Proposal to allow year-end fireworks sales on ice

Readers, we want to hear from you. Should New Rockford allow fireworks to be sold and ignited in celebration of the new year? Answer our poll here: https://fastpoller.com/takepoll/1609986279258. The overall results will be shared with the commission.

If the feedback city commissioners have heard so far about New Year fireworks is any indication of widespread public opinion, there's not likely to be any fireworks for sale in New Rockford in late December anytime soon. Commission President Stu Richter reported at the Jan. 4 meeting that he had only heard from one person, and that resident was not in favor.

"I'm not a fan of fireworks at all," Commissioner Kelly McKnight declared. She said that she had actively solicited feedback from residents, and several people she spoke with replied that the holiday season was "family time" and not akin to the ignition of fireworks.

Commissioner Ryan Hager pointed out that debris from expelled fireworks would likely be left lying around and plowed into snowbanks. The mess would be revealed in the spring when the snow piles melt, he posited.

Commissioner Jim Belquist said he didn't have any strong feelings either way.

City Attorney Travis Peterson conducted a search of N.D. ordinances and found three for consideration. The town of Horace, south of Fargo, does allow fireworks in late December and has an ordinance that could be followed. The city allows fireworks sales from Dec. 26 to Jan. 1, and residents can ignite fireworks until 11 p.m. nightly except on July 4 and Dec. 31, when fireworks are allowed until 1 a.m. the next morning.

Valley City, in comparison, allows New Year fireworks on Dec. 31 through the early morning of Jan. 1. Jamestown, by contrast, only allows fireworks to be sold and ignited over the Independence Day holiday, but Peterson said their ordinance is a good example of changes he would like to see made to New Rockford's.

Peterson intends to rewrite the entire article on fireworks. He noted that he will add a clause specifically addressing when residents are allowed to discharge fireworks in city limits, as the ordinance is more geared toward the sale of fireworks. Peterson will present a draft revision of the ordinance at a future meeting, at which time the commission will again consider whether or not to add language allowing sale and ignition in late December.

"It doesn't sound like there's much in favor of December," Richter concluded.

Readers, we want to hear from you. Should New Rockford allow fireworks to be sold and ignited in celebration of the new year? Answer our poll here: https://fastpoller.com/takepoll/1609986279258. The overall results will be shared with the commission.

At their Jan. 4 meeting, city commissioners also heard about a $732.71 change order submitted by the NDDOT for the Hwy. 281 project. The cost, they say, represents the city's portion of the expenses incurred to relocate the east crosswalk pole on First Avenue Northeast that was toppled by vehicles.

The commission passed a motion to object to paying the bill, as they did not agree to the placement and therefore they say it is not the city's responsibility to pay for the damages. A letter will be sent to NDDOT regarding the matter.

Richter reported that construction of a new hangar at the city's airport had been stalled. The city's engineering firm, Interstate Engineering, informed the commission that any construction projects for which costs exceed $250,000 need guidance from an engineer. The pre-engineered building the commission approved last fall was expected to cost around $300,000. As a result, the airport authority is working to reduce the size of the hangar to stay below the $250,000 threshold. They are evaluating plans for a hangar that would accommodate four planes rather than six as proposed. In the meantime, Interstate Engineering is working with the North Dakota Aeronautics Commission to conduct a site evaluation of the area where the city proposes to build the new hangar.

The city's mask mandate will remain in force until the state's mandate expires. Commissioner Belquist made a recommendation that the city not discontinue the mandate, but rather make a motion to have it automatically expire when the state mandate expires. The commission agreed.

The city received $125,000 in December, its first allocation from the municipal infrastructure fund established by N.D. House Bill 2066. "Operation Prairie Dog", as it has been dubbed, makes numerous changes to the oil and gas gross production tax distribution formula as well as provides for a new source of infrastructure funding for cities, counties, and townships in non-oil-producing counties and airports throughout the state. Auditor George Ritzke said the funds need to be used for infrastructure projects.

The next regular meeting is set for Monday, Feb. 1 at 7 p.m.