Minutes - Council - 10/30/1995 - Special

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COUNCIL BUSINESS Case #1: Snowmobiling in the City of Ramsey Mayor Hardin stated that an amendment to the snowmobiling ordinance had been brought before Council. Following discussion, consensus was that the amendment did not address all the concerns and, therefore, this special Council meeting was scheduled. Police Chief Auspos thanked Mr. Bob Peterson for his review of the snowmobile regulations and the ability to charge the property (machine) owner for violation. A machine could be prohibited from operating on public property if in violation of the sticker requirement or other matters. Mayor Hardin commented on the fact that the City is looking at trails. Bob Peterson commented on the Rum River Trail System on Highway #22 and Highway #5 to Sherburne County to #169 and that the Highway Department wants to walk the route and have discussions with property owners. There is no state funding to develop trails and there has been no opportunity yet to meet with the Park Board to discuss river access. There are current discussions with the Burlington Northern Railroad. The State limits liability on any approved trail. He continued that if there is any property on Highway #5, the Snowmobile Club will have discussions with the owner about trails if we have enough volunteers. The Sherburne County Snowmobile Club has offered to groom the trails if we connect to theirs. He added that he has talked with A1 Pearson about "no snowmobiling" signs and the fact that the trails would be marked. Mr. Pearson has offered assistance. Councilmember Peterson inquired about the cost of signs. Mr. Bob Peterson responded that the Club has some money for signage. Councilmembers Zimmerman and Beyer felt that the City should spend some money on signs too. Wayne and Mickey Adams reported on the damage that's done to the boulevard, plantings, their driveway, etc., and felt it unfair to have to incur these repairs. They did not want to cause people to not use the outdoors and expressed willingness to do whatever has to be done to help establish trails if it keeps the snowmobilers off their property. Mayor Hardin commented that we need to take action to reduce property damage and continue to work on other issues. Bruce Courteau felt that people need to get more involved in the snowmobile clubs to get things done. He handed out a map showing the area that should be banned. He suggested that a spur trail should be started in northern Ramsey to connect to the Rum River Trail System. With regard to the ordinance issue, it should be "three strikes and you're out". Confiscating the snowmobile makes sense as does the idea of a minimum snow base with December 1 as the starting date for snowmobiling. City Council/October 30, 1995 Page 2 of 6