Minutes - Council - 07/09/2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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Union, on May 3, 2002. A Public Hearing was held on May 14, and continued to June 11, where the ordinance was introduced for adoption. The ordinance is in front of the Council this evening for adoption. Staff recommends that Council adopt the ordinance as revised and renamed Recreational Vehicle Ordinance that further restricts the use of recreational vehicles in the City of Ramsey. Mayor Gamec noted the public hearing had been closed but asked if anyone is present who would like to make comments. Reid Droegemueller, 16159 Marble Street NW, stated he was not aware of the public hearings that were advertised for this ordinance. If he had, he would have attended because it excludes half of Ramsey. He stated he would like a citizen committee created of anti-snowmobilers and snowmobilers so it could be fully discussed prior to adoption of this ordinance. He noted that lots in the MUSA area are less than an acre in size so it make sense to reduce the snowmobile area. However, in less dense areas with ditches it makes sense to allow snowmobiles and ATV's to operate. Mr. Droegemueller stated the area to be restricted, on the western side, is not within the MUSA and has ditches so snowmobiles could operate safely. He stated that restricting people fi'om access to the Highway 10 corridor is extreme and he would like the opportunity to work with the Police Department to identify zones to get to Highway 10 and exit the area. He stated be would also like to know the nature of the complaints and how they were addressed. Mr. Droegemueller asked the City Council to table adoption of the ordinance until a citizen group can be organized to come up with a better solution than used in Andover to draw a straight line and restrict snowmobile use. Jackie Peterson, 5530 - 173rd Avenue NW, stated she is a member of the snowmobile club and is strongly opposed to the ordinance. She distributed copies of a petition that was posted on the internet by the Snow Rams and noted it contains 162 names against the ordinance. She stated she also posted signs in Ramsey and got it on the MinnUSA agenda because she does not think it was published or that Ramsey residents were aware of this consideration. She stated she also visited many businesses and found none were aware and were extremely upset. Ms. Peterson stated she let people know so they could voice their opinions. She noted many also made comments on the petition and read the comments from Gary Crane stating his opposition. Ms. Peterson stated she was told at a meeting that the snowmobile club would be informed of the first meeting on this ordinance but they were not informed and she only found out after she called the City and learned it was the very next day. She stated she attended the meeting and was the only person who talked about it. At that meeting, the ordinance was tabled after her comments. Ms. Peterson stated that 25% of Ramsey residents snowmobile, use ATV's or other types of recreational vehicles and a ban that affects 25% of the residents needs to be better publicized. She stated her opinion that many residents still don't know about it. She stated that at the last meeting it was commented that many residents trailer their snowmobiles and ride outside of Ramsey. However, she does not believe that is the case and thinks that many residents do snowmobile in Ramsey. She stated many residents moved to Ramsey to be able to participate in this sport and to restrict it is not fair. John Noard, Anoka-Ramsey Sports Center, stated he does not personally feel snowmobiling should run through residential areas. He stated that police officers will vouch that for the past ten years he has fi~rnished patrol sleds at no cost to the City in an effort to minimize the number of City Council/July 9, 2002 Page 7 of 24