically two hours) ($ 190.00)
o At the largest events, we have beefed up the number of people working the event and have brought in an extra, on-duty Engine Company and an on-duty Med Unit due to the size of the crowd. (No cost recovery fees paid for this level of service in the past)
o Post display site safety inspection and ensuring that unexploded ordinance is made safety - ½ to two hours.
o Typical cost of event - $ 848.00 (some events are slightly less and some are slightly more)
• Often, the exact time a fireworks display is initiated is dependent upon the actual ending timing of pre-display entertainment or activity. Seldom are the fireworks shows ignited before their scheduled time of occurrence.
• Therefore, the personnel costs, has not been determined until the fire department personnel have completed their work and are ready to clear the scene. The event sponsor has then been required to provide checks to the individual personnel working the event from the Fire Department.
• In 2010, we learned that when off-duty personnel work an “extra-duty” assignment where the event sponsor pays the personnel directly, they are not covered by the City’s Worker’s Compensation coverage and are not covered by the City’s Health Insurance Plan.
• Adoption of this permit fee would correct this situation since all fire department personnel working such an event would be on an overtime assignment as part of their normal work schedule and all costs would be paid up front in the form of the proposed Fireworks display permit fee.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY:
• This is a cost recovery fee that is cost-versus-revenue neutral.
• No additional revenues are anticipated upon the adoption of this ordinance.