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--> --> Council sets debate over fireworks use Ashland Daily Tidings Fireworks in Ashland should be a hot topic for the Ashland City Council this week. Councilor Cate Hartzell initiated a discussion on fireworks safety last month following a July 13 neighborhood blaze caused by legal fireworks. On Tuesday, the council will hold a first reading of a proposed ordinance to prohibit fireworks use in Ashland year-round, except around the Fourth of July holiday. The meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Ashland Civic Center council chambers, 1175 East Main St. It will be carried live on Rogue Valley Community Television Channel 9. City staff is recommending a citywide ban on fireworks. The fiscal impact to the city would mainly be in the form of law enforcement-related costs, according to council documents. "To be effective, a proposed fireworks ban within the city ... should include sufficient commitment to law enforcement resources to encourage observance of the ban," Fire Chief Keith Woodley said in a letter to councilors. The July 13 fire, located on Nezla Street in the hills above Siskioyu Boulevard near Mary Jane Avenue, was caused by two children playing with fireworks under adult supervision, according to Woodley. Juniper bushes were ignited by the fireworks, and the ensuing blaze torched a home, causing more than $500,000 damage. A Jackson County Fire District No. 5 firefighter was electrocuted while fighting the blaze, but there were no other injuries. Before the Fourth of July holiday, Ashland fire officials pleaded with the community to use common sense with fireworks. Only one small blaze near the Windmill Inn in Ashland, which burned less than an acre, was linked to fireworks on the Fourth. However, residents demanded answers from city officials after the July 13 blaze on Nezla Street. Also, Ashland Fire and Rescue crews have responded to no less than 15 fireworks-related fires in the city between July 1-30, according to a written report from Woodley to the council. In other action Tuesday, the council is scheduled to: · administer the oath of office to newly appointed Councilor Chris Hearn, an Ashland attorney who fills the vacancy left by David Fine. Fine departed in June due to personal reasons; · hold a public hearing on a request for site review approval of a 15,000-square-foot fire station and administrative building at 455 Siskiyou Boulevard. The new fire station was approved by Ashland voters in 2000; · hear an update from Public Works Director Paula Brown on water use, conservation and curtailment options. Brown said earlier this week the city will likely avoid water curtailment measures for the time being based on a drop in residential water use. Ashland faces a potential water crisis due to low snow pack in local mountains and dwindling water levels in Reeder Reservoir, source of the city's drinking water; · hold a first reading by title only of a living wage ordinance covering employees of the city, employees of companies that contract with the city and employees of entities which receive grant money from the city, where the grant money is used for employment; · hold a first reading by title only of a resolution amending the pay schedule for management and confidential employees; · hold a first reading by title only of an ordinance amending the Ashland Municipal Code to exempt the Hargadine Street parking structure from downtown employee parking restrictions; Other items on the agenda include: · adoption of Ashland Historic Cemeteries Preservation Plan and Preservation guidelines, and an ordinance updating code provisions regarding city cemeteries; · confirmation of Patti Busse's appointment to the Traffic Safety Commission for a term to expire April 30, 2002; · authorization to initiate litigation to enforce Quest franchise; · confirmation of Johanna Fisher's appointment to the Ad Hoc Transportation, Transit and Parking Committee; · consider granting the Riley Family Trust an access easement across a portion of the city's Tolman Creek Road access to the Alsing Reservoir; · consider a request for approval to construct an addition to Ashland Community Hospital in accordance with the facilities lease. Email your... Technical questions & comments to: WebMaster Daily Tidings editorial comments & questions to: Editor Visit our other Oregon Newspapers... | Albany Democrat-Herald | Ashland Daily Tidings | Corvallis Gazette-Times | | Lebanon Express | Newport News-Times | Springfield News | Cottage Grove Sentinel | Ashland Daily Tidings 1661 Siskiyou Blvd. Ashland, OR 97520 Telephone 541-482-3456 © Copyright 2001 Lee Northwest Publishing