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Council directs staff to draft ATV/UTV/golf-cart ordinance, debates citywide permits and golf-cart zones
Summary
At a May 4 work session councilmembers directed staff to draft an ATV/UTV ordinance that leans toward a citywide permitting structure for steering-wheel UTVs, debated whether to allow golf carts citywide or only in a mapped area near the golf course, and discussed licensing, enforcement and permit logistics.
City staff presented a planning-commission-informed draft approach to regulate off-road vehicles and small transport vehicles on city streets and the council gave direction for staff to draft a formal ordinance.
Police Chief Kyle, who led the presentation, said the planning commission and staff favor a citywide permit structure for enforcement simplicity but that the ordinance could carve out specific areas where these vehicles are not allowed. “For enforcement, for permitting...it makes most sense to do a citywide permitting structure,” Kyle said. He added the plan would allow steering-wheel UTVs (side-by-sides with lights, signals and seat belts) under permit while excluding traditional handlebar ATVs from citywide street use.
Councilmembers pressed for clarity on who would need permits. Several members and staff agreed residents who use permitted vehicles regularly should have a city permit; visitors arriving from regional trails for a short stop likely would not be required to obtain a permit. The chief proposed licensing and age requirements: permitted operators would need a valid driver’s license and be at least 16 (or 15 with a learner’s permit and a licensed adult present). The council discussed enforcement capacity and whether permit revocations should be handled administratively or brought before the council.
Golf carts drew extended debate. Staff proposed allowing golf carts by permit in a defined area near the golf course (from the railroad tracks down Hilton Road within city limits), requiring slow-moving emblems and restricting nighttime operation unless equipped with headlights. Some councilmembers argued such a zone is discriminatory by residence and advocated either citywide permission for golf carts or a total ban. The council signaled a split preference but asked staff to present an “all” (citywide) option in the draft ordinance.
Administrative details discussed included annual stickers with color-coding for quick officer identification, possible multi-year sticker windows (up to three years), and sample fee ranges from other communities around $25–$30 per year. Staff also proposed a snow-removal exception allowing handlebar ATVs with plows and permitted UTVs to perform snow removal during a typical 48-hour post-snowfall window without a permit. Councilmembers asked staff to return with a draft ordinance for further review and public hearings.
The work session produced direction for staff rather than a vote; staff will prepare a draft ordinance that includes the citywide permitting option and the golf-cart “all” option for council review.
