HomeMy WebLinkAbout5.A.1. Motorized Golf Carts-Ord. No. 764
CITY OF SHAKOPEE 5: fl. J.
Police Department
Memorandum
TO: Honorable Mayor and City Council COt~sENr
Mark McNeill, City Administrator
FROM: Dan Hughes, Chief of Police
SUBJECT: Motorized Golf Carts
DATE: July 18,2006
INTRODUCTION
The Police Department is requesting council approval to adopt ORDINANCE NO. 764,
A NEW ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA PERMITTING
MOTORIZED GOLF CARTS ON DESIGNATED ROADWAYS.
BACKGROUND
Mr. Gerald Arnan has requested permission from the police department to authorize his
father, Henry, to operate a motorized golf cart on designated city streets. According to
Mr. Aman the ability for his father to increase his mobility represents a significant quality
of life improvement. Communities throughout the state permit the use of motorized golf
carts, including the City of Chaska.
State law authorizes a city to adopt an ordinance allowing the operation of motorized golf
carts on designated roadways in the City. New state law, effective August 1,2006, does
not require a local jurisdiction to adopt an ordinance to permit individuals from operating
"low-speed neighborhood electric vehicles", but restricts their operation to roadways with
speed limits 35 M.P.H. and under. The proposed ordinance would permit the operation
of motorized golf carts, without restricting the use of "low-speed neighborhood electric
vehicles" .
Under state law, the operation of motorized golf carts is limited to designated roadways,
during daylight hours, when visibility is not impaired. Those permitted to operate these
motorized vehicles will be restricted to roadways with speed limits under 35 M.P.H., and
more specifically to routes specifically contained within the individual permit
application. Furthermore these vehicles must display a slow moving vehicle emblem and
a permit issued by the local jurisdiction. Those permitted to operate a motorized golf cart
have all the rights and duties applicable to the driver of any other vehicle under the
provisions of Chapter 169 of Minnesota Statue. City Council may suspend or revoke a
permit with any violation of Chapter 169 of Minnesota Statute, or when there is evidence
that the permittee cannot safely operate the motorized golf cart on designated roadways.
It will be necessary for the City of Shakopee to adopt a new ordinance permitting
motorized golf carts on designated roadways. The attached amendment has been
reviewed and approved by the City's Attorney, Mr. James Thomson.
VISIONING RELATIONSHIP
This action supports: Goal B: To Provide High Quality of Life
Strategy 2: Enhance physical, mental, spiritual health;
Strategy 7: Make the community welcoming.
ALTERNATIVES
1. Adopt ORDINANCE NO. 764, AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF
SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA ADOPTING A NEW ORDINANCE PERMITTING
MOTORIZED GOLF CARTS ON DESIGNATED ROADWAYS.
2. Reject the police department's request.
3. Table the request for more discussion.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends alternative #1.
ACTION REQUESTED: ~.~
If Council concurs, it shouldoffer Ordinance No. 764, Fourth Seri~~, An Ordinance of the City
of Shakopee, Minnesota Amending Chapter 8 by Adding New Section 8.31 to Permit Motorized
Golf Carts on Designated Roadways Within the City, and move its adoption.
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ORDINANCE NO 764, FOURTH SERIES
i AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA
AMENDING CHAPTER 8 BY ADDING NEW SECTION 8.31 TO PERMIT
MOTORIZED GOLF CARTS ON DESIGNATED ROADWAYS WITHIN THE CITY
THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SHAKOPEE, MINNESOTA, ORDAINS:
Section 1 - City Code Chapter 8 is amended by adding new Section 8.31, MOTORIZED
GOLF CARTS as follows:
SEC. 8.31. MOTORIZED GOLF CARTS.
Subd. 1. Purpose. Pursuant to its authority under Minnesota Statutes, section 169.045,
the City authorizes the operation of motorized golf carts on designated roadways as
permitted under this section.
Subd. 2. Permit Reauired. No person may operate a motorized golf cart without first
obtaining a permit from the City.
Subd. 3. Permit Application. Every application for a permit must be made on a form
supplied by the City and must contain the following information:
A. Date;
B. The name, address and phone number of the applicant;
C. The roadways on which the motorized golf cart will be operated;
D. The time of operation of the motorized golf cart; and
E. Such other information as the City may require.
Subd. 4. Permit.
A. Term of Permit. Permits are effective for one year from the date of
issuance and may be annually renewed.
B. Condition of Permit. The applicant must provide evidence of insurance
complying with the provisions of Minnesota Statutes, section 65B.48,
subdivisionS. Applicants not able to obtain liability insurance in the
private market may purchase automobile insurance, including no-fault
coverage, from the Minnesota Automobile Assigned Risk Plan at a rate to
be determined by the commissioner of commerce.
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Subd. 5. Desie:nated Roadwavs. Motorized golf carts may be operated on all
roadways in the City with a speed limit of35 m.p.h. or less.
Subd. 6. Times of Operation. Motorized golf carts may only be operated on the
designated roadways from sunrise to sunset. They shall not be operated in inclement
weather or when visibility is impaired by weather, smoke, fog or other conditions, or
at any time when there is insufficient light to clearly see persons and vehicles on the
roadway at a distance of 500 feet.
Subd. 7. Slow-movine: Emblem. Motorized golf carts must display the slow-
moving emblem as described in Minnesota Statutes, section 169.522, when operated
on designated roadways.
Subd. 8. Crossine: Intersectine: Hie:hwavs. The operator, under permit, of a
motorized golf cart may cross any street or highway at signalized intersections.
Subd. 9. Application of Traffic Laws. Every person operating a motorized golf
cart under permit on designated roadways has all the rights and duties applicable to
the driver of any other vehicle under Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 169, except when
those provisions cannot reasonably be applied to motorized golf carts and except as
otherwise specifically provided in Minnesota Statutes, section 169.045, subd. 7.
Subd. 10. Suspension or Revocation of Permits. The City Council may suspend or
revoke a permit if the permittee has violated any of the provisions of this section. or
Minnesota Statutes, Chapter 169 or if there is evidence that the permittee cannot
safely operate the motorized golf cart on the designated roadways.
Subd.11. Penaltv. A violation of this section is a petty misdemeanor.
Section 2 - Effective date. This ordinance becomes effective :from and after its passage and
publication.
Adopted in session of the City Council of the City of Shakopee, Minnesota, held
this day of ,2006.
Mayor of the City of Shalcopee
ATTEST:
City Clerk
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