The Village of Ellsworth Streets and Sidewalks Committee met for what they thought would be the final draft of their ordinance to allow golf carts to be driven on village streets. However, they received the draft at 4:30 p.m. for their 5:00 meeting on Monday, June 29th.

Member Neil Gulbranson highlighted points he thought were especially important for the community to understand, including a valid driver’s license, not a learner’s permit.

The ordinance states, “No person who does not have a valid driver’s license issued under or granted by the laws of Wisconsin or some other state may operate a golf cart on any public street within the Village. For purposes of this section, a learner’s permit shall not be considered as a valid driver’s license nor shall any license that has been revoked, temporary or otherwise, or suspended for any reason, be considered as a valid driver’s license during the period of suspension or revocation.”

After discussion of the registration fee, it was decided to recommend to the Village Board the annual fee to be $40.

The ordinance states, “An annual registration fee shall be paid to the Village of Ellsworth at the time the application for registration is filed. The permit fee will be posted in the Village’s fee schedule and will be for no less than $25.”

There was lengthy discussion on the ordinance item 3 (E) 2, “The golf cart is equipped with a reflective “slow moving sign” or “flag” on the rear of the cart. Members of the audience wondered if taillights would cover this item.

Neil Gulbranson stated, that “Most of them have “Slow Moving Vehicle” sign or sticker. I’m okay with that one, that’s just me. You’re kind of covered under state statutes. Everyone knows when they see that. It can be stickers, signs, they have all kinds of things. Slow moving vehicle is recognized by state statutes. I’m okay with the way it is.”

The next item of discussion was regarding the hours of operation and the use of a headlights before sunrise or after sunset. Audience member Adam Hines added, “Wow they’re getting pretty particular. They’re going to have you pull the bulb out?”

5(A) “Hours of operation. Golf carts may be driven on approved public streets from sunrise until sunset, except that golf carts equipped with at least one operating headlight, having at least a fifty-five-watt halogen, or equal, bulb on the front of the golf cart, and two operating tail lights on either side of the rear of the golf cart, all of which are visible for a distance of not less than 250 feet, may be operated from one half hour before sunrise until one half hour after sunset. Golf carts may not be operated when fog, smoke, or other conditions reduce visibility so that the golf cart is not visible for a distance of 250 feet,” stated from the ordinance.

Gulbranson said, “So you don’t need seatbelts to register it, but if anyone 16 is under is riding on it, they have to have a seatbelt. Well you guys, all your golf carts have them. I said I wouldn’t vote for it if they didn’t have seatbelts.”

Section 5(B) states, “Commercial Safety restraint seatbelt required to be worn for all minors (age 16 and under) when the golf cart is in operation on approved public streets. Bungee cords, straps and other non-commercial seatbelts will not qualify as approved restraints.”

“Letter F. County, State and U.S. Highways. This is where we’re having an issue with our legal advice, we have to get some more information from the state,” Gulbranson said.

Hines asked, “For what?”

Gulbranson added, “To cross State Hwys. 10 and 65.”

Heinz asked, “Why would it be a problem? You can drive down it if the speed limit is under 25 mph or less.”

After casual discussion and input from members of the audience, there were only two items in the ordinance that the committee wanted clarification on from the state. Committee Chair Michael Steele asked Nicole Stewart, Village Administrator/ Clerk-Treasurer, to call the state to see if carts could cross State Roads 10 and 63.

Hines felt that by their own ordinance, they could allow them to cross state roads.

The matter will likely be discussed at the Village Board meeting set for July 13.