Fireworks issue on city slate

A new city ordinance could limit the number of days people in Parsons can legally shoot fireworks.
Parsons city commissioners plan to discuss a new fireworks ordinance Monday that would cut the number of days for the sale and use of fireworks from eight to four, July 1 to 4 each year. The ordinance, which is requested by Fire Chief Tim Hay, also would cut the hours fireworks are allowed to be discharged from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. to 11 p.m. and ban the use of fireworks in all city parks.
The city formerly allowed the use of fireworks for July 1 to 4, but commissioners changed the ordinance to allow people to begin discharging fireworks as soon as distributors could sell them. Hay said Parsons has a longer sale and discharge period than any other city around.
The proposed ordinance also would cap the amount of time fireworks dealers in the city are allowed to store fireworks and require them to show proof of sales tax registration and obtain a permit to sell fireworks.
City Commissioner Bill Wheat said he's amazed at the number of cities that don't allow fireworks to be discharged at all. He said that number is growing.
Commissioners are not expected to vote on the proposed ordinance Monday.
In other business, commissioners will have a public hearing concerning 24 structures that have been deemed dangerous. They will then later consider a resolution that will place the structures on the city's demolition list.
The commission will meet at 6 p.m. Monday in the commission room at the Parsons Municipal Building.
IN OTHER BUSINESS, commissioners will consider:
- Approving a partnership with Labette County Medical Center's emergency medical services to request a Homeland Security Grant that would be used to buy a disaster response truck and equipment that would cost $423,569. The Parsons Fire Department and LCMC EMS would have to respond with the truck to disasters anywhere in Southeast Kansas and possibly anywhere in the state if requested. The fire department could use the truck every day within the city.
Commissioners were concerned Thursday about possibly being obligated to respond to disasters anywhere in the state, such as an ice storm in western Kansas. They were also concerned about the fact that there is no time frame on how long the city would be required to maintain the truck.
- Approving an extension on a purchase agreement on a vintage, wooden Frisco Railroad caboose to be placed in Marvel Park near a jogging, walking and biking trail to be built. The city will have to pay $500 for the extension to Nov. 30. That amount will be taken off of the price of the caboose. Commissioners on Thursday were having second thoughts on the caboose purchase.
- Accepting a base bid and three alternatives for a total of $392,837.70 for a resurfacing project along Main and 16th streets. The Kansas Department of Transportation will pay up to $200,000 on the project.
- Approving the sale of the city's building at 1801 S. 21st to Tank Connections, which now rents the property, for $128,000. The city bought the building for $190,000 from the former Wichita Southeast Kansas Transit when that company moved. The building is now worth $245,000, and Tank Connections has invested $36,977 in it.
- Approving payment of $146,315.81 to LaForge and Budd Construction Co. for work on the new wastewater treatment plant.
- Approving payment of $20,422.86 to TranSystems Corp. for design services for the reconstruction of a runway at Tri-City Airport. They will also consider paying TranSystems $26,615.42 for construction engineering and inspection services on the runway project.
- Accepting a bid of $128,400 from LaForge and Budd Construction Co. for lagoon cleaning at the water treatment plant.
- Approving an ordinance that would vacate an alley that was platted but never construction in the 900 block of North 16th on the west side of the road. Hai and Aurora Do have requested the alley be vacated so they can erect a new building for their restaurant, Chinese Chef.
- Approving payment to Forbes Construction in the amount of $21,122.25 for construction of a home at 1307 S. 26th.
- Approving the final plat for Hammans Subdivision, which is the property containing the Townsman Motel and storage units.
- Re-appointing Riley Cartwright to the Parsons Recreation Commission with a term to expire July 1, 2010.