Waupaca plans public hearing on Nov. 5
By Angie Landsverk
The city seeks public input on a proposed ordinance to allow ATVs and UTVs on most Waupaca streets.
A public hearing on the proposal is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 5, in the council chambers.
The common council is scheduled to take action when it meets that night.
That meeting follows the public hearing.
The latest draft of the ordinance includes no time limit for operating the vehicles.
The initial draft limited operation to daylight hours.
It was on first reading when the council met on Oct. 15.
“I’m already hearing complaints,” Ald. Eric Olson said in regard to the time limit.
Daylight hours were defined as from half an hour before sunrise to half an hour after sunset.
City Administrator Aaron Jenson said the police chief thought there would be less chance of something negative happening if the hours did not include when it is dark outside.
Ald. Mary Phair said noise and people operating the vehicles at bar time are concerns.
Among those in favor of no time limit was Ald. Alan Kjelland.
He said the city does not limit what time other vehicles may operate in the city.
Operation would only be authorized on streets with a speed limit of 35 mph or less.
The city’s downtown area would be the exception.
Prohibited streets
Under the proposed ordinance, ATVs and UTVs would not be allowed to operate:
• North and south on Main Street, from Badger to Granite streets.
• East and west on Union Street, from Jefferson to Washington streets.
• East and west on Fulton Street, from Jefferson to Washington streets.
• North and south on Jefferson Street, from Badger to Fulton streets.
When Ald. Dmitri Martin expressed concerns about whether 12-year-olds understand the order of procession at stop signs, Jenson noted they have to take a safety class.
Mayor Brian Smith said he does not know if driving in a city is covered in the class.
“To tell the truth, I don’t think there’s a rush to get it passed this year,” he said. “But it would be nice to move forward with it.”
The mayor asked the council if there was a consensus on the proposed hours of operation.
Most favored no time limit, so that is now being proposed in the draft ordinance.
“It seems like we already decided we’re going to allow it,” Phair said.
Smith said nothing is being assumed, noting the second reading is at the next council meeting.