Citizen Committee- Snowmobile March 1, 2001The meeting started with the introduction of a deputy from Wright County Parks &Recreation and
a Wright County Reserve Officer.
• Deputy Brian Johnson
• Reserve Officer Rob Karuck
Deputy Johnson provided an overview Park &Recreation Patrol and answered
questions from committee members
Reserve Unit -there are 20 members. They assist with boat/water and snowmobile patrol. They
have there own snowmobiles. They are non -sworn officers and assist a sworn deputy. The
Reserve Unit trains the snowmobile safety training classes.
Recreation Patrol -their normal workday is to patrol roads in their squad cars. On their off days,
they patrol on snowmobiles. The shift is in 4 or 8 hour blocks. They work the areas that have
placed the most complaints.
There is one full time officer (Joel Mackereth). The Rec patrol was implemented this year.
They stop every snowmobile and check for registration, tabs, stud permit, or any violations (such
as trespassing).
When they give a ticket to a minor, they can give a ticket to the owner/adult.
Question -when the Rec Patrol stops someone, what is the most common violation?
Response - usually they don't have numbers on their snowmobile or registration.
Question -what is the typical fine?
Response -around $80.00
Question - do they ever write trespassing tickets?
Response -yes, they do write trespassing tickets. However, they can sit for 4/8 hours and not see
anyone. Trespassers are easier to catch on the weekends.
Question - If someone calls about a trespasser and provides a description, can the Pen Patrol go to
the residence and give them a ticket?
Response - if the description contains the snowmobile ID number, they can go to the house and
give a ticket. Sometimes, when they see a violator of a snowmobile law, they wait until the person
gets home, rather than try to chase the person.
Question - in your opinion is education what is needed?
Response - yes, but there will always be problems. Rockford has a good ordinance. To and from
the trails, curfew. He heard it is working well..
They can only catch so many people per day.
Question (Jay) city said no snowmobiling, how enforceable is it?
Response - they could enforce it to an extent, but they would need to be at the right place at the
right time. If there was 'No Snowmobiling" - they could stop every snowmobile going through.
Question (Ron) -when do the trails officially close?
Response from others in the room - April I".
Response - they patrol until snowmobiles stop riding
patrol.
When do you stop patrolling?
Part of Federal Grant is used for the snow
Question (Carol) -right now, the ordinance says they can travel between their home and the trail.
Response - if they aren't where they used to be , they can tag them.
Question -should all snowmobilers carry a paper that indicates the most direct route to a trail?
Response - he didn't think so. Perhaps send out the route to the trail to the people.
Deputy -you can only tighten the rope so much before it snaps.
Question (Chad) - Is there anything that we can write that would make your job easier?
Response - make the ordinance less complex. The more complicated you get, the more they can get
around the law.
Deputy -Talking with Joel, they would like to see a County wide ordinance. Whenever they go
anywhere in the County, they would know the rules. Someone would need to initiate.
Question -what are the highlights of the Rockford ordinance that make it appealing?
Response -There is no place to snowmobile. Not exactly fun to cruise around town.
Question (Vern) -can you tallc to other deputies and decide what the cities should put together.
Response -you would need to talk to Joel Mackereth. Get a representative from every city.
Comments:
• (Paul) - he doesn't feel the snow patrol will catch the trespassers. The deputies seem to be
patrolling the trail, not city area.
• Kids, two on a sled, just zigzagging through the neighborhoods.
• (Tom) -Two kids were on a sled who were younger than 12 with no adult around.
• (Chip) - every one who has spoke says kids are in danger and danger to other. They need to
patrol the city and not the trails.
• (Ron) - at Monday's City Council Meeting - it was decided the snow patrol will put in extra
hours for 4 weeks.
• (Vern) - the snowmobile patrol appears somewhat new for the Wright County Sheriff's
Department.
Back to sumiestions:
=> Require riders to have a permit, from city hall, that includes a map from their residence to trail
by most direct route.
Flag issue:
• Jay - flag is a pain.
• Carol - is it a visibility issue?
• Tom Carter - if there is a flag, we would have better visibility.
• Carol - what about cars?
• Tom -why would there be a problem if snowmobilers will be safer.
• ? - if there is a good reason for a flag, I am all for it.
Comment (Tom C) -there is a lot more concentrated traffic in the urban areas of the City. Any
weekend, check it out.
Comment (Nikki) - I have better things to do.
Question (Jerry) -what is the average number kids attending class?
Response (Jay) - there were 20 kids in the class, 6 or 8 from Otsego.
Comment (Jay) -Anyone born after 1/6/79 must have a certificate. This is a big DNR change and
because of the education problem, they are more lenient this year. Next year they will enforce.
Suggestion (Ron) -back to education thing. The Star News doesn't go to everyone. The ordinance
should be put in Crow River Paper &Wright Way shopper.
Comments:
• Some of the Snowmobile Club members are willing to talk to other snowmobilers who are not
in the club about the ordinance (call it a membership drive).
• The ordinance should protect/cover your rights as a homeowner.
• The State Statute reflects the snowmobile as a recreational vehicle. Our ordinance doesn't.
We will meet neat week. March 8`h