IOWA CITY

Johnson County officials are cracking down on fireworks.

There have been reports of permitted fireworks being shot off in densely populated areas, many others not being permitted at all and risks to nearby buildings and animals.

“There are concerns from the public about safety,” Johnson County Supervisor Lisa Green-Douglass said during the Board’s Sept. 18 work session. “There are concerns about property. There are concerns about people with PTSD, the noise and the impact that that has. There are concerns about the impact that it has on pets.”

The Board does not have control over municipal areas, but the county does require permits for fireworks displays or even for consumer fireworks usage in unincorporated areas.

Josh Busard, Director of Planning, Development and Sustainability, delivered a wide-ranging proposal that amends the current fireworks ordinance and establishes minimum distances for shooting and fallout areas, includes safety for unoccupied and occupied structures, barns and sheds, and establishes dates and times when permits are not needed for consumer fireworks, the kind that are bought at roadside stands.

Consumer fireworks can be used, without county-issued permits, between 9 a.m. and 11 p.m. for three days in early July, around and including the Fourth of July, and a 5.5-hour stretch from 7 p.m. Dec. 31 to 12:30 a.m. Jan. 1.

All other dates would require permits.

“What we’re trying to balance is the ability of the landowners to enjoy their property and shoot off their fireworks balanced against everybody’s right to peace and quiet on their own property,” Supervisor Jon Green of Lone Tree said.

The proposal will require a vote by the Board following a public hearing.

River Junction, in southern Johnson County, is host to an annual PGI fireworks class usually held in April.

“Safety is the number one issue that we push,” said Andy Neuzil, who runs the class and is a member of the Pyrotechnics Guild International.

Jail Costs

If Johnson County chooses to send jail detainees to other counties, Michael Lewis of Iowa City’s Shive-Hattery Architecture & Engineering said the projected cost would be about $2 million a year for transportation alone.

The county’s failing jail building has officials scrambling both short term and long term.

The Board agreed last week to hire Iowa City-based Axiom Consultants to do the design work for replacement and repairs of the building’s roof, brick and air conditioning systems.

Two more phases of repairs would only happen if the Board decides not to shift jail operations to another location or county on a temporary basis while larger plans are put into place for a new jail facility.

Axiom was previously contracted to install monitoring devices for the building, which are located on each side of the building to monitor structural movement.

Lewis said a holding facility is projected to cost $13.6 million while a building for sheriff staff would be about $30.8 million. An entire new sheriff department campus, including room for 140 beds, is projected at $80 million. The number of beds is a highly debated discussion point among supervisors.

Transporting detainees to other counties is already an issue. Sheriff Brad Kunkel said the need for detainees is so high that Linn County’s facility is now full.

“A few months ago, Linn County, they could handle all of our housing,” he said, “and now they can’t because they’re full, too.”

Supervisor Royceann Porter said she heard of three Johnson County juveniles being transported hundreds of miles because there was no room in Johnson County or Iowa City detention facilities.

“All the way to the Nebraska border, all the way, all the way to Nebraska because we have no beds for our kids to go to,” Porter said.

Supervisor V Fixmer-Oraiz has continually questioned why more officials and residents have not yet been brought into discussions, although the first meeting of a criminal justice committee has been set for October 10.

“We have had no public input,” Fixmer-Oraiz said. “We haven’t had conversations with public defenders or other people that are in the system.”

All five board members are scheduled to participate in the criminal justice committee meetings.

Grand Re-opening

Supervisor Chair Rod Sullivan opened the September 18 work session in the lobby of the newly renovated Administration Building. The renovation includes updated technology systems, new bathrooms and a new counter service area and lobby for residents.

The building first opened in 1986 and handles a number of county services.

“I just think it looks beautiful over there,” Sullivan said. “I hope folks have an opportunity to check that building out.”

Board Actions

The Board approved a two-year agreement with Horizons for the Trip Connect Employment Transportation pilot project.

The Board approved a missed ride policy for SEATS.

The Board approved a number of department head pay classifications and compensations.

Next meeting:

The Board’s next formal session is at 9 a.m. September 26.