Council directs redraft of scooter ordinance to require sidewalk use, $25 fine and 15 mph cap

The City Council reviewed a draft ordinance intended to regulate motorized scooters and directed staff to revise the draft so scooters must be ridden on sidewalks where sidewalks are present, to set a small monetary penalty for violations and to retain a 15 mph maximum speed in the ordinance.

Council members and the police chief (not named in the record) discussed enforcement and education. The chief and council expressed a preference for education-first enforcement for minors, using warnings and outreach rather than criminal penalties. Council members asked the city attorney to change a prior draft that designated violations as a class 2 misdemeanor to a petty offense with a modest fine. The group settled on drafting a $25 fine with escalation through warnings and education, and emphasized that if there is no sidewalk the ordinance as drafted would allow scooters to use the street.

Council also asked staff to emphasize education on keeping to the right side of sidewalks and to prepare a revised ordinance for the June 16 meeting (first reading). The chief noted enforcement tools such as speed measurement could be used if riders act recklessly; council agreed 15 mph was a reasonable maximum for sidewalk travel. The item will return with a redraft that includes the sidewalk mandate, the proposed penalty amount, and language emphasizing education and enforcement priorities.