AMENDING CHAPTER 15, ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV) AND UTILITY-TERRAIN VEHICLE (UTV) CROSSINGS AND ROUTES ON COUNTY TRUNK HIGHWAYS

Committee Status: 
Approved
Budget Status: 
Budgeted
Decision Impact: 
Routine
FTE Impact: 
No
Funding Source: 
Levy

Purpose

The current version of Sauk Co. Code ch. 15 that regulates approval of ATV and UTV routes, does not include delegating approval of ATV and UTV routes on state highway bridges to the Highway and Parks Committee. In April 2014, the Wisconsin State Legislature enacted 2013 Act 313. This Act granted authority to counties and local governments to establish ATV routes on state trunk highway bridges. Pursuant to the Act, ch. 15 has been revised to include authority to the Highway and Parks Committee to designate ATV and UTV routes on state trunk highway bridges. Along with the delegation of this authority, ch. 15 has been revised to include rules and regulations pertaining to ATVs and UTVs operating on designated ATV and UTV routes on state trunk highways to cross a bridge. Additionally, the permit process section of ch. 15 has been revised to include state trunk highway bridges as well as county trunk highways. The speed that ATVs and UTVs can operate on a route has also been increased from 25 to 35 miles per hour, unless a reduced speed is otherwise required by law. Seasonal closure of routes has been removed to allow year around use of ATVs and UTVs. Other non-substantive changes have been made to ch. 15 that do not change its meaning.

Background

ATV and UTV enthusiasts have advocated for loosened regulations and expanded authority to designate routes. These amendments do that.

Resolution Files: 
Microsoft Office document icon final_implimenting_ordinance_for_ch._15.doc
Budget Status (Other/External Sources): 

No or mimimal budget impact, positive or negative.

Resolution Body

ORDINANCE NO.  ____ - 2014

AMENDING CHAPTER 15, ALL-TERRAIN VEHICLE (ATV) AND UTILITY-TERRAIN VEHICLE (UTV) CROSSINGS AND ROUTES ON COUNTY TRUNK HIGHWAYS

 The County Board of Supervisors of the County of Sauk does ordain as follows:

 WHEREAS, Sauk Co. Code ch. 15 regulates approval of ATV routes, and in April 2014, the Wisconsin State Legislature enacted 2013 Act 313, which granted authority to counties and local governments to establish ATV routes on state trunk highway bridges, and your undersigned committee does believe Sauk County should have the discretion to so designate such routes; and,                         

WHEREAS, the attached amendments to Sauk Co. Code ch. 15 provide authority to the Highway and Parks Committee to designate ATV and UTV routes on state trunk highway bridges and provide for rules and regulations pertaining to ATVs and UTVs; and,

WHEREAS, your committee has been advised that the speed that ATVs and UTVs can operate on a route should be increased from a maximum of 25 to 35 miles per hour unless a reduced speed is otherwise required by law, and that it is unnecessary to provide for the seasonal closure of routes; and,

 WHEREAS, other non-substantive changes have been made to the attached ordinance which do not substantially change its meaning; and,   

  WHEREAS, your undersigned Committee has considered these amendments to ch. 15 and believes that adoption of these amendments is in the best interest of the people of Sauk County.

  NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED, by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors met in regular session, that ch. 15 of the Sauk Co. Code is hereby amended to read as provided on the attached Appendix.

For consideration by the Sauk County Board of Supervisors on December 16, 2014.

Respectfully submitted,

HIGHWAY & PARKS COMMITTEE:

 

TIM MEISTER, Chair                   BRIAN L. PEPER

HENRY NETZINGER                 JERRY G. KAST

              JOE FISH

 FISCAL NOTE: No fiscal impact.

MIS IMPACT: No MIS impact.

 

 

 

 

Requested Board Review Date: 
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Committee Review 1: 
Pending
Return to Top