Minutes - Council - 02/11/2014 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Wayne Buchholz, 14621 Neon Street NW, stated the owner of the Little Me Child Care was handed a notice but chose to not show up at the public hearing. He stated he finds that the City has done everything possible ,and after hearing all of the comments made at last night's public meeting, he does not think those who are opposed understand the request, location of the door, that the guns being carried will be encased, and that the primary hours of operation of the gun club will be after hours or on weekends. He stated he sees no conflict between the two uses. Maria Buchholz, 14621 Neon Street NW, stated she feels the City is being irresponsible by reopening public input on this issue. She felt the shooting range had a right to exist by law just as a "smut store" though she does not support a smut store. Ms. Buchholz stated while others have a right to protest, it should have been during the formal public hearing process. She encouraged the Council to do its job and stand by its decision. Nathan Lukasavitz, 6480 153rd Way, quoted George Washington and Richard Henry Lee, two of the Country's founding fathers. He stated the Council has the opportunity to approve the shooting range and pass the torch of liberty to the next generation and teach the children, especially when young, to respect firearms. Mr. Lukasavitz stated last night the issue of lead poisoning was raised but even in the Anoka High School, lead pipes are used for drinking water. He described murders that had occurred at a gun -free movie theater. Mr. Lukasavitz felt there may be others who will want their children at this daycare facility because of the indoor shooting range. He stated his support for approval of this request. Matthew Fietek, 5410 152 Avenue NW, stated Anoka High School has a trap shooting league. He commented on the high number of licensed gun holders, licensed gun dealers, gun shows, and indoor shooting ranges, noting criminals are the ones who use guns to commit their atrocious act. He stated since 1950, with the exception of one mass shooting, every mass shooting in this country has occurred in a gun free zone. Mr. Fietek stated if this daycare is within a gun zone, it will be one of the safest locations within the country. He stated noise will be at a minimum with soundproofed walls, there will be no pollution, and a criminal would not select this day care as it would not be a gun -free zone. Mr. Fietek reviewed accident rates that occur by other means and noted that while gun sales are increasing, the number of injuries by gun is falling due to safety education. He felt approval of a gun range would be beneficial to all. Grant Rademacher, 15920 St. Andrews Lane, applauded the City for going above and beyond requirements to notify residents and businesses and stated his support for staffs recommendation to approve the ordinance amendment. Kenneth Shank, 5908 151s Lane NW, stated he had recently participated on a date night with friends that involved taking their wives to Bills, a shooting range in Robbinsdale, where they spent $100 plus more than $250 at a restaurant. He stated those dollars were spent in Robbinsdale, not in the City of Ramsey, so there is an economic benefit with having a gun range in Ramsey. Chris Weiss, 5907 151' Lane NW, stated as a former employee of the nearby cabinet shop, he thinks it would be beneficial to rezone this corner as it used to be affluent but was now quiet. He stated a lot of noise comes from the cabinet shop during summer months when their doors are City Council / February 11, 2014 Page 6 of 12