By Carrie Moritz, Gazette
Off-road vehicles remain un-regulated by city ordinance, for now. Ordinance 703, which had originally been brought up because of dirt bikes that tore up park property, died for lack of a second on Monday.
The ordinance had been requested by Public Works employee JR Hofer, as the city had been unable to prosecute campers who had utilized the bikes to damage public property this past summer. Sheriff's deputies informed him there weren't ordinances on the books to continue pursuit of the offenders.
While some state statutes may have applied, Hofer was informed that the best course of action would be for the council to have regulations on the books for any future issues.
However, after several first readings and changes were made to the ordinance by city administrators and the city attorney, Councilor Brayden Beaner continued to protest the wording, and last night, a call for a vote by Councilor Dave Bonte failed to produce a second on the motion.
Both Mayor Bruce Brown and Councilor Alysha Kientopf were absent from the meeting, leaving Councilors Ryan Story, Jake Jacobson, and Beaner to produce the second, as Councilor Jackie Rotert was leading. This was Jacobson's second meeting after being appointed in November, and Story has yet to make his voice heard during a meeting unless asked a direct question after being appointed in May.
Councilor Beaner's main issue with the ordinance was no exemption for golf carts, stating he was afraid the ordinance would inadvertently cancel and repeal the separate ordinance despite city administrators stating otherwise.
It is possible the ordinance could be brought back in the future, as Hofer lodged his protests for its passage during the meeting.
"It's been four months since I brought this to council," Hofer stated. "I'm asking council member Beaner that if you're going to bring opposition, will you please help us come up with a solution. This has been to the attorney, it's been rewritten at least twice. Can you please provide some assistance in in making this go through?"
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