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ITEM: ORDINANCE NO. 2021-10 (GOLF CARTS)
AN ORDINANCE OF THE VILLAGE OF WELLINGTON, FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 62 OF THE CODE OF ORDINANCES BY CREATING NEW ARTICLE V, SECTIONS 62-41 THROUGH 62-47, AUTHORIZING THE OPERATION OF GOLF CARTS ON DESIGNATED VILLAGE ROADS AND DESIGNATED MULTI MODAL PATHWAYS SUBJECT TO SPECIFIC RESTRICTIONS AND CONSISTENT WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAW; PROVIDING FOR CONFLICT; PROVIDING FOR CODIFICATION; PROVIDING FOR SEVERABILITY; AND PROVIDING AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
REQUEST: Approval of Ordinance No. 2021-10, a Code of Ordinances amendment to authorize the operation of golf carts on designated Wellington roads and designated multi modal pathways subject to specific restrictions and consistent with Federal and State law.
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EXPLANATION: The Wellington Council first examined golf cart use at the 2019 Directions Workshop. That was followed by a more in-depth review of golf carts, pathways, roadways, and state regulations. A second golf cart workshop scheduled for April 2020 was postponed due to COVID-19. In June 2020, Council received a golf cart study defining a golf cart, outlining state regulations, mapping speed limits and village-maintained roadways, mapping village pathways, traffic counts for neighborhood streets, and providing some recommendations as to general use of golf carts in the Village. At the rescheduled golf cart workshop in October 2020, Council gave direction to take the draft ordinance and golf cart study to all boards and committees for review. There were six board and committee meetings in which the ordinance and study were reviewed. These meetings occurred from December 2020 through March 2021. The ordinance went to Council for first reading on June 22 and Council voted unanimously in favor of it with some recommended language changes. Those changes have been incorporated in the latest draft.
Based upon the review of golf carts, pathways, roadways, and state regulations, the following is recommended for Wellington’s golf cart ordinance:
• Allow golf cart operation on pathways by drivers ages 14 and up consistent with the state statute permitting golf cart operation by drivers ages 14 and older on neighborhood streets.
• Prohibit nighttime use of golf carts.
• Establish the maximum number of passengers based on the number of seats.
• No requirement for registration for golf carts, as golf carts are exempted from state registration requirements. Any golf cart registration requirement would have to be limited to the pathways.
• No requirement for insurance or affidavit, consistent with state statutes.
• Implement a golf cart safety education campaign utilizing videos and social media.
BUDGET AMENDMENT REQUIRED: YES
PUBLIC HEARING: YES QUASI-JUDICIAL: NO
FIRST READING: SECOND READING: YES
LEGAL SUFFICIENCY: YES
FISCAL IMPACT: N/A
WELLINGTON FUNDAMENTAL: Responsive Government
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of Ordinance No. 2021-10, a Code of Ordinances amendment to authorize the operation of golf carts on designated Wellington roads and designated multi modal pathways subject to specific restrictions and consistent with Federal and State law.