By Rhys Baker
The City Council of Clay Center has rejected an ordinance allowing golf carts, micro utility trucks, golf carts, or work-site utility vehicles on some city streets. Council members have discussed this ordinance, and City Clerk Amelia Blackwood has compiled information regarding the same type of vehicles in similar-sized cities. Then, the current ordinance was rewritten via City Attorney Dustin Mullin. Ward Two City Councilman Mike Schultze says he doesn’t believe the ordinance would have changed the traffic flow or congested the city streets, “One can’t drive down Highway 24 or Highway 15. You can cross them, but you can’t go down the highways. There’s a list; you need a valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. You have to have to register. As far as traffic, I don’t know whether it changed a whole lot. It’s not like there will be 4,000 people go out and buy a golf cart or a side-by-side.”
Schultze voted for the ordinance after considering its positive aspects, such as current fuel prices, less wear and tear on the streets, and revenue creation for the city because the vehicles would have to be registered. However, Shultze also discussed possible negatives with the side-by-side or golf cart ordinance. “I didn’t get any phone calls about it personally. Everybody that I talked to in person seemed to be for it. I know I’ve talked to other council members. I think the biggest concern was trying to figure out how to monitor, and that’s why we put some of these rules and laws in the ordinance. We didn’t want kids to think, so Mom and Dad got a golf cart. I’m going to take it on a cruise.”
Schultze also said he is still determining if the ordinance is something the Clay Center City Council will revisit. He hoped all involved read the ordinance and the strict rules and fines. Some of those penalties include a $500 fine, 30 days imprisonment, or both, and the option for the court to revoke the vehicle’s registration for up to one year upon a second conviction.
Councilmembers Schultze, Sweet, and Kasper voted for the ordinance, with Councilmembers Hoover, E. Hess, D. Hess, and Charbonneau voting against. Councilman Blake abstained on all motions during the meeting after taking the oath of office at the beginning of the meeting.
