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

Home

Steve Lundberg, 707 Isanti Parkway, Isanti, commented on the importance of safety education and stated his support to allow the business to operate as it is a safe use. There being no additional public comment, Mayor Strommen thanked the public for the input offered and staff for its thorough investigation of this request. She then turned discussion to the City Council. Councilmember Riley stated this ordinance amendment had been fully discussed and the Council needs to be focused on facts, not fears or perceptions. He found this use to not be a safety issue, noting Police Chief Way, the Planning Commission, and staff have fully vetted this issue. Motion by Councilmember Riley, seconded by Councilmember Tossey, to waive the City Charter requirement to read the ordinance aloud and adopt Ordinance #14-01 An Amendment to Chapter 117 of the City Code, which Chapter is Known as Zoning and Subdivisions of the City Code of Ramsey, Minnesota and Amending City Code Section 117 -114 (B -1 General Business District) and Adding a Section Titled "Indoor Shooting Ranges." Further discussion: Councilmember Backous stated it is important to understand the Council did not seek a shooting range but a private property owner found this tenant for his building and this process was then started. He indicated it is not the business of the City to find another location and he finds the proposed use to be completely safe for surrounding businesses and homes. Councilmember Backous stated if he had any concerns relating to safety, he would not have supported it in the first place. But, unfortunately the Council finds itself in the middle of a Second Amendment debate and he is receiving hundreds of e -mails from across the State. Councilmember Backous noted the owners of Little Me Child Care were asked repeatedly to participate in this decision including being handed a meeting notice but they made no response so the reasonable conclusion was that it was not of concern to them. He stated the Council made it a priority to be as transparent and inclusive as possible to assure every person is heard, which has occurred. He stated Total Defense participated fully in the process and the City fulfilled its obligation to notify and solicit input from Little Me Child Care. It is the responsibility of Little Me Child Care to notify its customers and he thinks if they had been brought into the process, their fears would have been addressed. Councilmember Backous stated it is especially appalling that after so many invitations to participate and express input, the Council is just now hearing from Little Me Child Care yet they contacted reporters and portrayed themselves as being the victim. He stated citizens need to be involved in the process, not threaten or picket or call reporters. He urged the Council to support its prior position that was based on findings of fact that have not changed. Councilmember Backous closed his comments by quoting Thomas Jefferson relating to government by the majority who participate. Councilmember Tossey stated two weeks ago, the Council discussed First Reading of this ordinance and conditional use. At that time, the issue was property rights and honoring an agreement between a private property owner and private business. He stated it would have been insincere for the City to try and stop that transaction. Councilmember Tossey stated since that meeting, he has received an e -mail from the owner of Little Me Day Care and then the following week learned it was going to be on the news and had become a gun rights and safety issue. Councilmember Tossey explained that for 18 years of his adult life, he has been around guns, is a City Council / February 11, 2014 Page 9 of 12