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St. Helens council adopts ordinance allowing class‑4 UTVs on city streets amid heated public comments
Summary
The St. Helens City Council on Tuesday approved Ordinance 3,320 to allow class‑4 all‑terrain/utility terrain vehicles on city streets. Supporters offered donated signage and safety assurances; opponents raised concerns about enforcement costs and alleged favoritism toward the mayor’s family, which the mayor and her daughter denied.
The St. Helens City Council voted to approve Ordinance No. 3,320, authorizing the operation of class‑4 all‑terrain vehicles on streets within the city and establishing penalties for violations.
Supporters who spoke during the public comment period said UTVs (also called side‑by‑sides) are commonly insured and operated safely. Levi De Shazer, a resident who volunteered ODOT‑certified signage and installation at no cost, said he could provide and install signs for up to four locations if the ordinance passes. “If this passes and you get me where you want those, I will go put them in,” De Shazer said.
Opponents warned the ordinance would create new costs and enforcement burdens for the city’s already strained police department. Coleman, a public commenter, said existing contract language requires the city to post notices and questioned how insurance and registration would be verified in the field. “There’s no sticker, I have insurance…there’s no anything that we know that they’ve had insurance,” Coleman said, adding that enforcement would tax the police department.
The council considered administrative changes meant to reduce fees tied to the program; council discussion and staff statements noted that a separate general‑services fee was under consideration to shore up reserves. The mayor and other council members also sought to correct what they called inaccurate social‑media claims that the ordinance was being advanced as a favor to the mayor’s family.
Mercedes Massey, who identified herself as a St. Helens resident and the mayor’s daughter, told the council she neither owns a side‑by‑side nor stands to benefit personally from the ordinance. “My support of this ordinance is based on what the community has been asking for,” she said. The presiding official called posts alleging favoritism “false information.”
Council members moved to adopt the ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried on a voice vote with councilors present responding “aye.” The council did not record a roll‑call tally in the transcript.
Next steps: The ordinance takes effect according to the city’s standard ordinance timeline (not specified in the meeting record). Staff will finalize signage placement and enforcement procedures as implementation proceeds.
