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has been made yet. <br /> <br />Zoning Administrator Frolik explained that the Council realizes they need to take the same steps <br />as taken in Andover including receiving input from Ramsey residents. This is why they are <br />starting with a more restrictive ordinance. <br /> <br />Councilmember Haas Steffen stated Ramsey does not have to do what Andover did but can make <br />their own decision about what to do in Ramsey. She clarified that to adopt a different set of rules <br />than Andover means there is no change in what is currently going on. <br /> <br />Mr. Amdt stated that he believes the best thing for use of the River is slow speed zones where <br />there are perceived erosion problems and a reasonable speed limit in other areas. He advised that <br />there are many pontoons and motor boats along the Rum River and he does not believe all of <br />them will follow the no wake zones. He urged the City to make this a useful amendment with a <br />four zone system similar to what was adopted by Andover. <br /> <br />Bruce Brunivick, Coon Rapids, stated that he has played and fished the Rum River for 40 years <br />and launches at the Anoka County Fair Grounds. He explained if the City enacts a no wake zone <br />it will take him three and one-half to four hours to get to his fishing area and that is not feasible. <br />He stated that he attended the meetings in Andover and supports making no wake zones only in <br />areas of critical erosion. <br /> <br />Councilmember Haas Steffen asked if there are other launch areas which could be used such as at <br />County Road 22. Mr. Brunivick stated his 14-foot fishing boat with a 15-horse motor will not <br />launch at that location because it is too shallow. <br /> <br />Councilmember Haas Steffen asked if Rum River Central Park will have a boat launch since the <br />depth of the River would be adequate. An audience member stated that it is very shallow at that <br />location and water depth would be an issue. <br /> <br />Mike Hanley, 17665 Argon Street NW, read a lengthy prepared statement indicating his <br />objection to the proposed no wake ordinance and asserting the question is how much erosion is <br />occurring naturally, how much is the result of human activity and what, if anything, can <br />government do to control it. He suggested that Anoka's current no wake ordinance is a minor <br />inconvenience for most boaters because it covers a relatively short distance and is occupied in the <br />middle by the dam. He commented on the impact of the River's current which causes erosion, <br />especially at the tighter twists and bends in the River and during times when the water level is <br />high and the current swift He asserted that erosion has been occurring on the Rum River since its <br />creation and long before the first boat and motor was used on the River. He stated the originators <br />of this ordinance apparently took a canoe trip down the River last summer and observed what <br />they believed to be abnormal erosion prone spots which they believed needed protection from <br />watercraft wakes. He disagreed with the notion that erosion is abnormal or caused by watercraft <br />wakes. He stated he believes that you could take a trip down any natural river and find areas <br />along the bends and tums that would equally qualify (by their definition) as abnormal erosion <br />prone spots. He disagreed with the notion that erosion is abnormal or caused by watercraft. Mr. <br /> <br />City Council Public Hearing/June 9, 1998 <br /> Page 3 of 6 <br /> <br /> <br />