Council opens streets to ATVs/UTVs

The Medford City Council at its meeting Tuesday night voted to amended the ordinance regulating the operation of ATVs and UTVs in the city of Medford.

The change would allow operation of ATVs/UTVs on all city streets with some exceptions. ATVs/UTVs would not be allowed on South Whelen Avenue from East Perkins Street to CTH O; all of Industrial Drive; South Gibson Street from Jensen Drive to CTH O; Progressive Avenue from Jensen Drive to CTH O; and all of Jensen Drive, Grace Way, Ann’s Way, Pep’s Drive, South Eighth Street (Hwy 13) and West Broadway Avenue (Hwy 64). While South Eighth Street and West Broadway Avenue are closed to ATV/UTV traffic, riders will be able to cross the streets to reach their destination. ATVs/UTVs would be prohibited from operating on city streets between the hours of midnight and 6 a.m.

Alderman Clem Johnson asked if everyone would be able to drive ATVs/ UTVs on city streets or would it be limited to just city residents. Police chief Chad Liske said if a person is 16 years old and has a valid driver’s license, they can operate an ATV/UTV on the city streets.

In other action, the council approved:

★ a 2021 municipal tax rate of $26.67 per $1,000 of assessed value, an increase of $1.14 over this year’s rate of $25.53. The owner of a $100,000 home will see their property tax increase by $113.70.

★ a two-year agreement with the city police union for a 2.5 percent wage increase each of the two years. Alderman Mike Bub voted against the agreement.

★ a one-year agreement with nonunion city employees (except library employees) for a 2.5 percent wage increase effective January 1 of next year.

★ paying 85 percent and the city employee paying 15 percent toward their 2021 monthly health insurance premium. The contribution split is as follows: single-$500.81 (city)/$88.38 (employee); employee plus child/ children-$926.50/$163.50; employee plus spouse-$1,101.79/$194.43; family-$ 1,502.43/$265.14.

★ paying 90 percent with the employee paying 10 percent toward their 2021 monthly dental insurance premium. The contribution split is as follows: single-$31.87 (city)/$3.54 (employee); employee plus one-$87.07/$9.67; family-$ 87.07/$9.67.

★ the city’s 2021 contributions toward the employees’ health savings account as follows: single plan-$2,000, employee plus child(ren)-$4,000, employee plus spouse-$2,000 and family-$4,000. The contributions would be in 12 equal monthly

payments.

★ authorized the police department to purchase seven body cameras and two mini dock stations for data transfer at a cost not to exceed $6,500. Liske told the council the cameras would not be purchased until after January 1 of next year.