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Council discusses zero-emission, app-based golf-cart shuttle for downtown; no contract approved
Summary
City Manager presented a three-year, zero-emission micro-transit proposal that would cost about $585,000 over three years, include four golf carts and operator/insurance provided by the vendor. Council discussed funding options including a special improvement district, sponsorships and grants; no ordinance or contract was adopted at the meeting.
City Manager Gunnerson introduced a proposed zero-emission, app-based micro-transit (electric golf-cart) service at the March 18 Milford City Council meeting and emphasized that the item was for discussion only.
Gunnerson said the current vendor quote covers a three-year program with seasonal operation (no service in winter months), an estimated total cost of about $585,000 over three years and the delivery of four golf carts to the city as part of the contract. Under the proposal, the vendor would provide employees, insurance and operations while the city would provide geofenced operational areas and parking/staging spaces.
"All of the liability, all of the employees, this would all be on the company itself. All we're simply doing is paying for the service and paying for the golf carts," Gunnerson said. He described potential benefits: improved accessibility, decreased downtown congestion and new off-site parking with cart pickup, and he suggested revenue-offset options such as cart-wrap advertising or sponsorships and potentially forming a special improvement district (SID) to share costs with downtown property owners.
Council members asked operational questions about hours, staffing, vehicle ownership at the end of the term, ADA accessibility and pilot-area boundaries. Gunnerson said the city would purchase the golf carts as quoted and that after the three-year financing period the city could opt into a maintenance agreement or otherwise manage maintenance. He also said the vendor plans to introduce an ADA-accessible vehicle later in the season.
Council discussed funding approaches: councilmembers suggested pursuing grants for zero-emission projects, soliciting sponsorships, asking major local businesses about support, and exploring a SID that might assess property owners to cover part of ongoing costs. Some members said they wanted a detailed budget analysis before committing to any contract because the cost was not included in the current budget.
Gunnerson and several councilmembers said the geofenced area and operating hours could be adjusted after launch. He recommended additional outreach to downtown business leaders (HMA), potential sponsors and county or regional grantmakers to measure interest and possible external funding before returning with a proposal for formal approval.
No ordinance or contract was introduced or adopted on March 18. Council did not vote to approve the program; the discussion concluded with direction to continue outreach and further budget analysis before any decision.
