The Poulsbo City Council at its June 4 meeting unanimously approved putting an advisory measure on the general election ballot in November regarding whether residents recommend the city pass an ordinance to ban the sale, possession and discharge of consumer fireworks at all times within city limits.

The vote is advisory only and the council will not be legally bound by its results, per documents.

The resolution states the council will consider the results of the advisory proposition when determining what action, if any, should be taken regarding regulating the sale, possession, and discharge of consumer fireworks in Poulsbo. It would not affect properly licensed and permitted public displays of fireworks.

Currently, under Poulsbo Municipal Code, consumer fireworks may be sold and purchased from noon until 11 p.m. June 28, from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. from June 29 through July 4, from 9 a.m. until 9 p.m. on July 5, and from noon to 11 p.m. from December 27 through December 31. Consumer fireworks may only be discharged between 11 a.m. and 11 p.m. July 4, documents state.

On March 19, the council adopted an ordinance which changed the days consumer fireworks could be sold and purchased from noon until 11 p.m. June 28, from 9 a.m. until 11 p.m. from June 29 through July 4 with the changes taking effect one year from the date of its passage.

“Ultimately…it is going to come down to enforcement. We still need to solve that problem if we want to move in that direction of banning fireworks,” Councilmember Gary McVey said.

Councilmember Ed Stern advocated to bring back a community fireworks display on the 4th of July, instead of the 3rd of July event that was held on the downtown waterfront for many years. He said that could be a good alternative for folks if the city does end up banning fireworks.

“I would have to be convinced that’s the right way to proceed,” McVey said in response to Stern’s community fireworks display proposal. “I think a lot of communities have moved away from traditional fireworks. They have moved on to drone shows and other types of entertainment that are more community-friendly, don’t upset pets, don’t disturb veterans with PTSD, and some of the other problems with traditional firework displays.”