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Onalaska has joined the growing number of communities that allow neighborhood electric vehicles on their roads, a strategy some are turning to in the face of rising fuel prices.

Neighborhood electric vehicles will be allowed on Onalaska roads beginning June 20, when the ordinance will be published.

The Onalaska Common Council passed the ordinance at Tuesday night’s meeting with the understanding that because state and county transportation officials have not yet given their approval for travel on those roads, the rules might change.

As it stands right now, NEVs may be operated on any road in Onalaska with a posted speed limit of 35 miles per hour or less.

Operators of NEVs must have a valid driver’s license, the vehicle must be licensed by the state and meet specifications which must be verified by the Onalaska Police Department. Generally, the vehicles must be considered a low-speed vehicle (at least 20 mph and not more than 25 mph on a paved surface) with a gross weight of less than 2,500 pounds. A golf cart is not considered an NEV.

Because they can’t be on roads with speeds posted at more than 35 mph, NEVs cannot travel on some roads in Onalaska, such as Highway 53, portions of Highway 35, Interstate 90, Sand Lake Road north of Redwood, and portions of Highway PH near Theater Road.

Using the shared ride system is another way residents are getting around without burning a lot of gas and residents will have an opportunity to comment on the system at a public hearing. The hearing is scheduled for 7 p.m. July 2 at the Utilities/Mass Transit Committee meeting. The city is required to hold a public hearing as part of its application for receipt of federal dollars for the program.

While residents are trying to get around town and beat the gas prices, they are also trying to beat the heat. To help, the city is installing a sprayground facility and has decided to locate it at Meier Farm Park, in part because of the availability of a nearby retention pond. The water from the sprayground will go into the retention pond and eventually return to the aquifer where it will be treated and recycled.

The sprayground might not be completed by late summer as originally forecast, said Parks and Recreation Director Dan Wick. “We had to do a lot of homework and talks with the Department of Natural Resources to do it right,” he said. “And now we’re seeing our equipment orders are out 12-16 weeks. We’re still trying to make it happen for this summer, but it might not be available until 2009.”

Deer feeding

Problems with the deer population are the focus of a proposed ordinance to prohibit deer feeding in Onalaska. A public hearing on the ordinance will be held at 6 p.m. July 2 in at City Hall.

Alderman Bob Muth has spearheaded an effort to curb the deer problem. Citizens are complaining about damage to lawns, trees and shrubbery caused by deer looking for food in the neighborhoods.

The city has drafted an ordinance that places restrictions on residents. According to the ordinance, residents may not place any fruit, grain, mineral, plant, salt, vegetable or other material with the purpose of attracting or feeding deer.

The ordinance does not apply to bird feeders and incidental spillage from bird feeders, nor does it apply to naturally growing materials such as fruit, grain, nuts, seeds and vegetables in gardens or mulch piles.

Police Chief Tim Hauser raised concerns over how officers would enforce the rules. “I don’t want to put police officers in the position of having to decide whether the citizen is feeding deer or birds and the food is on the ground,” he said.

The ordinance says if there is more than one half gallon of food material located at a height of less than six feet off the ground, it would be presumed to be for the purpose of feeding deer. In addition, bird feeders and other devices could not have more than one quart of food material in them regardless of the height or they would be presumed to be feeding deer.

After the public hearing, the ordinance will go back to the Administrative and Judiciary Committee for possible changes. It would then go through a council review process for three readings before it is approved and made effective.

Other business

The city will contract with retired La Crosse County Sheriff Mike Weissenberger for the purpose of conducting a background check on the selected candidate for police chief, Dave Weiner.

The council approved change orders in the amount of $39,322 for the library addition construction. Funds will be used for additional electrical equipment, relocating parking lot stalls and replacing the pavement in the parking lot.

The library is scheduled to have an electrical shutdown on July 4, 2008, for electrical work in the building.

The council approved the purchase of an e-mail archiving system called Scriptlogic, for a price not to exceed $6,000.

The council approved a request to have amplified sound during the kickball tournament scheduled for June 28. The approval was granted with the conditions that it is limited to 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and that no recorded music be played.

In addition to approving about half a dozen rezonings, the council also approved:

Modification of the municipal well recharge area overlay district.

Subdivision of property for Franciscan Skemp for a 10-acre parcel immediately east of the clinic that will allow more parking and clinic expansion.

Subdivision of property owned by Joyce and Mike Diveley at Sand Lake Road.

Parking restrictions on Thomas Court.

Two-hour parking restrictions on Main Street and 10th Avenue.

Contact Jo Anne Killeen at joanne.killeen@lee.net or (608) 786-6816.

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