Residents press council on nighttime pedicab permits and golf-cart access to school path

Several residents used the Jan. 14 citizen participation period to press the council on transportation and small-business opportunities.

Zach Bissied, identified himself as a city resident and prospective small-business owner, urged the council to release six nighttime pedicab decals the council has considered in prior meetings. “This is a proven industry to get involved and enhance my own economic standing,” Bissied said, adding he has seen the city delay or cancel the effort three times and asked the council to follow through.

The clerk summarized written public comments on a separate item about golf-cart access to a multiuse path at Murrayville Parkway and Ashley River Road to reach Drayton Hall Elementary. The clerk said 38 comments supported allowing golf carts on the public path for school access, citing student safety and Highway 61 traffic; 11 comments opposed allowing golf carts because of pedestrian and bicycle safety concerns; four requested limited hours for cart access; and individual comments suggested path widening or removing barriers that might be ADA‑noncompliant. The council chair said the multiuse-path issue will be discussed at the next TNT meeting for more detailed consideration.

Anthony G. Bryant also used public comment time to raise concerns about federal surveillance statutes and how speech could be classified; his remarks were recorded in the public-comment segment and entered into the record.

No formal council action on pedicab permits or golf-cart path access was taken at the Jan. 14 meeting; the clerk confirmed the golf-cart path issue will be discussed at the next TNT meeting where staff and committee members can examine safety and ADA considerations.