STANTON : Fireworks Sales OKd 3-2 by City Council

On a 3-2 vote, the City Council gave final approval this week to July fireworks sales in the city and established a flat fee of $1,051 for nonprofit vendors.

Three members of the council voted earlier this month to allow fireworks sales so that nonprofit organizations could raise money. But council members said they are determined to recover all the costs of assuring public safety and approving applications.

Only eight groups will be allowed to sell the fireworks, and will be chosen by council vote. Representatives of American West Marketing Inc. and Freedom Fireworks Inc. announced after Tuesday’s council meeting that they will advance the application fees for potential vendors.

City Manager Greg Hulsizer told the council that it will cost the code enforcement department almost $2,000 to monitor the sales and use of the fireworks July 1-4. The city staff estimated it will cost them almost $1,500 to process the applications and oversee operations.

The Orange County Fire Department, which provides fire protection services to the city, has said it will charge the city additional fees of $5,037 for adequate protection. The department opposed the legalization of the fireworks.

Mayor Sal Sapien, who said he has been criticized for voting to legalize fireworks, emphasized that the sales are for a trial period of one year.

“It will be for the benefit of the residents,” Sapien told people who came to the council meeting. “We’re going to try to educate the public, because we are just as concerned about the safety as you are.”

Sapien said if the program does not raise money for nonprofit groups, he will not want to continue the sales. Council members William C. Estrada and Harry Dotson also voted to allow the sales. Council members Don Martinez and Linda J. Pappas Diaz voted to maintain the fireworks ban because of safety concerns.