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Council OKs public hearing on restricting vehicle access at two boat launches to curb late‑night activity
Summary
The council voted to hold a public hearing on an ordinance amendment that would close the Patterson Street and Green Veil boat‑launch parking areas to most vehicular traffic from 9 p.m. to 5 a.m., with an exception for truck-and‑trailer boat combinations.
The Ogdensburg City Council voted to set a public hearing on an ordinance amendment that would explicitly treat boat launches as city parks and allow law enforcement to close boat‑launch parking to vehicular traffic between 9 p.m. and 5 a.m., with an exception for truck-and-boat-trailer combinations.
City staff described the proposal as aimed at reducing late-night littering, reckless driving and squealing tires at two sites identified in the draft: the Patterson Street Boat Launch (101 Patterson Street) and the Green Veil (Greenbelt) Boat Launch and its upper parking lot. A staff presenter said the change is intended to give police “teeth” to disperse groups who congregate at night and leave trash for city crews to collect each morning.
Supporters said the ordinance would not be a parking-ticket provision and would not prevent legitimate late-night boat launches by anglers using trailers. “If you’re a walleye fisherman launching late at night with a truck-and-trailer, you can remain; law enforcement will use discretion,” a staff presenter said during the discussion. Council members reported frequent complaints from residents about nighttime noise and littering; one councilor said he had received four related phone calls in three days.
Opponents questioned enforceability and effectiveness. One councilor said closing the lots at 9 p.m. could simply displace the activity to other areas rather than stop it, and expressed concern that the change would extend restrictions on law-abiding citizens who use the launches legitimately. Others warned of liability or of merely moving problems elsewhere.
After debate, council members voted to place the ordinance on the agenda for a public hearing at the next meeting so residents can comment. Councilors who voted in favor said they wanted to hear from the public before adopting a measure that changes access to public waterfront areas.
Ending: The council set the item for public hearing; no ordinance amendment was adopted at the meeting. Staff and the police department will present the draft ordinance and receive public comment at the next scheduled council meeting.
