Wayland works on UTV ordinance

BY KARYN SPORY

Mt. Pleasant News

WAYLAND ? The Wayland City Council is nearing completion on an ordinance for the use of a UTV (utility task vehicle) within city limits.

The council narrowed down draft specifications Wednesday night with City Attorney Mike Vance.

A bulk of the rules the council would like to see in place coincide with the ordinance for operating a golf cart in town, including limiting use from sunup to sundown, going a top speed of 25 miles per hour and no passengers in the cargo area. Other rules the council discussed were only allowing individuals to drive if they are 21 years of age or older and have a valid driver?s license.

For UTVs with a speed capacity over 25, the council discussed having owners place a governor or speed restrictor.

Police Chief Ron Roth was very adamant that if a driver was speeding (going over 25) they would lose their permit for a year.

The council also discussed setting the registration fee at $50 since the vehicles would have to be inspected.

The council plans to have a completed ordinance for review and a first reading at its next meeting.

The council also heard from engineer Jim Warner Wednesday night. Warner came bearing serious news. Warner said the Iowa Department of Natural Resources had finally issued the city a draft permit for the city?s wastewater discharge from the lagoon. The city?s permit had expired several years ago, but due to the DNR focusing on wastewater discharge in bigger cities and near rivers, Warner said the department was finally getting to permits for small towns like Wayland.

?You knew this was coming,? said Warner.

Warner said the next step was to submit a work order request and wait to be assigned a process manager. From that point, the city would need to come up with a project matrix ? what to improve and how to fund it.

The issue facing Wayland?s wastewater, Warner said, would be its ammonia levels. ?You?re going to have to disinfect it with either chlorine or UV light,? he said, adding UV light would be the better option.

The council will continue to discuss the wastewater treatment.

In other business, the council:

? Approved two nuisance mowing lien against real estate.

? Approved the fiscal year 2015-16 Annual Urban Renewal Report.

? Approved tax abatement application from Janet Peterson for general improvements at 605 North Pearl St.

The next meeting of the Wayland City Council will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 19, 2016, at 7:30 p.m.