Wayland council tables action on new fireworks ordinance

By Brooks Taylor, Mt. Pleasant News

WAYLAND ? Wayland?s City Council Wednesday night put the brakes on changes in the fireworks ordinance, pending further study and input from City Attorney Mike Vance.

Currently, the city allows a fireworks permit only by application in writing with several stipulations having to be met before permission is granted.

However, the Iowa Legislature passed a new law regarding the sale and discharge of fireworks during specific hours and dates during the year. Cities can opt out of allowing use, or can limit days and hours of the discharge of fireworks in city limits.

Cities cannot opt out of allowing fireworks to be sold but can limit the days and hours. Zoning in the state law doesn?t mention use or sale of fireworks. The sale of fireworks, however, would be considered a business and must be in a commercial or industrial zone.

City Clerk Bev Conrad said that since the law is new and was passed during the latter stages of the legislature, the council was not comfortable making a decision without further study of the ordinance.

Council members approved the quote of Ted Wiegand of Mt. Pleasant to do the city?s annual examination the next three years at a cost of $3,950 per year.

Small Iowa municipalities are not required to have an annual audit performed. Cities with a population under 2,000 will be required to have either annual or periodic examinations (an examination every eight years).

Municipalities with a budget exceeding $1M for two consecutive years must have an annual examination. An annual examination also is required if the city expends $500,000 or more of federal awards, or citizens petition for an audit.

The council also approved an open burning request from a city resident to burn a brush pile of yard waste located by the former antique shop south of Highway 78 which was destroyed by fire last year.

Final agenda matters saw the council approve Conrad to attend training at the Municipal Professionals Academy in Ames July 26-28.

The council also approved the second reading of an ordinance which reduces the pay of Mayor Bradley Roth. Roth was being paid an annual salary of $5,400 and an additional $4,800 for administrative duties. The ordinance eliminates the salary for administrative duties.

Building permits were approved for Adam Wixom, re-roof of house; and Cindy Carroll, installation of a chain-link fence.

Council members meet again in regular session Wednesday, June 7, at 7:30 p.m., in City Hall.