SHELBY — Local lawmakers have decided a closer look is needed for legislation proposing enforceable guidelines for the use of all-purpose vehicles on private property.
During Monday’s meeting, Shelby City Council voted 5-0 to send the ordinance to the city’s safety committee. Councilman Derrin Roberts made the motion, which was seconded by Councilman Charlie Roub.
First introduced to council on June 16, the proposed guidelines stem from numerous complaints received by the Shelby Police Department — including various types of pollution, such as noise and dust.
These situations have included residents operating a variety of APVs on their own private property — in some cases creating disturbances — within city limits, Shelby Police Chief Lance Combs said in June.
Numerous thoughts, in regard to the proposed guidelines, were written by residents on social media over the past few weeks — some in favor and others opposed. About 10 to 12 Shelby residents attended Monday’s meeting, but no opinions were voiced on the proposal during the time for public comment.
The ordinance, which passed its first reading June 16, was discussed for a second time Monday night. Councilman Nathan Martin, who was absent from council’s previous meeting, weighed in on the proposed legislation.
“I am very hesitant to pass legislation on what happens on private property for those who own the property,” he said. “That is always my hesitation.
“I will say though, in certain instances it’s important for us to do that if people can not maintain, we’ll call it, a neighborly attitude towards their neighbors.”
Further consideration through safety committee
Roberts, sponsor of the proposed ordinance, shared similar thoughts as those voiced by Martin.
“I don’t want to have to legislate what you can and can’t do on your own property. We shouldn’t have to do that,” he said. “We have a situation where people are not being smart with what they do and I don’t want that to affect other people.”
Roberts said he recently received two new pieces of information, which he didn’t have during council’s June 16 meeting. This led to his motion to defer the ordinance to the safety committee for more input and consideration.
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Roberts is the chairman of the safety committee. Martin is also a member.
“I do think this ordinance is too restrictive,” Martin said. “I think that it can be a much better piece of legislation than what is currently before us.”
The Fourth Ward councilman suggested the deferment to the safety committee and reminded those in attendance Monday that those are also public meetings.
The safety committee meets on the first Wednesday of each month at 3:30 p.m. at Shelby City Hall, 43 W. Main St.
(Below is a PDF showing the proposed legislation, which was voted Monday to the city’s safety committee for further input and consideration.)
Roberts reminds public to reach out
Roberts said he knew many of the residents — and many of them know him — in attendance during Monday’s meeting.
But he’s only received one phone call in regards to the the proposed APV guidelines.
“If you have issues with something that we do, give us a call,” Roberts said. “There’s a lot of things we can discuss so it doesn’t get blown out of proportion.
“Our phone numbers are public. If you have problems, you can always give us a call and we can talk about things. You can give us your opinions face to face. I know sometimes that (on) social media, it gets blown up.”
In other action Monday, City Council:
— passed an ordinance to update Section 1040.04 of the city’s water service regulations, addressing additional charges to consumers outside of the city’s limits.
— amended Ordinance No. 8-2025 (annual appropriations) to increase the computer support line item by $60,000. Shelby Finance Director Brian Crum said Shelby Municipal Court received a grant for IT upgrades, causing the need to amend the previously passed appropriations.
— passed the first reading of an ordinance which would designate Leslie Lane secondarily as Mayor James W. Hunter Memorial Street. Council discussed amending the ordinance to replace the word street with lane, but took no formal action on the suggestion Monday.
