The Dexter Board of Aldermen approved the use of UTVs on the streets of Dexter Monday, January 3, 2022 by a vote of 4-1. Alderman Tim Aslin cast the lone no vote and alderman Frank Killian was unable to attend the meeting.
“I want to clarify my no vote on the UTV ordinance. It was solely on the issue of safety based on a written statement from a group of the largest manufactures, including Polaris and Can-Am that have urged cities and counties to not allow UTVs on city streets and paved county roads,” said Aslin after the meeting. “Essentially they have stated a disproportionately high number of serious accidents and fatalities occur on paved roads versus off-road for which the vehicles were designed.”
The ordinance takes effect on February 1, 2022 and defines a UTV as any motorized vehicle manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway use, which is more than 50, but not more than 67 inches wide. The definition also says the vehicle has an unladen dry weight of 2,000 pounds or less, travels on four or six wheels and is used primarily for landscaping, lawn care or maintenance purposes.
UTVs will be allowed on city streets with the exception of One Mile Road, Brown Pilot Lane, Central Drive, Grant Street between Park Lane and Two Mile Road, nor are they allowed on state or federal highways. UTVs may cross said highways where the speed limit is 45 miles per hour or less. It should be noted that Business 60 is classified as a state highway, meaning the UTVs cannot be used on Business 60.
Below is the exact language of the Ordinance.
BILL NO ORDINANCE NO. 50i9
AN ORDINANCE AMENDING SECTION 3OO.O1O OF THE DEXTER CITY CODE DEFINITIONS BY ADDING GOLF CARTS AND UTILITY VEHICLES; AMENDING CHAPTER 340 BY ADDING SECTION 340.105 REGARDING UTILITY VEHICLES OPERATING ON THE STREETS OF DEXTER, EXCEPTIONS AND PROHIBITED USES; PROVIDING A PENALTY FOR VIOLATION; AND PROVIDING FOR AN EFFECTIVE DATE HEREOF.
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE BOARD OF ALDERMEN OF THE CITY OF DEXTER, MISSOURI, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The Board of Aldermen hereby amends 5300.010 of the Dexter City Code, adding golf carts and utility vehicles to Definitions:
"3OO.O1O. DEFINITIONS GOLF CART
A motor vehicle that is designed and manufactured for operation on a golf course for sporting or recreational purposes and that is not capable of exceeding speeds of twenty (20) miles per hour.
UTILITY VEHICLE - UTV
Shall mean any motorized vehicle manufactured and used exclusively for off-highway use which is more than fifty (50) inches but not more than sixty-seven (67) inches in width, with an unladen dry weight of two thousand (2,000) pounds or less, traveling on four or six wheels, to be used primarily for landscaping, lawn care, or maintenance purposes.
Section 2: hereafter read as follows:
5340.105 of the Code of the City of Dexter is hereby enacted and shall
A. Utility vehicles (UTVsJ) may be operated upon the public streets of the City of Dexter, excluding One Mile Road, Grant Street [between Park Lane and Two Mile Rd.), Central Drive, Brown Pilot Lane and excluding State or Federal highways, other than for purposes of crossing the same, provided utility vehicles (UTVs) may only cross highways where the speed limit is 45 mph or less. Every person operating a utility vehicle shall be granted all the rights and shall be subject to all the duties applicable to the driver of any other motor vehicle except as to the special regulations in this Chapter.
B. No person shall operate a utility vehicle (UTV), as defined in Section 300.010, upon the streets and highways of the City of Dexter, except as follows:
1. Utility vehicles (UTVs) owned and operated by a governmental entity for official use; or
2. Utility Vehicles (UTVs) operated for agricultural purposes or industrial on-premises purposes between the official sunrise and sunset on the day of operation, unless equipped with two (2) working brake lights visible at a distance of five hundred (500) feet, and two (2J working headlights visible at a distance of one hundred (100J feet; or
3. Utility vehicles (UTVs) operated by the owner of the vehicle who possesses a permit obtained from the City Clerk for which a fee of fifty dollars ($50.00) is hereby established. The permit shall be renewed every year from July 1 through June 30 of the following year. Permits are individual and may not be transferred. Stickers evidencing the issuance of a permit must be affixed to the right rear fender of the utility vehicle [UTV). A fee of five dollars [$5.00] is hereby established for issuance of a duplicate permit.
C. Persons applying for the permit must be at least eighteen [18J years of age, hold a valid driver's license and present a copy of their current paid City and County personal property tax receipts (or waiver from the County Collector) containing the utility vehicle (UTVJ. A Waiver of Liability shall be provided to the City of Dexter by every utility vehicle (UTVJ permit applicant in a form which is approved by the City Attorney.
D. No person shall operative a utility vehicle (UTV) within any stream or river in the City of Dexter, except within waterways which flow entirely within the boundaries of real property owned or leased by the operator, or upon which the operator has written permission to operate such vehicle. No utility vehicle [UTV) shall be operated off-road on any City of Dexter owned property.
E. No person shall operate a utility vehicle (UTVJ:
L. [n any careless way as to endanger the person or property of another;
2. While under the influence of alcohol or any controlled substance;
3. In a manner which disturbs the public peace
F. Licenses, insurance, speed limit, and equipment required for issuance of a utility vehicle (UTV) permit:
1. While operating a utility vehicle (UTV) on a city street or alley, the operator shall be required to have a valid permit and full Class F Missouri Drivers License or its equivalent issued by another State in his/her possession, unless excepted under the laws of the State of Missouri.
2. Operators of all utility vehicles (UTVs) shall exhibit upon the demand of any Police Officer, while that officer is engaged in the performance of his or her duties, a valid insurance identification card displaying current liability insurance coverage for said vehicle, as required by $303.024, RSMo.
3. No person shall operate a utility vehicle [UTV] in excess of the posted speed limit, or thirty (30J miles per hour, whichever is less.
4. Every person operating a utility vehicle (UTV) on the public streets in the City of Dexter shall be subject to all of the duties applicable to a driver of a motor vehicle imposed by law, specifically including those law pertaining to the possession and use of drugs and alcoholic beverages and operating a motor vehicle under the influence thereof.
5. All utility vehicles (UTVs) shall have a safety triangle in a shape not less than thirty (30) square inches attached to the rear of the vehicle, and an equilateral triangular emblem constructed of substantial material with fluorescent yellow-orange finish and a reflective red border at least one (1J inch in width mounted on the rear.
6. All utility vehicles (UTVs) shall be equipped with functioning turn indicators and a seat belt for each passenger.
7. Utility vehicles (UTVsl operated within city limits must have brakes in good working order, reliable steering, safe tires and a functioning muffler.
8. The operation of utility vehicles (UTVs) is limited to the period between the hours of sunrise and sunset unless the vehicle is equipped with two (21 working brake lights visible at a distance of five hundred (500) feet, and two (2J working headlights visible at a distance of one hundred (100) feet.
9. No operator of a utility vehicle (UTVI shall carry a passenger, except for a utility vehicle [UTV) in which the seat of such vehicle is designed to carry more than one (1J person and is equipped with a seat belt for each passenger.
G. Unless they are equipped to do so, there can be no passengers riding in these vehicles. If so equipped, the following shall apply:
1. Children less than four [4] years old less than forty (40) pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat in accordance with $307.179, RSMo.
2. Children ages four (4J through seven (7) years who weight at least forty (40) pounds must be in an appropriate child safety seat or booster seat unless they are eighty (B0J pounds or four feet nine inches (4'9"J tall in accordance with s307.179, RSMo.
3. Children eight (Bl years and older or weighing at least eighty (80] pounds, or at least four feet nine inches (4'9"J tall are required to be secured by a seat belt or buckled into an appropriate booster seat in accordance with $307.179, RSMo.
4. The utility vehicle (UTV) shall not be operated with more occupants than the number for which it was designed.
H. The obtaining of the permit described herein is limited to the operation of a vehicle on the streets and alleys maintained by the City of Dexter and does not apply nor give immunity or defense to any such operation upon highways or roads maintained by any other governmental entity.
I. The operation of go-karts, golf carts and All-Terrain vehicles (ATVs) is prohibited on streets and highways in the City of Dexter.
Section 3: Any person who is convicted of violation of this Ordinance shall be subject to the penalties set forth in S100.220.
Section 4: This Ordinance shall be in full force and effect from February 1,2022 Read wvo [2J times, passed and approved this 3rd day of January,2022.
Photo was from the December Alderman Meeting.
The City of Dexter, Missouri, will have a General Municipal Election on Tuesday, April 5, 2022, for the following offices:
Mayor Two Year Term
Ward I Alderman Two Year Term
Ward II Alderman Two Year Term
Ward III Alderman Two Year Term
Filing of an office may be done at Dexter City Hall, 301 East Stoddard Street, during regular business hours, beginning at 8:00 a.m. Tuesday, December 7, 2021 and closing at 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, December 28, 2021. Filing for these offices may be done in the City Clerk’s office during regular business hours from 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 p.m. – 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday
City’s Holiday Schedule:
Christmas: City Offices will close at 12:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 23, 2021 and will reopen 8:00 a.m Monday, December 27, 2021
Current Mayor Jason Banken and Eric Bien have filed for the 2-year Mayor position.
Ward One Alderman position incumbent Frank Killian and Randal Tennison have both filed.
Ward Two Alderman position incumbent Larry Rogers and Bryce Mathews have filed.
Ward Three Alderman position incumbent Glen Robinson and Larry Helm have both filed.
Filing closes on Tuesday, December 28, 2021.
The ShowMe Times will published an updated list prior to the April Election.
A Proclamation on the Death of Robert Joseph Dole
December 5, 2021
DEATH OF ROBERT JOSEPH DOLE
BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
A PROCLAMATION
As a mark of respect for Robert Joseph Dole, a statesman like few in our history and a war hero among the greatest of the Greatest Generation, I hereby order, by the authority vested in me as President of the United States by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and upon all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset on December 9, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same length of time at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of December, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-sixth.
JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR
Dexter, MO - The Dexter Board of Aldermen met on Monday, November 1, 2021 in a regularly scheduled city council meeting. They approved an increase in the water, sewer, and trash rates.
City Attorney Yewell “Bud” Lawrence presented three ordinances to the board to address the rates.
City Administrator Trevor Pulley said, "The rates have not been addressed since 2015 and Dexter has had the lowest rates in the area."
He further added that the increase would be necessary to buy trash trucks and keep the sanitation side going.
"Our trash rates for the city have been increasing and this year it went up $2 per ton," continued Pulley. "Our cost of pipes and other equipment for water department are extremely high right now. The quotes for new pipe only last an hour because of the every changing and increasing prices."
The ordinances raised the water, sewer and trash rates a total of $5 a month for residential customers.
The minimum monthly rate for water will rise from $9.25 to $11.00, the minimum sewer rate will rise from $3.75 to $5.00 and trash will raise from $14 to $16 per month for two 30-gallon containers or four 30-gallon heavy duty trash bags. Tags for each additional container or trash bag can still be purchased at city hall for $1 each. The trash rates for special customers will rise from $19.00 to $20.75 per month for three 30-gallon containers or six 30-gallon heavy duty trash bags.
The dumpster rates were also raised by the city. Customers using a dumpster will now pay the city $88.50 per month for a dumpster two cubic yards in size and $172.00 per month for a dumpster four cubic yards in size. The previous rates were $83.50 and $167.00, respectively.
“This was inevitable, like I said this has have been visited or looked at since 2015,” said Pulley. “It is inevitable that you are going to have to raise this as an economical forward. We have to replace (water) plants. We have to replace lines. It is just the way economics are. We have to keep going forward to make sure we have the best water and sewer quality.”
The new rates will take effect on January 1, 2022.
Economic Development Report:
Dexter Chamber Executive Director Alisha Trammell highlighted some upcoming events. The lighting of the city’s Christmas tree will be Sunday at 5:30 p.m. at the Welcome Center/downtown depot. The Chamber will begin the sale of Christmas Doe on Thursday, November 11th and Moonlight Madness will take place Friday, November 12, 2021.
Trammell featured the new colors and logo for the city’s new websites, which are currently under construction. The new Dexter logo will be used online and on apparel. Water towers and other parts of the city that feature the current Dexter name and logos will not be repainted at this time.
The new online Dexter logos will feature a horseshoe with the “D” in recognition of the race horse from which the city derived its name. A railroad spike will also be incorporated into the logo.
Trammell said, " The new logo was designed to highlight Dexter’s past and where the city came from."
The new logo was also designed to create uniformity on the city’s websites. Pulley said right now you may see one logo on the chamber website and different logos on the city site, police and fire department sites. When the new sites launch in the near future, they will all feature the same logos and color designs. Pulley said this way individuals that visit the sites will know they are all for Dexter and not another location.
Water Plant Report:
City Engineer Rich Cochran said the city received a letter from the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regarding the water plant at the east lagoon. He said since the water plant was installed it has not performed as designed. He also stated that the city has been making repairs and improvements for 11 years, but now the city of Dexter will have to look at something major to take care of the issue with the plant. DNR is aware of the issue because the DNR has been working with the city throughout the process
Cochran also said the city must meet the parameters for biological oxygen demand, suspended solids and ammonia. Other parameters such as phosphorus and total nitrogen are in the future. If this study meets the current parameters, another upgrade may be necessary in five years.
Pulley said he has been checking into money options. He said, " I has been in contact with other state and federal agencies regarding the city’s infrastructure. I have also looked into grants."
Pulley said the city cannot apply for some grants because the city’s water rates are not high enough and he doesn't want to raise the rates to meet the grant requirements.
Other Business
The board passed two more ordinances during the meeting. The first shortened the filing period for city offices. In accordance with state law the filing period will now run from 8 a.m. Dec. 7th to 5 p.m. Dec. 28th. This Notice has been posted on the ShowMe Times.
The second officially named a road that was dedicated to the city as part of a land purchase by a manufacturing company. The road lies west of Faurecia and runs from Arvin Road south to the Union Pacific Railroad. The road will be named Stidham Drive in memory of former Dexter City Administrator, the late Mark Stidham.
Dexter Police Chief Hank Trout said the department received a bulletproof grant from the U.S. Department of Justice. This is a 50/50 grant and will replace 10 of the department’s bulletproof vests.
Pulley asked for a public hearing to take place at the December meeting. The hearing is to hear input from citizens on the possibility of legalizing the use of UTVs on the streets of Dexter. Pulley and the board stressed that they want to hear from people on both sides of the issue.
Pulley stated he was contacted by some citizens asking about sounding the tornado sirens on Veterans Day. Both Pulley and alderman Frank Killian, who are veterans, appreciate the sentiment, but felt that since it was emergency equipment it would not be appropriate. Alderman Tim Aslin agreed with Killian and Pulley.
Dexter Mayor Jason Banken appointed Alma Smith to the Dexter Tree Board. The board approved the appointment.
The next meeting will be
