Golf carts a concern for city council (11/07/06)

Restrictions on the use of golf carts in Portland may be coming down the road.

A local board is considering creating an ordinance to regulate the use of golf carts on city streets.

Three members of the Portland City Council stepped forward Monday night to form a committee. The purpose of the group will be to review golf cart ordinances of other municipalities and present the findings to other council members. Serving on the committee will be council president Glen Bryant and council members Judy Aker and Bill Gibson.

The council members decided to form the committee after city resident Mark Iliff voiced concerns about allowing the vehicles on city streets. Iliff told the council he frequently sees the carts on city streets and worries that someone, especially children, could get hurt.

Bob Sours, chief of Portland police, said the city currently has no ordinance for golf cart use. Also, the carts are exempt from Indiana Department of Natural Resources regulations, and there is no way to license the carts through the Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles. To regulate such vehicles "our only option would be an ordinance," he said.

"I think it's a problem," council member Dolphus Stephens said of the use of carts in the city.

Bryant said that if an ordinance was established, maybe an age limit for who could drive the carts could be set.

Council member Jim Sanders said it might be difficult to create an ordinance against the use of the carts because so many people drive them around the city during the many Tri-State Gas Engine and Tractor Association shows. "We can't pass an ordinance and look the other way" during the shows, Sanders said.

After the committee was formed, Iliff said, "I think that's a step in the right direction."

The committee is expected to present its findings at the council's Nov. 20 meeting.

Also Monday, council members:

•Heard Jeff Harker, street and park department superintendent, announce that the paving of West Votaw Street is expected to begin today.

Passing shoulders are being created on the street. The project is being coordinated by the Indiana Department of Transportation. Harker said he did not know how long the paving might take. The paving is expected to be the last work left to do for the project, he said.

•Asked city attorney Bill Hinkle to create a resolution accepting the donation of two parcels of land to the city for Hudson Family Park.

Barry Hudson, a local investment banker, told the council Monday that he wants to donate two lots which are each about an acre in size to the city.

In order for him to give the city the deeds for the properties, however, a resolution to accept the land would need to be created.

Houses currently set on the lots. The homes and land are located on the east side of Wayne Street, between Union and Third streets, near the park entrance.

Hudson also donated the about 30 acres for the park project. He said this land donation would come with the same stipulations as the larger donation. The park must include a pond and amphitheater, and the park project must be completed by 2010. If the park is not complete in five years, then the land will be given to Arts Place, he said.

Bruce Hosier, mayor of Portland, said the city would be responsible for funding the razing of the buildings on the two lots.

•Voted to have Hosier sign a letter of understanding from Premier Ethanol LLC.

This letter, which was explained to council members at the Oct. 16 meeting, states that if Premier is awarded a $150,000 grant through the Indiana Economic Development Corporation, the funds will be used for plant infrastructure. The ethanol plant is being built southwest of Portland. The infrastructure would include the installation of sewer and water lines, and the construction of drives.

The letter also says that the city agrees not to annex the land needed for the project for 10 years.

•Heard Iliff voice his concerns about bushes at two intersections, the city's junk ordinance not being enforced and people living in recreational vehicles within the city limits.

Iliff said bushes currently obstruct views at the intersections of Lafayette and Wayne streets, and Williams and North streets.

Hosier said the city's code enforcement officer, Shane Mann, would be notified of the problems.

Also, Iliff asked why the owner of two vehicles parked behind Portland City Hall had not been cited for violating the city's junk vehicle ordinance.

Sours said the vehicles are owned by Ken Kunkle Chevrolet and are for sale, thus exempting them from the ordinance.

Iliff also told the council that he has noticed people living in RVs in various locations throughout the city. This would be a violation of the city's zoning ordinance.

Hosier asked if Iliff has reported this to any city officials. Iliff said no.

•Heard Harker announce that most of Industrial Park Drive will be closed Wednesday and Thursday so a line can be run under the street near the Wal-Mart SuperCenter.

The street will be closed from just north of Wal-Mart to Meridian Street, Harker said. A line needs to be installed from a retention pond located near the east side of the street to a ditch along the west side of the street. During heavy rains, water fills up the pond and it sometimes overflows, he said.

During the closure, factories along the street can still be accessed.[[In-content Ad]]