MP council tables golf cart law for further study

By BROOKS TAYLOR

Mt. Pleasant News

Mt. Pleasant City Council members put the brakes on the possibility of golf carts traveling city streets ? at least for the interim.

During Wednesday night?s regular meeting, the council tabled the first reading, pending further study, of a proposed ordinance regarding regulations for the operation of golf carts on city streets.

Under current city code, driving golf carts on city streets is prohibited, unless the golf court is a registered motor vehicle with the Iowa Department of Transportation, which means it must be a licensed vehicle.

Also, the golf cart must have working brakes, tail lamps, brake lamps, directional signals, a rear view mirror and slow-moving vehicle sign.

The proposed ordinance, allowing operation of golf carts on city streets, was drafted by the ordinance committee after the city received a request from an elderly handicapped individual asking to be able to operate a retrofitted golf cart on city streets.

Police Chief Ron Archer said he had some problems with the proposed ordinance.

?As I am reading this, I thought the intent was to limit it to handicapped people, but I don?t think we have the correct wording for restricted use,? Archer explained. ?The intent was to limit it to people who were handicapped. This looks like anyone can operate one.?

As presented, the ordinance defined a golf cart as a ?three- or four-wheeled recreational (vehicle) generally used for transportation of person(s) in the sport of golf, that is not capable of exceeding the speed of 25 miles per hour.?

The ordinance says that golf carts may be operated upon the streets and alleys of the city by persons possessing a valid driver?s license issued by the State of Iowa or any other state.

Streets in which golf carts cannot be operated include East and West Washington Street, North and South Grand Avenue, North and South Jefferson Street, North Broadway Street, East and West Winfield Avenue, Mapleleaf Drive, and North and South Iris Street. However, golf carts can cross those streets.

Restrictions include: only one passenger, not including the operator, in the golf cart seated in a seat designed for passenger travel; the golf cart may not exceed the speed of 25 miles per hour; the golf cart must be registered with the Iowa Department of Transportation, pursuant to state law, with a copy of the registration to be kept with the golf cart at all times it is operated; the golf cart must also have the aforementioned equipment (turn signals, brake lamps, etc.).

Operation of golf carts on city streets and alleys shall be from sunrise to sunset. Golf carts shall not be operated when visibility is such that there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and golf carts at a distance of 500 feet.

Golf carts may not be operated on public recreational bike or walking trails; any public sidewalk; on the portion of the street right-of-way between the street curb or edge of street surface and the sidewalk designated for parking; on private property without the express consent of the owner.

Violation of the ordinance is a simple misdemeanor.

City Councilman Matt Crull questioned whether the ordinance could be successfully enforced. ?If people see other people using it (golf cart), they will do it. How do you enforce it?? Crull asked. ?I think we?re crazy if we think we will be able to regulate it.?

Mayor Steve Brimhall, too, said he had concerns with the way the ordinance was written. ?The way this is written wasn?t the intent of the ordinance committee,? the mayor said. ?The ordinance committee?s intent was just for handicapped people.?

Following more discussion, Crull said the ordinance needs more discussion and study. The council tabled the matter and will discuss it at a future work session.