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HomeMy WebLinkAbout10-15 • CITY OF LAKEVILLE PARKS AND RECREATION ADVISORY COMMITTEE / SNOWMOBILE TASK FORCE JOINT MEETING OCTOBER 15, 1997 ITEM #1. - Call to order. The meeting was called to order in the Council Chambers by Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Chair Jeff Larson at 6:00 PM. ITEM #2. - Roll call. Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee members present: J. Larson, P. Messinger, C. Wanless-Sobel, H. Lovelace, A. Raymond and C. Bonn. Committee member L. Lulf was unable to attend due to a work conflict. Snowmobile Task Force members present: J. Bedeaux, J. Bowers, L. Clemmer, G. Grenz, D. Huffer, B. McGinn, L. Moe, B. Pabich, C. Schindeldecker, C. Seese, M. Stuber, J. Tongen and T. Vonhof. Also present were City Administrator Bob Erickson, Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud, Chief of Police Dave Martens and Recording Secretary Judi Ryan. Approximately 25 interested persons were also in attendance. ITEM #3. - Approval of minutes: The minutes of the Snowmobile Task Force meeting of September 11, 1997 were approved as printed. The minutes of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee meeting of October 1, 1997 were approved as printed. ITEM #4. - Staff presentation and review of public comments received concerning snowmobile restriction in certain residential areas of Lakeville. Parks and Recreation Director Steve Michaud thanked Task Force members, Committee members and the general public for attending the meeting and summarized activities since the September 11th meeting. Included in the packets which were recently received by the committees was a summary of public comments which have been made since the last Snowmobile Task Force meeting. The entire packet is available for public review at the Parks and Recreation Department at City Hall. Other items provided to Committee and Task Force members in their packets included: an informational summary from the Parks and Recreation Director, minutes of the September 11th meeting, results of a survey . conducted in the Valley Park area of Lakeville, a report from Lakeville Police Sergeant Tom Vonhof, a copy of a grant application for enforcement funding, Minnesota DNR snowmobile accident report for the 1996-97 season, a survey of 28 metropolitan Snowmobile Task Force /Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Joint Meeting Page -2- • communities concerning snowmobiling, newspapers articles relating to various topics, copies of letters received from residents, and summaries of four petitions from various neighborhoods. At the September 11th meeting the method and results of the city-wide Decision Resources survey were disputed. Decision Resources had reported that by a 59 to 35 percent margin, residents supported banning snowmobiles in residential areas, so that snowmobilers would be required to trailer their vehicles to specific parking areas in the City for access to designated trails. To validate the survey, 1,748 cards were sent to Valley Park residents, from which 46% responded to date through October 9, 1997. Results of the postcard survey showed that 58 percent supported a ban in residential areas. Several of those who returned their survey added written comments and all of those comments were recorded and passed along to Task Force and Committee members, as well as to City Council. Phone calls received in the Parks and Recreation office were also tallied, as were letters which were received from the general public concerning this issue. Calls and letters continue to be received and will be conveyed to City Council prior to a final analysis. Police Sergeant Tom Vonhof briefly reviewed the status of snowmobile complaints from . the last year and what the plans are for enforcement and education for the next season. It is the philosophy of the Police Department to balance education and enforcement in order to bring people into compliance with laws. The snowmobile season lasts about 12 to 15 weeks per year. Last season, the Police Department responded to 132 calls concerning snowmobiling. These included four accidents, two of which involved personal injury, and one fatality. Most of the calls came early in the season, which can be attributed to heavy snows. February brought bitterly cold weather and fewer complaints. In March the incidents decreased with the diminishing snow cover. Lakeville Police officers spent a total of 56 hours of enforcement on their snowmobile. Over 100 people were contacted, resulting in 20 arrests for various violations including DUI, speeding, no registration, etc. Several snowmobile owners were also contacted by officers following incidents when an officer was unable to apprehend a rider but was able to obtain the vehicle's registration numbers. Some snowmobile enforcement /education saturation events were also held in conjunction with Dakota County and the DNR this year, where contact was made with several snowmobilers. Sgt. Vonhof stated that the Police Department's goal for the 1997-98 season is to patrol by snowmobile 12 to 15 hours per week and target the hours when most incidents occur. Typically most complaints are received late in the afternoon after school has let out, with the majority of accidents happening at night. Patrols also continue with squad cars where and when possible. Plans are underway to produce a video which would show snowmobiles operating properly and also demonstrate the dangers of improper operation. This video will also be used as an education tool in conjunction with the SnoTrackers snowmobile certification classes and in the schools. A grant application was submitted Snowmobile Task Force /Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Joint Meeting Page 3- for enforcement funds and has been approved in the amount of $4,000.00. Only 25 municipalities in the state were approved for the grant. Steve Michaud added that other grant funds are also secured by the City to reimburse the SnoTrackers for trail maintenance and grooming. Last year the Minnesota DNR provided over $11,000 in grant-in-aid funds; this year their commitment is for over $10,000. Efforts will continue by staff to receive as much assistance as possible. Twenty-eight cities were surveyed by staff to determine where snowmobiling is allowed in the metropolitan area. Of the cities surveyed, 11 have total bans, nine have partial bans and eight cities have no ban. Lakeville has also received a few inquiries from other cities who are considering snowmobile ordinance changes. A petition with 13 signatures was received from residents of the Hills of Amber Grove stating that they are opposed to the banning of snowmobiles north of 185th Street. Twenty-seven of 31 Lakeview Heights residents stated in their petition that they would not like to see snowmobiling banned from their cul-de-sac. The neighbors stated they have not had a bad experience with snowmobiling. A survey by a neighbor in Walnut Ridge found that of the 52 people who responded to their survey, eight favored trailering, 29 were against and 15 were undecided. Members of the Somerset Association, residents of a townhome development near Murphy-Hanrehan Park, also submitted a petition. Residents in this area have experienced increased noise and speeding problems the last couple of years with the snowmobile access going into Murphy-Hanrehan Park and want the trail moved or abolished. In an effort to remedy the situation, staff met with Hennepin Parks representatives who informed staff that the County's 80/20 preservation/active use policy would allow trails to remain on the perimeter of the park. However, they agreed to move the trail from the old Judicial Road alignment which would take the trail away from the backs of the townhouses. Crews have been authorized to begin clearing the way for the new trail location which will be re-evaluated next year. In addition, a slower speed limit will be posted along the trail in Murphy-Hanrehan Park and will be enforced rigorously by Park Rangers. Staff has asked the SnoTrackers to consider using their equipment and labor to groom the cross country ski trails in Ritter Farm Park. Grooming would be reimbursed through a grant from the DNR, similar to snowmobile trail grooming. Parks and Recreation Advisory Chair Larson asked if any other information was needed prior to discussion or recommendation of items listed in the memo from Steve Michaud dated October 10, 1997. Those items which were being considered by the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee included: • 1. Use of Casperson Park trail head parking lot. 2. Use of Antlers Park as a trail access and exit from Lake Marion to the main trail system. Snowmobile Task Force /Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Joint Meeting Page -4- 3. Relocation of Ritter f=arm Park snowmobile trail access. 4. Use of carbide studs on any City trails. 5. Continued use of certain parks (i.e., Foxborough, Antlers, Ritter and Zweber plat conservation area) and other City properties and conservation areas as designated snowmobile trails. Use of Antlers Park corridor as a trail access was discussed. Staff stated there had been a little damage the first year but less last year. If the trail is well marked it should not cause any problems. Staff will continue to monitor snowmobile use through Antlers Park and report back to the committee. Relocation of Ritter Farm Park snowmobile trail access west of 195th Street was recommended because of the danger of mixed use between snowmobiles and cars. The relocation of the trail to the alfalfa field will eliminate this conflict with cars and improve safety. The new trail alignment will eliminate an existing intersection with a cross country ski trail. Use of carbide studs on paved tails was discussed and Committee members felt that since snowmobiles are not allowed on paved trails, this should not be an issue with the exception of a few areas where snowmobiles are allowed on the trail if it is not plowed for school children. New trails which have been or will be constructed, such as those along 160th Street, would need to be designated for either pedestrians or snowmobiles, dependant on the outcome of the snowmobile recommendation. Based on the article concerning Washington County, carbide tips cause a considerable amount of damage. Every year the city has been seeing more damage caused by carbide studs and the issue will need to be addressed. Committee member Messinger stated she would not be comfortable making a recommendation which would continue to allow carbide studs. City Administrator Bob Erickson suggested that more information might be available from sources within the industry. A significant number of new trails are scheduled to be plowed, as they are pedestrian access routes to schools. Existing paved trails will be considered for snowmobile use only if there is a legitimate linear connection which would benefit the snowmobiling community. Committee members would like staff to provide more information concerning the use of carbide studs, specifically, where the areas are where damage has occurred and what. trails might be available for snowmobile use. A member of the audience stated that at the last meeting there was some discussion about riding on sidewalks and in ditches and asked if some of them could be groomed for snowmobile use. Staff stated that grooming would not be done on sidewalks as they are • exclusively for pedestrian use. Also, grooming is reimbursed only for trails which are part of the designated trail system and approved as a DNR grant in aid trail. Snowmobile Task Force /Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Joint Meeting Page -5- Committee members discussed continued trail accesses through certain parks such as Foxborough, Antlers and Ritter Farm Park. Staff also mentioned that a certain area of the Zweber plat which has been a connector trail access in the past, is now owned by the City. It is anticipated that the developer will continue to allow the trail to go through the rest of the property until development occurs. Multipurpose uses and connections to trails which are used at other times of the year are important in planning for future trails. Snowmobiles have caused some safety concerns because of their speed in Foxborough Park, however, park damage or other problems have not been experienced. Staff stated that from Foxborough Park after the trail crosses Highview it traverses wetlands and conservation areas, through several city-owned acres south of North Park. Committee member Messinger stated she is mainly concerned because of Foxborough's neighborhood park designation. The ice skating facilities which the City provides attract many children. It was also mentioned that the main trail through Foxborough is located on the north side of the ditch away from the skating area which is located on the ,south side. She feels the snowmobiles do not stay in the drainage ditch trails and would like to see the trails moved further away from the rinks. Often neighborhood kids are driven to the rinks, however, it seems that in Foxborough more kids are walking. A 10 MPH speed limit which is seldom obeyed makes it dangerous for kids to cross at the bridge. Messinger stated that a stop sign for snowmobilers might be helpful. SnoTrackers president, Linda Moe, stated that the Foxborough bridge is purposely not groomed to make it more difficult for snowmobiles to cross. There has also been an ongoing problem of signs being stolen. A lot of people snowmobile around in the park because they don't know they're suppose to stay on the trail. The snowmobile community needs to help educate others and enforce the rules if the sport is to continue in Lakeville. She stated that people who don't know the rules are most likely the ones who are causing the problems. Messinger asked if this segment could this be reconsidered at a later date. Chair Larson stated he is concerned about any areas where there is conflict with pedestrians or park users. 97.43 Motion was made by Messinger, seconded by Bonn, to recommend continued use of Casperson Park as a trail head parking lot, use of Antlers Park as a trail access to Lake Marion, and relocation of Ritter Farm Park snowmobile trail access. The issues of carbide studs on any city trails and approval of continued use of snowmobiling in certain parks will be discussed at a later meeting after more information has been received. Motion passed. Mike Stuber, Acting Chair of the Snowmobile Task Force, stated that the SnoTrackers were somewhat disappointed following the last meeting, since 30 people had picked up applications for membership and to date only three have joined the club. Mr. Stuber listed suggestions for various options the Task Force may wish to consider for recommendation: Snowmobile Task Force /Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Joint Meeting Page -6- • 1. Recommend to City Council a restriction on snowmobiling in designated residential areas. 2. Recommend no restrictions on snowmobiling; remain status quo. 3. Establish a one year evaluation period in designated residential area to determine if snowmobile owners and riders can comply with established ordinances. 4. Propose a combination of recommendations that would improve snowmobile safety for both the users and the general public. 5. If a proposed restriction is recommended, consideration must be given to two neighborhoods presently in the restricted area for exclusion. Those areas are Lakeview Heights and areas west of I-35. Mr. Stuber read a letter from the Lakeville SnoTrackers to the Lakeville Snowmobile Task Force, dated October 14, 1997. The letter stated that the goal of the snowmobile club is to provide safe and accessible trails and maintain access to the broadest possible areas of Lakeville. The SnoTrackers expressed their commitment to continue education and enforcement efforts, help to locate park and ride lots, and work with the City to address issues and concerns. The SnoTrackers are recommending that a decision on the proposed ban be delayed for the 1997-98 season and reviewed during and after the season. The club realizes that as the city grows, snowmobiling will become more and more difficult. • They feel that the substantial effort put forth by the Lakeville Police Department and the informational mailings by the City helped to decrease incidents later in the 1996-97 season. The SnoTrackers would support a zero tolerance policy beginning with the first snowfall of the year. A second letter from the SnoTrackers to the Lakeville City Council addressed the need to provide additional park and ride lots, especially to serve areas other than the west side of the city. They are requesting that an unpaved area of the new water treatment plant site be identified as a park and ride lot beginning in the 1997-98 season. It was noted by Mr. Stuber that in the survey of Valley Park residents, several respondents cited problems they have experienced with snowmobiles. The existing snowmobile ordinance addresses the concerns of most of these people including a 10 MPH speed limit, noise late at night, hours of operation, and staying a specified distance away from pedestrians, i.e., snowmobiles on the lake coming too close to ice fishermen. At this time, Mr. Stuber opened the meeting to comments from the Task Force. Brian Pabich stated he did not make it to the last meeting but did not approve of the way things were done. He felt the Valley Park survey was a misuse of the survey process. He also estimated from the police figures that the complaints had risen from .75 to .93 per day and feels that is not a significant enough increase for the amount of concern which is being shown, since it averages to less than one complaint per day. He feels the residents are opposed to banning snowmobiling in Lakeville and that the question was not worded properly. He would like to leave things status quo for another year. Snowmobile Task force /Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Joint Meeting Page -7- i Task Force member Gerry Grenz stated that two valid surveys have been done with nearly identical results. The question was neutral and the city-wide survey was done by a professional, respected firm. snowmobilers must acknowledge that there is a problem and that their image is being tarnished by those who do not obey the rules. They must work together with each .other and the City to find a solution. The most important need is to find a way to educate the children, especially`in Valley Park, as this is where many of the problems are. Grenz thinks snowmobilers should be given a second chance to try to alleviate the problems to see if complaints can be brought down this year. Any planned snowmobile education programs should involve ISD #196 which is where most of the Valley Park students go to school. Pabich agreed that one year of zero tolerance should be attempted before imposing a ban. Task Force member J. Bowers feels that the most frequently broken rule by snowmobilers in Connelly Mobile Home Park is excessive speed and would like to have the police concentrate on that area. Discussion was held on the proper way to develop a revised motion. It was determined that a motion was necessary to rescind the Task Force's original motion to ban a snowmobiling north of 175th Street. Staff suggested that a recommendation to the City Council might propose additional solutions, i.e., use of a snowmobile hot line to give conditions, tips and ordinance information; and further attempts to educate the snowmobiling community. A recommendation should be a comprehensive package with input from the Police Department and the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee. City Administrator Bob Erickson agreed with staff's objective in formulating a recommendation for City Council, but does not want to preclude the Snowmobile Task Force from doing their business. Tongen stated that it was the initial motion of the Snowmobile Task Force to recommend to City Council a ban of snowmobiling in residential areas north of 175th Street, and questioned how the proposal was ultimately modified and extended south to 185th Street. Staff explained that due to MUSA lines, safety issues and enforcement the logical boundary would include more residential areas. 97.02 Motion was made by Tongen, seconded by Pabich, to rescind the original motion of the Snowmobile Task Force which would restrict snowmobiling in residential areas north of 175th Street. Ayes: Bedeaux, Bowers, Grenz, Huffer, Moe, Pabich, Seese, Stuber and Tongen. Nay: None. Abstain: Clemmer, McGinn, Schindeldecker and Vonhof. Motion passed. Snowmobile Task force /Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee Joinf Meeting Page -8- • Task Force member Tongen stated that hopefully snowmobile owners will help to enforce regulations and police themselves in their own neighborhoods next year, but if the problems continue, especially in the Valley Park area, there may be no alternative but to ban snowmobiling in certain areas. Pabich stated that he would like to have the Task Force re-evaluate the situation next year but agreed that something has to be done. Task Force member Bedeaux suggested that a snowmobile education program be designed for the schools, since it is so important to educate the children on the rules. Also, a serious look needs to be taken at the park and ride lot on Galaxie to find a solution to the problem of snowmobiles from Apple Valley coming into the Valley Park neighborhood. He feels that even if incidents starts out high at the beginning of the year, with enough effort, the number of problems could decrease. Task Force member Seese stated that a zero tolerance policy should be enforced by the Police Department and violators should be dealt with if they are causing a problem. Linda Moe stated that canvassing was done a couple of years ago and received many favorable comments from people. Combined with other educational tools, this may be beneficial again this year. City Administrator Bob Erickson compared the charge of the Snowmobile Task Force to that of the Hunting Committee, which also did some door to door canvassing. Even though these avid hunters were faced with changes to the hunting ordinance which were painful, they have made responsible choices. People need to know that if they do not comply with the ordinance and problems persist, there has to be some eventual consequence. It may be helpful to include a provision in a proposed recommendation so people understand that there is going to be an outcome and the Snowmobile Task Force will not continue to review the situation on a yearly basis. He has learned from the Chief of Police that 70% of last year's violators were not Lakeville residents. Many of the problems which are being experienced in Valley Park come out of Apple Valley where snowmobiles are banned. That community needs to be reminded to enforce their ban and be made aware of problems which are occurring in Lakeville due to the location of their park and ride lot. Task Force member Moe agrees with Bob Erickson that Apple Valley needs to work with Lakeville on a park and ride lot and possibly even share expenses. A relocated lot would alleviate the "funneling" of snowmobiles into Lakeville. Mr. Erickson also volunteered to work with !SD #192 on a possible park and ride lot near the Farmington border, possibly at the site of the new elementary school. Steve Michaud stated that farm land still exists on the south side of Dodd Blvd. and may be available for a park and ride lot, with or without the proposed ban. Jim Olson, president of the Apple Valley snowmobile club, stated that they would prefer to use an area south of 170th Street. Snowmobile Task Force /Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee /oint Meeting Page -9- • Staff also suggested that the Task Force recommendation to City Council include a suggestion as to what they would like the City of Apple Valley to do to help with the problems Lakeville is experiencing as a result of the park and ride lot on Galaxie. Task Force member Tongen stated that some things had been brought out at this meeting that he was not aware of previously. By the next meeting there should be something in writing for a formal recommendation. 97.03 Motion was made by Tongen, seconded by Pabich, to schedule a final Snowmobile Task Force meeting to consider the recommendations spelled out in the letters from the SnoTrackers dated October 14, 1997 and use those suggestions and those of the Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee as a base for a recommendation to the City Council. Ayes: Bedeaux, Bowers, Grenz, Hutter, Moe, Pabich, Seese, Stuber and Tongen. Nay: None. Abstain: Clemmer, McGinn, Schindeldecker and Vonhof. Motion passed. Sergeant Vonhof requested the Snowmobile Task Force include in their recommendation the lease of a second snowmobile for the Lakeville Police Department for the 1997-98 • winter season. The meeting was adjourned at 8:30 PM. Respectfully submitted, u th A. Ryan, Recording retary Mike Stuber, Acting Chair Snowmobile Task Force 1 . on, Chair a sand Recreation Advisory Committee ~r