Minutes - Council - 04/24/1990 - Laserfiche WebLink

Home

Pam Rossing - 15610 Erkium Street N.W. - Stated that she has lived in Ramsey for 12 years. Pam Rossing stated that she has a lot of information that might be helpful to the City, including the Attorney General's report on pornography and a video tape of Ted Bundy's comments before his death. Pam stated that she would like to see an ordinance adopted in Ramsey like the one that was adopted in Stewartville, Minnesota. That zoning law declares adult book stores, saunas, theatres, dancing and other sexually oriented businesses to be illegal within the city limits. Mary Jo Sentyrz - Stated that she is the owner/operator of Small World Day Care Center and she is very concerned that the adult book store is going to be allowed to continue to be operational. Mary Jo stated that her business is located very close to the adult book store and it will be very difficult for her to do business with her customers asking on a daily basis about the status of the book store. Mary Jo stated that she has been a good business in Ramsey for 9 years and she doesn't want her business diminished by what has happened next door to her. Jim Gilbertson - owner of J.R.'s Saloon - Jim predicted that this situation will get into grandfather rights. Jim stated that when strippers were allowed in a Ramsey establishment, City Staff, City Council and Police Chief Auspos stated there was nothing that could be done because the establishment was grandfathered in. Jim stated that he doesn't agree with what is happening but you can't do anything with those that are grandfathered in. Jim stated that if the City would eliminate the grandfather clause, everybody would have to operate their business in the right zone and that includes the Reimann's, Mickelson's and Cox's. Ralph Smithers - 6560 153rd Lane N.W. - Ralph stated that recently in North Carolina there were 4 women raped and killed by a man admittedly influenced by pornography. County Commissioner Natalie Haas Steffen - 7007 164th Lane N.W. - Natalie commended the City Council for the emergency action they took on April 23 and noted that it is disgraceful that that kind of action is needed in our Country because of the laws we have. Natalie stated that it is extremely important the City proceed to do the right things in this situation because it would be very bad to make the wrong moves and get defeated in court. Natalie stated that there are also a number of things that the citizens can do and offered to meet with concerned residents in the lower level of the Municipal Center following Citizen Input. Rich Folkestad - 15011 Willemite Street N.W. - Rich inquired as to whether or not the operator of the book store had to get a building permit or sign permit. City Attorney Goodrich replied that the City did issue a building permit to remove an interior wall within the subject store; a permit is not needed to change the lettering on a sign. Rich Folkestad - Stated that a permit is required to put up a sign and a new sign has been placed on the subject property. Inquired why the City can't just shut the store down for sign violations rather than waiting until May 29. City Attorney Goodrich stated that the Community Development Inspector reviewed the property and indicated that a new sign was not erected but the lettering was changed on an existing sign; the City can review that situation again. Mr. Goodrich stated that the City will use whatever the law allows in this case and if there are violations of the law, the City will be prosecuting then and not waiting until May 29. City Council/April 24, 1990 Page 4 of 19