Council to allow ATVs, UTVs on city streets with limits

By James Grob, jgrob@charlescitypress.com

The Charles City Council held the first reading this week of an ordinance that will govern utility task vehicle (UTV), all-terrain vehicle (ATV) and snowmobile usage within the city limits.

The ordinance repeals the previous city code and amends the provisions of the repealed chapter to provide rules and regulations for ATVs, UTVs and snowmobiles.

The primary differences between an ATV and a UTV are an ATV has a seat or saddle that is straddled by the driver and any passenger and steering is controlled by handlebars. A UTV has a bench seat and a steering wheel or control levers for control.

City Administrator Steven Diers said that UTVs would be permitted on city streets between the hours of 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., but they are not allowed on state highways except to directly cross at an intersection. UTV’s will also not be allowed on city parks, trails or recreational bridges.

ATVs will be allowed to be used on city streets only for snow removal.

“All-terrain vehicles (ATV) shall only be operated upon streets within 24 hours of a snow event on the public streets and alleys for the purpose of using the most direct route from one area of operation to another, and only when engaged in the activity of snow removal,” the ordinance says. “ATVs shall have a blade or bucket fixed to the ATV. No ATVs shall be driven on the street or alleys solely for entertainment or pleasure.”

The ordinance says an ATV may also stop at service stations or convenience stores along the designated roadway to refuel.

The ordinance states that all-terrain vehicles and off-road utility vehicles will have a speed limit of 35 mph.

Operators must be at least age 18, 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. Liability insurance coverage is required, as are front and rear lights. UTVs must also have brake lights.

Snowmobiles will be permitted similarly to how they have been allowed in the past, however there is a change to operation on Saturday evening into Sunday morning. Operation would be limited to 12 a.m. on Sunday morning as opposed to 1 a.m. on Sunday morning. This is done to match the same time as the rest of the nights of the week.

In other business on Monday, the council accepted the audit report for fiscal year 2020-21, presented by Tim McCartan of T.P. Anderson and Co.

McCartan told the council that were no instances of non-compliance, no questionable disbursements and no material weaknesses for the major federal program. There were some updates to some commercial sewer accounts that were not updated on July 1 but were adjusted when found. Some funds that had negative balances at the end of the year will be corrected once the city receives the funds for reimbursement.

The council also voted to set a public hearing for 6 p.m. on Jan. 19 for a South Urban Renewal plan amendment regarding the M&M Holdings Dental Center project.

In October, Tim Fox of CCADC proposed the project and the request for Urban Renewal Tax Incentives for the project which included a five-year tax rebate of 86.68% of the additional property tax being generated from the project. That equates to an annual rebate just under $25,000 per year for five years. Total incentive is $125,000 over the five years. Once the $125,000 total is achieved the rebate would end.

Prior to that public hearing, a consultation meeting will be held with the county and school district on the proposed use of TIF funds.

The council also held a first reading of an ordinance adopting new election precincts in the community. The only change will be a small area located near Brantingham Bridge changing precincts.