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Council debate over golf-cart ordinance ends with 6–3 defeat of referral; mayor warns he would veto citywide exemption
Summary
Councilman Kawinski introduced ordinance 25-17 to regulate golf-cart use in a specific area (Robertsdale); extensive debate centered on safety, enforcement, insurance and whether any allowance should be citywide; motion to pass first and second reading and refer to council as whole failed 6–3.
Councilman Kawinski introduced Ordinance 25-17, "an ordinance of the common council of the city of Hammond to regulate the use of golf carts on public property in a specific area in the city of Hammond," and moved that it pass first and second reading and be referred to council as a whole for consideration on Sept. 8.
The proposal prompted extended debate in which the mayor and several council members voiced safety and enforcement concerns. The mayor said he opposed a geographically limited approval and warned that if the council passed such a local exemption he would veto it. In the meeting he said: "I'm afraid somebody's gonna get killed in a golf cart, and we're all gonna be looking at each other and wondering why we did this. ... I will veto it if you pass it." The mayor argued that a limited allowance for Robertsdale would amount to a special rule for part of the city and said enforcement burdens could fall on public-safety officers.
Council members raised multiple operational concerns: whether golf carts would be treated as off-road or slow-moving vehicles, whether owners would have liability insurance, whether vehicles require factory manufacture or vehicle identification numbers, and who would perform vehicle inspections. One council member said the ordinance's application did not require proof of liability insurance and questioned Indiana's liability minimums as insufficient for serious crash injuries.
Several council members supported further study or a pilot approach: one sponsor said he intended the measure to be a limited pilot in Robertsdale to identify safety issues before considering broader application. Supporters in the audience brought petitions and representatives said they had 60+ signatures from ZIP code 46394 in favor.
Public commenters addressed the proposal in both directions. Resident Laurie Zalno said she opposed the ordinance and thanked the council for voting against it: "I want to thank you for voting against the proposed golf cart ordinance. I was opposed for a number of reasons." Other residents said they use golf carts as mobility devices under the Americans with Disabilities Act and urged reasonable restrictions.
After debate the motion to pass first and second reading and refer to council as a whole failed, 6–3. The motion had been moved by Councilman Kawinski and seconded by Councilwoman Alexander. The council did not adopt an ordinance at this meeting; the proposal will return to the council only if revived or reintroduced.
No formal changes to police procedures, insurance requirements or code-enforcement responsibilities were adopted at the meeting.
Speakers repeatedly requested further refinement of the ordinance text and additional committee review if the council decides to revisit the topic.
