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problems and address complaints. He asked the Council to remember that two of the largest <br />snowmobile dealers in the State of Minnesota are in Ramsey, employ 50 plus people, and bring <br />many dollars to the City of Ramsey. He stated Ramsey put $150,000 into his business to make it <br />what it is today and ATV's and snowmobiles are 60% of his business. He stated he does not <br />support a ban on snowmobiles and believes there is an easier way to restrict riding in the problem <br />areas. Mr. Noard stated Pro Sporting Goods has also done things to support Ramsey in dealing <br />with snowmobile problems. <br /> <br />Gary Marks, 5200 - 155th Lane NW, stated he is affected by the line of restriction since he <br />snowmobiles from his house quite a bit. He stated he was never notified and saw nothing about <br />the past two meetings but did see a notice at Pro Sporting Goods. He stated he would like there <br />to be several corridors where snowmobiles could get out of the City. Mr. Marks stated they <br />spend money at Ramsey businesses and he hates to see it go away like this. <br /> <br />Steven Schwaab, 168th Avenue NW, stated he has four sleds and two 4-wheelers. He moved <br />into this area to snowmobile and does not have a trailer. He stated they patronize many <br />businesses in Ramsey and this will take money away from those businesses and it will be spent <br />in other areas like Elk River. He stated he supports restricting some streets but not others like <br />Armstrong. <br /> <br />A1 Pearson, 14821 Bowers Drive NW, stated he is the irate farmer who lives on Highway 10 and <br />has had thousands of dollars of damage done to his fields from snowmobilers and ATV's. He <br />stated he served on the City Council 15 years ago and heard complaints then. He stated that <br />snowmobilers do not stay where they should be, cut through his fields, and do "donuts". He <br />stated there are hundreds of miles of trails but they do not use them and while he is not opposed <br />to snowmobiles, he is anti-damage to private property. He stated that time has passed and <br />snowmobiles no longer fit in Ramsey. Mr. Pearson stated that his daughter was almost hit by a <br />3-wheeler in a 90-acre field when she stepped out of his truck. He stated he supports this <br />ordinance since snowmobiles and ATV's have no business anywhere in the City and he believes <br />it is time for this ordinance. <br /> <br />Rick Christian, 7330 Alpine Drive NW, stated he supports the ordinance and is tired of people <br />coming into his yard. He stated that snowmobilers have taken out his telephone service for over <br />a day, knocked down his mailbox and has put gravel in his yard area that has to be removed in <br />the summertime. He stated Ramsey is a City now and the residents need to accept this change. <br />Mr. Christian stated that 30 years ago he used to hunt ducks but that is no longer allowed in <br />Ramsey. He stated a real snowmobiler can afford a trailer to transport his fancy machines to <br />trails and that's where they belong. <br /> <br />Randy Lakings, Zeolite Street NW, stated he grew up on a farm and knows better than to drive <br />on hay fields He stated he does not like the comments made and being accused of causing this <br />damage. He stated that several winters ago a 4-wheel drive vehicle raced through his <br />neighborhood thinking it would be fun. He stated people complain about property damage but <br />he has had damage done to his machines. He stated he honors no trespassing signs but some <br />people will put up a post, which has damaged his machines. He stated he looks over the areas he <br />is going to be snowmobiling but has found that some put fences up which force snowmobiles out <br />into the roads. Mr. Lakings stated that he has also had damage done to his snowmobile when <br /> <br />City Council/July 9, 2002 <br />Page 8 of 24 <br /> <br /> <br />