TITLE
Consider a memorandum/resolution authorizing the issuance of a permit to American Fireworks for the discharge of fireworks as part of the Celebrate Killeen Festival.
SUMMARY
DATE: April 4, 2017
TO: Ronald L. Olson, City Manager
FROM: Brett E. Williams, Executive Director of Community Services
SUBJECT: 2017 Celebrate Killeen Fireworks
BACKGROUND AND FINDINGS:
Each year Killeen Parks and Recreation and the Celebrate Killeen Committee host the Celebrate Killeen Festival the last weekend in April. The event is the City’s annual community festival, featuring various forms of entertainment and cultural activities. The 2017 festival will include a carnival, cultural performances, comedy show, KISD Wellness Fair, poetry slam, food truck competition, and a car show.
The Celebrate Killeen Committee desires to include a fireworks display at the annual event for a third consecutive year. American Fireworks has been identified as a service provider for the display. American Fireworks successfully conducted the display for the 2015 and 2016 Celebrate Killeen Festival. The proposed plan is to conduct the fireworks display on Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 9:30 p.m. at the conclusion of the festival’s outdoor movie showing, signifying the festival’s end. The fireworks display will be fifteen minutes in length and will be conducted in the parking lot of the Davis Baseball Fields, located within the Killeen Community Center Complex. Patrons seeking to view the display will do so from the Killeen Amphitheatre where the movie will be shown.
Pursuant to section 11-6 of the Killeen Code of Ordinances, the city council may permit the use of fireworks for public displays. American Fireworks has met the requirements of the city’s ordinances to include the following: name of the group, evidence of financial responsibility, date and time of the event, confirmation of the state of Texas issued license of the operator, copies of the state of Texas issued public display permit, the approximate number and kinds of fireworks to be discharged, the manner and place of storage of the fireworks prior to delivery to the site, and a diagram of the grounds on which the outdoor fireworks display is to be discharged.
In accordance with the ordinance, American Fireworks has provided a copy of its insurance, which is in compliance with state law, and a copy of its state license. An alternate date of May 6, 2017, at 9:00 p.m. at the Killeen Amphitheatre has been established in the event the fireworks display must be delayed due to the weather. The fireworks will be stored at 1315 Highway 71, Bastrop, Texas 78602 prior to delivery to Killeen for the display on the date of the event. American Fireworks will provide three assistants to set up and conduct the display. A diagram of the Killeen Community Center Complex and a list of the fireworks to be discharged are attached.
THE ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED:
Which alternative is recommended? Why?
No other alternatives were considered to replace the fireworks display for the 2017 Celebrate Killeen Festival.
CONFORMITY TO CITY POLICY:
Pursuant to section 11-6 of the Killeen Code of Ordinances, the city council may permit the use of fireworks for public displays.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
What is the amount of the expenditure in the current fiscal year? For future years?
The Celebrate Killeen Committee has authorized the expenditure of $5,000 from within its budget to fund the fireworks display. The Celebrate Killeen Committee is a subcommittee of Killeen Volunteers, Inc., which receives an annual grant from the City of Killeen.
Is this a one-time or recurring expenditure?
N/A
Is this expenditure budgeted?
This is a budgeted expenditure via the Celebrate Killeen Committee annual operating budget. Funds will be expensed from the committee’s line item budget within Killeen Volunteers, Inc.
If not, where will the money come from?
N/A
Is there a sufficient amount in the budgeted line-item for this expenditure?
Yes.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that City Council authorize the issuance of a permit to discharge fireworks to American Fireworks as part of the City’s annual Celebrate Killeen Festival, scheduled for April 29, 2017, at 9:30 p.m. at the Killeen Community Center Complex.
DEPARTMENTAL CLEARANCES:
City Attorney
Purchasing
Finance
ATTACHED SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS:
Contract
Map
Material Safety Data Sheets
Operator License
Application for Class C Fireworks
Shoot list