Minutes - Council - 01/22/2008 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Councilmember Look recited an email he received from a Ramsey resident suggesting that the entire ordinance should be updated, and expressing concern with the 500 foot setback required for hunting. He stated the City's ordinance is much stricter than what the DNR recommends. He agrees with the citizen who sent the email that they should look at the ordinance more closely to determine why the City is being so restrictive. Police Chief Way indicated that 26 bow permits were issued this year and 2 permits were denied. Of the 2 permits that were denied, one wanted to hunt too close to the park and the other person put in for a permit to hunt on Waste Management property, and Waste Management did not want anyone hunting on the property. In relation to firearms, 12 permits were issued to hunt at 9 locations that involved 48 hunters with zero denials. Councilmember Dehen noted the ordinance does not include a requirement to identify the land to be hunted on. Police Chief Way explained the ordinance allows staff to set up a permitting process. In that process the who, what, when, and where will be required on the permit. The location where the hunting is being requested is physically checked out. Councilmember Dehen clarified with Police Chief Way that the location is checked out for safety issues such as children, bikers in the area, etc. Motion by Councilmember Elvig, seconded by Councilmember Jeffrey, to introduce an Ordinance amending Section 5.07 of the City Code titled Firearms. Motion carried. V oting Yes: Mayor Gamec, Councilmembers Elvig, Jeffrey, Dehen, and Strommen. Voting No: Councilmember Look. Absent: Councilmember Olson. Case #5: Introduce Ordinance Amendments Regulating Chapter 7 of City Code; Section 7.93, Tobacco Sales within the City of Ramsey, Minnesota Police Chief Way stated the Police Department currently conducts compliance checks at establishments that sell tobacco products in the City as required by State Statute. Each year, businesses fail the compliance checks by either neglecting to ask for identification or improperly checking the identification that is provided. Staff would like to introduce a two-tier fee structure for businesses that sell tobacco to provide an incentive for them to purchase age verification technology. A lesser license fee would be charged if a business purchases and uses an age verification system. The cost of these systems ranges from $50 to $1,500. Mayor Gamec commented there are business owners utilizing the age verification systems that are very happy with the device, and it benefits the businesses to have the system. Police Chief Way advised in addition, staff would like to change the license term so that it is effective January 1 through December 31 of each year. City Council / January 22, 2008 Page 13 of 22