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Golf carts on city streets? Committee starts debate

NEW ULM — The first meeting of the Golf Cart/Special Vehicle Committee was held Wednesday night.

The City Council created the committee to look into the plausibility of allowing golf carts and all-retain vehicles (ATVs) on city streets.

The committee consist of Police Chief Myron Wieland, City Manager Brian Gramentz, City Attorney Roger Hippert, City Councilors Charlie Schmitz and David Christian, Dennis Born and Michael Shaneman.

Hippert said the committee could create guidelines for the council or make a recommendation to the council to not allow special vehicle use in New Ulm city limits.

Hippert said the challenge is deciding which vehicles should be included in an ordinance. The committee would need to decide whether to allow golf carts, ATVs, UTVs and mini-trucks use in the city or restrict certain types of vehicles.

The other challenge is determining the definition of “golf cart.” There is no state statute defining a golf cart.

Hippert said general definitions of golf carts are available, but to be useful, the definition needs to be specific.

Early in the meeting, Schmitz said he wanted an ordinance that required a driver’s license for operation of any vehicle on city streets. This would restrict usage to people 16 or over.

“I don’t want to see anybody 11 or 12 years old running down our street on ATVs,” Schmitz said.

A license requirement would prevent those with a revoked license from driving golf carts. In addition, Schmitz suggested the vehicle be street legal with signal lights and brake lights.

Hippert agreed with this suggestion as a matter of safety, but said that, based on court cases, the city cannot restrict beyond state regulations. Minnesota does not require a license to operate a golf cart.

Hippert was unsure if New Ulm could enforce an age restriction on golf carts with legal precedent.

Born said part of the reason for approving golf carts is to give an alternative option for older citizens who cannot obtain a driver’s license to operate a standard motorized vehicle.

“There are people that can’t get a license but can still safely operate a golf cart,” Born said. A permitting authority could require a physician’s note.

Hippert confirmed a physician’s note could be part of permit requirements as outlined in state statute.

Shaneman suggested starting with a simplified ordinance and making changes as needed to fit New Ulm.

Born favored adopting the state law for golf carts and including all roadways.

“If problems come up, it can always be re-addressed,” Born said. “I want to keep it as simple as possible.”

Hippert agreed to take the information discussed in the meeting a create a draft ordinance for committee review during the next meeting.

The next meeting of the golf cart committee is scheduled for 4 p.m. Wednesday April 19, in the City Hall chambers.

This is not the first time the city has considered a golf cart ordinance. Born submitted a request for citizen golf cart use in 2008. A special vehicle committee was formed in 2009, but they recommended against golf carts, citing safety concerns.

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