PC Council considers allowing golf carts on city streets

After hearing the desire from Prairie City citizens for golf carts to be allowed on city streets, the city council started discussions on a golf cart ordinance for the town. Acting city administrator Joe Bartello shared the ordinance he drafted for Baxter while he was employed there during the council’s workshop Sept. 4.

“I helped write the original language when I was employed with the City of Baxter,” Bartello said. “Council can review the language and regulations within ... The draft to determine if this is an option they want to explore and if there are any modifications.”

The code states: incorporated areas may allow the operation of golf carts on city streets by persons possessing a valid driver’s license. However, a golf cart shall not be operated upon a city street which is primary road extension through the city but shall be allowed to cross a city street which is a primary road. The golf carts must be equipped with a slow moving vehicle sign and a bicycle safety flag and can only operate from sunrise to sunset. Golf carts must be equipped with adequate brakes and must meet any other safety requirements set out by the council.

Councilman John Lee requested a change to the portion of the code explaining the inspection process of the brakes during the registration of the vehicle.

“When it says we do the inspection of the brakes, do we have someone qualified to do that? Lee said. “I am just concerned that if somebody were to go out and their brakes fail, then the city would have some liability. It wouldn’t be any different than getting a license for a car, you’re responsible for the maintenance.”

Bartello said when he has done checks previously, it consisted of the driver bringing the golf cart to a full stop at a designated parking line. The council requested the language be changed to adequate braking at the time of inspection.

Under the area of operation, the code states: observance of traffic regulation are mandatory. Permits are required. No golf cart can be operated in the city until it has a permit issued by a city staff member. The permit is good for the calendar year in which it is issued and can be renewed annually. The permit fee will be $25.

Proof of liability insurance will also be required. The owner of the cart must have insurance with minimum limits of $100,000 each person and $300,000 each accident.

“Baxter required insurance, it is not a requirement by state code but a lot of communities that adopt golf cart ordinances to require it,” Bartello said.

Golf cart drivers must be 17 years old. No more than two adult people may ride in the front seat of the cart and children must be accompanied by an adult driver and must follow all requirements except the capacity limits as long as all children as seated on the seat and no part of the body extends beyond the sides of the carts.

Golf carts are prohibited on streets during inclement weather when visibility is reduced or impaired by weather, smoke, for or any other condition where there is insufficient light to clearing see a person or vehicle on a roadway from 500 feet away. Golf carts are not allowed on sidewalks.

An person who violates the code commits a simple misdemeanor.

“Let’s say a golf cart is going down the road without the flag, without the slow moving sign. What is the consequences of that?” Lee asked.

Bartello said it would be the same as getting a speeding ticket while driving a vehicle.

“I want to make sure it is clear out there,” Lee said. “I would like to make sure we are consistent in what we are doing.”

For the most part, Bartello said in his previous experience, citizens comply with regulations.

“We had really good compliance in Baxter,” Bartello said. “The only issue we had was someone started the rumor that if you put headlights on the golf cart, you can drive it at night, which is absolutely not true.”

The first reading of the ordinance is schedule for the Sept. 12 council meeting.

Contact Jamee A. Pierson at 641-792-3121 ext. 6534 or jpierson@newtondailynews.com