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.
Fireworks are illegal in Arcadia and most cities. Arcadia Municipal Code 3124.8 says no person shall use, light, fire, discharge, explode, set off, sell, display for sale, possess, store, or manufacture any fireworks.
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.
A plan for a joint fire dispatch center to serve the cities of Arcadia, Monrovia, El Monte and Sierra Madre was unanimously voted down by the Arcadia City Council.
Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to give the final approval on Rick Caruso's The Shops at Santa Anita mall. The City Council also approved an expansion project for the Westfield mall with one condition.
Arcadia City Council voted unanimously to partially reconsider their moratorium on a citywide revamp of commercial, industrial zoning regulations. Former city councilmember Mickey Segal threatens winter recall campaign if council doesn't find resolution to Highlands lawsuit.
The City Council voted 3-1, with Councilman Sheng Chang dissenting, to do nothing with a request from an Arcadia resident to enact a citywide ban on leaf blowers.