SeaTac lawmakers are expected to vote April 12 on whether to contribute $10,000 in city funds for a Fourth of July fireworks display at Angle Lake.
The show is put on by the Angle Lake Shore Club, a homeowners and renters social association. Angle Lake Park is kept open on the holiday night so the public can view the display from the park.
If the funds are approved, indications from the March 22 council meeting are that 2011 will be the final year for the city's contribution. Lawmakers and audience members suggested that a vigorous fund raising effort be undertaken in subsequent years in involving SeaTac residents and business people. Currently, about $7,000 is raised through private donations.
Mayor Terry Anderson suggested a decision on the funds be delayed until the April 12 meeting after Councilwoman Pam Fernald maintained that the council had previously banned all fireworks in SeaTac.
"It is ludicrous to give money for something deemed illegal," Fernald declared.
City Attorney Mary Mirante Bartolo said her recollection is that the council had made an exception for public displays with a permit. However, Bartolo said she was did not have the specific wording of the statute with her at the meeting.
Several Angle Lake residents spoke in favor of the city's contribution.
Clyde Hill said the fireworks are the only city-sponsored celebration on Independence Day. Tukwila spends $46,000 per year for its fair at Fort Dent Park, including $16,000 for fireworks, according to Hill. Kent contributes $6,000 for fireworks to the Lake Meridian homeowners association in a public/private partnership.
Hill said from several hundred to thousands enjoy the fireworks from vantage points at the park and around the lake.
"It's a great entertainment value," Hill added.
But Councilman Rick Forschler said the contribution does not fit into the role of government.
"We have to be careful on how we spend government money," Forschler said.
He said he had previously offered to personally share the cost along with the other six council members but his suggestion had been rebuffed.
Forschler noted he would still be willing to contribute as part of a fundraising drive.
Deputy Mayor Gene Fisher said he would support the expense for this year.
"I will do this one more time," Fisher declared.
However, he suggested the display organizers do more advertising and involved people outside the Angle Lake community in raising private funds.
He noted lawmakers had cut funding for the International Festival parade in anticipation of contributing to the fireworks show.
Former Councilman and Ex-Shore Club president Barry Ladenburg said Angle Lake is the only good SeaTac venue for the event.
He added city officials wanted to support the public display as an alternative when private fireworks were banned.
Contribution opponents also pointed out that the fireworks display at Three Tree Point in Burien is completely funded by private donations. A kickoff fundraising party is being held at the Tin Theater, 923 S.W. 152nd St., April 9th at 3 p.m.
City support for an event put on by Angle Lake homeowners is a touchy subject in SeaTac, opponents and proponents agreed
Four out of the council's seven members live in the Angle Lake area. The four often vote together as a majority.