Council discusses enforcement, updating motorized‑vehicle rules after videos of golf carts and mini bikes

Council members and residents raised safety concerns about children and others operating golf carts, mini bikes, ATVs/UTVs and motorized scooters on city streets, sidewalks and recreational trails and asked for clearer enforcement.

A council member showed video and described social‑media posts that, he said, depict individuals driving golf carts on sidewalks and ignoring stop signs. A resident who spoke during the rules committee and at the council meeting said minors on mini bikes and electric scooters had ridden through vendor areas on the Fourth of July and on the city trail, creating collision risks.

Council members discussed whether the city already has an ordinance prohibiting these vehicles in public spaces. Staff member Kelly was asked to find and circulate the existing ordinance; councilors said the issue may be one of enforcement rather than the absence of regulation. One councilor said the city should ensure fines and penalties are adequate in any ordinance and suggested using language tight enough to cover new vehicle types such as class‑based e‑bikes and “hoverboards.”

Council leaders agreed staff should provide the prior ordinance language for review and that the rules committee or department head meeting would address enforcement practices. No ordinance amendment was adopted at the meeting; councilors asked staff to circulate the ordinance Kelly had promised and to consider drafting an updated motorized‑vehicle ordinance that addresses classifications (e‑bike classes, UTVs), enforcement and penalties.

The council also discussed outreach to residents and involving the police department and department heads to ensure consistent enforcement if a revised ordinance is adopted.