Fort Madison City Council Approves New Fireworks Ordinance.

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The third and final reading of a Fireworks Ordinance for the City of Fort Madison passed on a unanimous vote at Tuesday nights City Council Meeting.

Many residents had approached the council following the July Fourth Holiday to complain about the use of fireworks within the city limits. Residents complained that the noise caused stress to animals and pets, as well as people with illness and even veterans.  The council promised that they would consider the issue and make some decision before the next approved holiday for the sale of fireworks, New Years.  The third reading and passage of the ordinance mean that once published it becomes law in the City of Fort Madison.  The publishing is scheduled for Friday, which means anyone using fireworks, other than the lowest grade of snakes and smoke bombs,  without a city permit within the city limits will be subject to a $500 fine and having the fireworks confiscated by authorities.  The new ordinance does not prohibit the sale of fireworks within the city limits, as allowed by state law.

In other business, the council approved the purchase of two new vehicles for the police force.  Chief Tim Sittig says the older Chevy police vehicles will be traded in and two Dodge Durango’s will be ordered to replace them.  The council approved the expenditure of $57, 786, the trade in value of the two vehicles will be used to equip the new Durango’s once they arrive.  According to Sittig, some of the equipment from the current police cars will transfer to the new Dodge’s, but some new equipment will be required.  The purchase is part of a plan by the department to maintain dependable transportation for officers while avoiding high maintenance costs for the department.

The council also discussed the ongoing AMTRAK platform as part of the Train Depot Project that began several years ago.  City Manager David Varley told the council that they are close to turning the project over the state to bids.  The project has faced several delays as the railroads have changed the requirements and timetables for the project.  Varley says he expects the bid will be opened up in the spring for the platform to be constructed. The City has used grants as well as city money in order to ensure that an AMTRAK station was maintained in the town. They have received assurances from AMTRAK officials that the train will run through Fort Madison for the foreseeable future.  The automated ticketing kiosk is located inside the historic train depot.