HUMBOLDT — No one can accuse Humboldt council members of not being receptive to constituents.
Tuesday afternoon two of three Safety Committee members considered whether to propose to the full council use of all-terrain vehicles — commonly called four-wheelers — on city streets. The process was prompted by two residents who asked for approval. Another contacted City Administrator Cole Herder to express opposition.
After an hour of conversation, including Chief of Police Brian Dillow and Don Buchanan, a councilman invited to sit in on the meeting, Vada Aikins and Jeb Kaufman came to no conclusion, allowing they would defer for the time being because City Attorney Fred Works, who was unable to attend the session, won’t be able to prepare a proposal for Monday night’s council meeting.
Mark Slater, third committee member absent because of other obligations, made his opposition known through a conservation with Herder. “Mark is against it totally,” Herder said.
Kaufman was ambivalent. He indicated no strong opposition, and in fact said, “I think there’s a place for them,” without being specific.
Aikins’ attitude softened over the course of the meeting. Her initial comment was, “I think we’d be opening a can of worms.” To which, Buchanan replied, “All vehicles are as safe as the drivers.”
Eventually, Aikins said she could be supportive if drivers were restricted to those 18 and older and met the requirements of other drivers, such as being licensed and having liability insurance.
DILLOW said in calls to area towns he found that those smaller, such as Moran, allowed ATVs, while larger ones, Iola and Chanute, did not. The county permits ATVs on its roads but they are forbidden from being on state or federal highways.
When asked his opinion, Dillow hedged, saying he was “just the enforcer,” but noted ATVs had fewer safety features than other vehicles, including golf carts and utility vehicles. Currently, there are 18 golf carts licensed to drive on Humboldt streets.
ATVs also are designed for just a driver and no passengers, although some have features allowing them to carry such things as groceries.
Without relating it directly to ATVs, Dillow said he was surprised there hadn’t been an accident with the slower-moving vehicles that run about town.
After coming close to recommending the issue be placed on Monday night’s council agenda, Aikins and Kaufman backed off in favor of having Works in the equation, which will mean consideration on July 11 at the earliest. Herder said if such an ordinance comes about, he thinks it would be appropriate to start issuing permits on and after Jan. 1, 2017.
