Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Utv Ordinance topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Prairie Grove council rejects ordinance to allow utility task vehicles on city streets
Summary
On third reading the Prairie Grove City Council rejected the 2025 UTV ordinance, which would have allowed electric utility task vehicles on city streets with registration and operational limits tied to Arkansas Code references. The council approved two rezonings and a $130,800 bid for three pickleball courts the same night.
The Prairie Grove City Council voted down an ordinance that would have authorized electric utility task vehicles (UTVs) to operate on city streets after a 3–4 roll-call vote at its Sept. 15 meeting.
The ordinance — introduced as the “2025 UTV ordinance” and presented on third reading — would have added a new chapter (8.40) to the municipal code permitting certain electric-powered UTVs to operate on city streets provided they met equipment, registration and operational requirements referenced in the ordinance text (cited in the transcript as ACA 27211025, ACA 2721108C and ACA 27.1107C). The proposal would have required annual city registration and restricted UTV operation on streets with speed limits above 35 mph and on designated roads including Heritage Parkway and US Highway 62.
Councilmembers debated the measure after several months of research. Council conducted a roll-call vote; the result was three in favor and four opposed, and the motion failed. The council’s recorded votes, as read at the meeting, were: Greg — yes; Doug Stone — yes; Kevin Andrews — yes; Chris Pal — no; Audrey Wessel — no; Tony Cunningham — no; Paul Dmars — no. Because the ordinance did not receive a majority, it did not advance.
Public comment before the vote reflected safety concerns related to small motorized vehicles. An emailed comment from residents identified as Shannon and Lyn said many neighborhood golf-cart users are minors and urged the council to require only drivers legally old enough to operate vehicles on city streets. Resident Lisa T. Garden told the council she had repeatedly reported children operating golf carts and scooters in her neighborhood who ignore stop signs and endanger pedestrians; she recommended the city allow only street-legal, registered low-speed vehicles.
The ordinance text presented by staff included equipment and operational references to Arkansas code sections and set a 60-day effective date after posting unless an emergency clause were attached.
Votes and other measures that passed that night included two separate rezoning ordinances and a resolution accepting a sealed bid for three pickleball courts (see “Votes at a glance” below). The council also discussed a possible purchase of a side-arm sanitation truck and potential service changes; no formal action on that purchase was taken during the meeting.
Votes at a glance
- UTV ordinance (third reading): motion to approve failed, roll-call tally 3 yes, 4 no. Outcome: failed. - Rezoning — 1170 Vine and Grove Road (Portro Construction): ordinance approved on roll call. Outcome: approved. - Rezoning — Fitzgerald Construction (zoning map amendment): ordinance approved on roll call. Outcome: approved. - Resolution to accept WFC Inc. bid for three pickleball courts ($130,800): approved by majority voice vote. Outcome: approved.
What happens next
Because the UTV ordinance failed on third reading, staff or council members could choose to revise and resubmit a new draft for future consideration. The council did not attach emergency language to make the measure effective immediately. Council members signaled that the topic has generated substantial public feedback and that related safety questions about minors operating small motorized vehicles remain a continuing concern for residents and the council.
