CCP Government Affairs Committee Chair David Mintz reported that Vice President and Golf Cart Committee Chair Antje Baumgarten previously presented the panel with proposed changes to an existing county ordinance that regulates the use of golf carts on designated roads on Captiva. However, the panel’s position on the changes were unclear.
He explained that in beginning to work with county staff on the previously mentioned ordinance amendments, which includes the golf cart use revisions, an official stance from the panel would help.
There are two proposed additions to the ordinance, which are:
- No persons on a golf cart shall have any open alcoholic beverages in their possession.
- All golf carts that are leased or rented for use on Captiva, or that are provided by rental properties on Captiva for use by renters, must have a visible company or property identification and number on both sides of the golf cart and a permanent sticker on the dashboard or windshield advising clients that underaged drivers, open alcoholic beverages, driving on the beach, on road shoulders, and outside of permitted golf cart zones are strictly prohibited. Companies that lease or rent golf carts for use on Captiva must instruct their customers at the time of the rental of the rules set forth in this ordinance governing the use of golf carts on Captiva.
Panel Member John Jensen asked about the fine or punishment for violators. “It’s a non-criminal infraction,” Mintz said. “It’s a traffic offense.” A motion to approve the proposed additions to the existing ordinance passed.
