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Hiawatha City Commission approves fireworks on trial basis

By Greg Bebermeyer

04/30/2025

(KNZA)--The Hiawatha City Commission Monday evening approved allowing fireworks in the city limits for part of one day on a trial basis.

Commissioner Brian Shefferd brought up the issue for discussion after a motion at the Commission's April 14th meeting to lift the current fireworks ban failed to receive approval.

Following discussion, a motion by Shefferd to allow residents to discharge fireworks on July 3 from noon to 8 pm was approved on a 3-2 vote.

Commissioner Tom Martin and Mayor Becky Shamburg joined Shefferd in approving the motion. Commissioners Laura Tollefson and Dave Middendorf cast the dissenting votes.

Also further discussion was held on proposed regulations for the sale of fireworks within the city limits.

City Attorney Andy Delaney said the Commission needs to decide where to allow them to be sold and what other regulations they would like to have.

He said he would like to prohibit them from being sold on city-owned property.

Delaney said a new state law allows temporary vendors to sell fireworks from June 20th to July 7.

Commissioners agreed that fireworks stands should not be allowed within 75 feet from another structure and vendors should be required to carry $500,000 worth of liability insurance.

Delaney will gather further input from the Commission and draft an ordinance for consideration at their next meeting.

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