City gives green light to golf carts

It took two votes to get it done, but golf carts will now be legal to operate on city streets.

At the May 12 city council meeting, council members voted 6-1 with Mike Bub absent to approve opening most city streets to use by golf carts. Alderman Clem Johnson was the only no vote at the meeting, with his vote based on wanting more city streets opened.

Under the plan approved by the council, golf cart use is restricted on South Whelen Avenue from East Perkins Street to CTH O; Industrial Drive; South Gibson Street from Jensen Drive to CTH O; Progressive Avenue from Jensen Drive to CTH O; Jensen Drive west of Gibson St.; Grace Way; Ann’s Way; Pep’s Drive; Hwy 13/Eighth Street, but ability to cross would remain; Hwy 64/ Broadway Avenue but ability to cross would remain.

According to police chief Chad Liske this mirrors the road restrictions on the ATV/UTV ordinances. The restricted roads are based in large part on the presence of large trucks in industrial park areas and the potential risk of interactions between the trucks and smaller vehicles. In other instances such as with Grace and Ann’s Way and with Pep’s Drive, those areas are cut off from other parts of the city and people would have no way to go to or from those areas.

The hiccup and why it required two votes to get passed, centered on a push to allow golf carts to use Jensen Dr. and Progressive Ave. which would allow access to the apartments and businesses there. Johnson supported allowing the access, noting that bicycles and pedestrians use the road as it is now and that they are just as much at risk as golf carts and ATV/UTVs would be.

It was noted that only golf cart access was being considered at the meeting. City Coordinator Joe Harris said that if there as a desire to change the codes for UTVs that would need to take place at a different meeting.

“My concern is truck traffic to Marathon Cheese,” said council member Laura Holmes. She said the police had recommended not allowing them on those roads for a reason and wanted to ensure safety not only for the users but also the truck drivers.

See MEDFORD on page 4 Liske explained that the city cannot restrict pedestrians and bicycles because they are governed under state law. Likewise there are state rules for ATVs and UTVs. He said that other than the requirement that golf carts must follow the rules of the road spelled out in Chapter 346 of State Statutes, it is up to municipalities to set rules for golf cart use.

Mayor Mike Wellner spoke in support of allowing golf carts, noting that it is a growing trend among smaller cities throughout the state. He said other than some common sense restrictions such as not allowing them out after dark and displaying slow moving vehicle signs, he did not see any reason to restrict them.

The initial recommendation that came from the committee of the whole meeting had included allowing the golf carts on Progressive Ave. and Jensen Dr. A vote on that motion failed on a vote of three yes, and four opposed, with Bub absent.

This was followed immediately after by a motion to go to the inthrall proposal from city staff and the police department restricting the two roads. That motion passed.

In addition to the road access restrictions, golf cart users on roads must also follow the following rules: Operators must have a valid driver’s license; all golf carts operating under this chapter must be equipped with adequate functioning brakes, reliable and accurate steering apparatus, safe and proper tires, rearview mirror, headlights and taillights (for use from sunset to sunrise); headlights and taillights are required to operate during dark hours; all passengers must be seated; children are not allowed on a golf cart that is operated on public roads if by age/size they are required by state or federal regulations to be seated in child restraint equipment; golf carts must be operated in a single file and as close to the right-hand side of the street as possible; the operator of a golf cart shall use hand signals when turning a golf cart on city public roads; golf carts shall not be allowed on sidewalks except as required to cross them to enter or exit public roads; golf carts shall not be operated in areas not designated for motor vehicle use this shall include but not be limited to public parks, public grassy areas and public walkways.

In other business, council members:

• Approved with no discussion changes to the city’s sidewalk ordinance in regard to dead-end streets and culde- sacs. The change requires at least five property lots before the bulb of a cul-de-sac for sidewalks to be included during road reconstruction. While all new construction will be required to include sidewalk, it will not need to be installed until two-thirds of the properties in an area are developed.

• Approved an update to the city’s employee benefits plan due to a switch in providers.

• Approved the routine applications for liquor and tobacco licenses.

Prior to the start of the city council meeting, the council met as the board of review and elected Mike Wellner as chairman. The board of review then adjourned until a later date because the city assessment role is not completed. State law gives a window of time for boards of review to be held, but allows them to be adjourned to later dates.