Charles City Council discusses new precincts and potential ATV/UTV ordinance

By Molly Ann Howell, Special to the Press

The U.S. Census Bureau sent out in-depth demographic statistics from the 2020 Census back in August, and now the Charles City Council is beginning to look at the new precincts that will be in place until 2030.

During the council planning session Monday evening, Floyd County Auditor Gloria Carr told the council that the city has some “wonky census blocks” that can make the precincts look a bit odd, and she explained that the council could make any changes members wanted to. Overall though, the precincts only tell people where to go vote when elections roll around.

The county will be sending out notices to registered voters explaining where their polling locations are once they are approved.

Councilor DeLaine Freeseman stated that he didn’t have a problem with the map suggested by Carr that makes only a small change in the current precincts.

It would shift a couple of blocks bordered by Brantingham Street, North Grand Avenue, Clark Street, Leland Avenue and Riverside Drive from their current position in Precinct 2 making up the southwest part of the city north of the river, into Precinct 3, which makes up the northwest part of the city north of the Cedar River.

“That map seems to have the least amount of disruption to the least amount of people to get things changed …,” Freeseman said.

Floyd County’s total population is almost 7,400, and when that number is divided by three, the amount comes out to almost 2,500. A precinct is allowed to have a range slightly below or above that number. With the proposed plan, Precinct 1 would have a population of 2,380, Precinct 2 would have almost 2,600, and Precinct 3 would have just over 2,400.

The first ordinance hearing regarding the new precincts will take place during the Dec. 6 council meeting.

ATV ORDINANCE

The Floyd County Board of Supervisors passed an ATV ordinance into law on June 1, 2020, and now the Charles City Council is looking at doing something similar.

City Administrator Steven Diers explained the ordinance to the council.

The ordinance states that all-terrain vehicles and off-road utility vehicles can be operated on any roadway, except Highway 18 and 14 in Charles City, with a speed limit of 35 mph. Drivers can cross state highways only at a right angle.

The ordinance specifically states that ATV and UTVS can only be used for snow removal. Drivers will be able to stop at a convenience store or service station on their vehicle to refuel while operating them. Travel would be allowed for ATVs and UTVs between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.

Operators must have a valid Iowa driver’s license to drive an ATV or UTV, and the vehicle must be registered with the city and the state.

Diers explained that the committee he had gotten together to draft the ordinance had discussed a $75 registration fee, but citizens would only have to pay it every two years.

The ordinance does not include anything about golf carts, and that became a point of discussion when Councilor Keith Starr argued that Clear Lake has seen success with golf carts.

“I’m aware that we chose not to allow golf carts on this, but as I pointed out a week ago, Clear Lake has 500 licensed golf carts in their community, and they aren’t having trouble with them,” Starr commented. “I think just because golf carts aren’t shiny and flashy and don’t say Harley on the back doesn’t mean they couldn’t still be fun or a nice addition to this.”

Starr noted that most golf carts have lights on them, and the city could make it a requirement to have them on golf carts operating on city streets.

The rest of the council was hesitant to add golf carts to the ordinance, many suggesting they come back to the issue in six months or a year. Freeseman said that he would like to “walk before we run” when it comes to golf carts.

“Personally, I have some real concerns with golf carts,” Freeseman explained. “They don’t have seatbelts in them, they usually don’t travel as fast as what these UTVs can, so just from a practical standpoint I’m concerned about having the golf carts out there.”

The ATV/UTV ordinance will be on the next regular meeting agenda.