Agenda - Council - 02/08/2005 - Laserfiche WebLink

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ditch by their house. Police Chief Way r~vieWed the map depicting the snowmobile restrictions in the City and noted with the current r~gulations snowmobiling would be allowed down the streets in Town Center. Councilmember Cook Stated this issue has_ come up year after year. Last year there were a bunch of snowmobilers in front of the Council saying they will police themselves, and every year this happens over and over again. He cannot see a line being drawn in the City. Snowmobiling should either be allowed or not allowed in~ the City, and if it is allowed in ditches the regulations should be the same for state and countY ditches. Councilmember Pearson stated i5 years ago this was a problem in the City and every year the issue is about the same thing. He thinksr. snowmobiles fit in Ramsey like his farm machinery does; it does not fit anymore. Snowmobil0rs should be able to ride on county and state roads, but the residential areas should not be open for them. Councilmember Strommen commented stie. agrees with most of what has been said. The City needs to come up with a policy, As urban as l the City is they are asking for trouble to allow people to ride down streets, but they do, need to look at a connection to get to trails. She suggested they look :at some areas t° preServe for snowmobiles when looking at the Comprehensive Plan. Councilmember Elvig Concurred. He co ~mmented what is nice about Ramsey is you can get to the Rum Rivet' and trails. He suggested 16;7th be considered for a line, rather than 157th. Mayor Gamec suggested a route be determined to allow snowmobilers to come up from the river at the gas station, which would allow SnoWmobilers to stop and get gas. He does not think there should be any snowmobiling south of:167th. ~ Councihnember Olson indicated the biggOst piece of this issue is the safety concerns related to the speed and the urbanization of the City. ' : Councilmember Elvig noted parking !s a Problem along the trails. He questioned if it would be bad precedent to allow parking in the parks: withOUt snowmobiling allowed in the parks. Police Chief Way indicated Central Park has been considered for parking. Councilmember Pearson asked if the City has the authority to prohibit snowmobiling on state and county highways. ~ Police Chief Way responded in the affirmative. He indicated the City cannot do anything for Mr. Vasseur this year. He suggested a full evening be dedicated to this issue soon. He noted currently the City of Ramsey has no trails for snowmobiling. He suggested Parks Supervisor Riverblood be involved and they look at designating areas of trails. Mayor Gamec noted this issue should :also inclUde ATV's. City CoUncil work Session/January 25, 2005 Page 2 of 3