Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council declines immediate action on ATV/UTV street use after mixed transportation‑committee review
Summary
After public testimony urging the council to permit ATVs and UTVs on city streets to connect to county trails and capture economic activity, the council did not find adequate support Oct. 28 to adopt a city ordinance. Members said they will pursue state legislative and county coordination before considering local changes.
Speakers at the Oct. 28 meeting urged the Oshkosh Common Council to permit ATVs and UTVs on city streets to allow owners to travel from homes to existing county routes and to capture economic benefits. Advocates cited Winnebago County registration numbers and an economic impact argument.
Transportation committee members held two meetings, polled citizens and heard from public safety staff. Committee members reported the cons — notably DUI and enforcement concerns, safety issues and unclear trail connectivity within city limits — were more tangible than potential benefits, and the committee did not forward a recommendation to the full council. Council members said the county ordinance and differences in state law complicated municipal action; several councilors said they would prefer legislative changes at the state level to provide clearer standards and enforcement mechanisms.
The mayor polled councilors on whether they wanted the city to pursue further work on municipal ATV/UTV rules; fewer than four councilors supported advancing a city ordinance at this time. Council directed staff instead to work with legislative partners and county officials to address statutory gaps and enforcement questions before returning the matter to the council for further consideration.
"We do not have sufficient guardrails in place for safe local operation," the police chief said, citing concerns about vehicle design, DUI enforcement and age restrictions in state law.
The council made no ordinance change at this meeting.
