Aldermen take another swing at golf carts on city streets

The Rev. Lloyd Antoine returned to the Eunice Board of Aldermen in a bid to clear the way for the legal operation of golf carts on city streets.
Antoine asked for an ordinance to allow the operation of golf carts about a year ago with no results.
At Tuesday’s meeting he returned, but after about 20 minutes of discussion the golf cart ordinance was tossed to the police advisory committee.
Jack Burson, alderman at-large, said, if the operation of golf carts is limited to residential areas it is OK. Burson said the carts should be kept out of high traffic or speed areas and cannot be used on state highways.
Antoine said a new state law stipulates the city would have to identify what city streets would be legal for golf cart operation. The speed limit on the streets would have to be no more than 25 mph, he said.
There is only one city-owned street, North 8th Street from Laurel Avenue to the city limits that has a speed limit of more than 25 mph, Mayor Scott Fontenot said.
The brakes were put on the golf cart ordinance by Vernon McManus, city attorney, who urged caution.
“The city is going to have to post a sign on each one of those streets,” McManus said. Signs would alert other motorists to the operation of the golf carts, he said.
McManus also urged that the carts be safe from accidental use by children.
Alderman Dale Soileau said, “... to me, we are getting way out of hand on this thing.”
Soileau asked, “What about bikes that are on the highway? How many people get hit on a bike?”
Soileau didn’t think there would be more than 10 golf carts used in the city.  “Not everybody is going to go out and start buying a golf cart to go around town.”
McManus pointed out that Antoine had presented the board with an eight-page ordinance on golf carts for Youngsville, which indicates the complexity of the issue.
“I’m not trying to stop this, I’m trying to get people to consider what is important,” McManus said.
In other business included:
— An ordinance set the city marshal’s salary at $30,000 a year was passed.
— The fire chief was given the responsibility to investigate and determine the cause of fires.
— An unused portion of Betty Street was abandoned.
— Harry Fruge was appointed to the library board to fill the seat left vacant after John Young resigned. Library board member Alma Reed’s resignation was announced.
— Rescinded a contract off with A 24/7 Inspections Services and voted to renew a contract with Parish Inspections.  The contract is for building inspections.
— Introduced an ordinance to abandon an alley near Ardoin Marble Works.
— Recognized the Eunice High and Eunice Junior high school bands for their wins at district and state competition.
— City trustees will be used in a litter abatement program.