Syracuse City Council Discusses Proposed Pyrotechnic Fee Amendments on December 19, 2025
Syracuse City Council Discusses Proposed Pyrotechnic Fee Amendments on December 19, 2025
The Syracuse City Council met on December 19, 2025, to discuss a proposed amendment to Chapter 5 of the Revised General Ordinances, which would establish a new article governing pyrotechnics, fireworks, and flame effect displays. The meeting focused on the need to update the current $25 per event fee, which only recovers 8% of the fire department's overtime costs. Fire department officials presented a tiered fee structure to recover actual costs, while council members debated the impact on community events and for-profit entities.
Discussion Items
- Current Fee Inadequacy: Fire Chief Mondanese and Executive Deputy Chief Elton Davis detailed that the current $25 fee does not cover costs. In 2023, the city issued 44 permits, collected $1,100 in revenue, but spent $13,500 in overtime (8% recovery). In 2024, 66 permits were issued, revenue was $1,650, and overtime costs rose to $21,000 (again 8% recovery). Overtime hours increased 41% from 208 to 293, and costs rose 50% from 2023 to 2024.
- Proposed Fee Structure: Three tiers: (1) $75 for low-risk setup-only events (e.g., cold sparklers at weddings); (2) $300 for indoor/outdoor pyrotechnic events (e.g., large fireworks displays) covering up to 4 hours of standby; and (3) actual cost invoicing for extended standby or additional personnel. The $300 fee aligns with the actual cost of one firefighter for four hours ($299.12) and is comparable to Binghamton ($286) and Rochester ($294).
- Enforcement: A double fee provision for unpermitted displays was introduced to discourage fly-by-night operators. Chief Davis noted that some events occur without permits, creating safety risks because fire alarms may be disabled.
- Community Impact: Councilors raised concerns about potential deterrents to community events. Councilor Paniago asked about cancellations; Chief Davis stated that most cancellations result in rescheduling, not refunds. Councilor Hogan (referred to as "OG") argued that the Syracuse Mets, a for-profit entity owned by Diamond Baseball Holdings, should pay full costs, and noted that the city only recoups $6,700 more under the new fee but the Mets generate significant economic impact. The fire chief emphasized that the department's budget is for life safety, not subsidizing private events.
- Application to Venues: The proposal applies to venues like the Landmark Theatre, JMA Wireless Dome, War Memorial, NBT Stadium, and others. The Landmark Theatre, due to lack of fire detection, requires a pyrotechnic permit for any flame effects. The Westcott Theater was mentioned as an ongoing enforcement issue.
Key Outcomes
- No formal vote was taken; the discussion was informational. The legislation is expected to be considered for passage and could take effect January 1, 2026. The council indicated a need to review all city fee structures. The meeting was adjourned without action.
Meeting Transcript
The meeting today is around item 11 on our agenda. It is about fire technics. Pyrotechnics. You know, um, so in a nutshell, this is about fireworks and the fees involved around that. That's what it is. Um right here, I'm joined by my fellow counselors, uh Rashida Codwell, our president, uh Rita Penyawa, and we've got a couple of other counselors that I'll take a break and we'll be back. They'll be right back. We have been working no more time today. So and I'm joined by Paich and I can wait. We pitch it. I don't want them to miss and then ask a bunch of questions that I might already go over. Yeah, we'll be giving one more minute. Okay. Um so but I'm joined by uh Chief Mondanese team. Yes. Thank you. Thank you for joining us. Uh executive deputy chief Elton Davis and First Deputy Chief Dan Downs. Of course. Yes. Of course. Yes. Thank you. Thank you both. Um let's wait a little bit. Should be here. Two minutes yet. Yeah. Okay. Yeah. We were waiting for you. What is going on? We will wait for you while I'm here. Yeah, it's called that Marty. Okay. So Chief, just so we um just give out the world proof overview of what this is and where we are where we are, where we are trying to go. Alright, I'll give you the I'll give you the full scope of everything, and then uh it should answer most questions, but then if you have questions and me and uh we've been working on this for a few years to try to think about the last time this was updated. When this was done and so put historical. I have all that information. So the four of us, I'm just just giving you know, someone's a little shade right now. You know, cheap mass. I just want to find out. Are you trying to make it 1993? 1993, we graduated together. 1993. I just had to throw a little show you know, this way uh and uh Chief Man's just bought two houses from the land bay, too. Yes. Yes, yes. Yep, yep. Fix them all up with these hands and a few other hands.
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