TRUMAN - Truman City Council members are considering a ban on all-terrain vehicles on city streets.
The measure, introduced Monday and set for vote at the next council meeting, would limit ATV use to special events, such as parades, and specific times during winter for snow removal.
The ban was supported by Truman Police Chief Justin Jobe, who said ATVs are not meant to be driven on the street and therefore pose a danger.
"It is an all-terrain vehicle," Jobe said, "not a personal conveyance. ... We have an ordinance for snowmobiles, I think we need to have one for ATVs."
The issue has been before the council before in recent months. Because state law allows ATVs on streets if there is no local ordinance against them, the city undertook writing one.
The rough draft, which the council will review before the next meeting, makes it unlawful to ride an ATV between March 16 and Nov. 14. Permitted vehicles are allowed to operate for the express purpose of snow removal between Nov. 15 and March 15.
A Truman resident who opposes the ordinance brought up a specific issue with Councilwoman Faith Clow.
Deb Traxler told the council her husband had been riding his ATV down a public street when Clow shouted to him, telling him to park the vehicle.
Traxler's husband, Bill, showed Clow the state ordinance indicating he could drive the ATV because there was no local prohibition.
Clow apologized to Deb Traxler, saying she jumped the gun in thinking the city ordinance already had passed.
Traxler protested that an ordinance against ATVs is unfair.
The council encouraged her to voice her concerns at the next public meeting before the vote.
In other business:
o Jobe reported seven underage drinking citations were issued during Truman Days.
o Elliot Belgard reported progress is being made with the fire hall project, which is set to go out for bids soon.