DECATUR -- With the upcoming July 4th holiday only weeks away, the Decatur City Council passed an ordinance that allows the sale and limited use of fireworks within the Decatur city limits.
During its June 12 session at Decatur City Hall, the council discussed a new ordinance which regulates the "use, possession and sales of fireworks" within Decatur city limits and sets fines for their misuse. This ordinance also repeals any previous measures, including Ordinance 04-08 which was passed in 2008.
After careful review, the council passed the new ordinance on three readings.
According to the new ordinance, which went into effect June 15, "consumer fireworks, except for bottle rockets, sky-rockets, roman candles and any other fireworks that are mounted to and fly on a stick, may be discharged on private property on the dates of July 3, from 12 p.m. until 10 p.m., and July 4, from 12 p.m. until 11:59 p.m."
Only commercial vendors will be allowed to sell fireworks in Decatur. The sale of these items is not permitted in areas zoned residential or agricultural.
Any individuals, businesses or corporations wishing to sell fireworks in Decatur will be required to obtain a permit issued by the Decatur Fire Chief for a fee of $100 and are required to possess all the necessary federal and state licences for fireworks.
Sales of fireworks will be permitted from June 15 through July 9 of each year.
Violators of this ordinance are subject to arrest and can be charged with a misdemeanor and a $500 fine if convicted.
If fire conditions are unfavorable, the Decatur Fire Chief is authorized to prohibit sales, display and use of fireworks as he sees fit to protect the area from fire.
For more information or to apply for a permit, contact Chief Jeremy Luker with the Decatur Fire Department at 479-752-3300.
Other Business
The council reviewed a new ordinance that would establish a public parking area between the Decatur Depot and Roller Avenue in Decatur. The city of Decatur recently signed a long-term lease with Kansas City Southern Railroad for the land from Roller Avenue east of the railroad's right-of-way (the location of the new lot) to the south end of the locomotive display area.
An issue with business-owner parking forced the council to table this ordinance until the July 10 meeting.
The council also discussed the need to reduce the speed limit on both Arkansas Highways 59 and 102 to 45 miles per hour within the Decatur city limits. Due to recent injury accidents on south Highway 59 and three fatalities near Crystal Lake Road on north Highway 59, the council voted to send a letter to the Arkansas Department of Transportation to request the speed limit change.
Decatur City Council meets at 6 p.m. on the second Monday of each month in the conference room at Decatur City Hall. The next meeting is scheduled for July 10. The first 30 minutes of each meeting is open for citizen comments. All Decatur residents are urged to attend. For more information, contact the city clerk's office at 479-752-3912.
General News on 06/21/2017