The Brooksville City Council took the first step Nov. 2 toward limiting temporary fireworks tents to six per holiday season and restricting where donation collection bins can go. Both measures, along with a companion ordinance on commercial fireworks displays, passed on first reading. The council will hold final votes Nov. 16, which will be the last meeting for Mayor Christa Tanner.
Ordinance 1027 would set standards for fireworks sales within city limits. Community Development Director David Hainley said Hernando County Fire Rescue requested the ordinance. He said he spoke with fire officials around the Fourth of July. Fire officials were concerned about how many temporary sales tents go up in the city before Independence Day and New Year’s Eve, and about explosives sitting out in the open. Hainley said the city currently regulates only the tents themselves. “They suggested that we should adopt some ordinances regarding standards regarding these items, and numbers of sites that we allow,” Hainley said.
The proposed cap of six tents per holiday matches the number the city allowed the last time around. The county allows 14 tents outside city limits. Stores such as Walmart could still sell fireworks, Hainley said. Fire officials inspect the tents for fireproofing, and city staff then issue the permits.
Council Member Thomas Bronson said he was concerned about the city cracking down on vendors. Hainley noted that the council has already limited car washes, self-storage facilities and marijuana dispensaries. Bronson replied that those are permanent structures, and Hainley agreed. Tanner said six tents per holiday was fine with her. “I guess we can always change it if it becomes a problem later on,” Bronson said.
The first reading passed 3-2, with Bronson and Council Member Betty Erhard dissenting. Erhard lost her bid for reelection the day after the meeting. The meeting also featured a sharp exchange between Erhard and Council Member Louis Hallal over city spending. The council will take final votes on all three ordinances at its Nov. 16 meeting.
Originally reported by Tampa Bay Beacons – Hernando
