TO THE EDITOR:

North Branch City Council is trying to pass another ATV ordinance that covers the entire 36 square miles of the city. At the July 25 City Council meeting, Council Member Kathy Blomquist motioned to ìrestrict ATVs on city streets based on state law, but allows exceptions for agricultural and commercial uses.î This would still mean that residents wouldnít be allowed to plow their own driveway, plow their neighborís driveway, ride in their own ditches or participate in the cityís parades on an ATV. The disabled and elderly would not be allowed to operate their scooters or ATVs to get around or even get their mail.

This ordinance can pass at the next council meeting Aug. 22, 2005. It would not need to go to a public hearing if the council keeps it limited to only city streets. Even if the ordinance is limited only to city streets, it would severely limit ATV use on county road right-of-ways. In a memo dated Feb. 22, from Joe Lynch, city administrator, to mayor and city council, council knows ìbased on the fact that the city of North Branch would consider the Amendment to the ATV Ordinance not allowing operation of ATVs on any city road, right-of-way, or ditch it would be almost physically impossible for any ATV user to reach a county trunk highway without utilizing any city street.î Essentially, they are achieving their original goal limiting all road right-of-ways including county roads.

Chisago County has asked Triple 4 ATV Club to help resolve some of the ATV issues in the county. They are researching ways to resolve the issues at hand and are working with the over 5000 ATV owners in the county.

Triple 4 ATV Club has nine DNR certified ATV safety Instructors. These instructors are knowledgeable in the state laws and ATV safety. They have been involved in certifying almost 600 kids and adults. The clubís main focus is to promote ATV safety. Yet the council has refused any help or input from the club.

The council asked if the club would be willing to sit on an ATV task force the night the ATV ordinance was repealed. Four members from the club showed up to the work session where they were going to discuss the task force and were not allowed to speak. Joe Lynch previously stated ìthat an ATV ordinance was on the agenda for a work session and a council meeting giving residents two opportunities to speak on this matterî Council meeting minutes, Jan. 10. Why were the club members not allowed to speak at the work session when clearly Joe Lynch stated residents can speak at the work sessions? There was hope that ìATV folks and city council could talk and possibly work things out for the betterment of all involved.î Post Review, March 30. The council clearly doesnít want to work things out. They just want to restrict ATV use.

Blomquist motioned ìto form an ATV Ordinance Task Force containing five members ... and direct the task force to review the state statute to determine what authority the city has to regulate ATV use in the city and make a recommendation to council on how to regulate ATV use with an exception of business and ag uses.î City Council minutes, June 13. Blomquist has had an agenda to work on an ordinance all along and not try to resolve the issues otherwise.

The council is not implementing the ATV task force like they said they would. ìLack of Interestî stated the council. What they didnít say was that there was a lack of interest from people opposing ATVs. The only applications they received were from residents with ATVs.

The task force was restricted only to North Branch city residents. Many outlying communities have residents that work, own businesses, attend church, dine at restaurants, fuel their vehicles and spend much of their money in North Branch, but their opinion doesnít count. There is just one question. Do all city employees and affiliates involved with this ordinance live in the City of North Branch?

It appears many complaints are enforcement issues on current law. If the police department has a hard time enforcing state law now, how are they going to be able to enforce this ordinance? On the issue of noise where do we draw the line? Do we need to ban snowmobiles, tractors, trucks, saws, lawn mowers, etc. ìThe North Branch Police Department released 2002 year-end statistics for reported crimes.î ECM Post Review, April 16. ATV or snowmobile violations, 45; animal, 290; juvenile complaints, 250; total number of calls was 4,680. Does this mean we need to restrict residents from having kids and owning pets? In the overall picture ATV complaints are quite a small piece of the pie.

All over in the papers and at the meetings we keep hearing about the silent majority. ìBlomquist reminded the audience that she also has to represent the people who wouldnít attend a hearing to publicly oppose ATV useî Chisago County Press, March 31. North Branch Police Chief, Jules Zimmer, said ìyouíre not hearing the silent majority.î Blomquist invited ìboth sides to a work session.î Post Review, March 30. Where are these people? They have not attended any meetings or workshops. Does this ìsilent majorityî exist? It appears that a few people in power have a personal agenda.

NB City Council is wasting taxpayerís hard earned money again. Adopting and enforcing another ordinance is going to cost money. Are taxpayers willing to spend more money for an ordinance when we already have state laws in place and people to enforce those laws? Mayor Gloria Karsky ì...did apologize for not having the background on ATV use when the vote was made last year.î Post Review, March 30. Now she has voted to spend more taxpayerís money to draft up another ordinance.

ATV riders must realize that your right to ride your ATV, motorcycle or snowmobile comes with responsibilities. It is your responsibility to be respectful to your neighbors and law abiding. It is also your responsibility to teach your children to be respectful and law abiding. Why restrict everyone one when only a few are causing problems?

Please come and let the city council know you donít want an ordinance restricting your ATV use at the City Council meeting, Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. Wear something to show youíre an ATV enthusiast.

Tina Engberg
Triple 4 ATV Club

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