9.C.3. PRSR 10-09-2002 - Laserfiche WebLink

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SEP-24-2002 16:52 P.02/03 reported to have stopped 228 snowmobiles during the 8 hour period following the last snowstorm prior to the meeting. Elk River is effectively becoming a road block to the rest of the snowmobiling community in the Twin Cities area. The City of Elk River in conjunction with the River City Snowriders Club should establish clearly marked trails and routes that allow access both in and out of the city. I am all for consideration of other peoples rights and safety and believe that significant fines, and in some cases forfeiture of the offending snowmobile, need to be established as a deterrent to any potential offenders. Parents of juvenile snowmobilers who ride without a permit or in breach of the city ordinance need also need to be held accountable for their children's operation of the vehicle. There needs to be recognition for multiple offences as well. I have just examined the draft Snowmobile Ordinance I located on the City of Elk River website (http://elkriver.aovoffice.com/vertical/Sites/%7B18493844-E9A7-4BC5-BA1B- 5149BB77ECC4%7D/unloads/%7B44D892EF-840D-42C9-BC I F- 3C105E895575%7D.PDF). I found no further drafts with the other alternatives mentioned in the initial information from Michele McPherson, Director of Planning: 1. Implement an outright ban (simplest), 2. Provide no regulation, or 3. Allow limited use in specific areas (either south of 33 or limiting uses to the Urban Service District). This draft ordinance clearly shows that the City has made a decision (Option 1) with respect to how it wishes to proceed on this subject. The "consultation"to be held tonight is therefore a farce. Option 3 is the more reasonable one and is a compromise for all concerned. The River City Snowriders snowmobile club is working hard to make Elk River a safe place for the community whilst still allowing snowmobilers to enjoy an activity which makes Minnesota winters bearable for many people. They therefore deserve the opportunity to be appropriately consulted in the process of rewriting the ordinance. As a future resident of this area I request that fair consideration be given to a suitable compromise which will respect the rights of both snowmobilers and other residents. Yours Sincerely, akj i , c n Collie !Vll� re Resident (12 October 2002) 24 September 2002 Page 2 of 3