General (07)
Susana Barrios
From:Stephanie Mercadante <burglin.stephanie@gmail.com>
Sent:Tuesday, May 12, 2026 6:13 PM
To:Public Comment
Subject:\[EXTERNAL\] On Behalf of Georgia Price, District 6, Councilmember Natalie Meeks
Warning: This email originated from outside the City of Anaheim. Do not click links or open
attachments unless you recognize the sender and are expecting the message.
For public comment on May 12, 2026:
I want to address Agenda Item 4, namely the professional services agreement for fireworks with Pyro
Spectaculars, Inc.
This agreement was not publicly advertised on the City’s online bidding system. Yet, the same
vendor appears to be selected every year. Pyro Spectaculars’ environmental track record should be a
huge red flag. The cities of Rialto and Colton were forced to close drinking water wells due to
perchlorate contamination. Court records show that Pyro Spectaculars directly contributed to that
contamination. Perchlorate containing fireworks materials and improper waste disposal practices
polluted soil and groundwater in the area.
Is this really a company that Anaheim should be in business with?
More concerning is just how close the fireworks show is to the Santa Ana River.
The Clean Water Act (CWA) makes it unlawful to discharge pollutants into waterways. Fireworks
debris (paper, cardboard, and plastics) and chemical contaminants (perchlorate and heavy metals)
are all considered pollutants.
In reviewing the contract, what stands out is not what is included; it is what is missing.
There is virtually nothing in this agreement addressing environmental safety, air quality impacts, toxic
debris fallout, public health protections, or long-term cleanup accountability. The scope of work is
essentially one vague paragraph for explosives being launched over a densely populated residential
area in Orange County.
The contract references a “debris fallout area,” but where exactly is that area? It isn’t listed in the
Scope of Work. What neighborhoods, parks, streets, schools, and waterways fall within that
zone? Cleanup - PYRO shall be responsible for the clean up of any live pyrotechnic debris. THE
CITY - shall be responsible for any other clean up which may be required of all fallout areas
including any and all environmental clean-up.
Fireworks are not magic. They release toxic chemicals and metals that eventually fall back into our
communities.
How are the Public Park and Elementary School located at the launch site cleaned up? Is the Santa Ana
River tested for pollutants before and after the show?
For decades, Anaheim appears to have approved firework displays without meaningful environmental
transparency, disclosure, or long-term monitoring for residents living beneath the fallout zone.
The public deserves answers before these contracts are approved, not after.
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