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I- I CITY NEWSLETTER NOVIDEC 1998, VOLUME 13, NO.8 HELLO. . . . 4iI 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 or 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 ofthe owner or ifthe 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 Continued on Page 4 SNOWMOBILE SEASON: FUN OR FRUSTRATION? After nine years without a Community Development Director, the Ramsey City Council resurrected the position earlier this year. Following several interviews, Cindy Sherman was selected. Sherman, who has an M.A. degree in Urban and Regional Studies from Mankato State University, came to Ramsey from St. Croix County, Wisconsin, where she was the Zoning_ Director. Before that she served as City Planner for Shoreview, MN. She worked in Planning and Economic Development at Woodbury, MN from 1986 to 1996. As Community Development Director, Sherman's main responsibility is overseeing Planning and Zoning, Code Enforcement, Building Inspections, implementation of the Comprehensive Plan, and the City's contract for Economic Development consulting servIces. Sherman and her husband have two young sons. The family plans to move to Ramsey in the near future. GOODBYE. . . . to Street Supervisor Merle Mevissen (see page 13). eOMPREHENSIVEPLAN UPCOMING EVENTS Many community Illembers have. b~en ,involyed.in proyding.insightand informatiomfoq llda.tingtheCity's Comprehensiye'. IC dtl1eMetropolitan CounciF}jy ecem. er.31, 19 . The. Comprehensive Plan consultants.,.aJ:e cllrrently fmalizing the draft document.dt.~ho . be.ayailable for public review guringthe.seco ...halfofNovember. A public hearing to comment on the draft is tentatively schedulegforTu.esday, December 1,. 1998, at 7:30 p.m. at City Hall.