The city of Northglenn has contracted out its Fourth of July fireworks show to the same company that did it last year, and staff is working to improve the sound.

City Council approved by an 8-1 vote to pay Tri-State Fireworks Inc. $29,500 for an approximate 13-minute show that is choreographed to music.

The fireworks will be proximate, the same as last year, instead of traditional fireworks because of the new development, Webster Lake Promenade, which is northwest of E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park. This means that the show cannot be seen from a distance.

“It’s proximate fireworks so they’re not going to shoot high so the best place to view them is in the park,” said Paula Jensen, director of management services.

Before last year, Jensen said, people were able to see the fireworks across Interstate 25 at the RTD parking lot. She said the fireworks must be proximate unless the city changes locations in the future.

Some people attending the Fourth of July celebration complained they were not able to hear the music that played during the fireworks. The people sitting close to the speakers thought it was too loud, and those sitting in the back thought it was too low, Jensen said.

“But we’re going to figure it out so we have more sound,” she said.

Council also asked Jensen to talk to the company about having updated music in the show.

Ward I Councilman Wayne Dodge suggested that since the city’s fund balance was about 143 percent over the required amount it’s supposed to have that they spend more money to make the show longer and more dynamic. No motion was made to increase the amount for this year’s fireworks show — which was approved in the 2014 adopted budget. Dodge cast the dissenting vote.

Mayor Joyce Downing agreed it may be beneficial after this year to increase spending for the fireworks show.

“Everyone comes to the park for the fireworks, they wait all day, and it was kind of a disappointment for a lot of them last year,” she said.

According to staff reports, the festival draws about 3,000 to 5,000 people during the day and between 15,000 and 20,000 for the evening free concert and fireworks show. The festival takes place at E.B. Rains Jr. Memorial Park, across from City Hall, 11701 Community Center Drive.