Council members question where snowmobilers can ride in city of Luverne

This winter’s heavy snow cover is a snowmobiler’s delight, but some residents are seeing snowmobiles on private property.
During his Feb. 14, quarterly report to the Luverne City Council, Sheriff Evan Verbrugge addressed complaints about snowmobiles.
Council member Dan Nath said he’d taken phone calls from community members who asked about where snowmobiles are allowed to ride in town.
“They had concerns because people were riding across their lawns to get to areas they considered to be thoroughfare for snowmobiles,” Nath said.
Verbrugge acknowledged that the heavy snow cover is prompting increased snowmobile traffic this year.
“Obviously we haven’t had this much snow in the past, so it hasn’t been a problem,” he said. “But according to city ordinance, snowmobiles can be driven on Cedar, Edgehill, Donaldson and Warren streets.”
He said technically, people are supposed to trailer their snowmobiles to those locations and ride from there.
“Obviously some are not,” Verbrugge said. “I know we looked at 131st Street (on the north side of the hospital). It wouldn’t be allowed on the south side of that street, but on the north side it would, because that would be county.”
He said the Sno-Masters snowmobile club has a designated trail and he’ll contact the trail master to encourage compliance.
Mayor Pat Baustian said he’s also fielded complaints.
“I was walking our dog near the Uithoven Addition, and I could hear them,” he said. “Those raspy snowmobiles nowadays are loud. They’re not like days of old with the little Rups or Skidoos that putt along. They’re little race cars.”
He said he flagged down a snowmobiler to inform him that riding in that area wasn’t allowed. “And he didn’t know it,” Baustian said.
“He trailered his snowmobile to town and parked at his grandpa and grandma’s and rode out behind the school and Uithoven Addition and none of those areas are allowed for snowmobiles.”
Council member Caroline Thorson suggested getting trail maps to snowmobile safety instructors so that new riders are aware of approved routes through cities.
City Clerk Jessica Mead said she had been in touch with new leadership at Sno-Masters who are eager to educate their members about respecting private property and about staying on designated trails.
Baustian also acknowledged that many snowmobilers aren’t club members, and he reiterated that heavy snow cover is prompting the unique concerns.
“We have this kind of snow every two out of 10 years. It’s kind of hard to get excited about enforcement when you don’t see snowmobiles,” he said. “This year they’re out there, and good for them for enjoying it.”
 
Sheriff’s Office staffing
Verbrugge also reported staffing issues in the Sheriff’s Office.
He said two dispatchers quit last fall, and the remaining three have been filling the vacancy.
“We are literally running three dispatchers 24-7, seven days a week,” Verbrugge said.
“These three have gone above and beyond, and I tell you what, we couldn’t do it without them. They are the first line of defense, and they have stepped up tremendously.
Two new dispatchers, Tom Thone and Jason Kelly, will soon start.
“We’re hoping to get them certified through the state next month,” Verbrugge said. “Once that happens and we get them on their own, hopefully we can get back to a routine and back to normal.”
For deputy staffing, he said a new deputy starts Friday, Deputy Craig Martinson retires Feb. 26, and another new deputy starts Feb. 27.
“As of Feb. 27, we’ll technically be fully staffed, but it’s going to take us three months before we get them on their own,” Verbrugge said.
At that point, by late April, Deputy Stratton can return to his school resource officer work in the Hills-Beaver Creek and Luverne school districts.
“We’re hoping right before prom, and we’ll get him at least acclimated again,” Verbrugge said.
Stratton is also certified as the new D.A.R.E. officer and will start that program in both school districts. (See the related story on page 1A.)