EVANSTON — After the July 4 Twin Ridge Fire, the Evanston City Council had only two items to discuss at Tuesday’s work session, one being how (or whether) to allow personal fireworks to be discharged. 

When 74 acres burned in town on July 4, city and county officials banned all open fires and fireworks due to dry conditions and lack of resources. The firefighters were all played out and still needed to monitor hot spots, and the fire department (and citizens) used 1.2 million gallons of water to fight the fire. 

Within a few days, the city rescheduled its traditional fireworks display for Cowboy Days weekend in September, weather permitting. However, many residents have been left with an unused and unusable stash of fireworks — and mixed reactions. 

Mayor Kent Williams said, although he received some hate mail, he also heard a lot of support. Councilman Mike Sellers added that veterans were very happy about the ban as well, especially those with PTSD. On the other hand, the sheriff’s office has seen people asking them for refunds, and Fire Cpt. Tim Overy said people have been dropping off fireworks at the fire station. Most complaints have been cost-related, he said.

City attorney Dennis Boal said the city council is allowed to add an extra day for fireworks since it is now a new fiscal year (city ordinance says days may only be added before the second meeting in March). If left as is, fireworks can be used on July 3 and 4 and on New Year’s from 9 a.m.-midnight.

Councilman Andy Kopp was uncertain about setting a date for private fireworks discharge since it is impossible to forecast a safe day. Overy said the hills are in their dying phase now, so even with rain, the dying grass will get drier. 

Fire Chief Don Bodine suggested leaving private fireworks this year for New Year’s. 

Bodine said the city fireworks display, put on by Porter’s Fireworks, is not a concern because it is in a well-managed area at night, but fireworks throughout the city — especially in the heat of the day — pose much more danger. (The Twin Ridge Fire began around 3:15 p.m., when the day was hot and extremely windy.)

Overy agreed that if fireworks were limited to the evening and specific areas like the ballfields, it would really help. 

“The ballfields get annihilated, and it looks like a war zone,” Overy said, “but … you don’t have the potential that we have [citywide].” 

Tib Ottley, who nearly lost his house to the fire, said he is not in favor of changing Evanston’s traditions, including the tradition of having fireworks on July 4. He said he would prefer there not be any makeup days this year if the city wants to prohibit traditional street fireworks and move to designated areas. 

He then publicly commended the fire department. 

“I just want to say that, Tim and his guys, I can’t speak highly enough of them,” Ottley said. “These guys saved my home — saved a lot of homes up there.”

His comments were met with applause and agreement.

Police Chief Jon Kirby asked if the time in the ordinance could be changed to exclude the most dangerous times of the day.

Boal suggested working out an amendment to the ordinance to allow the city to set times and possible designated areas each year, depending on conditions. Williams said the city can take some time to look at that.

Overy finished the discussion by thanking the city for helping and participating last week, and Bodine noted that 1.2 million gallons of city water were used to fight the fire (200,000 gallons of which were used by residents).

In other business, Billie Carter came forward to ask the council to look at residential parking for people who live in the business district (around Main Street). As resident and owner of The Scoop, she said there is no residential parking available; there are bank parking lots and street parking, but those can be limited or not readily available for residential use. 

“For me to pull up to my door is almost impossible,” she said. 

The Scoop is near Kate’s, Suds Brothers Brewery and a handful of other restaurants, so the downtown traffic in the area does not always calm down after 6 p.m.

Carter asked about having a reserved space in front of The Scoop; however, Chief Kirby said it would be difficult for police to enforce reserved or rented parking spots. 

Boal suggested creating a paid permit for downtown residents so they could park anywhere downtown with no risk of parking tickets. Residents would still need to move their vehicles for snow removal or special events, and the city could not guarantee a spot. 

Boal said that Kirby and Oop Hansen, Public Works director, would need to approve the idea once it is formalized. 

Councilman Kopp said he is uncomfortable with charging residents for a permit with no guaranteed spot. Instead, he proposed unpaid permits for verified downtown [second-floor] residents, limited at one or two vehicles per resident. 

Kirby added that he is not concerned about permanent residents leaving their vehicles on the street. He also suggested using numbered hanging tags rather than stickers. 

If the council decides to exempt some residents from parking tickets, Boal said, an ordinance change might be required.