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Council approves first reading of UTV ordinance; staff to align local code with Iowa law
Summary
After a study group's report, the council passed first reading of an ordinance to allow off-road utility vehicles (UTVs) on city streets under specified conditions and directed staff to add language aligning the local definition of "operate" with Iowa code.
The Norwalk City Council on April 17 completed the first reading of an ordinance amending chapters of the municipal code to allow operation of off-road utility vehicles (UTVs) on certain city streets under defined conditions. The ordinance follows work by a study group that reported back to council.
Chief (police) and staff reviewed the draft ordinance. Council members raised enforcement questions including noise from aftermarket exhausts and how intoxicated operation standards relate to local wording. Council asked staff to add language to section text that explicitly incorporates Iowa code language on "operate" as it relates to operating while intoxicated; staff agreed to prepare that language before the next reading.
Council member Cool moved and Council member Livingston seconded the motion for first reading. The motion carried on a recorded roll call: Livingston (yes), Meineke (yes), Baker (yes), Brown (yes), Cool (yes).
Why it matters: The ordinance would permit UTVs on Norwalk streets under local rules and would amend an existing chapter that already addresses ATVs and snowmobiles. Council emphasized that state OWI/OWVI laws remain applicable and directed staff to ensure the city code mirrors relevant state definitions so that enforcement is consistent.
Next steps: The second reading is scheduled for May 1 and a third reading will follow after the state legislative session concludes to ensure any new state-level requirements are incorporated.
Ending: Staff will return with revised ordinance language that incorporates Iowa code references on operating under the influence and other clarifying edits requested by council.
