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A utility vehicle is a motorized vehicle that is designed for a specific task.
According to state statute, the utility vehicles already are allowed on streets if they are owned and operated by a governmental entity for official use, used for agricultural or industrial purposes between sunrise and sunset, unless equipped with proper lighting; or if a vehicle is operated by a handicapped person for short distances on secondary roads.
A utility vehicle is defined as less than 63 inches in width and weighs 1,850 pounds or less. The vehicle has four to six wheels.
An example of a utility vehicle is a MULE, which is typically used for landscaping or maintenance.
"There is a whole category of things that people may be interested in operating," said City Attorney Tim Melenbrink.
The permitting of utility vehicles was suggested by Mayor Mike Livengood who said he received several requests by residents.
The utility vehicle ordinance would mirror state laws for all-terrain vehicles (ATV) ordinances, Melenbrink said.
Under state statute, cities and counties can issues permits for ATVs within city or county limits.
The maximum speed for the vehicles is 45 miles per hour. The vehicles also may not be operated carelessly, under the influence of drugs and alcohol, or with a passenger unless the vehicle is for agricultural use, or the seat is designed to carry more than one person.
The city of Gerald is the only municipality in Franklin County that issues permits for ATVs. However, the permits are not issued for utility vehicles.
"I think when gas prices got so high people started asking about that," said Gerald Mayor Otis Schulte. "They can ride ATVs into town instead of bringing a gas can up or haul it (ATV) up."
He noted that there have been few, if any problems, with the ATVs on the city streets.
"I think it works just fine," said Schulte. "I have one myself. Nobody has problems with it. Nobody is tearing anything up."
He added that there have been about 20 permits issued for ATVs in the past year.
"I don't see more than two or three during the day," Schulte said, "and it has not been a traffic problem."
Schulte added that residents do cross Highway 50 in Gerald, but don't "run them (ATVs) from one end of town to the other."
Franklin County Prosecutor Bob Parks said the city can issue permits, but residents must be careful that they don't drive them on state roads.
"If they are crossing Highway 50, I wouldn't say anything about that," said Parks, "and I called (Gerald city attorney) Joe Purschke and he is agreement - but they have to obey all the laws."
He added that one driver was stopped in Gerald and told authorities that he was under the impression that the ATV could be driven on Highway 50.
"If it is interpreted like that, it could be interpreted that the cities of St. Clair, Sullivan and Pacific could issue permits and people could ride down Interstate 44 and that's not going to happen," said Parks.
Schulte told The Missourian that Gerald does not allow residents to ride the ATVs on Highway 50.
"It might be a bigger problem for bigger town but out here where we are more rural there is not the traffic," he said. "I drive around looking at things that need to be repaired."
