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Resident suggests using golf carts for transportation in Warsaw as one way to address rising gasoline prices
By Cindy Iutzi/Gate City Staff Writer
The Warsaw City Council Wednesday heard resident Hugh Ferguson's inquiry about using golf carts as transportation in the city.
According to Ferguson, retired people and those on a fixed income could save money on gasoline if the city would allow it.
Ferguson added that he called several cities for information about the feasibility. Centerville, Montrose and West Point, all in Iowa, and Hamilton, Ill., allow golf cart use as long as the drivers fulfill city requirements.
For example, in Centerville, golf carts are not allowed on state highways, although they may cross highways; are subject to a $1 registration fee; must be used during the day only; be flagged or carry a “slow moving” sign; and be driven by a licensed driver.
Ferguson said people have tried to slip other things into eligibility, such as ATVs. Hamilton permits golf cart use from the golf course to home during daylight. The cart must carry a flag or slow-moving sign. Police have had to pull over some cruising around town, Ferguson's information said.
Warsaw Police Chief Brandon Norris said golf carts are not allowed on public roads in Illinois unless the city has an established ordinance. Golf carts are not allowed on and may not cross state highways, even if an ordinance is passed.
In order for Warsaw to pass an ordinance, the city would have to do a traffic volume study. Also, to comply with state code, carts would have to be outfitted with the same lights as are required on motorcycles - a single headlight on the front visible from 500 feet, a tail light and a brake light that lights up when the brakes are applied.
He said a concern would be children using them in town and driving four-wheelers through the city.
Ferguson said the idea surfaced when fuel prices started to climb.
“The risk outweighs the reward,” said council member Mike Boley. “You can always go out and get a moped.”
The council was concerned with the potential to abuse permission to use golf carts as transportation and what the insurance aspects would be in the event of a crash.
No action was taken on Ferguson's proposal.
The city council also decided that it would pay outright a $23,000 water plant filter renovation bill to Meyers Driveway and Septic Tank, rather than borrow part of the money.
The amount of the bill was a surprise to Water Superintendent Joe Samuels and to the council.
The estimate for work on the filter was roughly half the amount, but when the media was removed to allow sandblasting and painting, extensive welding problems were encountered.
“All the seams had to be welded, inside and out,” Samuels said. “There was no way to get around it.”
Samuels predicted that the second of the four filters would need the same amount of work. He suggested an alternative way of pricing - per step as opposed to the whole job - but said, “I'm satisfied it's going to be every bit as costly as the first one. I'm satisfied the welds need to be done.”
He will begin pricing sandblasting, painting and welding the second filter.
The reason the filters have needed so much work is because the water plant has inadequate ventilation, Samuels said.
One of the ventilating options the council looked at in the past would have cost $10,000. However, Samuels said without ventilation the caustic chemicals being used in the plant, like chlorine, will begin degrading the new refurbishing effort right away.
In response to a question posed by the council, Samuels said the water plant was able to keep up with demand this summer despite the loss of use of one filter, but several concerns about water use in the city did emerge.
Samuels said the fire department used 30,000 gallons during a recent drill after regular pumping hours and without notifying the water department, causing a draw-down from the water tower. If a fire broke out after the tower had been drawn down like that, it would cause a serious water volume problem.
“We also need to address the issue of people filling swimming pools,” he said. “They need to get permission during working hours in the morning. It puts the waterworks in jeopardy when the tower level drops. We need to start enforcing the rules. If your tower gets down and you have a big fire, you'll be hard pressed.”
Samuels also asked to have a $50 service fee for people who have had their water turned off for non-payment of water bills and to require the bill be paid in full before the water is turned on again. He said it takes water personnel too much time to locate the curb box, turn the water off and then have to go back and turn it on again.
Mayor Robert Frank asked that a letter be sent to the fire department regarding the amount of water being used during drills and timing of the drills. Usually the volunteer fire department conducts them after working hours, which conflicts with the pumping schedule.
The city unanimously approved an ordinance in one reading to require a $50 re-connection charge and $25 fee for each returned check for insufficient funds.
In other business, the city:
n Heard from Riverfront Committee Chairman Chris Huston that Fall Bash on the River will be Saturday, Sept. 8. At 1 p.m. a horseshoe tournament will begin and at 3 p.m. a volleyball tournament starts. Barbecue and soda will be provided. Team sign-up is at City Hall.
n Unanimously approved in one reading, a no-parking ordinance for the east side of Francis Sartory Road from LeClaire Street to its intersection with Frenchtown Road; both sides of Summit Street from Francis Sartory Road until it intersects with 20th Street; and the north side of LeClaire Street from the intersection with 11th to its intersection with Cass. The fine ranges from $25 to $500 per violation.
n Agreed to pay $668 to consulting engineering firm Poepping, Stone, Bach and Associates, Keokuk, for design of the Warsaw-Hamilton Road. The city has paid $76,974 for engineering services regarding the renovation of the city's share of the roadway. The entire project is projected at $1.2 million. A preconstruction meeting to go over contracts with the state engineer is Aug. 1 in Quincy, Ill. William Clark voted no.
n Unanimously approved a change in the personnel policy to allow a city employee to live within seven miles of city limits.
According to Ferguson, retired people and those on a fixed income could save money on gasoline if the city would allow it.
Ferguson added that he called several cities for information about the feasibility. Centerville, Montrose and West Point, all in Iowa, and Hamilton, Ill., allow golf cart use as long as the drivers fulfill city requirements.
For example, in Centerville, golf carts are not allowed on state highways, although they may cross highways; are subject to a $1 registration fee; must be used during the day only; be flagged or carry a “slow moving” sign; and be driven by a licensed driver.
Ferguson said people have tried to slip other things into eligibility, such as ATVs. Hamilton permits golf cart use from the golf course to home during daylight. The cart must carry a flag or slow-moving sign. Police have had to pull over some cruising around town, Ferguson's information said.
Warsaw Police Chief Brandon Norris said golf carts are not allowed on public roads in Illinois unless the city has an established ordinance. Golf carts are not allowed on and may not cross state highways, even if an ordinance is passed.
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He said a concern would be children using them in town and driving four-wheelers through the city.
Ferguson said the idea surfaced when fuel prices started to climb.
“The risk outweighs the reward,” said council member Mike Boley. “You can always go out and get a moped.”
The council was concerned with the potential to abuse permission to use golf carts as transportation and what the insurance aspects would be in the event of a crash.
No action was taken on Ferguson's proposal.
The city council also decided that it would pay outright a $23,000 water plant filter renovation bill to Meyers Driveway and Septic Tank, rather than borrow part of the money.
The amount of the bill was a surprise to Water Superintendent Joe Samuels and to the council.
The estimate for work on the filter was roughly half the amount, but when the media was removed to allow sandblasting and painting, extensive welding problems were encountered.
“All the seams had to be welded, inside and out,” Samuels said. “There was no way to get around it.”
Samuels predicted that the second of the four filters would need the same amount of work. He suggested an alternative way of pricing - per step as opposed to the whole job - but said, “I'm satisfied it's going to be every bit as costly as the first one. I'm satisfied the welds need to be done.”
He will begin pricing sandblasting, painting and welding the second filter.
The reason the filters have needed so much work is because the water plant has inadequate ventilation, Samuels said.
One of the ventilating options the council looked at in the past would have cost $10,000. However, Samuels said without ventilation the caustic chemicals being used in the plant, like chlorine, will begin degrading the new refurbishing effort right away.
In response to a question posed by the council, Samuels said the water plant was able to keep up with demand this summer despite the loss of use of one filter, but several concerns about water use in the city did emerge.
Samuels said the fire department used 30,000 gallons during a recent drill after regular pumping hours and without notifying the water department, causing a draw-down from the water tower. If a fire broke out after the tower had been drawn down like that, it would cause a serious water volume problem.
“We also need to address the issue of people filling swimming pools,” he said. “They need to get permission during working hours in the morning. It puts the waterworks in jeopardy when the tower level drops. We need to start enforcing the rules. If your tower gets down and you have a big fire, you'll be hard pressed.”
Samuels also asked to have a $50 service fee for people who have had their water turned off for non-payment of water bills and to require the bill be paid in full before the water is turned on again. He said it takes water personnel too much time to locate the curb box, turn the water off and then have to go back and turn it on again.
Mayor Robert Frank asked that a letter be sent to the fire department regarding the amount of water being used during drills and timing of the drills. Usually the volunteer fire department conducts them after working hours, which conflicts with the pumping schedule.
The city unanimously approved an ordinance in one reading to require a $50 re-connection charge and $25 fee for each returned check for insufficient funds.
In other business, the city:
n Heard from Riverfront Committee Chairman Chris Huston that Fall Bash on the River will be Saturday, Sept. 8. At 1 p.m. a horseshoe tournament will begin and at 3 p.m. a volleyball tournament starts. Barbecue and soda will be provided. Team sign-up is at City Hall.
n Unanimously approved in one reading, a no-parking ordinance for the east side of Francis Sartory Road from LeClaire Street to its intersection with Frenchtown Road; both sides of Summit Street from Francis Sartory Road until it intersects with 20th Street; and the north side of LeClaire Street from the intersection with 11th to its intersection with Cass. The fine ranges from $25 to $500 per violation.
n Agreed to pay $668 to consulting engineering firm Poepping, Stone, Bach and Associates, Keokuk, for design of the Warsaw-Hamilton Road. The city has paid $76,974 for engineering services regarding the renovation of the city's share of the roadway. The entire project is projected at $1.2 million. A preconstruction meeting to go over contracts with the state engineer is Aug. 1 in Quincy, Ill. William Clark voted no.
n Unanimously approved a change in the personnel policy to allow a city employee to live within seven miles of city limits.
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