WILLMAR -- City Attorney Rich Ronning will be asked to make a few revisions in a proposed ordinance authorizing and regulating the use of golf carts on Willmar's city streets. The revisions are being requested by the City Council's Public Works/Safety Committee.
Ronning drafted the ordinance and the committee discussed it Tuesday afternoon and requested the revisions after a local citizen suggested a month ago that the city allow the use of golf carts as a less costly method of transportation.
Since 1997, state statute has allowed cities, counties and towns to authorize by ordinance the use of motorized golf carts or four-wheel, all-terrain vehicles on designated roadways or portions of roadways under their jurisdiction.
The ordinance would require a cart operator to be 18 years of age or older, obtain an annual permit issued by the city for a fee of $100 and require a copy of a valid driver's license, among other things.
The committee debated whether the $100 fee was too excessive, discussed the possibility of setting the fee at $25 and settled on $35. Committee Chairman Doug Reese said the amount could be adjusted later.
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Also, the committee said the cart, as well as the operator, should be licensed.
Besides requiring an operator's permit, the ordinance:
- Establishes operating times from one-half hour after sunrise to one-half hour before sunset.
- Requires a slow-moving vehicle sign.
- Defines unlawful acts.
- Sets the penalty for violation as a petty misdemeanor with a maximum of a $200 fine and suspension or revocation of the operator's permit.
Also Tuesday, the committee was told that the date to open bids for construction of the new wastewater treatment plant and conveyance system will be rescheduled from July 22 to July 31. Craig Holmes, program manager for project consultants Donohue and Associates, said contractors have requested more time to calculate their bids.
"Nobody said if they didn't get more time they won't provide a bid," Holmes said. "But as badly as we want good, competitive bids that are within our budget, we felt that it was in the city's best interest to give them a little more time."
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Holmes said the later bid opening will not affect the scheduled Aug. 18 date for council approval of contracts.
In other business, the committee recommended the council approve plans and specifications and call for bids to construct two recreational paths totaling one mile. Bids will be opened Aug. 19. The cost is paid by revenue raised by the local option sales tax.
One path is located along County Road 47 (through the new industrial park) between state Highway 40 and U.S. Highway 12, and the other path is located along Lakeland Drive Southeast from the YMCA to Olena Avenue.
