A proposal to amend the City fire prevention regulations was a hot topic for the Falls City Council members Monday night.
    The proposals included a requirement that trash fires be physically attended by a person at least 16 year of age at all times, be no closer than 25 feet to any structure and that the time frame for allowed burning be reduced from two days a week to a four hour period between 10 a-m and 2 p-m on Wednesday’s.
    Several citizens addressed the Council Monday night when the proposal came up for first reading.  Jan Zinn suggested whether or not to burn be put to a vote of the citizens. ( play audio  :09 seconds )
    Zinn went on to say she is against burning. ( play audio  :20 seconds )
    Speaking against the proposal was Tom Jones who also did not feel like the proposed change was put forth in a straight forward manner.  ( play audio  :53 seconds )
    Steve Hoffman also spoke against the proposal suggesting more regulation would not solve the issue.  ( play audio :30 seconds )
    Hoffman said he too felt the proposal was deceptive.  ( play audio  :45 seconds )
    First Ward Councilman Hal Sutter who proposed the ordinance amendments says he feels he is doing what he was elected to do.  ( play audio  :52 seconds )
    The Council voted 5-3 against approval of the ordinance with Council members Rieschick, Scholl, Wisdom, Oliver and Roubidoux casting nay votes.  Oliver and Roubidoux had originally voted to have the proposed changes prepared by the City Attorney. 
    Councilman Mike Moore who has long supported banning burning attempted to make a motion to put a burning ban on the ballot in the fall.  Such action would have to come at the next Council meeting.  Councilman Ryan Rieschick said he feels it should be up to the citizens to decide if such a measure goes to a ballot and not up to the Council.  ( play audio  :30 seconds )
    No further action was taken on the matter Monday night.