Osceola City Council is pressing the pause button with the creation of a golf cart ordinance that permits them on city streets.
During a June 21 meeting, council members had safety concerns about the possibility of golf carts everywhere — using them for everything but the purpose of getting to and from the golf course.
“This ordinance, yes, would allow me to acquire a golf cart and drive it to Fareway,” said Ty Wheeler, city administrator/clerk.
“I’m kind of disturbed about that,” said Councilman Dan Hooper, “because we have discussed our downtown square as a major safety hazard. People can’t see. We’ve had multiple discussions about safety, and now we’re trying to bring out golf carts that are harder to see, drive slower, and we may incorporate more than what we want to see. I’m more inclined to not have any golf carts on any streets.”
Original intent
The council was adamant about sticking to the original intent of the ordinance, which was simply getting to and from the golf course. However, roads golf carts would be allowed on would be those with a speed limit of 25 mph.
There was still some optimism between council members about the creation of an ordinance.
“I don’t know. I think we’ll see some golf carts around. I don’t know if we’re going to see a ton. I don’t know if people are going to go out and buy a golf cart just to run around town on — maybe,” said Councilman Dennis Page.
This golf cart issue stems from a few years ago when a person drove a golf cart four blocks home from the golf course. The person received a ticket from a state trooper. It should be noted Osceola Police Department has not written a ticket for a person driving a golf cart in town.
In such an
ordinance
If such an ordinance was going to be put on the books, the council would want certain requirements and restrictions.
At the meeting, Wheeler addressed some of these, including:
• The driver must be at least 18 years of age.
• The driver must possess a valid driver’s license.
• The driver shall adhere to all applicable rules to a driver in the state of Iowa when operating a golf cart.
• The golf cart shall be equipped with the proper slow moving signage, flag and brakes.
• The golf cart should be driven close to edge of street and operate single file.
• The driver may only operate the golf cart between the hours of sunrise and sunset.
City officials had also compiled a list of prohibited roads for the golf carts.
Table it
At the end of the discussion, the idea for tabling the ordinance was brought up, as well as discussing the issue with officials from other cites that have a similar ordinance, such as Knoxville, Oskaloosa and Pella.
The council approved tabling the issue for up to four weeks. In the approval vote, Councilmen Page, Hooper and Gay voted yes. Councilmen Fotiadis and Walkup voted no.