By By Kerry Whipple – publisher
Brewton council members decided Tuesday to delay a vote on a proposed ordinance to control golf carts on city streets.
Police Chief Monte McGougin - who worked with several others, including Councilman Frank Cotten - to come up with the proposal told council members his officers need some guidance to help promote safety.
The proposed ordinance called for golf cart drivers to be at least 14 years old, but council members debated whether that age should be raised to 16.
Councilman William McGhee said he had concerns about allowing golf carts on city sidewalks, since state law prohibits them.
McGougin said it was his understanding that a city ordinance could supersede that, and that the state law only applied to federal and state highways.
The proposed ordinance also calls for golf carts to be used only from dawn to dusk. Only two people would be allowed in golf carts with two seats, and only four people in golf carts with four seats.
Violation of the ordinance would lead to towing of the golf cart at the owner's expense, McGougin said.
McGhee said he was concerned about the city's liability.
Council members agreed to delay a vote on the issue until their next meeting, scheduled for April 10.
In other business: