03-12-2001 Council Minutes - Laserfiche WebLink

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ORONO CITY COUNCIL MEETING MONDAY, MARCH 12, 2001 • 9. Coffee Channel Snowmobile Access — Continued and 7:00 a.m. The police could attempt to more aggressively enforce the restriction. 2) Post use restrictions limiting use to between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., which could also divert traffic and fleeing vehicles could easily escape. 3) Block or close the lake access to all snowmobile traffic, which could also divert traffic. 4) Continue to allow snowmobile use on the lane, which would not address the neighbors' concerns. 5) Seek a long -term solution to snowmobile use through coordinated efforts of the LMCD, public safety organizations, and snowmobile organizations. 6) Vacate City ownership and control of the access road, which would go against the current City Community Management Plan and an existing Supreme Court ruling. 7) Outlaw use of snowmobiles in Orono except for marked trails, which would create a great deal of dialogue among snowmobile users. Chief Good also stated the Fire Department uses lake access roads when necessary to use lake water in fire fighting. Sergeant Brad Erickson of the water patrol stated they would like to see the access road kept open for snowmobile use to prevent them from using Coffee Channel. He suggested regulating use with signs and enforcement. • Sansevere asked about bridging through the channel. Chief Good stated it is possible to construct a floating bridge, but she did not know how or at what cost. She stated she could only outline the issues and guarantee the police would enforce whatever regulations the Council proposes. Sansevere asked if the City would be responsible for the cost of a bridge. Moorse stated the LMCD would be responsible, since it would be on water. McDermott stated that the LMCD considered a bridge a few years ago and was not in favor of it because of having to install and remove it each season. Nygard stated that local snowmobile clubs would probably be happy to take care of the bridge. Steve Soltau, son of the Soltaus at 1998 Shadywood Road, stated that snowmobilers crossing County 19 are also at risk of being injured because of blind spots in the road. He plows the access road and leaves a small snow bank at the end of the lane as a sort of speed bump, but it does not help reduce speeds through there. Council discussed the legality of crossing a road on a snowmobile. Chief Good stated that recreational vehicles may cross a road at a 90 degree angle. It is not legal to drive on the right -of -way on a country road, but snowmobiles may ride in the ditch. Sansevere proposed making the access road a reduced speed zone or closing it as a short- term solution. White stated he was concerned with children playing near the lane. The Soltaus and Kirchners stated they are concerned with being hit by snowmobiles when in their yard, 0