MARQUETTE — Shortly after the Fourth of July, several Marquette residents voiced concerns in front of the city commission about people shooting fireworks off in their neighborhoods. People complained about fiery debris landing in their yards as well as loud bangs keeping children awake and disrupting others coping with post-traumatic stress disorder.

At an Aug. 8 meeting, the Marquette City Commission approved a fireworks ordinance which established guidelines for the use of fireworks within city limits. Additionally, staff suggested the repeal of Marquette City Code Sec. 32-174, which governs fireworks usage, but refers to a now-obsolete section of Michigan law.

The commission will determine Monday whether to schedule a public hearing to consider firework ordinances 669 and 670. If the city code is amended, stronger regulations pertaining to the use of fireworks in city limits around and during holidays would be enforced.

The proposed ordinances state that a person shall not ignite, discharge, or use consumer fireworks on public property, school property, church property, or the property of another person without express permission from that organization or person to use those fireworks on those premises at that time.

Use of fireworks in the city are limited to the day prior to, the day of and day after a holiday, except for between the hours of 1 a.m. to 8 a.m.

New ordinances state that fines and penalties of up to $500 for each violation within the Michigan Fireworks Safety Act may be imposed if the ordinances are disobeyed.

Fireworks are not to be sold to minors or used by anyone under the influence of alcohol.

The commission will vote whether to schedule a public hear for Sept. 24 to consider adopting ordinance 669, amend Sec. 26-88 of the Marquette City Code, and ordinance 670, repealing Sec. 32-174 of the city code, which is obsolete, city notes state.

Jaymie Depew can be reached at 906-228-2500, ext. 206. Her email address is jdepew@miningjournal.net.