Questions Raised About Golf Carts
By Leslie Rott

The Street Committee met Thursday, June 8, to review standards for motor vehicle permits after questions were raised at the City Council meeting Wednesday, June 7, regarding the use of golf carts.

"I don't think we should have a golf cart, period, unless it's for a golf course," said committee member Armand "Smi" Horn. Questions arose surrounding the use of golf carts when Grand Hotel, Mission Point, and Stonecliffe applied for permits to use golf carts to transport handicapped persons, luggage, and shrubbery around the properties.

"We're all wanting to help you assist handicapped persons," said committee member Jason St. Onge, although the committee questioned other uses of the carts, such as transporting luggage. He suggested that because the golf carts are not being used for the reasons outlined in the administrative review standards, the permits should be classified as something else.

"We'll play by the rules that you guys set in place," said Dave Sanderson, general manager of Mission Point Resort. He also pledged to the committee that any employee of Mission Point found abusing the use of a golf cart will face immediate termination.

The committee will recommend that Council approve the motor vehicle permits, as long as the applications are resubmitted under the classification of utility cart and they are used for the express purpose of transmitting handicapped guests only. Using the motor vehicles to transport luggage and other freight, including shrubbery, will not be permitted .

Observations that a mysterious golf cart is in use in the Stonecliffe area, not belonging to the hotel there, will be investigated by police.

In other business at the meeting, the committee discussed a complaint by Marti Carey, manager of Cloghaun Bed and Breakfast, of damaged landscape, which was brought to the committee's attention at the Thursday, May 12 meeting. At that time, Ms. Carey informed the committee that her landscaping had been damaged, although she had never received any indication that it was in the way of traffic there.

At that time, it was decided that the city would determine where the property line is and then decide what to do about the damaged landscaping.

It has since been discovered that "her garden happens to be on city property," said Mr. Horn.

Mr. St. Onge emphasized that the damage had not been done purposely and it was decided that Cloghaun needs to get a use permit, since the landscaping encroaches on city property.

The committee also discussed sidewalk obstructions. Recently, garbage, as well as workers and equipment from several downtown paint jobs have made navigating downtown sidewalks difficult.

"We have stuff happening at the peak of the day," said city engineer Dennis Dombroski. "You can't work any faster than concrete can cure."

Mr. Dombroski emphasized a need for consistency in enforcing rules and preventing people from doing work.

Cutoff dates for motor vehicle permits were also discussed.

"We certainly got ourselves into a bad situation this spring," said Mr. St. Onge.

City cutoff dates of May 15 and start dates of October 1 for motorized vehicle use have not been enforced for awhile.

The Committee tabled the issue for discussion at another time.