The Culver Town Council members took public comments Tuesday night on the proposed amendment to the golf cart ordinance.
The amendment addresses an increase in the golf cart registration fee from $60 to $100.
Town officials were asked about the reasoning behind the increase. Police enforcement, an increase of golf cart traffic on the town’s roadways, safety issues, frequency of calls, and additional funding needs in the General Fund were the main reasons given.
Council President Bill Cleavenger said the officers on duty spend a lot of time enforcing those “who choose not to follow the rules and regulations of the golf cart ordinance.”
There are currently 641 registered golf carts in the Town of Culver.
Residents believe that those who follow the rules are being punished by the increase in the registration fees. They think that fines should be increased to punish the violators who do not follow the rules and regulations of the golf cart ordinance.
A golf cart business expressed a hardship with the registration fee.
At the end of the lengthy public hearing, Councilwoman Sally Ricciardi stated that she is not in favor of raising the fee to $100. Councilman Rich West said he is contemplating revising the ordinance, but noted the first reading of the ordinance could be passed with more discussion during the second reading of the ordinance. Councilman Bill Githens said he would second the motion to approve the first reading and then the council can get more information to address the concerns of the public before the second reading of the ordinance at the council’s next meeting Tuesday, November 14 at 6:30 p.m. ET.
The first reading of the ordinance amendment passed with a 4-1 vote with Ricciardi voting against the motion.
