EAST GRAND FORKS — Increasing complaints about certain motorized bicycles and scooters on the Greenway trails have prompted the East Grand Forks Police Department to revisit the city’s ordinance on those types of transportation and how best to spread the word about that ordinance.
Police Chief Mike Hedlund on Tuesday presented information on the city’s current ordinance about e-bikes to East Grand Forks City Council members during their work session.
“Just trying to get people aware of the differences, because in recent years, there’s become quite a few differences,” he said.
The city ordinance addresses e-bikes, motorized bikes, e-motorcycles and motorized foot scooters. E-bikes are most like traditional bikes in that they still need to be pedaled, but also have an electronic motor assist. Motorized bikes have no pedals and are only powered by an engine, which can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. E-motorcycles are more like dirt bikes and can reach speeds over 30 miles per hour. Motorized foot scooters are scooters powered by an engine or motor.
E-bikes and motorized foot scooters can be used on the bike paths in the Greenway, while motorized bikes cannot be used on the Greenway or sidewalks. E-motorcycles are not considered street legal and can only be used on private property. People using motorized bikes also need a permit or driver’s license to operate those types of bikes.
E-bikes can be operated by those 15 years old or older, and any operators under 18 years old must wear a helmet. Electric scooters can be operated by those 12 or older, and any operators under 18 must wear a helmet. Scooters can’t go faster than 15 miles per hour. Only one occupant is allowed on the scooter at a time.
Under the current ordinance, e-bikes are allowed to have motors of up to 1,000 watts; however, Hedlund said state statute only allows up to a 750-watt motor.
“We are going to need to change our city ordinance,” he said. “That wasn’t the case at the time when we first put that ordinance into effect.”
The ordinance also says anyone caught on the Greenway operating motorized bikes or other electric vehicles that are banned from those paths would be charged with a misdemeanor, which carries a maximum penalty of both $1,000 in fines and 90 days in jail.
Council members also discussed any other potential changes they could make to the city’s e-bike ordinance. Hedlund added the city must be at least as restrictive as the state’s statute on e-bikes but not less restrictive.
Ron Galstad, the city’s attorney, suggested possibly listing motorized bikes and e-motorcycles as motor vehicles or as their own type of vehicles to make it clearer to community members that they are not allowed on the Greenway paths.
“With the advent of all of this stuff in the last few years, it’s kind of cloudy on our definitions and what a motor vehicle is and what one of these bikes are,” he said.
Galstad also said the ordinance would only be able to be enforced if people are caught while on their way to the Greenway, adding the police department doesn’t have the means to enforce things on the Greenway itself.
Council President Brian Larson agreed it would be good to at least clarify the ordinance so more people are aware of it.
“I think it’s inevitable there’s going to be a serious injury, and if we can prevent that by having a little bit stricter enforcement, I think it’s for the better,” he said.
The council also discussed possible ways to further discourage people from using things like motorized bikes on the Greenway paths. Karen Peterson suggested putting up signs letting people know of the ordinance, while Ben Pokrzywinski brought up possibly working with the school district to help spread the word to parents and students about the ordinance.
Tami Schumacher asked Hedlund whether community members should call the police if they see people using motorized bikes on the Greenway.
“That’s one of the best ways, especially if you know where they’re coming from,” Hedlund said. “If you know which house they came from, at least then we could have an option to go talk to the people who are riding and their families.”
In other news, the council:
Heard from City Administrator Reid Huttunen and Judd Stauss, founder of E Hockey Development, about a facility use agreement between the city and Stauss’ youth hockey training organization to use the ice and off-ice training spaces at the Civic Center and VFW Memorial Arena. The proposed annual rental fee is up to $25,000.Heard from Public Works Director Jason Stordahl about advertising for and beginning the Civil Service hiring process for an open stormwater/wastewater operator position. The hourly wage range for the position is between $26.88 and $37.09.Heard from Huttunen about a microbusiness retail registration for Skol MN LLC, one of three cannabis retailers approved for business in the city. Skol MN has completed construction at its location on Third Avenue North Northeast, received a certificate of occupancy from the city and submitted its site registration with the state Office of Cannabis Management. Huttunen also said the city has received a plan for renovations from Red Iris LLC, the other approved cannabis retailer. The city has not received an update on where Red Iris is with licensure. Waabigwan Mashkiki, a dispensary operated by White Earth Nation, opened earlier this spring. Heard from Huttunen about creating an ad hoc fleet replacement policy committee. Huttunen recommended several employees to make up the committee, including the finance director, the Parks and Recreation superintendent, the fire chief, two City Council members and other staff. The committee would review fleet data, recommend replacement priorities, evaluate options for leasing and purchasing vehicles, etc.Heard from Stordahl about awarding a $29,800 contract to Opp Construction for improvements to the downtown parking lot. Council member Dale Helms asked about possibly implementing some kind of fee to local businesses who use the parking lot to help cover the cost of repairs, though some other council members were concerned doing so might drive away businesses.Heard from Economic Development Director Maggie Brockling about putting out a request for proposals for developers for the former J.R. Simplot Company land. The proposed master developer request for proposal would allow developers to tell the city what they think should be built on the property, allowing for more open-ended suggestions.Heard from Huttunen about setting a discounted daily swimming rate of $6 for adults 55 and up and active and retired military members and their spouses. The regular adult swimmer rate is $7. Military families would also get discounted swimming lesson rates, with a $14 rate for a family of four and $3 for each additional family member – a $2 and $1 discount, respectively.Heard from Brockling about adding tax increment financing agreements and tax abatements to the city’s policy. Brockling presented the final draft of the policy to council members. A public hearing for the policy will be held on June 16.