Westlake Council: Golf carts on city roads not legal yet

Westlake City Council tabled the motion to approve golf carts at its Monday meeting. It  approved an ordinance regulating door-to-door sales, and Fire Chief Jonathan Duff announced National Night Out will be held Tuesday, Aug. 6, at Freedom Hall Duff also reminded the council that free smoke detectors and installation are still available. Call the WFD at (337) 436-7417 to find out more.

Golf carts might be a “go” soon, but not now.

“We still have a golf course committee that is having to work on the safety items,” Mayor Hal McMillin said.

“I want to reiterate that the new golf cart ordinance has not gone into effect,” echoed Kenny Brown, a council member for Seat E. Brown and Jeremy Cryer, Seat C, are on the golf cart committee.

McMillin said carts will be required to have all safety features in working order, lights, brake lights, horn, rearview mirror and possibly seat belts.

Golf carts will not be driven down any state highways, not on Sampson Street, not on Miller Avenue and not on Sulphur  Avenue. There will be three crossings to allow golf carts to cross these state highways to “tie the city together,” McMillin said. The crossing on Sampson will be at McKinley.

Golf carts must be operated by a licensed driver.

Ideas that the committee continues to study is a sticker, possibly good for two years, that will operate like a golf cart license plate.

Westlake Police Department will enforce the laws, and ensure crossing only in the designated areas.

After Monday night’s council vote, door-to-door solicitors must have approved identification and be licensed by the city before going door-to-door from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. The city of Westlake license fee is $200 per 90 days.

Lori Peterson, council member for Seat B, called attention to the fact that this new ordinance and licensing requirement does not pertain to kids raising money for local schools.