The first of four Town Hall meetings scheduled by Mayor Rob Baker brought a few comments about the use of non-golf cart vehicles on city streets.
“[the current ordinance includes a] list of things we think were important to the city for golf cart owners to have golf carts on city streets,” said Baker. “For a number of years now the local PD have been told not to stop or enforce non-golf carts vehicles on city streets. Call them what you want side-by-sides, gators, etc. Side-by-side’s go to pretty high speeds and the last thing we want is our patrolmen getting into a high speed chase with a side-by-side. We really want to get a lot of input from y’all on this. Anything that you feel needs to be done to modify what we have here.”
City Administrator Eric Kuykendall read portions of a draft for a new ordinance to address the issue. It partially reads:
“Section I. The use of off-road vehicles (golf carts, 4X4’s, side by sides, etc.) shall be allowed by the following:
a. Farm vehicles for legitimate farming purposes.
b. Vehicles used in the transport of goods, materials and services for established businesses or approved vendors registered with the City of Jefferson Police Department, within the City Limits.
c. Use in parades, events or other promotions with prior City Council approval.
d. Law enforcement and other first responders.
e. Municipal employees in the course of their duties.
Section III. All vehicles, regardless of type or use, must carry proof of liability insurance and a valid driver’s license.”
Ward 2 Alderman James Parsons requested that “anywhere the ordinance is inconsistent with state law, then state law applies” and Ward 3 Alderman Richard Turner suggested that vehicles be required to abide by all state vehicle laws and that this does not apply to state owned highways, be added.
“I have a suggestion that for event weekends, maybe issue a permit, with fee, as a way to ensure [visitors] have the necessary items on their vehicles,” said Tammy Smith.
Turner also brought up this, and Baker suggested the City’s Event Application Permit be amended to include a list of non-golf carts be provided to the police department a week before the event.
Ward 2 Alderman Robin Moore asked about insurance on a side-by-side. “Every side-by-side policy I’ve written has an exclusion if they are operated on city streets,” she said. “If their policy excludes it, what then?”
B.W. Brooks suggested the City place signs around town indicating both the allowance of golf carts and what the requirements are. Baker suggested maybe the Jefferson Tourism Board could work to get something out to all the lodging facilities to help when visitors bring their own vehicles.
No decision was made on the proposed ordinance change, and no timetable was set for the City to adopt a new ordinance.