The City of Great Bend is re-evaluating its ordinance regarding the operation of golf carts on designated city streets. The topic is on the agenda for the next city council meeting, set for 5:30 p.m. Monday, March 2, at City Hall. Meetings are live-streamed on the city council Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/gbcitycouncil/.
The proposed Ordinance No. 4467 also deals with the use of micro-utility trucks and work-site utility vehicles.
In 2024, the council discussed allowing golf carts on some streets multiple times, with Great Bend resident Troy McFarren speaking in favor of an ordinance. However, it was ultimately voted down.
According to the agenda, the new proposal comes after review and discussion involving McFarren, City Administrator Logan Burns and Mayor Alan Moeder. The following description comes from the agenda:
Several modifications have been recommended to limit golf cart access on higher-traffic corridors to enhance public safety. Under the revised proposal, carts will be prohibited from operating on any state or federal highway, connecting link, and specified arterial streets within the city, including Broadway east of Patton Road; 24th Street; McKinley; Harrison south of 24th Street; Washington; and Patton north of 10th St. Operation would be permitted only on streets with posted speed limits of 30 miles per hour or less. Golf carts would, however, be allowed to cross restricted roadways at designated intersections.
The ordinance would also permit night-time operation, as all golf carts operating within the city must be equipped with the lighting and signaling devices required under the ordinance.
Additional amendments strengthen safety and regulatory requirements. Golf carts equipped with rear-facing seats would be required to have seat belts installed and utilized.
Registration stickers would be issued by the Chief of Police following inspection to ensure compliance. Required safety equipment would include operational headlights, brake lights, turn signals, seat belts where applicable, and a properly displayed slow-moving vehicle emblem. All owners would be required to maintain liability insurance and pay the applicable registration fee of $30 as established in the city’s master fee schedule.
Operators must be at least 16 years of age and possess a valid driver’s license while operating a golf cart within city limits.
At Monday’s meeting, the council will be asked to approve Ordinance 4467 and a proposed map of streets not allowed for golf carts.
Pavement plan, wage study and more
These items are also on Monday’s city council agenda:
• Fire Department contract renewals with the townships of Liberty, Buffalo, Great Bend and South Bend.
• In the event a quorum is not present at the regular city council meeting scheduled for March 16 and no meeting is held, the governing body will authorize the Finance Department to process and pay bills as necessary.
• Lakin Avenue will be closed from Main to Williams Street from 4-8 p.m. on June 5, for Rocky Mountain Race Week, so that cars can be staged on both sides of the street for public viewing.
• Economic Development Inc. President Jason Kuilan will present his monthly report.
• The council will be asked to approve the Pavement Management Plan prepared by JEO Consulting Group, which was reviewed during a Feb. 17 work session following the regular council meeting.
• It will also be asked to approve a contract with JEO Consulting Group Inc. for $111,600 for a State Revolving Fund (SRF) project. The city received approval for an $800,000 SRF loan for the airport lift station rehabilitation project, with approximately $480,000 eligible for forgiveness. JEO’s engineering fee was included in the loan request.
• The council will be asked to approve a low bid from Evergreen Solutions LLC for $32,000 for a compensation study. The city’s last compensation study was done in 2018. Since that time, the city’s pay scale has been adjusted a number of times. With staffing challenges continuing and the desire to make city jobs appealing as applicants compare wages – and to retain current staff – the administration feels it is time for a new study. The city received 13 bids for the study. Evergreen’s service includes two onsite meetings, one for kickoff and another for the final report.
