Golf cart ordinance nixed, city steps to be replaced
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WELLSBURG -- Wellsburg Council Tuesday was again divided over whether to allow golf carts to be driven on certain streets and Mayor Dan Dudley again broke the tie.
But this time Dudley voted against the measure, saying he had reviewed it and sought a legal opinion of it as well as feedback from the public.
He said from the latter he heard "more nays than yeas," with some expressing concert the carts would be used by youth to damage property.
Dudley also said he believes city police have enough issues to deal with.
The idea was suggested by 2nd Ward Councilman Paul Billiard, who said they have been popular in residential areas of other communities and could attract new residents to the city.
A second reading of an ordinance permitting them, under certain conditions, was supported by 2nd Ward Councilwoman Mary Margaret Ross, 4th Ward Councilwoman Della Serevicz and 1st Ward Councilman Jack Kins.
Voting against were 4th Ward Councilman Charlie Harris, 3rd Ward Councilmen Randy Fletcher and Tom Gaudio and 1st Ward Councilman Jerry Nichols.
The same split vote occurred with the ordinance's first reading on Nov. 9. At that time, Dudley broke the tie, saying he felt it was worth considering further.
On Tuesday, Billiard expressed his anger at the lack of support, calling those who voted against "cowards."
Dudley said he wouldn't allow himself and others to be called names.
Billiard said some on council lack vision to bring about change to the city.
"This, to me, is why we are stagnant in town," he said before leaving the meeting.
Had the ordinance been approved, the carts couldn't be driven on streets with a speed limit greater than 25 though they could be used to cross state Route 2.
Their owners would have been required to register them with the city annually, while presenting proof of liability insurance, and would be issued a permit and decal for their carts.
City Solicitor Ryan Weld said for the second reading, he added language identifying the police chief or a designee as responsible for inspecting the vehicles.
In other business, council accepted a bid of $71,691 from Grae-Con Construction to replace the steps leading to City Hall.
Plans call for a set of steps with railing to extend directly from the entrance to the Town Square below and a V-shaped handicap accessible ramp to be added from the east side of the doorways.
Last year council approved the installation of a handicap accessible electronic, folding doors there.
Fletcher pushed for the bid to be accepted, saying deterioration beneath the concrete steps ultimately will lead to their crumbling away and someone being hurt.
He noted council approved the design for the new steps in May 2020 and agreed to seek bids for them in August of the same year, but the city failed to receive bids.
When that occurred, City Manager Steve Maguschak more directly sought a contractor for the project.
Also on Tuesday, Maguschak advised an advertisement for a grant writer for the city has drawn two applicants. He asked council to consider the process by which they will select the individual, who will serve the city as an independent contractor.
Alex Weld, a member of the city's urban redevelopment authority, had suggested the move as a way to pursue federal funds for infrastructural improvements.
Plans also were made for council's monthly committee meetings to be held on Jan.4 beginning at 6 p.m. The meeting was moved from Dec. 21 because of the holidays.