Pella council approves changes to vacation rates and advances e‑bike code updates

The Pella City Council on Monday adopted ordinances eliminating vacation‑rate discounts for solid‑waste and municipal fiber customers and took steps toward updated rules governing electric bicycles and scooters.

City staff said Ordinance 1080 removes the vacation rate from solid‑waste billing. Staff reported about 91 accounts currently use the vacation rate, predominantly landlords, while the true seasonal users number closer to 10–20 per year. Staff cited collection and communication difficulties as reasons to eliminate the rate and recommended approval, which the council granted.

Ordinance 1081 proposes a similar change for the city’s municipal fiber service (referred to in the meeting as ‘‘Pillow Fiber’’). Staff said roughly 19 customers used the vacation rate for fiber services and described the ordinance as a housekeeping measure to simplify billing; council adopted the ordinance on the third reading.

On mobility code updates, staff presented Ordinance 1082 to consolidate electric‑bicycle and scooter regulation into a single chapter aligned with state code. The draft clarifies state distinctions for class‑3 electric bicycles (motor‑propelled at 28 mph or greater and a minimum age of 16 to operate on streets), sets general speed limits of 20 mph on sidewalks and trails with exceptions for class‑3 bikes, and designates additional downtown sidewalk areas where scooters would be prohibited. Staff also advised council that a sunset or review date could be added to evaluate enforcement issues.

Council approved the utility rate changes and advanced the mobility ordinance on second reading for further consideration.