Ramsey Resident - 2001 - March/April

Home

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, including snow piles, 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. As you grow older; you stand for more and fall for less. — Anonymous AvoID A TicKET! DON PARK ON CITY STREETS 2 A.M. TO 6 A.M. 11 Parking is not allowed on Ramsey streets between the hours of 2 a.m. and 6 a.m., according to City Ordinance #603.19, Subd.3. Police officers issue citations to vehicles parked illegally. The ordinance provides the Police Department patrol units with a valuable tool to watch out for and investigate suspicious vehicles which may be parked on the street while the occupants are committing illegal acts during early morning hours. The ordinance also assists Public Works crews in snow removal efforts during the winter. CURFEW ORDINANCE In general, Ramsey's curfew ordinance makes it unlawful for juveniles to be in any public place in the City during the following times: Juveniles under the age of 12 1) Any time between 9 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday,Wednesday or Thursday and 5 a.m. the following day. 2) Any time between 10 p.m. on any Friday or Saturday and 5 a.m. the following day. Juveniles ages 12 to 14 1) Any time between 10 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and 5 a.m. the following day. 2) Any time between 11 p.m. on any Friday or Saturday and 5 a.m. the following day. Juveniles ages 15 to 17 1) Any time between 11 p.m. on any Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday and 5 a.m. the following day. 2) Any time between 12:01 a.m. and 5 a.m. on any Saturday or Sunday. Exceptions are allowed for young people who are in front of their own residence, with their parents, going to or coming from a place of employment, attending school or social functions, or on an errand for a parent. A copy of the entire ordinance can be obtained at the Ramsey Municipal Center during normal business hours. The curfew law is meant to keep young people out of trouble and out of danger.