Council Approves Revised Golf Cart Ordinance

The Temple Terrace City Council has approved a revised ordinance that .

After hearing no public comment on the issue, the council voted unanimously Tuesday to favor the measure.

Although the ordinance takes effect immediately, the fees, registration and enforcement will not be implemented until January 2013 to allow the city time to set up those procedures and educate residents about the new rules.

“We expect to issue a brochure in the coming months to educate the public and outline the steps and information golf cart owners will need to know,” said Mike Dunn, the city’s public information officer.

Before the Tuesday vote, golf carts were only allowed to be driven to and from the , although city residents had complained that other citizens, including children and teenagers, were driving the carts recklessly on city streets.

Under the rewritten ordinance, carts can be used on all city streets, but they cannot cross county and state roads, such as Fowler Avenue and 56th Street. Raintree residents, for example, can drive carts in their neighborhood, but they cannot cross Fowler.

Beginning in January, golf cart owners will have to annually register their carts with the city in order to drive them on city streets. Registration will cost $10 per year.

Drivers will have to possess a valid driver’s license and obey all the rules of the road. Golf carts will have to meet basic equipment requirements, such as having adequate brakes and steering. Carts will not be allowed on sidewalks.

The city’s  will be the primary enforcement agency, issuing citations to ordinance violators. Police officers will also issue citations if they see violators during patrols or if Code Compliance is unavailable.

Also during the Tuesday meeting the council and Mayor Joe Affronti:

--Learned that City Manager Kim Leinbach is organizing a meeting for the council and Vlass Temple Terrace, the developer of the , on May 10, 3-5 p.m. in the council workroom at .

“It is being held at that time because many of the elected officials will be attending The Planning Commission awards that evening, which begin at 6:15 p.m.,” Dunn said. “We’ll show the workshop proceedings live on TV (Verizon channel 39 and Bright House channel 950) and on the plasma screen in the council chambers for those who want to watch.”

--Heard an update on the . Check Patch for more details in a future story.

--Approved a motion to only if all council members are present.

--Approved a motion to support Hillsborough County Commissioner Victor Crist’s proposal.

--Awarded a contract to Hendry Corporation in the amount of $149,568.17 to construct an access road and add a parking facility to an existing pavilion at .

--Had a public hearing in reference to .

--Made proclamations regarding “Civility Month,” “Building Safety Month,” and “National Police Week” and “Peace Officers’ Memorial Day.”

Did you miss the meeting?
If you couldn’t make it to City Hall or watch the meeting live, you can watch it when it is rebroadcast on Verizon channel 39 and Bright House channel 950 on Mondays and Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Wednesdays and Fridays at 2 p.m.