Golf cart ordinance still in effect

The Fort Scott City Commission chose during their regular meeting Tuesday to keep a golf cart ordinance in effect, and denied a local resident's request to fish at Woodland Hills Golf Course.

Fort Scott Police Chief Ron Puterbaugh came before the commission to tell them there are currently 12 golf cart licenses issued in the city and all are in compliance. He said there have been no complaints, and the issue of golf carts on city streets has been a "nonissue as far as traffic."

After a brief discussion and no motion to revoke the ordinance commissioners approved last October, the law will stay in place indefinitely. Commissioners can review it at any time in the future if there are concerns, City Attorney Bob Farmer said.

The recent review of the ordinance came after commissioners last fall approved by a 3-2 vote a six-month trial of an ordinance allowing golf carts on city streets with the idea they can repeal the law if a problem occurs. The ordinance includes some stipulations and other requirements, and only applies to golf carts, not utility vehicles.

Last month, after looking at the ordinance again, the commission denied a local resident's request to include his worksite utility vehicle in the city ordinance. Gary Wilson told commissioners he had looked at the ordinance and believed his Kawasaki Mule fit the definition of the law, but commissioners denied the request following City Manager Dave Martin's recommendation that utility vehicles not be licensed, adding his main concern is to promote safety.

Also on Tuesday, the commission voted to keep the ban on fishing at the golf course after young fishing enthusiast Taylor Nielson requested the city remove the ban during their June 5 meeting.

During that meeting, Nielson appeared before the commission to ask that fishing be allowed in ponds at the golf course, that signs be posted and individuals wanting to fish be allowed to sign in at the clubhouse.

Mayor Jim Adams said at that meeting angling is not allowed due to golf balls that might be flying in the area and the liability involved. Commissioners voted to table the issue until the next meeting to research it further.

Martin said Tuesday he talked recently with members of the Golf Course Advisory Board and the consensus was that fishing "doesn't mix with the golf course."

"But we appreciate the young man coming forward," he said.

Adams said Tuesday he recently talked to a few local golfers and his opinion is that there are several other lakes in the area available for fishing.

"We want to keep the golf course a golf course," he said. "We appreciate his (Nielson's) work and the presentation."

In other business Tuesday, the commission:

* Approved the $40,000 Transient Guest Tax budget allocation and approved the 10 board members of the Transient Guest Tax Committee following a request from Fort Scott Area Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Lindsay Madison.

* After a public hearing, approved a resolution directing the repair or removal of an unsafe and dangerous accessory structure located at 302 McCleverty. Codes Manager Brent Crays said a garage on the property has deteriorated drastically within the last year and is considered dangerous and unsafe.

* Accepted the low bid of $383,338 from SE-Kan Asphalt Services in Gas, Kan., for milling and overlay of Horton from Lakin to 18th streets, and Margrave from Jayhawk Road to East National Avenue as part of the 2012 Street and Sidewalk Program. The project is expected to be completed later this summer.

* Approved a request from First Baptist Church to use a city parking lot at Second Street and Scott Avenue for a church activity on July 7. Puterbaugh said members of the church plan to hold a block party and use the parking lot for the day. He said police and fire personnel are OK with the request.