Ramsey Resident - 2000 - January/February

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SNOWMOBILE SEASON: FUN OR FRUSTRATION? Some citizens of Ramsey look forward to snowmobile season; others dread it. In order to meet the needs of both groups, Ramsey has a number of ordinances designed to promote safe snowmobiling and safeguard the rights of property owners. Snowmobiles are also subject to Minnesota Statutes 84.81 through 84 -929. For more complete information, please contact the Ramsey Police Department at 427 -6812. When can we snowmobile? From 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. Sunday through Thursday; 8:00 a.m. Friday to 1:00 a.m. Saturday; and 8:00 a.m. Saturday to 1:00 a.m. Sunday. Snowmobiles cannot be operated any place in the City during other hours. Where can we snowmobile? On your own property; on private property if you have in your possession written permission of the owner or if the owner has posted clearly visible signs allowing snowmobiles; on public trails designated by Council resolution; on lakes subject to the City's jurisdiction; and on public property clearly posted with signs designating snowmobile areas. Minnesota statutes permit the lawful operation of snowmobiles on the right -of -way of State Trunk Highways and County State Aid roadways. These statutes pre -empt local authority to regulate snowmobiling. Although landowners may maintain these areas, they are publicly owned. Therefore, landowners cannot place barricades, fences or other objects in the right -of -way on these highways and roadways. If they do, they are subject to civil or tort liability in the event their actions cause either equipment damage or personal injury. Snowmobiles are only allowed on City streets when operation is necessary to gain access to designated snowmobile areas, private property, or areas that can be used for snowmobiling per Minnesota statutes. Snowmobiles are not allowed in any City Parks, golf courses, roadway right -of -way farm fields, school grounds, tree nurseries or planted areas, or the median or area between opposing lanes of traffic. Who can operate a snowmobile? People who are 18 or older may operate snowmobiles. Anyone who is at least 16 but younger than 18 may operate a snowmobile on City streets only if they have in their immediate possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate. People who are at least 14 but younger than 16 may make a direct crossing of a City street only if they have in their possession a valid snowmobile safety certificate. What type of equipment is required? Snowmobiles operated in the City limits must be equipped with brakes, a safety or "dead man throttle" in operating condition, a clear attached front lamp of sufficient intensity to reveal people or vehicles at a distance of 100 feet, at least one red tail lamp, at least 16 square inches of reflective material on each side forward of the handlebars so as to reflect at a 90- degree angle, and a standard operating muffler. A rigid tow bar must be used when towing people or things. 1. 2. 3. RIN KATTENDANTS NEEDED The City of Ramsey is seeking applicants for the part -time seasonal positions of Rink Attendant. Applicants must be at least 16 years old for this temporary position. Work begins approximately December 17, 1999, and lasts approximately 10 weeks. Rate of pay is $7.00 to $9.00 per hour, depending on previous work experience. Attendants completing the entire 10 weeks with no lost time and satisfactory performance may receive an additional .50¢ for each hour worked. During Christmas vacation the rinks will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m., depending on weather conditions. Non - Holiday hours are afternoons and evenings beginning at 3:30 p.m.; weekends from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Applications can be picked up at the Ramsey Municipal Center, 15153 Nowthen Boulevard NW, Ramsey. Applications will be accepted until all positions are filled. Rinks will be closed if: ICE RINK SCHEDULE AND CLOSING GUIDELINES Ice rinks at Ramsey Elementary School and Central Park are open weekdays from 3:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. (10 p.m. if needed); Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.; and Sundays from noon to 8:00 p.m. Temperatures are 10 degrees below zero or lower or 32 degrees and above, and expected to remain so. Rinks are in unsafe conditions due to warm weather. Attendant may close if weather conditions become severe and are not expected to improve. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES SIGN 9 If you are interested in renting space on the Community Activities sign at the Ramsey Municipal Center, please call Kathy Schmitz at 427 -1410. Always be nice to people on the way up; because you'll meet the same people on the way down. — Wilson Mizner