Hoefle acknowledges all those instrumental in passing the golf cart ordinance in the city of Lincoln

 

[September 30, 2021] 

At the Tuesday night meeting of the Lincoln City Council, Aldermen Rick Hoefle spoke, thanking all those who had been instrumental in getting an ordinance passed permitting use of golf carts on city streets in Lincoln.

He said he wanted to thank Jack Merreighn and others including Lincoln resident and business owner Brad Matthews for their contributions to the effort.

“A thank you to Jack and others who invested a lot of time in the golf cart issue.” He went on to say, “A number (of people) including Brad Matthews spent a lot of time getting information that helped us. I just want to give a shout out to them and say thank you.”

Early in 2020, Matthews and Hoefle spoke about the idea of permitting the golf carts. Matthews said he had done quite a bit of research on the topic, looking at other towns that had permitted the golf carts and what they had required within their cities. Matthews had shared information with Hoefle and also took his notes to Assistant Police Chief Matt Vlahovich, who in turn did additional research.

In May of 2021, just a few weeks after Hoefle was sworn in as the elected representative for Ward four in Lincoln, Merreighn came before the council after having also done research into the topic.

Hoefle, already versed on the topic agreed to work with city attorney John Hoblit on creating a draft document for the council's review.

On Monday, September 20th, the council was presented with a final document permitting the use of golf carts on city streets in Lincoln. The vote among the aldermen was tied at 4-4. Lincoln Mayor Tracy Welch made the tie-breaking vote in favor of the ordinance so it passed with a 5-4 vote.

The ordinance is set to take effect November 1st.
 

One difficult aspect of the ordinance is the fact that there are state routes weaving through various portions of the city. According to state law, golf carts should not be permitted on those roads. However, Hoblit had reported that the city could request an exception from the state. He said that it would be perhaps easier for the city to get that exception with the golf cart ordinance passed. It is expected that the council will receive updates on that issue at a future date.

[Nila Smith]