Staff will return to council with their analysis of the issue in the future
For now, if you have an autoette that’s longer than the city code currently allows, you’ll get a temporary permit. But no new temporary permits will be issued. And the City Council won’t guarantee that you’ll be allowed to keep your “limo” sized autoette after city staff researches the issue and returns to the council with their analysis.
The above rules went into effect Feb. 16.
City Attorney Scott Campbell said the council didn’t need to approve a new ordinance to put these rules into effect. According to Campbell, the council is simply exercising its policing authority.
The council voted unanimously to have Avalon staff follow those guidelines during a Tuesday, Feb. 18 discussion of the rules for longer autoettes at this week’s council meeting.
The consensus among the council members was that they don’t want the longer autoettes to be resold.
The city code limits the length and width of the autoettes allowed in town. Meanwhile, the autoettes being sold are getting longer and wider.
Mayor Anni Marshall said that if she ordered an autoette last week, she didn’t think the city should tell her she couldn’t have one.
Councilmember Michael Ponce said that people getting six-seat golf carts should know the car would be over the limit. He said people buying vehicles should know the parameters.
“We know what the rules are,” said Councilmember Cindi MacGugan-Cassidy.
Councilmember Lisa Lavelle said she thought autoette owners should get a temporary permit if they provide proof that they obtained an autoette before April.
City Attorney Campbell asked if there were new golf carts available that are “in keeping” with the city code.
Cassidy said yes. She later said the point is not to give out more temporary permits for the larger carts. Cassidy said she wanted to make it clear that if you order a larger autoette, it is at your own risk.
Lavelle asked if there was a way to have Avalon Freight Services prohibit longer autoettes.
Cassidy said it was not the responsibility of Avalon Freight Services to measure vehicle length. Marshall suggested the directions to staff go into effect that night.
Background on autoettes and Municipal code
“In preparation for the vehicle season, the Vehicle Clerk noted that: a number of autoettes, specifically all “limo” style golf carts exceed the maximum 120 inch length as outlined by the [Avalon Municipal Code],” according to the staff report by City Manager Denise Radde.
The vehicle season ends April 1.
“Today, if a resident attempts to register an autoette that exceeds the maximum 120 inch length, they are given a temporary permit. This process will remain in place until direction is provided by City Council,” Radde wrote.
