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St. Helens council hears hours of public comment on proposed UTV (side‑by‑side) ordinance; first reading held

City of St. Helens City Council · February 5, 2026
AI-Generated Content: All content on this page was generated by AI to highlight key points from the meeting. For complete details and context, we recommend watching the full video. so we can fix them.

Summary

After extensive public comment both for and against, the St. Helens City Council gave first reading to an ordinance (No. 3320) to allow Class 4 all‑terrain vehicles/UTVs on city streets; supporters cited mobility and safety upgrades, opponents cited budget, safety and ethics concerns about city leadership.

St. Helens — The City Council heard more than an hour of public testimony for and against a proposed ordinance that would allow Class 4 all‑terrain vehicles (commonly called UTVs or "side‑by‑sides") on St. Helens streets. The council conducted a first reading of Ordinance No. 3320, but took no final vote tonight.

Proponents of the change urged the council to approve the measure, saying modern side‑by‑sides include safety features such as roll cages and multi‑point harnesses, can be made street‑legal and insured, and provide mobility during emergencies and for people with disabilities. "Our UTV is insured, and we have abided by all local laws where we have visited," said Emily Riley, a St. Helens resident and UTV owner, who described using her vehicle in winter storms and for…

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