(WICHITA, Kan.) — The Wichita City Council defers a vote on changing the inflatable ordinance after a concern was raised by Pure Entertainment. A clause in the proposed ordinance would prevent a company from getting a license for two years if there's been a previous violation.
The city suspended Pure Entertainments license for 90 days earlier this year because of a licensing violation. The violation came to light after a 5-year-old boy fell off of an inflatable and died. The city found Pure Entertainment's inspector license had expired but the inspector was still signing off on rides.
Owner Duane Zogleman says he didn't know the license had expired and they're trying to survive the 90 day suspension. He says it's not fair that he'll likely lose his business all together under the new ordinance. Zogleman says he supports the safety improvements, such as stricter inspections and licensing practices. But he says the suspension policy will only hurt him since he's the only amusement company in Wichita to lose its license.
City council members say they didn't intend to put Zogleman out of business when they issued the suspension. They said it was supposed to be for 90 days and not two years. That made council members ask city staff to go back and review that part of the proposed ordinance. They'd like alternatives so it doesn't hurt one time offenders but still allows penalties for companies that don't comply with safety rules. The issue will go back before the council August 3rd.
