scinded and to explore other ….
scinded and to explore other options for a park. Nixdorf was the only alderperson to vote against the proposition.
ATV/UTV legislation change
A host of area residents and ATV users came to voice their support for the legalization of ATVs and UTVs on all Abbotsford roads (except HWY 13 as it is a state highway).
In attendance were: Galen Kulas, John Austin, Jason Treankler and Tammy Seefeld. Colby/Abbotsford Police Chief Jason Bauer was also in attendance to give some insight on what the approval of the ordinance might mean for his department.
Currently, ATV and UTV riders are restricted to only riding on Hiline Ave. and Business 29. Those in attendance were for opening up all roads to ATV and UTVs so they could enjoy things like going to get groceries, heading to a restaurant or any number of other things that riders might have to deviate from the two currently legalized roads to do.
Kulas said that although UTVs could probably go and do things like that without an issue, it’d be nice to open up the roadways formally.
“What happens if I ride into town to go to a friend’s house or store or something, and a car would hit me and it’s completely their fault,” Kulas said. “I’m not supposed to be there so it’s on me.”
Austin said there are currently people that don’t follow the law and aren’t li- censed. He said that changing this ordinance would not create more of a problem because people are already breaking the law if they want to do that.
“I don’t know why you’d want to punish the people that are abiding by the law in favor of a certain few people,” Austin said.
In Wisconsin, residents can begin riding ATV or UTVs as early as age 12 with parental permission. Bauer assured the council that most parents wouldn’t be letting their 12-year-old children out on the streets with an ATV.
Bauer said his ire towards the potential ordinance is due to the fact that they can’t fully police the ordinance the city has in place right now.
“I don’t support Colby’s [ordinance] and I won’t support Abbotsford’s [ordinance],” Bauer said. “They’re right. Ninety percent of them are good but we have probably 20-30 knuckleheads that race around on four-wheelers or motorcycles. We can’t keep up anyway on some of the stuff we have to do.”
Bauer followed up by saying he understands why people want this ordinance passed and he understands that the council has a duty to listen to and accommodate the people of Abbotsford.
“With that high-speed chase we had a couple of months ago, whether you pass this or not, I don’t think that is going to change anything,” Bauer said. “I don’t think you’ll add to the problem. I’m just not going to support it.”
After kicking the tires on a probationary period, the council decided to unanimously approve a motion to allow ATVs and UTVs on all streets. They agreed that they would bring it up at a future meeting if problems arose.
Other business
_ The council approved a number of operator’s licenses, a class “B” license for First City Days and a street use permit for First City Days.
Zieset said he wished the city didn’t have to have alcohol involved in events like First City Days. He cited drunk driving and minors being introduced to alcohol as the reasons for voting against any sort of operator’s licenses associated with First City Days.
_ The city discussed what they would do with the future of Raze orders for the city. Currently, Bob Christensen does the inspections for the city but he told Soyk that those inspections are not in his job description.
Soyk said, “I think we need to look at having an inspector specifically for this.”
The council agreed to have Christensen give them a quote on how much it costs to do the inspections so they know what it might cost the city to have an employee dedicated to the cause.
_ The concession stand at Red Arrow Park was approved to go out for bids. The motion doesn’t ensure that the concession stand will be built as the council can still vote to deny all bids on the project.
