Three attempts since 1969 to get approval to operate snowmobiles in the city limits have ended in failure, but City Council member Orville Smith hopes another attempt could be successful.

He hopes so because Smith believes allowing snowmobiles will be beneficial to the city’s economy, especially to the motels, restaurants and other business which serve tourists.

And, Smith believes most of the reasons snowmobiles were banned except by permit or permission granted by the council, are no longer valid.

“I’ve always maintained we should allow snowmobiles in the city limits,” said Smith, who is a retired police chief of the city. “It’s a natural for our businesses.”

Smith brought up the issue again at the Jan. 26 city council meeting.

City Manager Scott Huebler submitted a report to the council that night, giving background on the snowmobile issue.

In 1969, the city adopted Ordinance 71 which regulated speeds, times of use, safety equipment, and also required registration and use on private property only. It prohibited operation of snowmobiles unless the council grants permission.

Over the years the city council has allowed snowmobile use during special events, such as the former Snofari and the White Lake Perch Festival.

Votes to allow snowmobiles in the city without prior permission by the authorities, failed in 1976, 1982 and most recently in 2005.

Huebler’s report indicated that while Ordinance 71 does not prohibit snowmobiles in the city, based on the results of the three elections, common practice has been for the city council to grant permission only for special events.

The city manager’s report read that the election results do not prohibit the council from amending the ordinance or granting permission as it deems appropriate.

However, some council members expressed reluctance to take action without gauging the support from the community.

“The thing is people have voted against it,” Tanya Cabala said. “If people have changed their mind, I’d like to hear from them.”

If snowmobiles are allowed, Cabala said she would like them restricted from the White Lake Pathway which is used in the winter for cross country skiing and walking.

Council member James Bartholomew said he appreciates Cabala’s concern about riding on the pathway, but he said that is the safest way to cross the river from neighboring Montague, which allows snowmobile use, along with the townships surrounding the twin cities.

Cabala doesn’t believe the council should make the decision alone with three votes opposing snowmobile use in the city.

Mayor Emery Hatch said he believed voters were misinformed in the last election. “They didn’t know there were designated routes.”

Cabala said her parents opposed snowmobiles because they were riding on their property. Cabala said she lives in the home in which she was raised.

Smith said there will always be some snowmobiler who will abuse the privilege of riding in the city, but he believes the vast majority will obey rules and police themselves.

Smith said he also believes snowmobiles are no longer the nuisance they were. In the 1960s, Smith said the snowmobile ignitions interfered with television reception, and the exhaust was loud. Modern snowmobiles are quieter, and ignition don’t cause interference.

The mayor said he would like to see the city pursue the issue.

“I’d like to see it presented to the chamber of commerce,” Hatch said.

Cabala suggested the city mail a survey to residents or include a survey in the city newsletter.

To petition the city to place an issue on the ballot, there would need to be 332 signatures of registered voters in the city.

According to Huebler’s report, any organization which would petition to get a vote on the ballot, would have to pay for the election unless its done in conjunction with the city election in November. An election costs approximately $2,000.