(Spirit Lake)– There was more discussion at Tuesday’s Spirit Lake city council meeting on all-terrain-vehicles and whether or not they should be allowed on city streets year-round.
Councilman Clyde Ihrke said he’s concerned over enforcement of the ordinance, saying the machines can easily elude police.
ATV’s are currently allowed on certain city streets December through March. While they haven’t posed many problems for law enforcement, Ihrke fears that would chage if they were allowed to operate during the summer months, when the volume would be much higher.
Council members also expressed concern the city can’t force ATV owners to purchase insurance.
Proponents of allowing the maching to be operated year-round say some of the concerns are being blown out of proportion. They also suggested the council hold off on further discussion siting an upcoming meeting by state officials and representatives of an association of off road vehicles to explore the possibility of coming up with some statewide standards.
When it comes to the existing ordinance, Assistant City Attorney Greg Owen recommended it be updated to designate certain crossing areas and to reflect some changes in definitions.
