HomeMy WebLinkAbout8B - Snowmobile Ordinance Requirements
AGENDA #:
PREPARED BY:
SUBJECT:
DATE:
8B
DICK POWELL, CHIEF OF POLICE
CONSIDER APPROVAL OF ORDINANCE 97-xx REVISING
THE SNOWMOBILE ORDINANCE REQUIREMENTS
JANUARY 6, 1997
INTRODUCTION:
The purpose of this agenda item is to update
the current snowmobile ordinance so it is
consistent with state law.
BACKGROUND:
It is necessary to occasionally update
ordinances so they remain consistent with
changes made by the state legislature in state
law. When ordinances are updated it also
creates an opportunity for the city staff to
correct or simplify ordinances so they can be
interpreted more easily. The Prior Lake
snowmobile ordinance has not been updated for
more than ten years.
DISCUSSION:
The current city ordinance is difficul t to
follow specifically when it addresses which
streets may be used by snowmobilers. The new
ordinance breaks roads down into categories of
state, county and city and then explains which
roads are permissible to ride on. The
proposed ordinance also brings the city
ordinance into compliance with the new law
that makes snowmobilers travel at all times
with their lights on. Prior Lake's ordinance
also needs to be updated to reflect the
current fine ceiling. The current ordinance
shows a maximum fine of $500 which is dated
and should read $700.
ISSUES:
Prior Lake is an urbanizing community and a
recreational community. The revisions to the
ordinance attempt to balance each of these
facts. I have provided the new ordinance to
the Snowmobile Club presidents and have
discussed its provisions. They do not have
any major concerns.
16200 Eagle Creek Ave. S.E., Prior Lake, Minnesota 55372-1714 / Ph. (612) 447-4230 / Fax (612) 447-4245
AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
ALTERNATIVE:
RECOMMENDATION:
The following alternatives are available to
the City Council:
1. Approve Ordinance 97 -xx and update the
current snowmobile ordinance.
2. Table the agenda item for a specific
reason.
3. Deny the request to update the ordinance.
Alternative 1. Approve Ordinance 97-xx that
updates the current snowmobile ordinance and
brings it into compliance with state law and
direct the staff to implement and publicize
the revisions.
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ORDINANCE NO.
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
SCOTT COUNTY, MINNESOTA
AN ORDINANCE Al\1ENDING TITLE 6
OF THE PRIOR LAKE CITY CODE
CONCERNING SNOWMOBILES
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PRIOR LAKE ORDAINS:
SECTION 1. The Prior Lake City Code, Title 11, Chapter 2, is amended in its
entirety to read:
11-2-1: DEFINITIONS: The following terms as used in this Section shall have the
meanings stated.
PERSON: Includes an individual, partnership, corporation, the state and
iLs agencies and subdivisions, and any body of persons,
whether incorporated or not.
SNOWMOBILE:
A self-propelled vehicle designed for travel on snow or ice
steered by skis or runners.
OWNER:
A person, other than a lien holder, having the properly in or
title to a snowmobile entitled to the use or possession thereof.
OPERATE:
To ride in or on and control the operation of a snoWDlobile.
OPERATOR:
Every person who operates or is in actual physical control of
a snowmobile.
ROADWAY:
That portion of a street or highway improved, designed, or
ordinarily used for vehicular travel including the shoulder.
RIGHT-OF-WAY:
The entire strip of land traversed by a street or highway in
which the public owns the fee or an easement for roadway
purposes.
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STREET OR
HIGHWAY:
The entire width between boundary lines or any way or -place
when any part thereof is open to the use of the public, as a
matter of right. for the purpose of vehicular traffic.
SAFETY OR DEAD-
MAN THROTTLE:
A device which, when pressure is removed from the engine
accelerator or throttle, causes the motor to be disengaged
from the driving track.
11-2-2:
APPLICATION OF OTHER LAWS:
A. City Code provisions relating to vehicular traffic shall apply to me operation of
snowmobiles upon street and highways; and Minnesota Statutes, SectiollS 84.81
through 84.49, and Minnesota Statutes, Chaprer 169 are hereby adopted by
reference except those provisions which by their na[Ure have no application.
B. The City Council may by resolution prohibit the operation of snowmobiles within
the right-of-way of the public roads or streets or other areas within the City, when
in Lhe opinion of the City Council the public safety and welfare so requlre.
11-2-3:
OPERATION ON STREETS AND illGHWAYS:
A. County Hi ghway 13. Snowmobiles may be opera[ed ill dIe ditch along the outside
bank but may not be operated on the roadway surface except to cross at right
angles.
B. County Roads. Snowmobiles may be operated in the ditch along the outside bank
but may not be operated on the roadway surface except to cross at right angles.
Where curbs or sidewalks exist and no ditch exists, travel is not allowed on the
roadway surface.
C. City Streets. Snowmobiles may be operated on City Streets, except Main Avenue~
in single file, on the most right-hand lane when available for traffic or as close as
practical to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway, except when passing
another vehicle stopped in that lane. When using City Streets a snowmobile may
travel at a speed no greater than ten (10) miles an hour. Snowmobiles may cross
Main Avenue at right angles but may not travel along the Avenue.
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D. A snowmohile may make a uirect crussing of a street or highway if:
1. the crossing is made at an angle of approxtmately 90 degrees to the
direction of the highway and at a place where no obstruction prevents a
quick and safe cTossing; and
2. the snowmobile is brought to a complete stop before crossing the shoulder
or main traveled way of the highway; and
3. the operator yields the right-of-way to all oncoming trat'tic and pedestrians
which constitute an immediate hazard; and
4. in crossing a divided highway. the crossing is made only at an intersection
of such highway with another public street or highway; and
5. the snowmobile must have both front and rear lights on.
E. Notwithstanding any prohibition in this Chapter, a snowmobile may be operated
on a public thoroughfare in an emergency during the period ot' time when and at
locations where snow upon the roadway renders travel by automobile impractical.
11-2-4:
OPERATION GENERALLY: Except as otherwise specifkally permitted
and authorized, no person may operate a snowmobile within the limits of
the City:
A.
On any sidewalk or pedestrian trail unless specifically designated for snowmobiling
within the City.
B.
On City Streets at a speed exceeding ten (10) miles per hour.
c.
On Main Avenue except to cross at right angles.
D.
On any school property, church property or within a cemetery.
E.
No snowmobile may be operated within the boundaries of the: Lakefront
Community Park of the City other than on trails designated within Lhe park for
snowmobile traffic. (Ord. 74-6. 5-6-74)
F.
On a public bike path, unless it is posted with sIgns authorizing the use of
snowmobiles.
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G. On property not owned by the person, without the written or oral permission of
the owner~ occupant~ or lessee of such lands. Written permission may be given
by a posted notice of any kind or description Lhat the owner, oc.cupam, or lessee
prefers, so long as it specifies the kind of vehicles allowed such as by saying
n Snowmobiles Allowed," or other words substantially similar.
H. At any place in a careless, reckless, or negligent manner so as to endanger the
pt::rson or property of another or to cause injury or damage thereto.
1. Without a lighted head and taillight.
J. In any tree nursery or planting in a mannt::r which damages or destroys growing
stock.
K. Exccpt in a health related emergency, to tow any person or thing on a public street
or highway except through the use of a rigid tow bar attached lo Lhe resL uf the
snowmobile.
L. At a speed greater than tcn (10) miles an hour when within one hundred (100) feet
of any lakeshore, person, ice houses or skatiJJ.g l'i.nks~ nor shall operation he
permitted within one hundred (100) feet of any sliding area nor where the
operation would conflict with the lawful use of properly or would endanger other
persons or property.
M. In a manner so as to create a 10ud~ unnecessary or unusual noisc which disturbs,
annoys or interferes with the peace and quiet of other persons.
N. There shall be no snowmobiling between the hours of eleven o'clock p.m. (11 :00
p.m.) through seven o'clock a.m. (7:00 a.m.), e;l(cept that on Friday and Saturday
evenings and New Year's Eve evening, snowmobiling shall be allowed until two
o'clock a.m. (2:00 a_m.) of Lhe following day. (Ord. 73-22, 12-17-73)
11-2-5:
EQUIPMENT: No per!;on may operdte a snowmobile any place within the
City unless it is equipped with the following:
A.
Standard muffler which is in good working order which blends the exhaust noise
into the oveJ:all snowmobile noise and is in COIlScant operation to prevent e^cessive
or unusual noise as set forth in Minnesota Rules Chapter 6100.5700, Subpart 5.
No person shall use a muffler cm.o'llt, by-pass, strdight pipe or similar device on
the snowmobile motor; and the exhaust system shall not emit or produce a sharp
popping or crackling sound. This requirement shall not apply in the case of an
organized race or similar competitive event as provided under Minnesota Sratlltes,
Section 84.871.
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B. Brakes adequate to control the movement of and to stop and hold th~ snowmobile
under any conditions of operation.
C. At least one (1) head lamp having a minimum candle power ot'sufficient intensity
to reveal persons and vehicles at a distam:e of alleasL 100 feet ahead during hours
of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions. Such head lamp shall be so
aimed that glaring rays are not pT'ojected into the eye!; of an oncoming snowmubilt:
operator. At least one (1) red tail lamp, having a minimum candlepower of
sufficient intensity to exhibit a red light plainly vl!;ihle from a distance of 500 feel
to the rear during hours of darkness under normal atmospheric conditions. The
light must be turned on and operating when the vehicle is operated.
D. Ret1ective material of a minimum area of at least 16 square inches mounted on
each side of the snowmobilt: forward of the handle bars so as to retlect or beam
light at a ninety (90) degree angle.
E. A safety or so-called II deadman II throttle in operating condition so rhat when
pressure is removed from the accelerator or throttle, the motor is disengaged from
the driving track.
F. Any sled. trailer, or other device being towed by a snowmobile during the hours
of darkness as described in Section 11-2-4 Subdivision O. under normal
atmospheric conditions must be equipped with unobstructed and visible reflective
materials mounted on each side and at the rear of the sled, trailer, or device which
has at least the minimum intensity values set forth in Minnesota Rules 6100.5700,
Subpart 2, item B.
11-2-6:
OPERATION BY A MINOR:
A.
No person under 14 years of age may operate a snowmobile on street~, or
highways or make a dircct crossing of a street or highway within the City.
B.
A person 14 years or older but less than 18 years of age may operate a
snowmobile on streets, or highways as permitted under this Chapter and make a
direct crossing of a stre~t or highway only if said operator has in inunediate
possession a valid snowmobile safety certiticate issued by the Commissioner of
Nanua! Resources aT a valid motor vehicle operator's liccnsc issued by the
Commissioner of Public Safety or the drivers license authority of another state.
C.
It is unlawful for the owner of a snowmobile to permit the snowmobile to be
operated contrary to the provisions of this Chapter.
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SIGNAL FROM OFFICER TO STOP: No person may operate a
snowmobile in the City of Prior Lake after having received a visual or
audible signal from any law enforcement officer to come to a stop, to:
A. OperAte a snowmobile in willful or wanton disregard of such signal, or
B. Interfere with or endanger the law enforcement officer or any other person or
vehicle, or
C. Increase speed or attempt to flee or elude the officer-
11-2-8:
11-2-9:
11-2-10:
11-2-11:
11-2-12:
11-2-13:
LEAVING SNOWMOBILE UNATTENDED: No person may leave a
snowmobile in a public place without first locking the ignition, removing
the key and taki..ug the same with them.
CHASING ANTh1ALS FORBIDDEN: No person may intentionally drive,
chase, run over or kill any animal, wild or domestic, with a snowmobile.
OPERA.TION OF SNOWMOBILES WHILE UNDER THE INFLUENCE
OF ALCOHOL OR CONTROLLED SUBSTANCE: It is a violation of
state law for any person to operate or to be in physical control of any
snowmobile in the City while under the influence of alcohol or a L:onlrol1ed
substance or under the influence of a combination of a alcohol and a
conLrolled substance. The definition and regulatory provisions of Minnesota
Statutes Chapters 169 and 84 arc hereby incorporated herein and adopted
by reference, including the penalty provisions Lhereof.
EXEMPTIONS: Licensed peace officers shall be exelnpl from the
restrictions of this Chapter while operating a snowmobile in the proper
performance of their duties.
ENFORCEMENT: The Scott County Sher;ff's Department and persons
selected and trained by the Police Department shall be responsible for the
enforcement of this Chapter. (Ord. 72-19~ 11-6-72)
PENALTY: Any person who violates the terms of this Chapter shall, upon
conviclion Lhereof. be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by a fme not
exceeding seven hundred dollars ($700 _ 00), or by imprisonment for a
period nol exceeding ninety (90) days, or both. (Ord. 72-19, 11-6-72; amd.
1979 Code)
SECTION 2. This ordinance shall be effective immediately upon its passage and
publication.
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ADOPTED this
City of Prior Lake.
ATTEST:
day of
Frank Boyles. City Manager
"093
CAMPBELL KNUTSON
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7
, 1996, by the City Council of the
CITY OF PRIOR LAKE
By:
Lydia Andren, Mayor