July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Geneva considering golf cart laws (06/06/07)
Geneva Town Council
By By JENNIFER TARTER-
GENEVA - Discussion on regulating golf cart usage on town streets drew an unusually large crowd at Tuesday's council meeting.
"Over the last couple years, we've had a problem with kids on golf carts," Geneva town marshal Rob Johnson said, kicking off discussion on the issue.
Johnson drafted the proposed ordinance after contacting approximately 20 towns the size of Geneva and requesting a copy of town ordinances on golf cart usage. Johnson received six ordinances from other towns and used portions of those ordinances to draft the proposed ordinance.
The proposed ordinance states that the operators of a golf cart must obey traffic and parking laws; and that golf carts may only be operated during daylight hours and be equipped with headlights, tail lights and turn signals. It also states that the golf cart should be covered by liability insurance, be annually registered for $5 at the town's police department and the owner must sign a copy of the ordinance and agree to these regulations. Also, all passengers shall be seated and that the cart should be equipped with a slow moving vehicle sign.
"My number one restriction I would like to see is an age limit (for driving)," Johnson said.
The proposed ordinance states that operators must be a minimum of 16-years-old.
Several audience members disagreed with the proposed age limit suggesting ages of 14 or 15-years-olds to drive only with a parent in the passenger seat.
According to state laws, golf carts cannot be operated, parked, or driven on state or U.S. highways. In Geneva, this would include U.S. 27 (Main Street) and Ind. 116 (West Line Street).
Council members Jim Timmons and Lew Wingler approved the first reading of the ordinance. Councilman Mike Schwartz was absent. To pass, the ordinance will need to be approved for the second and third time.
Wingler added that council members are looking for any suggestions on changes to the ordinance during the next two meetings.
Also Tuesday, council members:
•Heard town clerk treasurer Doug Milligan report that he received word from officials from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs that the town can apply for a planning grant for the Geneva Fire Station. Milligan said that the town plans to submit an application in August and will receive word on possible acceptance of their application in September.
•Heard Geneva fire chief John Kleinknight report that a portion of the roof of the fire station was replaced. The town has not yet been billed for the repairs.
•Applauded the efforts of two volunteer firemen and Geneva deputy marshal Brad Schwartz for their efforts to find a man who drowned east of Geneva Wednesday, May 30.
Johnson said he went into the pond and searched for the submerged body of Aaron B. Schwartz, 32, 9404 South 550 East.
"They went above and beyond," Johnson said.
•Heard Geneva town manager Steve Hampshire report that fire hydrant flushing will be held beginning Monday, June 11. Hampshire said it may take all week to flush the approximately 100 hydrants.
•Discussed putting up a security camera or gate with a fence at the yard waste site on South Hale Street. The town has had problems recently with someone dumping tires and trash at the site.
Board members asked Hampshire to investigate the cost of installing a camera and installing a fence with a gate.
•Voted to change the health plan for six town employees. Council members approved the change which will increase the deductible to $500 from $250 a year, and maximum out of pocket costs to $1,000 from $500. The cost of an doctor's office visit goes to $20 from $15 and generic prescriptions increase to $10 from $7.
This new plan with Starmark, the town's current health insurance carrier, will save the town 28.2 percent, Milligan said.
Because of the savings, council members told Milligan to investigate the cost of adding dental and vision insurance coverage.
•Heard Milligan report that the town's budget and payroll system will be updated to Windows from the outdated DOS system. The updates will cost $10,000 and be completed by Keystone Consulting Services of Daleville.
•Noted the next council meeting will be Tuesday, July 3 at 6:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
"Over the last couple years, we've had a problem with kids on golf carts," Geneva town marshal Rob Johnson said, kicking off discussion on the issue.
Johnson drafted the proposed ordinance after contacting approximately 20 towns the size of Geneva and requesting a copy of town ordinances on golf cart usage. Johnson received six ordinances from other towns and used portions of those ordinances to draft the proposed ordinance.
The proposed ordinance states that the operators of a golf cart must obey traffic and parking laws; and that golf carts may only be operated during daylight hours and be equipped with headlights, tail lights and turn signals. It also states that the golf cart should be covered by liability insurance, be annually registered for $5 at the town's police department and the owner must sign a copy of the ordinance and agree to these regulations. Also, all passengers shall be seated and that the cart should be equipped with a slow moving vehicle sign.
"My number one restriction I would like to see is an age limit (for driving)," Johnson said.
The proposed ordinance states that operators must be a minimum of 16-years-old.
Several audience members disagreed with the proposed age limit suggesting ages of 14 or 15-years-olds to drive only with a parent in the passenger seat.
According to state laws, golf carts cannot be operated, parked, or driven on state or U.S. highways. In Geneva, this would include U.S. 27 (Main Street) and Ind. 116 (West Line Street).
Council members Jim Timmons and Lew Wingler approved the first reading of the ordinance. Councilman Mike Schwartz was absent. To pass, the ordinance will need to be approved for the second and third time.
Wingler added that council members are looking for any suggestions on changes to the ordinance during the next two meetings.
Also Tuesday, council members:
•Heard town clerk treasurer Doug Milligan report that he received word from officials from the Indiana Office of Community and Rural Affairs that the town can apply for a planning grant for the Geneva Fire Station. Milligan said that the town plans to submit an application in August and will receive word on possible acceptance of their application in September.
•Heard Geneva fire chief John Kleinknight report that a portion of the roof of the fire station was replaced. The town has not yet been billed for the repairs.
•Applauded the efforts of two volunteer firemen and Geneva deputy marshal Brad Schwartz for their efforts to find a man who drowned east of Geneva Wednesday, May 30.
Johnson said he went into the pond and searched for the submerged body of Aaron B. Schwartz, 32, 9404 South 550 East.
"They went above and beyond," Johnson said.
•Heard Geneva town manager Steve Hampshire report that fire hydrant flushing will be held beginning Monday, June 11. Hampshire said it may take all week to flush the approximately 100 hydrants.
•Discussed putting up a security camera or gate with a fence at the yard waste site on South Hale Street. The town has had problems recently with someone dumping tires and trash at the site.
Board members asked Hampshire to investigate the cost of installing a camera and installing a fence with a gate.
•Voted to change the health plan for six town employees. Council members approved the change which will increase the deductible to $500 from $250 a year, and maximum out of pocket costs to $1,000 from $500. The cost of an doctor's office visit goes to $20 from $15 and generic prescriptions increase to $10 from $7.
This new plan with Starmark, the town's current health insurance carrier, will save the town 28.2 percent, Milligan said.
Because of the savings, council members told Milligan to investigate the cost of adding dental and vision insurance coverage.
•Heard Milligan report that the town's budget and payroll system will be updated to Windows from the outdated DOS system. The updates will cost $10,000 and be completed by Keystone Consulting Services of Daleville.
•Noted the next council meeting will be Tuesday, July 3 at 6:30 p.m.[[In-content Ad]]
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