Minutes - Council - 10/30/1995 - Special

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In the interim, she felt that snowmobiling should be allowed in the streets until trails are constructed. We need to help people sustain damage to property. Mayor Hardin stated that Council needs to decide where to go from here. We've talked about establishing trails - is Council ready to give direction to staff?. Councilmember Peterson stated he is in favor of the proposed ordinance if it is deemed acceptable by the Police Chief. He is in favor of property rights, but not of snowmobiling in the streets. He is in favor of having something that would eventually get to the trailhead system. Motion by Councilmember Zimmerman and seconded by Councilmember Beyer to spend up to $500 on signs. Further discussion: Bob Peterson felt that amount is more than sufficient and added he would hate to get into putting up fences. Mickey Adams inquired if she could block off her driveway as signs only help a few people - not the majority. Councilmember Beahen agreed with the frustration of the residents and expressed a desire to limit access to property for those who don't want it. Mr. Knutson stated that the Public Works Supervisor has said as long as signs are two feet off the road, they can be put up. He added that snowmobiling has been banned in Coon Rapids. Gene Herrmann inquired why the parks couldn't be used to which Chief Auspos responded that motorized vehicles have been banned in the parks forever, as it is unsafe. Councilmember Peterson asked if this motion allowed fences to which Councilmember Zimmerman replied no. Mayor Hardin inquired if the signs and locations are approved by the Police Chief to which Councilmember Zimmerman responded it would be approved by the Police Chief and the Snowmobile Club. Councilmember Beyer thought it was upon citizen request. Chief Auspos stated he would like to have input. Motion carried. Voting Yes: Mayor Hardin, Councilmembers Zimmerman, Beyer, Beahen and Peterson. Voting No: None. Mayor Hardin asked if Council has any other direction. Councilmember Peterson stated he would be willing to allocate overtime in the budget for enforcement of snowmobiling. Chief Auspos stated that should work for the trouble areas. The random patrol may catch a few but many who trespass are watching for the Police. We need to depend upon registration identification. The County volunteers are about maxed but that he would try to schedule patrol events with the County. He added that if there is a violation of registration, the machine would be towed which would also be the case if there is an age violation. Consensus of the Council was that the Police Chief should put together within the next 30 days, an enforcement plan and potential cost, and personnel and equipment needs. George Pepek stated that, as a club, they had asked to go along with the Police Department, but the officers worried about liabilities. With registrations, we can turn the violators in. City Council/October 30, 1995 Page 4 of 6