It's official - golf carts can now be driven on most streets in Toledo, with the proper registration.
The Toledo City Council voted to not have a third public hearing on the ordinance, which officially approved the golf cart/ATV ordinance. It was passed by a 3-2 vote, with Council members Jeff Filloon and Terry Goodhart voting no.
"Brian (Sokol) did do some work on this and it wasn't something we drafted from scratch," City of Toledo Attorney Nancy Burk said. "It's almost a model ordinance that's been used by several communities. Those restrictions and uses are pretty popular in the state of Iowa."
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Goodhart and Filloon both questioned the ordinance that was approved in May before the two public hearings.
"Is this the same ordinance Tama has," Goodhart asked? "If not, I think we probably should look to Tama's so they coincide with each other. If someone from Tama comes up here, we should have the same rules."
Filloon responded, saying no. He said the two ordinances were different. Filloon voted against the ordinance when it was approved in May. He felt the requirements were too strict.
"Tama just adopted the state code for golf carts the way it's written," Filloon said. "Whatever the Iowa State Code is, that's what Tama adopted."
The Toledo ordinance requires more from owners, including insurance, headlights, taillights and a $5 registration fee. Tama's ordinance, which follows the Iowa State Code, requires the golf carts to have a slow-moving vehicle sign, bicycle safety flag and can only be driven sunrise to sunset. However, there is no registration fee or insurance required.
One of the concerns of some council members is what happens when someone from Tama drives his or her golf cart to the grocery store in Toledo? Will they be ticketed for no headlights or taillights?
"The reason we went with this one is it has more safety precautions, as far as requiring insurance," Sokol said. "We wanted to make it more safe."
Another portion of the ordinance was questioned by Filloon. The ordinance allows the use of All-Terrain Vehicles, but only for snow removal or special events authorized by the city council.
"Can you supercede state law and say we're going to allow it now," Filloon asked? "We don't say we need entrepreneurs in Toledo so we let them cook methamphetamine in their garage. If state code says you can't do it, can we say yes you can?"
Despite some concerns, the ordinance was passed and there will be no third public hearing on the issue.
Other news from the June 25 meeting:
- A new "Library parking only" sign, which will point to three spots, will be posted at the Toledo Library. Also one handicapped parking sign will be added as the handicapped spot has no sign, just markings on the ground.
- New water rates resolution for the next two years was approved. The resolution proposed an ordinance and a hearing was set for 7 p.m. July 9. The service charge will be $11.90. The rate for the first 12,000 gallons will be $3.68 for the first year and $5.15 the second year. Over use of 12,000 gallons will have a rate of $2.98 the first year and $4.48 the second year. These rates will go into effect July 20, 2012 and July 20, 2013 if approved.
- The city council is moving ahead with repairs to the police department's building. A water heater has been ordered. The council voted to start with roof repairs as well as tuck pointing on the southeast corner and the lobby area.