Council considering golf carts, UTVs on streets

    An ordinance will be before the Imperial city council May 21 that would allow golf carts and utility vehicles (UTVs) on city streets.
    The direction to City Attorney Josh Wendell to draw up the ordinance came during Monday’s city council meeting, and will include a number of restrictions and a fee for the right to do so.
    Mayor Dwight Coleman said he asked for discussion of the topic not so much for the golfers, but rather for the city’s elderly citizens who may want to use golf carts to get around town.
    “They’re easier to get in and out of, they’re a little easier to operate and they can see what’s around them a little better,” Coleman said.
    However, he said if golf carts on streets were to be allowed, visibility would be a key concern for other drivers.
    Police Chief Ryan Wisnieski said he’s not a fan of four-wheelers on streets but golf carts are a little different. He appeared to be open to the idea if some restrictions were in place for safety.
    He said operators must have a driver’s license. Carts are not legal on highways by state law, so cannot operate on Highway 6 (Broadway St.), although they can cross Broadway if traveling on other east-west streets, he added.
    Coleman said he would like to either see an ordinance allowing them with restrictions, or stop use for everyone. All agreed they are being used on the streets occasionally.
    Wendell will bring an ordinance to the next meeting that

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