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Council debates e-scooter safety and readies parking plan after fireworks move
Summary
Monticello officials discussed resident complaints about e-scooters, said a new state law will largely preempt local regulation starting Jan. 1 and described a parking and traffic plan for the Freedom Festival relocated behind the middle school.
Monticello — Council members and public-safety staff on June 10 discussed resident complaints about electric scooters and e-bikes and outlined logistics for the Freedom Festival after organizers moved the event behind the middle school.
Several aldermen raised concerns that underage operators and reckless riding were damaging parks and creating safety hazards. The police chief and other staff said the recently enacted state statute sets statewide rules for e-scooters and e-bikes and includes preemption language that limits what a local government may change after Jan. 1; in the meantime local enforcement will emphasize counseling and community engagement rather than heavy fines for minors.
"We're at the counseling moment," a public-safety speaker said, describing efforts to educate youths and asking parents to help reinforce safety rules. Staff described state thresholds (speed limits and road classifications) that will frame where such devices can be used once the statute takes effect.
Council members also discussed the Freedom Festival relocation to the school site. Officials said the middle school provides 102 parking spaces, additional spaces at a nearby Methodist church (about 250 spots) and the crossroads church, with shuttles and roped-off vendor areas behind the school. Staff said they will restrict parking on some narrow residential roads to ensure 10 feet of clearance for emergency vehicles and will push coordinated messaging about parking and shuttle locations in the week before the event.
During the meeting a public commenter, Michael Bean, also thanked the council for a local ban on kratom and said other communities had sought Monticello's model. That comment was not tied to a council action.
Staff said they will publish event parking and shuttle guidance in advance and will meet one more time before the third of July weekend to finalize traffic restrictions.
