Agenda - Council - 10/14/1997 - Laserfiche WebLink

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I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I I CASE # CONSIDERATION OF NO WAKE ORDINANCE ON RUM RIVER By: Zoning Administrator Sylvia Frolik Background: Various residents along the Rum River in Andover have requested that the Andover City Council establish no wake zones to curb the erosion .that is occurring. Establishment of no wake zones on the fiver requires the cooperation of all communities on either side of the fiver for the area to be so posted. As an aside, State law currently states that jet skis cannot exceed a 'slow - no wake' speed in areas of the river that are less than 200 feet in width. (Most of the Rum River is less than 200 feet in width). State law also states that a 'slow ~ no wake' speed is in place for areas of the fiver within 100 feet of a dock or swim raft. These laws could be posted at the public launches but that may not be as effective as establishing and posting no wake zones. Observations: Various city staff from Andover and Ramsey took a boat ride down the Rum River and identified 5 erosion sensitive areas. These areas are identified on the enclosed map. Andover City Council is seeking input from Ramsey City Council as to whether or not Ramsey is interested in entering into a joint powers agreement to establish these 5 areas, or possibly the entire length of the Rum River, as 'no wake' zones. If the fiver, or parts thereof, is established as 'no wake', buoys and signage would have to be installed at various locations along the river. These costs would be shared with the City of Andover. In preliminary discussions with Andover staff, it appears that approximately 10 buoys at a cost of $100.00 each would be required to post the no wake regulation, regardless if it is the whole fiver or just the 5 sensitive areas identified. It is also anticipated that establishing 5 no wake zones will require twice as much signage as establishing the entire length of the fiver as no wake. Andover makes their signs in-house so there would be a cost saving from that aspect. However, we should also consider the clutter to the river's edge caused by the excessive signage required for the 5 zones zones versus the entire river. Enforcement of the no wake regulations would be handled by the water division of the Anoka County Sheriff's Department at no additional cost to the City. Recommendation: If the City Council is interested in cooperating with Andover, then City Staff recommends that the entire length of the fiver be established as a no wake zone.