Despite opposition from the city’s administration, the Bellefontaine City Council Tuesday, Oct. 13, narrowly passed – by a one-vote majority on the first reading – Ordinance 26-50, a measure that will allow “low-speed, under-speed utility vehicles and mini-trucks” to operate on the city’s streets.
More commonly known as the “golf cart” ordinance, Ordinance 26-50 makes a significant change to a similar measure that was voted down by the council earlier this year.
Namely, the revised ordinance would allow these vehicles to operate on city streets with speed limits of 25 MPH or less. The initial proposal that was rejected by council this summer would have allowed the operation of such vehicles on streets with speed limits of 35 MPH or less.
The first reading of this updated ordinance passed by the narrowest of margins, 4-3, with Council Members Nick Davis, Jenna James, Devin Palmer and Kyle Springs all voting “yes,” while Wes Easton, Mick Lile and Jordan Reser each voted “no.”
Ordinance 26-50 also spells out in extensive detail how “low-speed, under-speed utility vehicles and mini-trucks” are defined and how they must be equipped, using over 2,000 words in the measure to outline the usage, restrictions and necessary instruments these vehicles must have for use on city streets.
The measure includes everything from vehicle weight and minimum stopping distances to license plate lights and child restraint equipment.
In addition, the legislation limits operators of these vehicle to those who have a valid driver’s license, and also mandates these vehicles are to have tags issued the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, as well as a safety inspection certification from the Logan County Sheriff’s Office, among many other requirements.
According to the ordinance presented Tuesday, the operation of these vehicles will not be allowed on the portions of U.S. Route 68, State Route 47 and State Route 540 that lie within the city, as well as banning their operation on the U.S. Route 68 bypass of the Bellefontaine Downtown Historic District.
Furthermore, the ordinance gives power to the service/safety director to designate other heavy-traffic “connector streets” in the city where the mini-vehicles will be prohibited.
In his report to council, Service/Safety Director Wes Dodds, as he did during the first attempt to pass this “golf cart” legislation, came out strongly against the ordinance, noting that he remained “adamantly opposed” to the measure, saying even with the updated restrictions “this legislation does not change my opinion.”
Bellefontaine Police Department Chief Chris Marlow, who was absent from Tuesday’s meeting, has also gone on record saying he, too, is against allowing mini-vehicles to operate on city streets.
Nevertheless, the “golf cart” measure passed on its first reading Tuesday and will be up again for a second reading before council at its next regular meeting Oct. 27. Should it pass on the second reading, the final reading and vote on the measure will be slated for the Nov. 10 meeting.
Another ordinance that was also up for a first reading was a noise reduction measure, amending section 509.11 of the city codes regarding sound amplifying devices and loud noises.
While a similar measure was permanently tabled by the council in July, after several public meetings by the Rules Committee and research by Law Director Josh Stolly, the updated measure had its first reading at Tuesday’s meeting and passed with a unanimous vote and little discussion. It, too, will be up for a second reading at the Oct. 27 meeting.
The council also approved a one-vote resolution that places a one-year moratorium on the construction or establishment of a data center within the city limits.
Data centers are a hot-button issue throughout Ohio, given their high-volume electricity and water needs. At least 23 three townships, villages and cities in Ohio have banned data centers outright, and another 130-plus local governments have placed moratoriums data centers. Scores of other local governments are considering similar legislation.
Bellefontaine City Council jumped on the “no data center” bandwagon by approving the resolution with a unanimous vote.
Dodds told the council that the city has received no applications or inquiries to place a data center in Bellefontaine, but wanted to get ahead any of any possible requests that might be coming down the road.
Two other resolutions passed by a 7-0 vote. The first resolution enables the administration to apply for a $700,000 no-interest loan from the Ohio Public Works Commission for stormwater drainage improvements along Township Road 179 on the east side of the city near the Maris Park and Whispering Pines developments.
The second resolution asks the county auditor to remove a $675 tax lien the city has on the property located at 1329 S. Main St., the lien having been paid to the city.
Two ordinances were up for a second reading Tuesday, the first which will allow the city to add replacement pages to the codified ordinances to comply with state law and the second will establish a cap on the pay rate for a school resource officer at $40 per hour, the costs of which will be the responsibility of the Bellefontaine City Schools. Both measures passed without a dissenting vote.
The Bellefontaine City Council is scheduled to meet again in regular session at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27.
