If the Medical Lake City Council was considering any further action regarding a firework ban, a contingent of about 25 citizens were on-hand at the council’s July 2 meeting to remind them how they felt.
At a meeting lacking any agenda action items, the full council heard committee reports and a smattering of citizen comments on various issues, including fireworks.
Gerri Johnson thanked the council for the city’s support, along with a long list of other government agencies, non-profits fraternal organizations, businesses and over 100 individual volunteers for their help in bringing this years Founder’s Day together, and their long effort to bring The Moving Wall to the city and make it a success.
Johnson reported that 93 athletes competed in the triathlon, there were 100 parade entrants, and 78 business and 13 food vendors.
She noted that no matter the level of planning there was always something that could improve.
“It went very smoothly from our end,” Mayor Shirley Maike said.
Other citizen comments were related to a potential firework ban. Of those who spoke, all were opposed to a ban.
But in the end, it seems the nearly 100 people who attended the previous council meeting to fight the ban had won the council over, at least for another year.
Councilman Ted Olson, Public Safety Committee chair, reported to the council that the committee was recommending that the council not pursue a ban and “put it to rest.”
There were no takers when Maike opened the floor for discussion of the fireworks issue among council members. And so, without fanfare, the issue came to a quiet close.
In other fire-related issues, Fire Chief Jason Mayfield spoke directly to the audience to remind them that the Fire Department didn’t make fireworks-related policy, but are tasked with enforcing it, including having the ability to make arrests. Some violations can include jail time, he said.
“Talk to your neighbors, especially those who are in favor of it,” Mayfield said of fireworks. “We really need to stay within the guidelines of the rules. You guys are passionate about having them — be passionate about folks following the rules.”
Mayfield reported to the council there were 68 fire and emergency medical service calls in June, most of them EMS-related. He noted it was a “very busy month” due to Founder’s Day, triathlons, and standbys at The Moving Wall.
Finally, Mayfield informed the council that the meeting might be his last, depending on the outcome of the Aug. 6 election and the outcome of Proposition 1, the proposed annexation of the Medical Lake Fire Department into Spokane Fire District 3.
“Thank you for everything you’ve done to help us out and keep the city safe,” Mayfield told the council.
The Council meets next on Tuesday, July 16, ahead of the Prop 1 annexation vote, then enter its reduced summer meeting schedule, with only one meeting scheduled for August and September.
The City Council will resume its regular meeting schedule beginning in October.
Lee Hughes can be reached at lee@cheneyfreepress.com.
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