To Whom It May Concern

In order for any changes to the existing City noise and fireworks ordinances to be enforceable before the 4th of July in 2014, these changes must be adopted legislatively by the City before the 4th of July this year.  As the items below clearly show, since July of last year, the City has made very little progress in this regard:

• During City Council sessions on July 25th and August 6th of 2012, the Mayor reported to Council that she would direct City Attorney staff to review what the City might do to address concerns regarding fireworks in our City.
• On September 18th, 2012, Taimi Gorman, Richard Maneval and I visited MNAC to express our concerns regarding fireworks in our City. Following that MNAC meeting, the Mayor again indicated that she would have staff look into this matter.
• In response to my October 30th, 2012 posting requesting any results of staff actions with regard in our concerns regarding fireworks in our City, I received a posting that stated in part, "In early 2013, Mayor Kelli plans to work with our public safety officials on a plan for increased neighborhood presence to assist in the education and enforcement of existing fireworks restrictions."  There was no mention of any of the staff work that had been promised.  
• On January 28th and March 11th of this year, I was accompanied by several eloquent residents of our City, to voice, in 3-minute Public Comments to City Council, our concerns regarding fireworks in our City.
• Twice now, during City Council sessions on February 11th and March 11th of 2013, motions to get a discussion of fireworks in our City started in the Public Safety Council Committee, which is chaired by Stan Snapp, have passed unanimously.
• During the Mayor's Report portion of the evening Council Meeting on February 11th, 2013, the Mayor  and Fire Chief Roger Christensen announced an "interpretation" of our existing fireworks ordinance which prohibits, starting this year, the sale at fireworks stands in our City of so-called "cakes".  This is a minimal but significant step forward.
• During an exchange between the Mayor and Councilman Snapp at the City Council meeting on March 25th, 2013, the Mayor once again stated that she would direct staff do whatever is required to enable the Public Safety Council Committee to take up this matter.
• A recent review of the City Council Agenda for this coming Monday, April 8th, 2013 indicates that fireworks is not yet an Agenda item for the Public Safety Council Committee. 

     This leads me to one simple question:  Why is it taking so long for the City to act?

     It has always been my belief that elected officials serve at the pleasure of those who elected them.  To say the least, I am not pleased with the City's minimal reaction to our concerns.  I for one will keep this in mind the next time I vote. 

     Later . . .