By COLE REIF
Great Bend Post
A lightly attended Great Bend City Council meeting caused a slight hiccup in determining if an ordinance would pass or not permitting golf carts on city streets. With the mayor and three councilmembers not in attendance, there were five voting members present at Monday’s meeting.
The council voted 4-1 to pass the ordinance to legalize golf carts on certain streets, but with Cory Urban voting against the ordinance, City Attorney Allen Glendenning informed the council the motion does not pass.
"I would need a motion to adopt the ordinance," said Urban. "...the motion passes 4-1."
"No, it does not pass," responded Glendenning. "Whether there is quorum or not, there has to be five votes in favor of an ordinance."
In January 2020, the city began distributing plates and tags for the legal use of Utility Task Vehicles (UTV) and side-by-sides. Citizens approached administration requesting the city allow golf carts as well.
If the motion had passed, golf cart drivers would need a valid driver’s license, registration and city-issued license plate, certain minimal equipment and insurance.
"You have to have it insured, licensed through the city with a plate and you have to pass an inspection checklist," said Urban.
"Right," added Glendenning. "Passing an inspection checklist would be part of what the Chief of Police would do in issuing the registration and license plate."
Glendenning said the carts would also not be allowed on federal or state highways, McKinley Street, Broadway Avenue or any street with a speed limit in excess of 30 miles per hour.