ELGIN – Elgin officials will rework an ordinance barring ATV owners from driving their vehicles on city-owned property and submit it to the Elgin City Council for consideration.
The council discussed the proposed ordinance March 11 but did not vote on whether to adopt it. The item was later stricken from the agenda.
The original ordinance said people who own an ATV or similar vehicle, which are not designed for normal driving on city streets, must obtain a permit from the city clerk before driving the vehicle on city-owned property. The permit, which will cost $50, must be renewed annually for a $50 renewal fee.
The vehicle must pass an inspection by the Elgin police chief before the permit is issued.
Permit holders may drive their vehicle on public property only during daylight hours, which will end at sunset, according to the ordinance. Drivers must have a valid driver’s license and wear a crash helmet if they are younger than 18, and they must carry proof of liability insurance.
The city is trying to prevent people from damaging city-owned ballfields by driving ATVs on them without permission, said Mayor JJ Francais.
“What we’ve had an issue with is at Martin Field, people are taking a non-vehicle and driving it out on the field and doing doughnuts at 2 or 3 in the morning,” he said. “And so, what we’re trying to do is get an ordinance that says, ‘You can’t do that’ and specifically address that.”
However, Francais said the ordinance should be amended to include an exception for people who are driving ATVs while maintaining the ballfields.
But Police Chief Ralph Parsons said the entire ordinance should be rewritten. He said most people who own an ATV or a similar vehicle are going to the local tag agent and getting a motorcycle registration for their vehicles.
“Now, that ATV is registered with the state of Oklahoma as a motor vehicle,” he said. “You can’t require them to get a permit.”
Councilman Fred Guevara suggested revising the ordinance and presenting the new version to the council.
“Not passing this is not going to tie your hands in any way,” he said. “I feel like we just need to reword it.”
In other business, the council:
•Approved the use of Martin Field, located at Second and J streets, as a soccer field.
•City officials will draw up an agreement for Martin Field and present it to the council for consideration in May.
•Rezoned the corner of C and Second streets from a mixed residential district to a multi-family residential district.