City Council Adopts Animal Control, All-Terrain Golf Carts & Utility Vehicles and Trespassing OrdinancesVehicles,

By Crystal Howerton
(from minutes)
   The Board of Alderman met in a special meeting on Monday evening, August 27, 2007, in which they read and adopted several proposed ordinances. Despite the absence of Aldermen Gordon Edwards and Craig Miller, a quorum was declared and the meeting was called to order.
   Edina Police Chief Roger Waibel announced to those present that Scott Childress, President of the Citizen’s Bank of Edina, had been killed in a car accident earlier in the evening.  A moment of silence was observed for Scott and his family.
   Four ordinances were on the evening’s agenda for consideration: animal control ordinance, operation of all-terrain vehicles, operation of golf carts and utility vehicles and an ordinance governing trespassing.
  The new animal control ordinance No. 659 repeals ordinance No. 606 and includes provisions for the tranquilizer gun that the City purchased this past spring and related fees.  In the new ordinance, the owner of an impounded animal will pay $25 fee, plus an additional $10 per day that the animal has been impounded.  "In addition to, or in lieu of, impounding an animal found at large, the animal control officer, or police officer, may issue to the known owner of such animal a citation of Ordinance violation.  Such citation shall impose upon the owner a penalty of $35, which shall be paid to the City within 72 hours in full satisfaction of the assessed penalty."
   An animal that is deemed "uncatchable" may be captured using a tranquilizer gun, which "depending on the animal’s age, size and physical condition, may cause death" with no liability to the City.  The owner of an animal captured using a tranquilizer dart will be responsible for the $25 cost of the dart, which must be paid in full before reclaiming the animal. 
   "Any person violating any provision of this Ordinance shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be punished by a fine of not less than $35 nor more than $500."
   An ordinance governing the operation of all-terrain vehicles, No. 660, was approved by Council members, as well.  The ordinance will allow the operation of all-terrain vehicles in the City of Edina subject to certain requirements and including the purchase of a $15 permit issued by the City. In the ordinance, an all-terrain vehicle is defined as "any motorized vehicle with two or more wheels, treads or ski runners designed for use off of paved roads wit a seat designed to be straddled by the operator, and handlebars for steering control, but not including lawn care vehicles, construction related equipment, maintenance equipment, farm machinery, golf carts, utility vehicles, and vehicles and equipment operated by employees of public agencies in connection with their official duties".
   In addition, Council members also approved an ordinance, No. 661, governing the operation of golf carts and utility vehicles.  A golf cart is defined as "any motorized or electric vehicle designed to be used for transporting persons and equipment while playing golf and designed primarily for off-highway use.  Golf carts are typically sixty inches or less in width and travel on three or four or more low-pressured tires.  As used in this Ordinance, the term golf cart shall include utility vehicles such as a Kawasaki Mule, John Deere Gator, or Polaris Ranger". Operators of said vehicles must obtain a $15 special permit issued by the City, specific to the vehicle in use and abide by certain regulations, as well. 
   The final ordinance read and approved by the Board of Alderman was No. 662, an ordinance governing trespassing.  The City of Edina has not had a trespassing ordinance in the past, having relied on state statutes.  However, they have now adopted an ordinance similar to that which is used by the state. 
   Copies of the above ordinances in their entirety are available at City Hall in Edina.
   Prior to adjournment, Alderman Tom Morgret agreed to check prices for some different options on the repair of the 1999 Jeep Cherokee Patrol vehicle.