HomeMy WebLinkAboutRes 98-128 Ord 895 PD Golf Cart Transportation Plan ORDINANCE NO. 895
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CITY OF PALM DESERT
MEMORANDUM
TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
FROM: LISA CONSTANDE, ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION MANAGER
SUBJECT: GOLF CART TRANSPORTATION ORDINANCE
CITY COUNCIj ACTION:
,J'DATE: OCTOBER 8, 1998 AppROVBD 4'/-1?-11 DENIED
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ABSTAIN: —
BACKGROUND: VERIFIED BY:
Original r. ^ ••i t Cit Clerk's Office
Historic and Current State and Federal Golf Cart Legislation
In 1992, the City of Palm Desert began researching the possibility of utilizing golf carts for
transportation on public streets. The culmination of efforts resulted in the passage of
Assembly Bill No. 1229 authorizing the City of Palm Desert to establish a five-year golf cart
transportation pilot program commencing on January 1, 1993, until January 1, 1998. In
August 1995, Assembly Bill 110 was enacted allowing any California city or county to
establish a golf cart transportation program until January 1, 1998.
On September 28, 1997, Governor Wilson signed into law Senate Bill 525 as introduced by
Senator Maddy. The following are the changes this bill allows:
1. Exempts the construction of separated golf cart lanes in a residential district located
within any city if the speed limit in that district is 25 miles per hour or less;
2. Authorizes, rather than requires, the plan to include requirements for seatbelts and
a covered passenger compartment; and
3. Extends the repeal date specified above to January 1, 2001.
This new legislation did not affect our program. However, more recently, the National
Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) released their final ruling which
responded to the growing public interest in lowcost, nonpolluting transportation such as golf
carts, golf cars, low speed vehicles (SLVs), and neighborhood electric vehicles (NEVs).
The final ruling by NHTSA was announced and published on June 12, 1998, after more than
two years of information gathering by NHTSA. The ruling defines golf carts as having a top
speed of less than 25 MPH and leaves the regulation of golf cart transportation programs to
state and local jurisdictions. According to NHTSA staff, the new ruling does not affect how
we administer our program, and they cite it as the model for golf cart transportation
programs.
GOLF CART TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE
0 COUNCILMAN RICHARD KELLY 0 COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT
Phil Drell, Director of Community Development
SHERRIF'S DEPARTMENT Phil Joy, Associate Planner
Sergeant Robert Kirby
0 PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT 0 ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES DEPARTMENT
Dick Folkers, ACM/Public Works Director John Wohlmuth, ACM/Dir.Administrative Services
Joe Gaugush, Engineering Manager Lisa Constande, Environmental Conservation Manager
Mark Greenwood, Transportation Engineer
In response to comply with current legislation, the Golf Cart Transportation Committee:
has worked steadily to update the Golf Cart Transportation: ordinance, resolution and
transportation plan with the assistance of our Deputy City Attorney, Helene Dryer. The
following are the main revisions:
1. A golf cart is defined as traveling at a top speed of 25 MPH;
2. Golf cart travel on public streets is limited to electric powered vehicles only;
3. Route classification definitions (Class 1, Class 2 and Class 3) are more clearly
defined to reflect state legislation. In addition, Class 2 routes can be either
designated by striping or posted signs;
4. Citizen and community involvement is required to be part of the development of our
program by state legislation. We utilize the public in our program development, and
it now reflects in the ordinance;
5. Safety equipment listing now requires a covered passenger compartment and a
backup buzzard;
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6. Golf cart operators must maintain golf cart in a safe condition and ensure that an
unobstructed view to the rear is maintained at all times while the cart is in operation
on public streets;
7. Golf cart lanes are defined synomymous with golf cart routes; and
8. Golf cart operators may not travel on, along or across state highways, except to
cross at controlled intersections as designated in the golf cart transportation plan
and indicated on the golf cart route map.
A program brochure has been included for your review. A counter-top display was designed
and distribured with brochures to each country club in Palm Desert that has a golf course(s)
and all local golf cart retail outlets/shops.
Respectfully submitted, Reviewed and concur,
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isa V. Constande, Manager Ramon A. Diaz
Environmental Conservation City Manager
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