Agenda - Council - 10/30/1995 - Special

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CASE # SNOWMOBILING IN THE CITY OF RAMSEY By: Police Chief Mike Auspos Notification: All residents who have attended or requested information from the snowmobile committee meetings have been sent a notice of this meeting. Background: On October 10, 1995, an ordinance amending the City's snowmobile code, 6.04, was introduced and a public hearing date was set for October 24, i995. This amendment would provide for san,ctions against the registered owner of a snowmobile that is observed being operated in violation of the City Code, regardless of who the actual operator is. For the first observed Oiolation, a warning letter would be sent to the owner. If a second violation is observed within a twelve (12) month period, then the owner can be charged with a misdemeanor. ~Notwithstanding the outcome of any criminal prosecution, when a second violation is ob$erved in that period, the owner must obtain a City permit and identifying sticker. Any operation of the snowmobile without that permit would be prohibited. The amendment would also require a permit be obtained if, during any time period, there are three (3) or, more separate violations observed. There is wording that allows for revocation of this permit and a hearing process. If the revocation is upheld in the hearing, further operation of that specific snowmobile within the City is prohibited. During the meetings held in the summer of 1995, other methods of controlling snowmobiles were also discussed. A brief synopsis of those follows: Operation on farm lands: Work with the owners of the land to determine ways to stop trespass upon these open lands, particularly those that have winter crops planted. The snowmobile club is going to work with A1 Pearson to attempt to create marked trail areas bordering these crop fields in order to control the trespass. IncreaSe County Patrols: This will be done as soon as the season begins. We will attempt to schedule some weekends for the County snowmobile unit as their schedule allows. Education: We will continue to publish the ordinance and various articles in the Ramsey Newsletter. Limitation of operating areas: The subject came up as to the limiting of operation of snowmobiles to only on the actual street surfaces throughout the City. Now that limitation only applies tb the MUSA. Of those present at the meetings (mostly pro-snowmobilers) the majority did not favor further limitation to streets only. Creating trails, within the City for "in-house" operation or establishing trails connecting with existing trails in other communities for transient use. Council conducted the public hearing on October 24, i995. At that hearing, Mr. Pearson declared he v,;ould be willing to work with the local Snowmobile Club(s) to mark areas to