Newberry Fireworks Change Tabled for Now, Commission Votes to Expand Urban Services Area

NEWBERRY – A change to how the City of Newberry handles fireworks within the city failed to get traction at the June 26 City Commission meeting. A text amendment to the City’s Code of Ordinances on fireworks displays was heard on first reading, but ultimately, no vote was taken on the measure.

Planning and Economic Development Director Bryan Thomas submitted the amendment, which provided for suggested exemptions for fireworks displays on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1), Independence Day (July 4) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31). The proposed text amendment provided exemption for private firework displays on the designated holidays, but did not permit firework display outside of state-defined designated holidays.

The proposed amendment did not allow for public display of fireworks. These terms are defined by law. “Private fireworks display means an exhibition or discharge of low hazard, consumer fireworks or display fireworks on private property not open to the public,” said Thomas. “Public fireworks display means an exhibition of fireworks in an open-air assembly, occupancy to which the public is invited, attends or admitted, with or without a fee being charged.”

The Commission voiced concerns about whether fireworks displays should be allowed only in the center of town to minimize problems with livestock and farm animals in rural areas.

Fire crackers and sparklers that don’t make noise garnered support while cannon-style booming fireworks weren less favored. Mayor Marlowe said that young children, veterans suffering from PTSD and parents of autistic children often have problems with booming fireworks, while quieter celebratory fireworks that can be purchased from stores or tent sellers may be more acceptable.

Fireworks on Veteran’s Day and Labor Day were also suggested to be added to the list of suggested exemptions for fireworks displays.

As no action was taken on the amendment as presented, Thomas was tasked with developing an ordinance for future Commission review.

In other business, the Commission approved an ordinance on first reading amending the City of Newberry’s Urban Service Area (USA) boundary to follow distinct parcel lines. Originally, the USA was designated by a circle in which development was encouraged. This change identifies those parcels within that circle along their property lines.

USAs designate a geographic region within a municipality that encompasses developed and developing urban areas. Its primary purpose is to concentrate urban infrastructure, services and resources to efficiently cater to the needs of a growing population, while also managing growth and development.

USAs help to preserve rural areas, deliver efficient services (sewer/water), use resources more efficiently and enhance the livability of a city.

The Commissioners suggested changes that included extending the line down Northwest 202^nd Street and Northwest 46^th Avenue. Mayor Marlowe stressed that the City maintain green space between Jonesville and Newberry to help delineate the City and provide more of an identity for residents.

Thomas will make those changes prior to sending the proposed new USA to the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity for review and comments.

The Commission unanimously ratified the contract negotiations between the City and the Fire Union. Newberry Fire Chief Mike Vogel said the City recently concluded contract negotiations and that the agreement was recently accepted by Union members in a 9-4 vote.

Vogel listed the high points of the agreement, noting the items that tended to benefit the City and those that tended to benefit Union members.

Following ratification, Vogel said all provisions will take effect immediately, excluding financial items, which will start beginning Nov. 1.

In other business, the Commission pledged $347,500 in grant matching funds to the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources, should a grant application for funding support for the renovation and rehabilitation of the Historical Electric Plant be awarded.

If awarded, the funds will be used to aid in rehabilitation of the historical structure to include water line rehabilitation, gravity sewer extension, door rehabilitation, window rehabilitation, ADA compliant bathroom addition, masonry work, electrical improvements and ADA compliant parking, sidewalks and ramps.

The grant program requires a project fifty-percent match contribution. The City’s share is $347,500 of the estimated $695,000 total cos, with the City’s share coming from the Infrastructure Sales Surtax.

City Manager Mike New said the City still has $200,000 in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds and Mayor Marlowe said there are two companies waiting for a Request for Proposal (RFP) to be put out by the City for this project. He said putting up $347,500 for $695,000 in building upgrades was a good investment.

In other business, a joint meeting is planned between the Newberry City Commission and the Alachua County Board of County Commissioners at Easton Sports Complex on July 10.

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