GOLF CART QUESTIONS … Steven Cox questions Bryan City Council on how they plan to keep the community safe with the new ordinance allowing golf carts and other under-speed vehicles on roadways.
By: Jenna Frisby
THE VILLAGE REPORTER
publisher@thevillagereporter.com
Bryan City Council met for their bi-monthly meeting on Tuesday, May 21st in Council Chambers. The meeting was called to order at 5:30 p.m.
Present at the meeting were: Mayor Carrie Schlade, Patricia Buda, John Lehner, Council President and Ward 1 – Mary Leatherman, Ward 2 – Richard Hupe, Ward 3 – John Betts, Ward 4 – Stephen Alspaugh, Council Vice President and At Large Jim Kozumplik, Chief of Police Greg Ruskey, City Attorney Marc Fishel, and citizens Dick Long and Steven Cox.
Following the call to order, Leatherman presented agenda item number 2 for approval of the Minutes from the council’s May 6th, 2024 meeting.
Council then heard the concerns of several citizens. Steve Cox spoke before the council and voiced his concern for the new golf cart ordinance the council would be voting on later in the evening.
Cox presented his question of “How are you going to protect the non-golf cart drivers from possible accidents?”
According to Cox the week before he had witnessed a dangerous situation when he and a line of vehicles were stuck behind a slow-moving farm vehicle going about 20mph.
One of the vehicles were in a rush so they passed the farm vehicle going over a double yellow line in the road to do so potentially causing an accident.
Mayor Schlade also spoke on behalf of an email she received from a resident who lives in Eastland Estates. The resident voiced their concern of not being able to leave their subdivision because of the ordinance stating “No person shall operate an under-speed vehicle on High Street or Main Street”.
Council President Leatherman then moved on to item number four the clerk treasurer’s report for the month of April which was approved.
Item number five was then discussed in length among the council. The was the third reading of Ordinance No. 14, 2024 – an ordinance to amend title 5 of the city of Bryan’s codified ordinances to add Chapter 343 concerning the operation of golf carts and under-speed vehicles on city streets.
Council first took a vote to amend section 343.02 (c) of the ordinance to consolidate the wording of where the under-speed vehicles could drive with Betts making the motion, Hupe seconding.
Council then took a vote to approve the ordinance as it was amended being motioned by Hupe and seconded by Kozumplink. The ordinance passed with a council vote of 3-2. Alspaugh and Leatherman voted against the passing of the ordinance.
Ordinance No. 14, 2024 now allows for golf carts and other under-speed vehicles to operate on city streets. The ordinance does inform that operators of under-speed vehicles will have to:
-Comply with all laws pertaining to motor vehicle.
-Have a valid Drivers License.
-May not operate on High Street or Main Street.
-Will not be allowed on sidewalks, bike trails, walking trails, or any grass surface within City limits.
-Lab belts must be properly installed and utilized.
-Operator of the under-speed vehicle must utilize safety belt.
-All passengers in the under-speed vehicle must utilize safety belts.
-Operator of the under-speed vehicle must ensure all passengers are securely seated in a fixed seat wearing proper safety belt.
-No child who falls under the child restraint criteria set under Ohio R.C. 4511.81 will be permitted to ride in an under-speed vehicle.
-Headlights of under-speed vehicle must be turned on at all times.
-No person shall operate an under-speed vehicle that has not passed the inspection which is required under section 343.03 of the ordinance.
-All golf carts are also required to have a valid Ohio license place, as required by state law.
An in initial inspection from the City of Bryan Police Department will also be required before any operation of the under-speed vehicle on City streets would be permitted. Inspections will then be annually. Inspections are $50.00.
If an under-speed vehicle fails inspection and must be re-inspected each additional re-inspection of the under-speed vehicle will be an additional $50.00. Under-speed vehicles that have passed will receive a sticker which must be displayed.
All stickers will be valid through February 28th of each year and can then be renewed annually. Under-speed vehicles will be inspected for: adequate brakes and braking system, working brake lights, headlights, turn signals, properly working steering wheel and steering system, windshield, rearview mirror, tires appropriate for street use and in safe condition, seat belts, audible horn and proof of insurance.
After passing the ordinance council moved on to the discussion of Ordinance No. 19, 2024 – an ordinance authorizing the mayor to enter into a memorandum of understanding with the International Union of Police Associations regarding reimbursement paid to newly hired officers after successful completion of a certified Ohio Police Training Academy and appropriating $8,500.00 to fund this program for the remainder of 2024.
The Chief of Police, Greg Ruskey, presented the ordinance before the council explaining that this would make Bryan “more competitive with the surrounding agencies (as) not many are doing anything similar to this.”
The ordinance would allow the Police Department to pay for the tuition of newly hired officers, who have completed their academy training within the last six months before being hired.
The payment of their tuition would be capped at $8,500 and payment to those hires would go out in three installments. One-third of their tuition would be paid after an initial probationary period of one year.
Another third would be paid out after two years with the department, and the final installment would be paid out after completion of three years of service.
Council then voted to suspend the ordinance motioned by Kozumplik and seconded by Alspaugh. Council passed to suspend with a 4-1 vote, Betts being against. Council then voted to approve the ordinance being motioned by Alspaugh, seconded by Hupe, and council passing with a 4-1 vote, Betts being against.
Council then moved onto item number seven on the agenda. A resolution to accept a $6,000.00 donation from the Bryan Area Foundation on Behalf of the William F. Metz II Community Fund Grant to the City of Bryan Police Department for the purchase of two electric bikes.
Ruskey, spoke to council on the importance of these bikes for police use during events such as the Jubilee or other crowded events.
These would allow for the police to be more available at these events and monitor accordingly. They already have one bike so adding two more to the department would be added assets.
Council voted to suspend being motioned by Betts, seconded by Alspaugh and suspended with a vote of 5-0.
Council then voted to approve the resolution with Hupe motioning, Kozumplik seconding and the resolution passing with a council vote of 5-0.
Council then heard the resolution approving the Community Reinvestment Area Tax Exemption Application as submitted by Northsquare Center, LTD.
The project is taking place at 110 West High Street. This would be fore Phase 2 of the project. With the proposed cost estimate it would be a seven-year abatement.
Council voted 5-0 to suspend the resolution with Kozumplink motioning and Betts seconding. Then they voted to approve the resolution with Hupe motioning, Betts seconding. Council passed the resolution with a vote of 4-0-1, with Alspaugh abstaining.
Item number nine on the agenda was in regards to a building permit for 116 and 118 West High Street. The approval of the building permit would be for Phase 1 of the project and for the renovations thereof.
The estimated cost for the project is $500,000. Council passed the building permit with a vote of 5-0 being motioned by Hupe and seconded by Alspaugh.
Mayor Schlade then mentioned to council the upcoming Memorial Day Parade would take place on Monday, May 27th at 9:15 a.m. The parade starts at the Goodwill and ends at Fountain Grove Cemetery.
She also noted that the Bryan High School Band would the playing for the parade.
The police chief once again reiterated his thanks to the Metz family for their gracious donation for the funds to purchase two more police bikes.
Council then voted to enter executive session at 6:23 p.m. being motioned by Alspaugh and seconded by Betts with a 5-0 vote. No action was expected to take place.
Bryan City Council’s next meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. on June 3rd, 2024 in the Council Chambers located inside the Don North Building.