Nevada City Council passes golf cart and UTV ordinances

The Nevada City Council will met in regular session Tuesday evening. Starting off the meeting, the council considered a bid — Resolution No. 1674. This resolution will accept the bid and authorize the City Manager to execute payment to Viebrock Sales LLC, of Sedalia, Mo., for a galvanized steel oval culvert. Bids were solicited, with Viebrock Sales LLC being the only one that responded. Their bid was $24,329.40. This project will replace 80 feet of culvert across Industrial Parkway between the new animal shelter property and the Missouri Welding Institute. The current galvanized culvert running across Industrial Parkway is showing signs of deterioration due to additional heavy vehicle traffic. With a motion, a second, and unanimous vote, the council approved the bid.

The council then set about addressing the issue of whether or not to vacate a portion of Memorial Street in Lakewood Addition. The council had considered the item at the Oct. 18 council meeting, but the wording of the ordinance caused confusion.

At this Tuesday's meeting, two ordinances were presented in unfinished business — one will approve of the street vacation (Bill No. 2022-081) if approved, and the other will deny the approval of the vacation (Bill No. 2022-082) if approved. With a motion a second and a unanimous "no" vote, Bill No. 2022-081 did not pass. With a motion a second, and a unanimous "yes" vote, Bill No. 2022-082 was placed on first reading.

The first item in old business and up for second reading was Bill No. 2022-078, which will authorize an agreement with Rural Hospital Group to provide consulting services related to Nevada Regional Medical Center. With a motion, a second, and a unanimous roll call vote, the council passed the bill.

The council then considered for second reading Bill No. 2022-079, which would amend Chapter 19 of the code of the City of Nevada, Mo., and allow utility vehicles (UTV) and recreational off-highway vehicles (RoHV) on city streets under certain conditions and requires registration with the Nevada Police Department. Additional requirements would include drivers being 18-years-old or older; having safety belts for driver and occupants; a lighted headlamp and tail lamp to be in operation from one-half hour after sunset to one-half hour before sunrise; insurance coverage; and having a valid operator's or chauffeur's driver's license. With a motion, a second, and a unanimous "yes" vote from all council members — with the exception of council member Kendall Vickers (who voted "no") — the council passed the bill.

The third item in old business was the second reading of Bill No. 2022-080. This general ordinance would amend Chapter 19 of city code and allow golf carts on city streets, under certain conditions and requires registration with the Nevada Police Department. Similarly to the UTV ordinance, insurance coverage is required, as well as having a lighted headlamp and tail lamp and drivers must me 18 years-old or older. Additionally, the golf cart must have a bicycle safety flag which extends not less than seven feet above the ground, attached to the rear of the vehicle; the golf cart must not operate at speeds in excess of 20 miles per hour; must not be operated on any city street with a posted speed limit greater than 35 miles per hour; must not be operated at any time on any state or federal highway, but may be operated upon a highway in order to cross a portion of the state highway which intersects a municipal street; and must not cross any highway at an intersection where the highway being crossed has a posted speed limit of more than 45 miles per hour. With a motion, a second, and a unanimous "yes" vote from all council members — with the exception of council member Kendall Vickers (who voted "no") — the council passed the bill.

In new business, the council had three items to consider, beginning with Bill No. 2022-083. This special ordinance will approve a revised lease agreement between the City of Nevada and the Nevada Animal Shelter Corporation. With a motion, a second, and a unanimous roll call vote, the council passed the bill.

The final two items in new business were resolutions. The council first considered Resolution No. 1675, which would authorize the city council to accept grant money for the Nevada Police Department from the Missouri Department of Public Safety under the Local Violent Crime Prevention Grant Program to purchase 10 Microsoft Surface Mobile Data Terminals for the uniformed patrol division. This grant includes funds in the amount of $18,250 for the equipment purchase. There is no local match requirement for this grant. With a motion, a second, and a unanimous roll call vote, the council approved the resolution.

The final item to be considered in new business was Resolution No. 1674, which will authorize the city council to accept grant money for the Nevada Parks Department from the Missouri Department of Conservation under the Land Conservation Partnership Grant for improvements to Izaak Walton Park. This grant includes reimbursable funds in the amount of $89,250 for engineering and stormwater improvements at Izaak Walton Park. There is a 50/50 match program with $90,000 of local funds required. Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) and American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds will be used for most of the $90,000 match with the Parks Construction Fund for the Trail improvement portion. With a motion, a second, and a unanimous roll call vote, the council approved the resolution.