Floor Amendment
March 30, 2009
IN THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE OF JACKSON COUNTY, MISSOURI
Title
A RESOLUTION urging the Lake Lotawana Sportsmen's Club to voluntarily suspend shooting range operations due to public safety concerns.
Intro
RESOLUTION #16871, March 30, 2009
INTRODUCED BY Scott Burnett, Bob Spence, Henry C. Rizzo, Theresa Garza Ruiz, Fred Arbanas, James D. Tindall, Dennis Waits, Dan Tarwater, and Greg Grounds, County Legislators
Body
WHEREAS, in 2002, a conditional use permit was renewed to the Lake Lotawana Sportsmen's Club (the "Club") for the purpose of operating a gun club and rifle and pistol shooting range in eastern Jackson County, herein referred to as the "Range;" and,
WHEREAS, since that time, neighbors surrounding the Range have raised issues regarding public safety with allegations of bullets striking structures in residential areas near the Range and significant questions about the Club's provisions for the safe operation of the Range; and,
WHEREAS, the Department of Public Works and the Sheriff's Office have conducted an investigation regarding the operation of the Range and issues of public safety; and,
WHEREAS, that investigation has identified measures that should be taken by the Club to provide a higher degree of public safety for the residential areas surrounding the Range; and,
WHEREAS, relevant literature such as the Department of the Air Force's Engineering Technical Letter 08-11 details small arms range design and construction and provides the minimum design criteria for the safe operation of a gun range; and,
WHEREAS, implementation of public safety improvements may require approval of technical design elements; and,
WHEREAS, the County Legislature believes that the public safety should be paramount to all decision making and all efforts should be taken to ensure safe operation of this Range; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature strongly urges the Club to suspend operations until such time as the Club's operation of the Range is in compliance with the Air Force's Engineering Technical Letter 08-11 or similar public safety standards; and,
WHEREAS, the Legislature also urges the Club to retain a qualified gun range safety consultant, acceptable to the County, to provide an independent assessment of the operation of the Range and recommendations for public safety improvements; and,
WHEREAS, it is in the best interest of the citizens of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Club meet public safety standards in the operation of the Range and suspend operation of the Range until it does so; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the County Legislature of Jackson County, Missouri, that the Legislature urges the Lake Lotawana Sportsmen's Club to take any and all steps necessary to ensure the safety of the citizens of Jackson County, Missouri; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Legislature also urges the Lake Lotawana Sportsmen's Club to voluntarily suspend operations of the rifle and pistol portion of the Range for a period of at least forty-five (45) days or, while an assessment is conducted at which time a public safety improvement plan could be finalized and approved by the County for technical safety improvements; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Legislature further urges the Club not to reopen the rifle and pistol portion of the Range until such necessary technical safety improvements are constructed and approved by the County; and,
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, in the event that Lake Lotawana Sportsmen's Club does not voluntarily suspend Range operations within one (1) week of the passage of this Resolution, the Legislature will direct County staff to take any and all legal steps necessary to ensure the safety of the public.
Enacted and Approved
Effective Date: This Resolution shall be effective immediately upon its passage by a majority of the Legislature.
APPROVED AS TO FORM:
_______________________________ _________________________
Chief Deputy County Counselor County Counselor
Certificate of Passage
I hereby certify that the attached resolution, Resolution #16871 of March 30, 2009, was duly passed on ___________, 2009 by the Jackson County Legislature. The votes thereon were as follows:
Yeas _________________ Nays _____________
Abstaining _____________ Absent ____________
______________________ _______________________________
Date Mary Jo Spino, Clerk of Legislature