by Garth Meyer
No city fireworks show will be held in Redondo Beach this year.
The final decision was made Tuesday night by the city council as new regulations take effect about shooting fireworks over water.
“It’s very frustrating what’s occurred,” said City Manager Mike Witzansky.
He and City Attorney Mike Webb discussed the matter with the chief legal counsel for contractor Pyro Spectacular (Rialto, Calif.), about its concerns regarding potential third-party lawsuits – even if the Redondo Beach Fire Department pulled the permit for the show.
“They remain uncomfortable and have withdrawn,” Witzansky said.
After discussion Tuesday, the city council voted 4-0 to direct city staff to put on some kind of event on the Fourth at/around Seaside Lagoon.
Earlier, when the verdict came in that Pyro Spectacular would not do the show, Redondo staff scoured all options to salvage a fireworks display, or something similar.
Cameron Harding, community services director, learned it was still possible to have a show, but not on July 4th. It would have to be a different day.
The matter is complicated in that a barge fireworks set-up cannot just be moved inland because the types of fireworks used over water are different than over land.
“We’re not recommending a land-based show,” said Witzansky, considering the issue of the date and other matters.
In turn, he asked the council if they would like staff to put on some kind of substitute happening.
“We can’t commit to how exciting or elaborate that will be,” he said.
Harding also found that food truck companies were hesitant to commit to an event without fireworks.
Witzansky noted that the new regulations will not preclude shows in the future.
“I don’t think we should do anything (instead),” said Mayor Bill Brand at Tuesday’s meeting. “There’s no substitute … We should spend our energy telling people there is not going to be a fireworks show and why.”
“It’s not the city’s doing, it’s the regional water board,” said Councilman Todd Loewenstein. “… Let’s start planning for next year.”
“This is not the first time life has been made difficult for us under the auspices of L.A. Regional Water Quality Board,” said Witzansky.
Councilmember Paige Kaluderovic said the city ought to do something for the Fourth.
“It’s an effort we should make,” she said.
Kaluderovic threw out an impromptu idea about the Fire Department doing some kind of “fire works” demonstration at Dominguez Park.
Interim Chief Pat Butler was called to the podium.
He told the council that fire trucks could do mobile visits to block parties. Then he mentioned something else: the fire department’s in-house rock band, Sea Shift and the Overtimers.
Could they play? Was it possible?
It was left an unknown Tuesday night. At the same time, bandmembers were watching the meeting broadcast back at the fire station.
Was the idea plausible?
“Two guys are working (on the Fourth) and another is supposed to be out of town,” said guitarist Brent West Wednesday morning. “But if the chief wants us to play, we can probably make it happen.”
A court ruling in March spurred the new area fireworks requirements, including further clean-up of plastic debris remaining on water, with visual and photo monitoring.
The problem first arose in May, when the L.A. Regional Water Quality Control Board adopted new permit regulations to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.
The 1972 law requires a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit to shoot fireworks over United States waters, thought it was not until a court ruling in Long Beach about its “Big Bang on the Bay” that fireworks were declared a “point source” of pollution, which may be regulated.
That had not been an issue before in this region.
The annual Keep the Esplanade Beautiful Redondo fireworks show which launches from the water off of Avenue I has also been canceled for similar reasons. The event’s street activities are still on. ER
