Council moves toward allowing golf carts on streets

Golf carts could soon be seen puttering along Washington streets. The city council unanimously approved the first reading of an ordinance to allow golf carts on city streets, under certain conditions. Councilors Fred Stark, Bob Shellmyer, Bob Shepherd and Mark Kendall voted in favor and councilors Russ Zieglowsky and Merlin Hagie were absent.

The proposed ordinance requires that golf carts have seat belts and that the driver be at least 18 years old and possess a driver?s license. The carts cannot travel above 25 mph and they are also barred from driving on streets with speed limits above 25 mph, although they can cross those streets. They cannot carry more passengers than what they are designed for.

The golf cart would also need the following equipment: a slow moving vehicle sign, a safety flag that stands at least 5 feet above the ground and headlights and taillights. Those who wish to drive a golf cart on city streets must obtain a permit for $25 from the chief of police. The ordinance would not allow residents to drive their carts to the Washington Golf and Country Club because carts would be banned from traveling on South Iowa south of Polk Street. The ordinance also applies to utility trail vehicles (UTVs).

Stark said that some towns, such as Boone, have placed limits on when the golf carts can be driven on city streets. For instance, Boone bans golf carts on streets between Nov. 30 and March 1. The proposed ordinance before the city did not contain any language about restricted dates.

Shellmyer said the carts should not be allowed to drive faster than 20 mph. The original ordinance allowed for drivers to be as young as 16, although Shellmyer objected that that was too young and that was subsequently changed to 18 years of age in the version of the ordinance the council passed. Shellmyer was also curious why the original ordinance did not require seatbelts.

?It seems like a golf cart is less safe than a car, and if we?re required to wear a seatbelt in a car, why should we not be required to wear a seatbelt in a golf cart?? he asked.

The proposed ordinance restricts golf cart usage to between sunrise and sunset. Shellmyer said that perhaps that should be curtailed to one hour after sunrise and one hour before sunset.

?They could be a little hard to see at sunrise,? he said.

Shepherd said he was concerned about enforcing Shellmyer?s proposed time limit. Shellmyer said he would rely on a police officer?s judgment in enforcing the time limit.

Richard Anderson, who suggested the ordinance to the council at a meeting in March, was in attendance Wednesday and said he approved of the ordinance that passed the first reading. He said there was little need to worry about the carts speeding since most golf carts cannot travel over 25 mph. Anderson said he does not own a golf cart but plans to purchase one if the ordinance is passed.

The councilors asked Ron See of the Washington Police Department what regulations existed for mopeds. See said that the age limit for mopeds is 14 years and that there are no restrictions as to where mopeds can travel.

The council approved on a 4-0 vote awarding the 2012 sealcoat project to Municipal Street Improvements, Inc. of Wyoming, Iowa. Municipal Street Improvements was the low bidder at about $85,650, which was $900 under the other bid from L.L. Pelling of North Liberty.

Shellmyer said that he wanted to require the contractor to hire an inspector to make sure the rock that?s put down is good quality. City Administrator Brent Hinson said a contractor isn?t going to like new requirements after the project was bid, and if the contractor did hire an inspector, it would charge the city extra. Shepherd said that the problem with last year?s sealcoat project was not the quality of the rock but that it was applied to late in the year.