Golf cart problems discussed
For the first time in several years, the subject of golf carts resurfaced during an Albany city council meeting, requiring a big chunk of time during the hour-long session on Monday, June 10.
City manager Billy Holson presented a proposal from police chief Mike House asking that the council approve a transition to annual sticker updates rather than license plates to cut down on city costs.
He also suggested that golf cart use be prohibited after 10:00 p.m. to try to improve safety and to cut down on underage driving, which is an ongoing problem.
However, several council members felt that a 10:00 p.m. curfew would be a hardship on licensed older drivers, who might take their carts to football games and other events.
“If you have headlights and everything else that is required by the ordinance, why not be able to drive after dark,” said Lester Galbreath. “The ordinance already says that it’s illegal for unlicensed kids to drive golf carts around town, so we just need to enforce what’s already in place.”
Holson commented that the police officer’s main concern is safety, and that there are more and more unlicensed drivers seen around town.
“I’m sure the 10:00 p.m. restriction is meant to be another layer of protection, but we just need to enforce what we already have,” said Susan Montgomery.
The council okayed the change to a sticker permit, but made no changes to the original ordinance.
EDC Purchase
The council approved the purchase of two acres with a 25-foot easement adjacent to Fox Tank by the city’s Economic Development Corporation board at a cost of $20,000.
Holson explained that the company is planning a new shop that would probably employ about 10 more workers, plus bringing in more sales tax for the city.
“Fox Tank is already responsible for a big portion of our sales tax revenue, and this would add to that,” said Holson.
Pool Hours
It was clarified that adding morning hours at the city pool had been discussed by the council earlier in the year, but hours were never actually extended.
That change had been left to the pool managers’ discretion depending on staffing.
