Council provides glimpse of things to come

Workshop issues range from golf carts to boat ramp use

by Marianne Gasaway

Clear Lake City Council members offered up their own version of a “Throwback Thursday” last week when the group, along with City Administrator Scott Flory, Police Chief Pete Roth and Finance Director Creighton Schmidt, sat down to discuss community issues.

Longtime Council member Mike Callanan said workshops were a common occurrence in his early days on the Council.

“They are a good venue for discussion of potential future agenda items,” Callanan told the group.

Five issues which have been brought to the Council’s attention at its regular meetings were placed on the first workshop agenda.  Golf cart permit fees and safety, late night noise from outdoor music venues, the future of the Parks & Recreation Department Advisory Board, the Highway 18 speed limit and Main Avenue boat ramp and dock use all appear headed for formal action.

Put the brakes on golf carts?

Third Ward Councilman Gary Hugi kicked things off by suggesting the city’s golf cart ordinance established in 2017 needs to be reviewed.

With permits issued to more than 490 golf carts, Hugi said numbers may need to be capped and the $25 permit fees raised to $35 or $50 to cover administrative costs. In addition, safety measures need to be increased, he said.

“Safety restraints, we’ve been through this how many times I don’t know. Children riding on the back of these carts all over, we’ve all seen it,” said Hugi.  “The golf carts drive down the street like they are a vehicle, a big car. They don’t move over to the side like they’re supposed to. I suggest requiring a safety restraint for children 10-years and under on these golf carts.”

“Golf carts are not designed to be on streets,” stated Police Chief Pete Roth after Councilman Bennett Smith asked for a staff recommendation.  Roth said he considers a safety belt in a golf cart “symbolic,” rather than effective, noting they have no shoulder restraint.

Callanan suggested increased adult supervision could help and proposed the ordinance be modified to limit the number of people allowed per seat in a golf cart and children under a to-be-determined age must have an adult seated beside them in a rear-facing back seat.

Councilman Smith said he shares the concerns about safety and would support recommendations on

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that issue, but does not favor capping the  number of permits or a fee increase. 

“These have become very popular. I think golf carts and UTVs are an important part of our tourist community, lots of people enjoy them. I think it’s very convenient for people to get around.”

Police Chief Roth was asked to research the issue further and return to the Council with recommendations.

The city’s current golf cart ordinance requires a permit before operation on a city street. Only a valid licensed driver, at least 18 years of age, may operate the golf cart/UTV.

Other highlights of the law include:

•Occupancy may not exceed the number of passengers designed for by the manufacturer and no one may stand while the UTV is being operated.  

•They cannot be operated upon any city streets with a posted speed limit of greater than 35 mph or on any designated city streets or parts of any city streets, including Highway 18, Iowa Highway 122, 4th Avenue S., between S. 24th Street and the eastern city limits; N. 8th Street from 14th Avenue N. to the north city limits; S. 8th Street from 15th Avenue S. to the south city limits.  UTVs may cross these streets, except Highway 18 and Highway 122 must be crossed at controlled intersections.

Main Avenue boat ramp

A hotly debated ordinance established by the Council last year involving use of the Main Avenue boat ramp may also be revisited.

Councilman Callanan said he made a point of stopping by the City Park and Sea Wall area daily throughout the summer, especially on the weekends, to see how resources are being used. 

“One year ago we decided to limit commercial use to one boat launched at a time.  This is constantly violated,” said Callanan, adding that he recommends amending the current ordinance to allow no commercial activity on the dock.  “Others have  spent lots of money to have places on the lake to rent their boats. One has not.  They are taking advantage of a situation that in my mind wasn’t meant for that.”

Callanan continued, “If we are going to allow commercial activity, maybe we should try to get some money on the deal.  Everybody else pays some money to be on the lake.  We seem to have an operation that their use is free.  We need more enforcement if we are going to stick to our current ordinance.”

Councilmen Brant and Smith said more discussion on the topic is needed in the coming months, with Smith adding that a private moorage agreement is something that was brought up initially.

Hugi agreed with Callanan’s assessment of commercial overuse of the area and added his concern about maintenance costs for the new dock, which he said is approaching $5,000 yearly.  However, Smith noted the city has always budgeted for dock repair, whether it was for a wooden dock or the new lighted, floating dock.

“I agree with comments about congestion in the area.  It reflects the success we’ve had,” said Smith. “It’s very important that we think about the tourism dollars, the people that use that dock, and I’ve always been in favor of incidental commercial use on that dock, and I think that it’s important that we preserve that.”

Members agreed that a study of the area could help to improve traffic flow and safety in the popular area.   RDG Design, which has done several projects for the city, will be asked to build on their current work in the area.

Highway 18 speed

Hugi also spearheaded discussion of lowering the speed limit from 45 to 35 mph on Highway 18 from McDonald’s on the east edge of town to the Fareway Store on the west side.

“I cross that highway seven or eight times daily and traffic is going by exceedingly fast,” said Hugi.  “With Hy-Vee coming we will most likely need to make adjustments.  Why don’t we ask the DOT to take a look.”

Followup on citizen complaint

The City of Clear Lake does not have a specific noise ordinance, but complaints about loud music coming from a local lounge have prompted the Council to take a closer look at disturbances.

At its Oct. 4 meeting, two North Shore Drive residents and a motel owner addressed the City Council with complaints about loud music coming from Fiddler’s Lounge, 468 North Shore Dr.  Earlier this year the business installed garage doors which could be opened street side in an attempt to call attention to the entertainment spot.  Neighbors say despite talking to owner Jimmy Clark, their issue with the noise is not being addressed.

“I don’t want an ordinance for the whole city, but maybe isolate these businesses with loud music at night.  It would be nice if it would take care of itself, but it doesn’t look like it’s going to,” said Hugi, adding that more than one establishment is likely at fault.  

Some Councilmembers noted similar complaints have been resolved by talking with the parties involved and Smith added that noise ordinances are difficult to enforce.

“We need to get prepared,” Hugi responded.  “They tried talking to the owner with absolutely no cooperation whatsoever.  Absolutely none.”

Police Chief Pete Roth said no specific ordinance regulates noise levels in the city, however, residents may summon an officer on a complaint of disorderly conduct at the time the disturbance is occurring.

Parks Board future

The future of the Clear Lake Parks and Recreation Department Advisory Board is in question.

City Administrator Scott Flory told Council members that the seven-member board was reduced to five members a number of years ago, yet it is still difficult to find citizens willing to serve.  In fact, the group has been operating with just four members for several months.  In June 2022, terms will expire for three members and due to term limits two would be ineligible from serving again.  

At the meeting the option of reducing the advisory board to three members, or dissolving it entirely was brought up.

“We’ve changed dynamics (in the department), let’s simplify,” said Hugi.

Earlier this year the City hired a Wellness Director to oversee the new community Wellness Center and an assistant director was hired to lead recreational programs.  A previous member of the department was shifted to focus more on parks and the aquatic center.  

Mayor Nelson Crabb said that today most all city departments work together and as an advisory board, parks and recreation decisions ultimately come to the City Council for formal approval.  

Councilman Dana Brant noted the group has several months to evaluate options and added that splitting parks and recreation decisions could be an option.

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