An ordinance allowing licensed drivers over 18 years old to operate golf carts on some city streets during daylight hours was approved Monday by the Great Bend City Council.
The ordinance was approved with seven councilmembers voting in favor and councilmember Davis Jimenez voting against it.
Some details were decided Monday before the ordinance came to a vote. The council considered allowing the carts to operate from sunrise to 10 p.m., but opted for sunrise to sunset. The council also chose to up the minimum age to 18, after initially considering 16. Councilman Gary Parr also suggested a higher registration fee, with a portion going to youth programs, and the council settled on a $50 registration, payable at a one-time inspection and reviewed annually. (Fees go to the general fund.)
Police Chief Steve Haulmark said he is not opposed to the ordinance. He does not believe it will create an extra burden on staff and when people come for their registration sticker they will be given a copy of the ordinance.
Other rules in the ordinance were described in the Feb. 28 Great Bend Tribune. They include:
• Carts aren’t allowed on higher-traffic corridors (a map is available), except to cross a restricted road at a designated intersection. They are only allowed on streets with a posted speed limit of 30 mph or slower. Carts with rear-facing seats are required to have seat belts installed and used.
• Carts must be equipped with signalling devices, brake lights and a properly displayed slow-moving vehicle emblem. Owners must maintain liability insurance.
Comments
City Administrator Logan Burns, Mayor Alan Moeder, and Great Bend resident Troy McFarren reviewed and discussed modifying the city ordinance before bringing it to the council. On Monday, Burns told the council, “I think we can make it work.”
McFarren addressed the council as well.
“I travel all over the U.S.,” he said. In addition to his office in Great Bend, he has one in Windsor, Colo., where people can often be seen using golf carts to drop their kids off at school, for example. “It has become a vehicle that people like to use outside of the golf course.” He said he has talked to police and firefighters, and they were not opposed to the proposal.
Mayor Moeder said he would allow brief comments from the audience, limited to two people for and two people against the golf carts. No one came forward.
