The Kalona City Council held discussions to consider a change to the city’s policies for golf cart and utility terrain vehicles during a recent work session

City Administrator Ryan Schlabaugh says after 10 years of allowing residents to operate golf carts and UTVs on city streets, the council discussed lowering the age requirement from an 18-year-old licensed driver to a 16-year-old licensed driver. The city’s permit application states that in order for anyone to operate carts or UTVs on city roads they must have an unobscured slow moving vehicle sign on the rear, bicycle safety flag with the top being a minimum five feet above ground level, adequate brakes and working headlights and taillights. Any cart or UTV must also have a “lock out” that prevents them from going over 25 mph. Anyone found violating these regulations are guilty of a simple misdemeanor punishable as a scheduled violation. Following discussion, the council also decided to continue to not allowing the usage of all-terrain vehicles in the city. Schlabaugh says that they will possibly take action on the change and introduce a new sticker program for registered vehicles during their meeting on February 7th.