HomeMy WebLinkAboutord2015-038WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL AGENDA BILL NO. 2015 - 218
CLEARANCES
Initial
Date
Date Received in Council Office
Agenda Date
Assi ned to:
Originator:
7/7/2015
7/7/2015
Introduction
Division Head:
7/21/2015
Public Works
Introduction
Public Hearing
Dept. Head:
8/4/2015
Prosecutor:
-
9/15/2015
Purchasing/Budget:
Executive.•
TITLE OF DOCUMENT:
Ordinance establishing WCC 5.20.105, Fireworks - Special Circumstances
ATTACHMENTS:
SEPA review required? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Should Clerk schedule a hearing ? ( X ) Yes ( ) NO
SEPA review completed? ( ) Yes ( ) NO
Requested Date:
SUMMARY STATEMENT OR LEGAL NOTICE LANGUAGE: (If this item is an ordinance or requires a public
hearing, you must provide the language for use in the required public notice. Be specific and cite RCW or WCC as appropriate.
Be clear in explaining the intent of the action.)
Ordinance establishing Whatcom County Code Section 5.20.105, Fireworks - Special Circumstances, to allow the County to prohibit the discharge of
private fireworks during emergency conditions
i
i
i
COMMITTEE ACTION:
COUNCIL ACTION:
7/21/2015: Forwarded to Council for approval
7/7/2015: Introduced 7 -0
8/4/2015: Introduced 6 -0, Mann absent
9/15/2015: Adopted 7 -0, Ord. 2015 -038
Related County Contract #:
Related File Numbers:
Ordinance or Resolution
Number: Ord. 2015 -038
Please Note: Once adopted and signed, ordinances and resolutions are available for viewing and printing
on the County's website at: www.co.whatcom.wa.us /council.
SPONSORED BY: CONSENT
PROPOSED BY: CONSENT
INTRODUCTION DATE: ].ULY 7, 2015
ORDINANCE NO. 2015 -038
ESTABLISHING WHATCOM COUNTY CODE SECTION 5.20.105,
FIREWORKS - SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES, TO ALLOW THE
COUNTY TO PROHIBIT THE DISCHARGE OF PRIVATE
FIREWORKS DURING EMERGENCY CONDITIONS
WHEREAS, heat, dry weather, and drought -like conditions can rapidly increase fire
danger; and
WHEREAS, when conditions are extremely dry, Whatcom County government may
find it necessary to issue a burn ban; and
WHEREAS, in 2015, while burn bans were in effect, numerous fires were started by
fireworks in Washington State and lower British Columbia; and
WHEREAS, the Council finds it to be in the best interest of public health and safety
to allow Whatcom County to issue a ban on the discharge of private fireworks when a burn
ban is in effect and extenuating emergency conditions exist.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the Whatcom County Council that
Whatcom County Code 5.20.105, Fireworks - Special Circumstances, is hereby established
as outlined in Exhibit A to this ordinance.
BE IT FURTHER ORDAINED that this new Code section gives the County Executive,
in coordination with the County Fire Marshal and the County Sheriff, the authority to place a
ban on the discharge of private fireworks when warranted.
BE IT FINALLY ORDAINED that the effective date of this ordinance shall be August
15, 2016. %%kill rotlrr,,,i
C
RTED t day of September , 2015.
U7N'Ty WHATCOM COUNTY COUNCIL
0 UNT'Y
WHATCOM COUNTY, WASHINGTON
TA
Darla Brow�l e k o e Council Carl Weimer, Coufrrc lChair
WHATCC
APPRC,+ED A TO FO WH�C
iv41 Deputy Prosecutor Jack Lou
UNTY Eu CUTIVE
UNTY. SHINGTON
, County Executive
(� App /oved (j Denied
Date Signed: //6 // s
EXHIBIT A
(WCC 5.20.105, FIREWORKS- SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES)
WHATCOM COUNTY CODE CHAPTER 5.20, FIREWORKS
5.20.105 Special Circumstances.
If /when Whatcom County issues a ban on outdoor burning or if /when
other extenuating emergency conditions exist, all discharge of private
fireworks may be prohibited until the ban is lifted or the emergency
condition(s) are mitigated or cease to exist, at the discretion of and by order
of the County Executive, in coordination with the County Fire Marshal and
the County Sheriff.