Hannibal to allow UTV’s on city streets

by Jim Dewey

HANNIBAL – Utility vehicles will soon be allowed on Hannibal streets. The Hannibal City Council has given second and final reading to an ordinance that will allow UTVs to operate on most city streets.

City Attorney James Lemon says the vehicles will not be allowed on highways. The vehicles must be inspected by a mechanic licensed in Missouri and operating in the Hannibal city limits. They must have lights, turn signals and slow moving vehicle flags with triangle signs. Once requirements are met, the owner of the UTV must get a permit from the city which will be placed on the vehicle.

Council approved an application for a federal grant through the U S Department of Agriculture (USDA) which will allow the city’s police, fire and building inspector’s department to upgrade their two way communications systems.The city’s portion of the upgrade to the digital statewide MOSWIN Radios will cost $238,413. Fire Chief Ryan Neisen said the system will allow for clearer communication between first responders from all agencies in the state. Marion/ Lewis 911 and Ralls County 911 are also contributing to the upgraded system.

During Tuesday’s meeting, Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) Northeast District Central Area Engineer Brian Untiedt gave council an update on the Highway 79 overpass project. Untiedt said MoDOT has been working with property owners in the area of the overpass and they have been consulting with first responders as well since the 55 year old overpass will be completely closed during the construction project. He was unable to say how long the viaduct will be out of commission but it could be six months or more. Work on the project could begin during the winter of 2022-2023. The new overpass will be slightly shorter and the grade will be less steep. MoDOT also plans to put a bike/pedestrian path on the bridge. The project is still in the design phase.

Another issue addressed by council was a request by the Hannibal Board of Public Works for permission to apply for an emergency, no interest loan from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources to help pay for unexpected electricity costs during the period of February 10th through 20th. Hannibal was affected by the ice storms that wreaked havoc in the south. Fortunately, HBPW had money in its reserves to cover the bills so residents’ bills were not hiked. But, the $750,000 dollar loan will help restore those reserves. 

And, in a bit of house cleaning, council gave first reading to an ordinance that will create a P1 Parks and Recreation Zoning District. Another ordinance receiving first reading will rezone property at 500 Bridge Street from the P1 district to H1 Historic District.