Mayor Adam Hoffman signed the new legislation Monday night after City Council passed the third and final reading in a 4-3 vote without any substantive discussion about it.

Councilors Ann Rathe, Julie Meyers and Brian Birgen expressed their dissent, as they had done at second reading on February 21.

The ordinance was widely reviewed and debated by councilors and staff for months after becoming a wish of regular UTV users who wanted to see the new law enshrined in city code.

The main concerns were safety and noise. But some councilors have pointed out that by voting in favor of the new order they will be defying the recommendations of Chief Constable Richard Pursell who believes the law allows what was “not the original intent / design of these vehicles “.

Various organizations like the Iowa Off-Highway Vehicle Association and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also have advisories stating that UTVs are not intended for use on paved surfaces.

As of 2011, under Section 105.10 of the City of Waverly Code, these vehicles are only permitted on certain streets for specific purposes: snow removal, lawn care, gardening, landscaping, emergency response, events / school sports training and other special events.

Users had to register their UTVs “indefinitely” with the Waverly Police Department. Under the new law, registration must be renewed every two years. Those who have already registered them before this new law have until December 31, 2023 to renew them.

“We recommend people familiarize themselves with the new ordinance, such as major road extensions and national highways where you cannot legally drive, and keep their vehicle up to date with important features as they are there for your safety” , Pursell said in a phone interview.

Registration requires a person to fill out a form, pass an inspection, and pay a $25 fee.

The UTV must be equipped with a muffler, headlight, taillight, turn signals and brakes. Additionally, they require a fluorescent orange safety flag at least five feet above the street surface and a slow-moving vehicle sign at the rear of the vehicle.

Any trailer attached to the UTV must display a tail light. No accessory, other than a trailer, may extend more than two feet from the vehicle.

People will not be allowed to drive UTVs on busier streets like Bremer Avenue (eastern city limits to 20th Street), Fourth Street Southwest, 20th Street Southwest/Heritage Way and Cedar River Parkway/10th Avenue Southwest.

Anyone 16 or older can drive a UTV with a valid driver’s license. They must stay on local streets within posted speed limits of up to 35 miles per hour from sunrise to sunset.

On February 21, Councilor Rodney Drenkow offered to allow them to be driven out after dark. It was beaten 4-3 and was not reintroduced as an amendment on Monday.