Lino Lakes Ledger
City Adopts New Snowmobile/ATV Ordinance
Snowmobilers in Lino Lakes will have to shut down a little earlier this winter as a result of a new city ordinance.
At its meeting of Oct. 22, the Lino Lakes City Council held the second reading of a brand new ordinance relating to the operation of snowmobiles and All Terrain Vehicles within the city limits.
Since its first reading on April 9, the ordinance has undergone a few changes, primarily because Anoka County declined to enact a countywide ATV ordinance at this time, and withheld permission from the city to regulate ATV use on its highways within the city.
"[The County Attorney] recommended against allowing political jurisdictions to regulate ATV use on county roads," said Lino Lakes Police Chief Dave Pecchia. Under the new ordinance, snowmobilers traveling within public right-of-way, whether on county or city streets, will be restricted to traveling on the roadway surfaces within the city unless there is an authorized snowmobile trail along the highway. Travel in ditches, boulevards and on sidewalks and paths will be prohibited. All snowmobiles traveling on a public street or highway will be restricted to 15 m.p.h. "This allows them to maneuver about the city like they used to," said Pecchia, adding, "[but] they have to stay on the paved portion of the roadway."
Snowmobiling will be prohibited aft er 10 p.m. and before 7 a.m.
Sunday through Thursday, and between midnight and 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday. This is consistent with the hours enforced in the city of Circle Pines.
ATVs are banned completely from all city streets, including ditches, banks, sidewalks and paths within the city street right-of-way. They are also banned from any publicly owned lands and frozen waters not previously listed or authorized for such use. ATV use within the city is prohibited after 10 p.m. and before 7 a.m. Sunday through Thursday, and between midnight and 8 a.m. Friday and Saturday.
The ordinance was adopted 5-0, and becomes eff ective 30 days aft er its publication in the Quad Press. A complete copy of the ordinance can be obtained at Lino Lakes City Hall; however, the full ordinance should be posted on the city's Web site before it becomes law.
In other action, the council:
. Approved an application by Centennial Middle School PTA to conduct a bingo event on Feb. 8, 2008.
. Adopted a resolution supporting the development and construction of the Central Anoka County Regional Trail Corridor.
. Authorized the city to certify delinquent water and sewer utility charges to Anoka County for collection with 2007 property taxes payable next year.
. Awarded a contract to Midwest Landscapes for the 2007 boulevard tree planting project in the amount of $14,313.
. Held the second reading of an ordinance which set the salaries of the mayor and council members for 2008 through 2010, an increase of 3% per year. The ordinance passed 3-2, Council members Dan Stoltz and Donna Carlson voting against.
. Adopted a Model Franchise Ordinance that can be used by future cable franchise applicants.
. Accepted a $1,000 donation from Target Corporation in support of the city's Domestic Abuse Response Team and outreach program.
. Approved a development contract with Royal Oaks Realty and final plat for the 7-lot Grandview residential subdivision.
. Adopted an ordinance vacating a portion of the original road easement described for Stagecoach Trail.
. Passed four resolutions adopting fi nal 2007 assessments for local improvements benefi ting the Junes Addition, Pine Glen Second Addition, Cox Estates and Golden Acre developments.
. Adopted 2007 assessments for individual properties requesting connection to city utilities.
. Approved a change order for Legacy at Woods Edge Phase 3 Streetscaping Improvements extending the contract completion date to Oct. 26, 2007.