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Council approves ATVs, OHVs for city travel

Collin Smith

Other action

At its Tuesday meeting, the Craig City Council:

• Approved, 6-0, renewing the hotel and restaurant liquor license for Ocean Pearl, 441 W. Victory Way.

• Approved, 6-0, renewing the hotel and restaurant liquor license for Vallartas Mexican Restaurant, 1111 W. Victory Way.

Note: Councilor Byron Willems was absent.

Other action

At its Tuesday meeting, the Craig City Council:

• Approved, 6-0, renewing the hotel and restaurant liquor license for Ocean Pearl, 441 W. Victory Way.

• Approved, 6-0, renewing the hotel and restaurant liquor license for Vallartas Mexican Restaurant, 1111 W. Victory Way.



Note: Councilor Byron Willems was absent.

— Residents interested in saving on gas money now have a cheaper way to get around town.



The Craig City Council gave final passage to an ordinance allowing all-terrain and off-highway vehicles on city streets at its regular meeting Tuesday.

The vote was 5-1. Mayor Don Jones cast the dissenting opinion, and Councilor Byron Willems was absent.

Jones also voted against the ordinance’s first reading two weeks ago.

“I’m still against it,” he told the audience Tuesday. “I think it’s a safety issue for the city of Craig. … I hope it works out fine, but this is my biggest concern. It’s a safety issue for everyone involved.”

The ordinance takes effect in 10 days.

All residents who wish to drive an ATV or OHV on a city street must first register their vehicle with the Craig Police Department.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and must provide proof of insurance for non-recreational use.

The mayor and Councilor Terry Carwile cautioned that some insurance coverages for recreational driving do not cover everyday driving.

The ordinance also stipulates vehicles must have certain safety features, such as a headlamp, tail lights, reflectors, horn, muffler and rearview mirror.

Vehicles permitted under the ordinance may only be driven on city streets and may not travel on any highways, such as Victory Way, Yampa Avenue or Ranney Street south of Victory.

ATVs and OHVs may not exceed posted speed limits and may only travel as fast as 35 miles an hour, even when the speed limit is higher.

All ATVs and OHVs on the streets are limited to one person unless the vehicle is fitted for two riders and each has his or her own footrests and handholds.

The ordinance only covers vehicles with four wheels. Three-wheelers and snowmobiles therefore are excluded.

The council passed the second reading of an ordinance raising water and wastewater utility rates, which takes effect Jan. 1.

City Manager Jim Ferree said the increases were made to ensure the water and wastewater departments could pay for their own operations, maintenance and capital expenses.

City Finance Manager Bruce Nelson said the changes are in line with a rate study completed two years ago that projected costs and revenues for several years.

Monthly water rates for homes and businesses within the city went from $18.50 a month to $20.10 a month.

Customers outside the city will see a slightly higher increase, from $37 a month to $40.20 a month.

Water usage rates for all customers went up 20 cents, from $2.05 to $2.25 for every 1,000 gallons used.

Bulk water sales also got slightly more expensive, increasing from $5.50 to $6.25 for every 1,000 gallons.

Wastewater rates will increase by $1 a month for residential and commercial customers — from $17.40 to $18.40 — with commercial businesses also seeing usage increases from 80 cents to 90 cents per 1,000 gallons of water used more than 12,000 gallons minimum.

Septic tank and grease trap charges also increased.


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