Osseo City Council Takes Closer Look at Golf Carts

Golf carts are par for the course on Osseo city streets. But now city leaders want to make changes to an ordinance allowing folks to operate a motorized cart. One reason is the city has a higher number of golf cart users.

Under Minnesota statute, people are not required to have a driver’s license to operate a golf cart. But under a proposed ordinance, Osseo wants some form of identification to operate one. The city also wants to make sure drivers are healthy enough to get behind the wheel.

“A driver’s license or a doctor’s note just saying you’re physical able to drive the machine,” said Osseo Police Chief Shane Mikkelson.

Mikkelson says his department doesn’t have a problem with golf carts. He says they are useful in Osseo.

Drivers of golf carts are subject to the same traffic laws as other motor vehicles. And operators also have to have insurance. The Osseo City Council did approve the first reading of the ordinance, 5-0.

Osseo Golf Cart Trolley

Ardyce Schmidt is a volunteer driver for the city’s golf cart trolley service.

 “I usually pick up about three people a day, on my day.  I only work one day a week,” she explained.

Many middle aged and elderly folks use the golf cart.

“They like it, they go to the meat store, and they can go to the doctor’s office. I pick them up and bring them back home,” said Schmidt.

 The trolley is free and anyone can hop on.

Osseo