CCP 02-08-1999 - Laserfiche WebLink

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.... ... _!:..:.....!.-!' " - - " V"=i'~.-.;=o>r': ;1-0 '......; ,.;. ,.- ~ ,. . . . - JAN 1 ;; 1999 crrt Of A.1:k?i L ,il: January 14, 1999 City of Arden Hills Public Safety Commission 4364 West RotUld Lake Road Arden Hills, MN 55112 Re: January 21,1999 Meeting Dear Public Safety Commission: Last fall I spoke with the City's Director of Public Works about an issue which I am respectfully raising for the Commission's consideration. Unfortunately, I cannot be present at your January 21 meeting, so I am submitting this letter in lieu of appearing. If the Commission has any questions about this submission, please feel free to contact me. The issue is whether the City is giving adequate notice to residents and to the public about its parking ordinances. I moved into Arden Hills in March 1994. Although I was generally aware of the obligation to keep vehicles off the streets during and after a snowfall from living in this state for fifteen years, I was not aware of any other city parking restrictions until last fall. lleamed of the city's other parking restrictions by receiving a parking ticket from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office for parking in front of my own house. The ticket was given at approximately 3 a,m. and it identified the vehicle as being owned by the resident (me). The ticket cited a city ordinance prohibiting parking between 1 a.m. and 6 a.m. I also want to add that the weather was fine; there was warm fall weather and no chance of snow. During the time I have lived here I have occasionally parked our third vehicle on the street overnight, maybe two to three times a month. To top it off, a new neighbor who had just moved in a month or so before was also given a ticket for parking in front of his home. Needless to say, I was quite upset. First, I was upset because it would have been reasonable for the Ramsey County Sheriff to have left a written warning, especially since he knew it was the home owner's vehicle and not a burglar's. He could have returned to the area later in the week to see if I had followed his warning, To me this is not good public relations on the part of the Sheriff's Office. Second, I was annoyed because I never had any idea that the city had an ordinance which prohibited overnight parking. I called the city offices the next day because I felt that the city had not been giving the public adequate notice of its parking ordinances. No signs are posted, In Falcon Heights and St. Paul, where I have also owned homes, there are signs in plain view which make it very clear when and where vehicles cannot be parked. I first spoke with a receptionist or administrative assistant, who told me that the overnight parking ordinance applied only during the fall and winter months. Later I spoke with the assistant city administrator, who told me that the overnight parking ban was in force year round, and that the city relied on "Welcome Wagon" and the community newspapers to give