ALEXANDRIA — Right now, the city of Alexandria doesn’t have anything in its ordinances that require drivers of certain types of special vehicles to get a permit, except for motorized golf carts.

That could change soon. At Tuesday night’s meeting, the council gave preliminary approval to amend the city code. It would require drivers of special vehicles – all-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles, mini-trucks or motorized golf carts – to have a permit issued by the city.

The issue popped up several months ago when the city found out that people driving special vehicles were being stopped by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources for driving on roadways within the city – state law prohibits it unless the drivers are specifically allowed by the city.

Since the city only allows motorized golf carts, anyone driving on a city street with one of those other special vehicles is technically violating state law, said City Administrator Marty Schultz. He added that the use of special vehicles is becoming more common.

1. The ordinance does not regulate the use of special vehicles on private property.

2. All-terrain vehicles, utility task vehicles, mini-trucks and motorized golf carts would be allowed on all city streets, county roads, and county state-aid highways within the city. Douglas County has the option of prohibiting special vehicles on their roadways by ordinance. The operator of a special use vehicle may cross state or federal highways perpendicular to the street or highway being crossed.

3. Every person operating a special vehicle must have a permit issued by the city that is on their person at all times while operating the vehicle and proof of insurance for the vehicle. Permits will be valid for three years. Anyone who has had their drivers license revoked, suspended, or canceled as a result of criminal proceedings is not eligible for a license.

4. No class 1 ATVs (commonly called "four-wheelers" with a seat straddled by the operator) are permitted on city streets.

5. An operator must be 16 to operate a special vehicle on streets within the city and have a valid Minnesota Drivers License or, in the absence of a drivers license, a physician certificate stating their ability to drive a special use vehicle. Drivers under 18 years of age must wear a helmet and seat belt. Drivers under 18 are also not allowed to have any passengers.

6. The vehicles may only be operated from sunrise to sunset unless they are equipped with headlights, taillights, and rear-facing brake lights. They may not be operating in inclement weather or in conditions where visibility is less than 500 feet.

The permit fee will be set at a later date.

Electric bicycles are not part of the special vehicles ordinance.

The ordinance must still get approved at the council’s June 23 meeting.

Following are other items from the Tuesday, May 27 meeting that were not included in other council coverage.

Metal panels to be installed at RCC’s east entry

Metal panels will be installed over the existing east entrance to the Runestone Community Center .

The council approved a contingency change-order to add the panels for a cost that won’t exceed $17,500. The panels will match the metal panels that are being installed in the new east entrance area.

City staff said the panels will be a good aesthetic change to the project.

The current balance in the contingency fund is $182,500.

Another contingency change-order was approved to add roof access from the upper dryland mezzanine level. An access door will also be added.

The change will provide greater space in the concourse level storage room, providing a shorter, safer access to the roof.

The cost of the roof access change-order won’t exceed $16,000.

Council member Roger Thalman noted that the council had a lot of discussion about the change-orders during an earlier work session.

Lease agreement for snowplows approved

The council approved a master lease purchase agreement for two Western Star snowplows it is purchasing for the public works street department.

At its May 12 meeting, the council authorized staff to procure the trucks for $578,466 using Sourcewell , a government agency.

The snowplow upgrades are in the 2025 public works capital improvement purchases.

The city will lease the plows over a 10-year term with the first payment in April 2026. The annual estimated payment is $76,376 or $38,187 per truck.

Oberg appointed to Equity and Inclusion Committee

The council agreed to appoint Jeff Oberg to the city’s Equity and Inclusion Committee.

The committee serves as an advisory body to the council in matters intended to develop and implement inclusive policies, programs and practices to foster a community that’s welcoming, vibrant and inclusive of diversity.

The committee will also advise the council on services and programs that may be of special concern to the city’s growing and diverse populations. Members serve two-year terms.

Revolving Loan Fund change approved

The council approved the city’s budget committee’s recommendation concerning a Revolving Loan Fund subordination request.

The First National Bank of Henning is the original and primary lender on the Periwinkle Marketplace project on Highway 29 North in Alexandria that was approved by the council on May 13, 2024.

The loan was closed on May 23, 2024 and the supporting mortgage was recorded on May 24, 2024.

The original city loan amount was $175,000 with monthly payments of $1,662. The loan is paid current, with a principal balance of about $169,200.

The city agreed to subordinate its interest in the property to the bank mortgage with the condition that no other lien or encumbrance exists on the property.