HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/23/95City Council Work Session
October 23, 1995
Large Conference Room
Members present: Mayor Pro Tem Anders, Collier, Krizek, Murphy,
Getty
Members absent: Jordan, Mollenhoff
The council reviewed the documents comparing the current snowmobile
ordinance to the proposed snowmobile ordinance. The ordinance has
been updated to mirror the language of the Iowa Code for all
sections where pertinent and it also updates the points of ingress
and egress where operation of snowmobiles are allowed.
Councilperson Getty inquired as to why the ordinance is being
addressed. Police Chief Koehrsen reported that a request of the
snowmobiling club to update the ordinance was staffed to his
office. The old ordinance under which the City is currently
operating is out of date. There is a choice of two options before
the council at this time. Update the current ordinance by changing
the street list and complying with the State Code of Iowa or to ban
snowmobiling within the City limits.
Dick Melick presented a map of the routes as proposed to be
acceptable to the snowmobile club for ingress and egress to rest
stops or fueling. He pointed out that the routes remain on the
outskirts of the City.
Chief Koehrsen stated that his department recommends a ban on
snowmobiling due to enforcement problems. Mr. Melick reported that
offenders are not generally members of their club and stated that
there would be violators with or without the ordinance. Koehrsen
reported that the tracks of offenders could be more easily followed
if all travel is prohibited.
Collier raised concerns about using Airline Highway as an access
route. There are other alternate routes for entry to the Logan
Plaza or Broadway Street area. Krizek pointed out that many of the
routes selected are heavily populated and heavily traveled.
Traffic patterns in the Crossroads area are already increasing in
usage and snowmobiles could cause additional hazards for drivers.
Chief Koehrsen stated that in addition to the hazard to drivers,
noise and operators underage result in complaints from residents.
Councilperson Getty stated that the question for the council to
address is whether to allow snowmobiles to be operated within the
City limits.
Larry Coffin, 1006 Martin Rd, reported that the City already has a
problem with snowmobilers violating the ordinance and the proposed
ordinance would be opening up the access routes and exasperate the
problem.
Councilperson Anders requested that the council be polled to give
further direction to staff for preparation of the ordinance form
which reflects the wishes of the majority. The question put forth
was "Do we want an ordinance to allow snowmobiling in the City
limits as proposed," with the following results:
Ban snowmobiling: Krizek, Collier, Anders
Allow snowmobiling: Murphy, Getty
The Mayor Pro Tem directed the City Attorney to draft an ordinance
to ban snowmobiling and place before the council for official
action.
With no further discussion it was moved by Krizek, seconded by
Collier to adjourn the meeting at 5:20 p.m. Ayes: Five. Absent:
Jordan, Mollenhoff. Motion carried.
Susan Fangman
City Clerk