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MINUTES OF THE <br />ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING <br />MONDAY, Scpicnbcr 24,2001 <br />(Coflcc Clmiinel, Continued) <br />Sansevere staled he would like to hear from Orono*s Police Chief and representative from the Water <br />Patrol. Sansc\ere inquired whether the channel way is safe and whether the alleway is safe in their <br />opinions for snowmobiling. <br />Police Chief Good stated she has learned in Ute short lime she has been Orono*s Police Chief that the <br />Coffee Channel is never safe for snowmobiling. Good stated the use of the Shad>A\tHxJ access in her <br />view is not an acceptable alternative. Good stated the role of the police chief as a public serv ant is to <br />enforce whatever the Council decides, with no easv answers being found regarding this issue. <br />Good staled there arc public safely concerns on both sides of this issue, noting the City Ordinance that <br />has not yet been discussed is that operation of recreational vehicles is unlaw ful where the operation <br />conflicts w ith the law ful use of property or would endanger other persons or property. Good staled both <br />sides of this issue need to be considered as far as public safety', but that in her view the use of <br />snowmobiles in this location would conflict w ith the lawful use of the property. Good noted it is also <br />unlawful for the owner of any recreational vehicle to permit the use of it on any private property w ithout <br />written permission of the property ow ner and on City property w ithout the permission of the Council, <br />which is the issue before the Council tonight. <br />Brad Erickson. Hennepin County Sheriff s Department, slated he is confident in stating that the ice in <br />the Coffee Channel is always unsafe due to the strong current in the channel, which tends to make the <br />thickness of the ice vary in spots. Erickson staled the Water Patrol would like to see the alleyway <br />remain open for Water Patrol use. <br />Sansev ere inquired whether Erickson had an opinion regarding the safety of the fire lane for <br />snowmobile use. <br />Erickson stated that is a City issue for the Council to decide. <br />Nygard inquired what kind of a problem it is for the Water Patrol if snowmobilers use the channel. <br />Erickson stated it is a large problem for them, noting that a large number of snowmobiles and AT\s <br />that go into the lake each year. Erickson stated there have been some serious injuries but no deaths to <br />date. <br />Nygard inquired whether Erickson feels that the fire lane should be open to public use due to the safely <br />concerns of the channel or whether other options should be pursued. <br />Erickson stated they would prefer to see a safe land crossing in this area, with the location yet to be <br />determined based on tonight's comments. <br />Nygard inquired whether they would like to see Coffee Channel permanently closed. <br />Erickson stated that is one of the options that they would look at but is not aware at this time what the <br />e.xact recommendation would be regarding closing it permanently. <br />PAGES