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-2- <br />The City Council at that time set the hearing for tonight to get the citizens input. <br />Mayor Pickar asked that recreational vehicles be covered first. <br />Cedric Beckfield, 7738 Knollwood Drive questioned if the parking ban on recreational <br />vehicles was legal. He stated that it had been found to be unconstitutional in other <br />states and cities. He also stated that he pays $1,000 a year in taxes and that he <br />should be able to park his vehicle in his yard. His vehicle is a pick -up camper, <br />which he uses for work. He would have to drive past his neighbor's bedroom window <br />if he was to try and get his camper in his back yard. <br />Mayor Pickar replied that the City Attorney had informed the City Council that the <br />ordinance on parking recreational vehicles was legal and constitutional. <br />Administrator Achen informed Mr. Beckfield that his particular vehicle was not in <br />violation of the ordinance since it did not have a 1 ton chaise or more, or was <br />22 feet in length or more. <br />Harry Hermanson, 5219 Greenfield Avenue stated that he owned a $12,000 camper and <br />had licensed it and questioned why he could not park it in his driveway. <br />Mayor Pickar replied that the Mounds View police force had not been enforcing the <br />ordinance until a Council decision was made, and no one had been tagged for violations, <br />and that was why the hearing was being held, to discuss the issue and come to a <br />decision. He stated that the Council had an option to specify a set distance off the <br />street for vehicles to be parked in driveways. <br />Nello Digiovanni, 5120 Long Lake Road stated that he owns a 28 foot motor home and <br />asked why the ordinance had a length limit. He stated that he had been a resident <br />of Mounds View for 20 years. <br />Mayor Pickar replied that the 22 foot length limitation had been set and asked the <br />citizens how they would determine how big is too big? <br />Mr. Digiovanni suggested that vehicles should be allowed to park in front of homes, <br />perhaps with the stipulation that they be 20 feet or more from the curb. <br />Ron Johnson, 8294 Red Oak Drive stated that he owned a pickup truck with a camper on <br />it, which met the weight limitation but not length limitation. <br />Mayor Pickar stated that the vehicle at present would be considered a violation because <br />of the length. <br />Mary Dumas, 8360 Spring Lake Road asked why the City needed the ordinance. <br />Mayor Pickar replied that several cities were involved in the area. The issue was <br />originally brought forward by citizens in opposition to looking out their windows <br />and not being able to see anything but a recreational vehicle parked next to them. <br />Bill Skaroild, 2470 Ridge Lane stated that he had seen several recreational vehicles <br />parked in the parking lot of City Hall over the weekend and questioned why outsiders <br />or visitors would be able to park without problem in the city yet the residents would <br />not be able to. <br />Mayor Pickar repeated that no one had been issued a violation as yet and that the <br />meeting was being held to reach a decision on the ordinance. <br />