City Council has decided to have Arcadia voters decide whether the sale and use of fireworks should be banned in the city. The issue will appear on the April ballot.
At the suggestion of Arcadia City Councilman Robert Harbicht, the council agreed to hold a public hearing on April 7 to discuss the possibility of banning fireworks in Arcadia.
City officials and firefighters on lookout for year-old bill prohibiting cities and counties from banning sale of fireworks. SB 999, authored by Sen. William Campbell, R-Whittier, passed by Assembly last September.
An emergency ordinance opens the sale of fireworks to other groups besides the American Legion which has had the only permit for many years. Council said it acted to avoid charges of permitting a monopoly.
The Arcadia City Council unanimously supports a 5% utility tax on interstate and international telephone calls. The proposed tax will cost about $.40 per person per month.
Arcadia voters will consider whether or not to ban "safe and sane" fireworks. The sale of fireworks has been the local American Legion Post's chief source of funds. Arcadia property owners have suffered over a quarter of a million dollars in property damage from fireworks over the past six years.
A plan to reduce the size of the Arcadia Planning Commission from 7 to 5 members has been held over by the City Council. The Council has until July to think about the proposal.