Public Safety Committee — Minutes

MEETING: REGULAR MEETING OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE DATE & TIME: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 at 6:00 PM LOCATION: Germantown Village Hall Board Room N112 W17001 Mequon Road MINUTES I. CALL TO ORDER: This meeting has been given public notice in accordance with Section 19.83 and 19.84, Wis. Stats, in such form that will apprise the general public and news media of subject matter that is intended for consideration and action. Chai rperson Trustee Meg Cutts called the meeting to order at 6:00pm. II. ROLL CALL: Present: Trustee Cutts, Trustee Hefle, Trustee Kaiser, Trustee Pieper (joined via WebEx @ 6:30pm) Absent: none Excused: none Also Present: Police Chief Patrick Merten, Fire Chief John Delain, Village Attorney representative Matt Dregny, Admin Manager Amy Lerch III. CITIZEN INPUT: (Please be advised per 19.84(2) that information and comment will be received from the public. It is the policy of this municipality that public input be limited to a four (4) minute period per person with a time extension granted at the discretion of the Chairperson. Be advised that there may be limited discussion of the information received but no action will be taken under public comments.) Comments that may be injurious to village personnel or other individuals will not be allowed. Brian Sparrow (Magnolia Dr) commented on the Flock and ALPR topics being addressed later in tonight's meeting. Supporting documentation also provided with Comments. IV. MEETING MINUTES: A. 08/03/26 Meeting Minutes (ACTION) Motion: Approve as presented Page 2 Motioned By: Trustee Hefle Seconded By: Trustee Kaiser Yes: Trustee Cutts, Trustee Hefle, Trustee Kaiser No: None Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 3, No 0, Abstain 0) V. REPORTS (DISCUSSION AND POSSIBLE ACTION UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED): A. Police Department Monthly Report Chief Merten presented both July and August monthly reports with supporting documentation. Items of note were Taste of Germantown, NAC Night, Youth Academy. Weather siren maintenance was performed, with battery replacements overdue and set for 2027 timeframe. It was suggested by Sheboygan Warning that the sirens perform a full 1-minute or 3-minute test once a month, to prolong battery life. Chief Merten will work to have the first WED of each month be a full test, with remaining Wednesdays being a growl/short test. Committee discussion included soliciting, abandoned vehicles, and thanks to the PD from a resident following a positive interaction with an Officer. B. Fire Department Monthly Report Chief Delain presented the FD monthly report and supporting documentation. Of note were recent structure fires in the Village and Mutual Aid numbers explained. C. Overtime Report Police and Fire both reported OT trending down, and Fire has shown the lowest OT numbers since the referendum, by a significant margin. D. ALPR Policy Update Chief Merten presented an update to the ALPR policy and related information access by PD members. Committee Q&A and discussion ensued. Captain Schmitz of the GPD provided more information, and noted the reduction of vandalism at Kinderberg since it's install. Trustee Hefle asked for an ongoing report of this project (quarterly). Trustee Kaiser asked to research an "opt-out" option on this particular camera. Page 3 VI. UNFINISHED BUSINESS: VII. NEW BUSINESS: A. One-Time Temporary Outdoor Entertainment Permit for Buzdum's Pub & Grill, W188N10515 Maple Rd, on 9/11/26-9/12/26 for the US Kubb Club Championship Event (ACTION) Motion: Approve as presented Motioned By: Trustee Cutts Seconded By: Trustee Kaiser Yes: Trustee Cutts, Trustee Hefle, Trustee Kaiser No: None Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 3, No 0, Abstain 0) B. One-Time Temporary Outdoor Entertainment Permit for Truck Country of Wisconsin, N128W21795 Holy Hill Rd, on 9/30/26 for an Open House Event (ACTION) Motion: Approve as presented Motioned By: Trustee Hefle Seconded By: Trustee Kaiser Yes: Trustee Cutts, Trustee Hefle, Trustee Kaiser No: None Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 3, No 0, Abstain 0) C. Replacment of Ford F-150 Police Responder Squad Involved in a Crash (ACTION) Motion: Approve as presented Motioned By: Trustee Kaiser Seconded By: Trustee Hefle Yes: Trustee Cutts, Trustee Hefle, Trustee Kaiser No: None Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 3, No 0, Abstain 0) D. 2026 Squad Changeover Amendments (ACTION) Motion: Approve as presented Motioned By: Trustee Cutts Page 4 Seconded By: Trustee Kaiser Yes: Trustee Cutts, Trustee Hefle, Trustee Kaiser No: None Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 3, No 0, Abstain 0) E. An Ordinance Repealing and Recreating Section 7.12 of the Germantown Municipal Code Relating to Regulation of Bicycles, Electric Bicycles, Electric Scooters, and Other Vehicles (ACTION) Attorney Matt Dregny was present for this item, providing detailed information and legal recommendations related to this agenda item. A suggestion was made to include the definition of 'sidewalk' in this ordinance. Motion: Approve as presented with the addition of the definition of 'sidewalk' to the proposed item. Motioned By: Trustee Kaiser Seconded By: Trustee Hefle Yes: Trustee Cutts, Trustee Hefle, Trustee Kaiser, Trustee Pieper No: None Abstain: None Motion Carried by Voice Vote (Yes 4, No 0, Abstain 0) VIII. ADJOURNMENT: The next PSC Meeting will be held Monday, 10/5/26 at 6:00pm. Chairperson Trustee Cutts adjourned the meeting at 7:02pm. 1 Amy Lerch From: Meg Cutts Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 5:47 PM To: Amy Lerch Subject: Fw: 9/8 PSC Meeting - Proposed Redline for Section 7.12 Attachments: Germantown E-Bike E-Scooter Ordinance - Redline.docx; Germantown E-Bike E-Scooter Ordinance - Clean.docx; Germantown Youth Helmet Ordinance Draft.docx Follow Up Flag: Follow up Flag Status: Flagged Amy, This was submitted to the comments email for the minutes. Thanks, Meg Cutts Germantown Trustee District #2 From: Brian Sparrow Sent: Tuesday, September 8, 2026 1:38 PM To: Comments <Comments@germantownwi.gov> Subject: 9/8 PSC Meeting - Proposed Redline for Section 7.12 For the proposed rewrite of Section 7.12, I’m generally supportive of the update, but I think the draft creates a few avoidable legal and policy issues by going beyond existing state law. My biggest concern is the treatment of electric personal assistive mobility devices. Those can implicate ADA mobility-device protections, so I don’t think they should be swept into the same local restrictions as recreational bikes and scooters. I also pulled motor bicycles out of the general bike rules, modernized the bike registration, and removed local provisions more restrictive than Wisconsin law. For the “e-moto” issue, I removed the locally invented classification but added a direct enforcement mechanism: a motor-powered device can’t be operated on the roadway unless it qualifies for lawful roadway use under Wisconsin law and meets the applicable registration and licensing requirements. I also replaced the complete commercial scooter ban with PSC approval 2 so the Village keeps control without imposing a permanent ban before an actual issue arises. I also heard the desire to add a helmet ordinance, so I started drafting one. I'd be happy to discuss that draft or my edits with you all tonight. Thanks, Brian Sparrow ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 1 STATE OF WISCONSIN VILLAGE OF GERMANTOWN WASHINGTON COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. _____-2026 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND RECREATING SECTION 7.12 OF THE GERMANTOWN MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO REGULATION OF BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES WHEREAS, the Village Board previously adopted Section 7.12 of the Germantown Municipal Code to regulate the use and operation of bicycles within the Village; and WHEREAS, the Village Board desires to repeal and recreate Section 7.12 to clarify the regulations applicable to bicycles, and to establish regulations governing the use and operation of electric bicycles, electric scooters, and other similar vehicles; and WHEREAS, the regulation of bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, and other similar vehicles advances the health, safety, and welfare of the community. NOW, THEREFORE, the Village Board of the Village of Germantown, Wisconsin, do ordain as follows: SECTION I Section 7.12 of the Germantown Municipal Code is repealed and recreated to read as follows: 7.12 - BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES. (1) DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall be used: (a) BICYCLE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(5). (b) BICYCLE LANE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(5e). (c) BICYCLE WAY has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(5s). (d) ELECTRIC BICYCLE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(15ph). (e) ELECTRIC SCOOTER has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(15ps). (f) HIGHWAY has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(22). (g) MOPED has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(29m). (h) PLAY VEHICLE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(43m). (i) ROADWAY has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(54). (2) VOLUNTARY BICYCLE REGISTRATION. (a) Registration of bicycles and electric bicycles with the Village shall not be required as a condition of operation. (b) The Village may encourage owners of bicycles and electric bicycles to voluntarily register their bicycles with a nationally available bicycle registration service for purposes of identification and theft recovery. (c) The Police Department may provide information regarding available bicycle registration and theft- recovery services to Village residents. (3) GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR OPERATION. (a) Traffic Laws Apply. Every person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter upon a highway or roadway shall be subject to all Village ordinances and state laws applicable to the operator of a vehicle, except as to those provisions that by their express terms apply only to motor vehicles or which by their nature can have no application. ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 2 (b) Where Prohibited. No person may operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter upon any highway, roadway, sidewalk, trail, path, or public way where a sign is erected indicating that bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters are prohibited. (c) Operation on Highways or Roadways. 1. Every person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter upon a highway or roadway shall obey all traffic control devices, signs, posted speed limits, and signals applicable to motor vehicles. 2. Every person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter upon a highway or roadway shall operate in accordance with applicable Wisconsin law governing position upon the roadway. 3. No person shall operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions or in excess of any posted speed limit. (d) Operation on Sidewalks. Except as provided in subsection (e) below, any person may operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter on sidewalks, subject to the following restrictions: 1. Bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters shall be operated at a moderate speed when no pedestrian is in the area, and at a slow speed when pedestrians are present. 2. Every person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter upon a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all times. 3. Persons operating bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters upon a sidewalk shall ride single file. 4. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter upon a sidewalk shall attempt to pass another person traveling in the same direction on said sidewalk before providing an audible warning. 5. Pedestrians shall at all times have the right-of-way upon sidewalks and, if necessary, a person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter shall dismount and vacate the sidewalk to prevent a collision. (e) Clinging to Other Vehicles and Towing. 1. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter shall attach their bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter to any other moving vehicle. 2. The operator of any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter shall not tow, drag, or cause to be drawn behind the bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter any coaster, sled, play vehicle, trailer (designed for a motor vehicle), person, or any other similar object or vehicle. This subsection does not prohibit the towing of trailers designed to be towed by bicycles or electric bicycles (f) Passengers. No bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped. (g) Age Limit. No person under 16 years of age may operate a class 3 electric bicycle. (h) Improper Operating. 1. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter shall participate in any race, speed, or endurance contest with other moving vehicles. 2. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter shall perform or attempt to perform any acrobatics or stunt riding. 3. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter shall endanger the safety of any person or property by the negligent or reckless operation of a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter. (i) Safety Equipment Required. No person may operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter during hours of darkness unless such bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter is equipped with or the operator is wearing a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front of such bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter. Such bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter shall also be equipped with a ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 3 red reflector that has a diameter of at least two inches of surface area on the rear so mounted and maintained as to be visible from all distances from 50 to 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to but not in lieu of the red reflector. (j) Parking. No person shall leave or park a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter at such a place or in such a way as to create a hazard to pedestrians, motor vehicle operators, or to anyone else. Bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters shall be parked either upon the highway or roadway against the curb, in bicycle racks or, if on the sidewalk, in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to pedestrian traffic, and not in such a manner as to obstruct the ingress and egress to buildings used by the public. Bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters may not be affixed to traffic signal posts or trees. Law enforcement officers may remove and impound any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter parked in violation of this subsection. (k) Abandonment. No person shall abandon any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter on any highway, roadway, sidewalk, or any public or private property within the Village, and no person shall leave or park any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter unattended on any highway, roadway, sidewalk, or public or private property within the Village for such time and under such circumstances as to cause the bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter reasonably to appear to have been abandoned. Law enforcement officers may remove and impound any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter reasonably believed to have been abandoned in violation of this subsection. (l) Disability Mobility Devices. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the use of a wheelchair, other power-driven mobility device, or other mobility aid by an individual with a disability where such use is protected or required under the Americans with Disabilities Act or other applicable law. (4) MOTOR-POWERED DEVICES ON ROADWAYS. No person may operate a motor-powered two-wheeled or three-wheeled device upon a highway or roadway unless: (a) the device qualifies for lawful roadway operation under Wisconsin law; and (b) the device and its operator comply with all registration, licensing, and other requirements imposed by Wisconsin law for such operation. (5) PLAY VEHICLES. No person shall operate or ride upon any play vehicle upon any highway or roadway, except while crossing the highway or roadway at a crosswalk. (6) COMMERCIAL RENTAL OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS. (a) No person or business shall offer short-term commercial rental of electric scooters to the public within the Village without prior written approval of the Public Safety Committee. (b) The Public Safety Committee may impose reasonable conditions on any approval to address public safety, parking, right-of-way use, fleet management, operating areas, and other impacts associated with the rental operation. (7) PENALTIES. (a) Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be subject to a penalty as provided in section 25.04 of this Code. (b) Any parent or guardian of any child who authorizes or knowingly permits such child to violate this section may be subject to the provisions of Wis. Stats. §§ 346.77 and 346.82(1). SECTION II ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 4 The terms and provisions of this ordinance are severable. Should any term or provision of this ordinance be found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining terms and provisions shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION III All ordinances or parts of ordinances contravening the terms of this ordinance are hereby to that extent repealed. SECTION IV This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force upon its passage and the day after its publication. Adopted: ____________________ ______________________________________ Robert A Soderberg, Village President ATTEST: ____________________________________ Donna Ott, Village Clerk Approved as to form: ____________________________ Brian C. Sajdak, Village Attorney Published: ____________________ ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 1 Proposed Redline - Brian Sparrow - 9/8/2026 STATE OF WISCONSIN VILLAGE OF GERMANTOWN WASHINGTON COUNTY ORDINANCE NO. _____-2026 AN ORDINANCE REPEALING AND RECREATING SECTION 7.12 OF THE GERMANTOWN MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO REGULATION OF BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES WHEREAS, the Village Board previously adopted Section 7.12 of the Germantown Municipal Code to regulate the use and operation of bicycles within the Village; and WHEREAS, the Village Board desires to repeal and recreate Section 7.12 to clarify the regulations applicable to bicycles, and to establish regulations governing the use and operation of electric bicycles, electric scooters, and other similar vehicles; and WHEREAS, the regulation of bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, and other similar vehicles advances the health, safety, and welfare of the community. NOW, THEREFORE, the Village Board of the Village of Germantown, Wisconsin, do ordain as follows: SECTION I Section 7.12 of the Germantown Municipal Code is repealed and recreated to read as follows: 7.12 - BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, ELECTRIC SCOOTERS, AND OTHER VEHICLES. (1) DEFINITIONS. For the purposes of this section, the following definitions shall be used: (a) BICYCLE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(5). (b) BICYCLE LANE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(5e). (c) BICYCLE WAY has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(5s). (d) ELECTRIC BICYCLE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(15ph). (e) ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILTY DEVICE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(15pm). NOTE: Remove ELECTRIC PERSONAL ASSISTIVE MOBILITY DEVICE from this ordinance entirely. When used by an individual with a mobility disability, restrictions in this area may impact ADA mobility-device accommodation requirements. Avoid categorical local restrictions here and preserve the Village's obligations under applicable disability-access law. (f) ELECTRIC SCOOTER has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(15ps). (g) E-MOTO means any type of device with an electric motor greater than 750 watts, capable of speeds greater than 20 miles per hour without pedal assist, or otherwise operates beyond the definition of an electric bicycle or electric scooter. NOTE: Delete locally created vehicle classification. Devices outside Wisconsin's e-bike definition must qualify under another applicable state vehicle classification to operate lawfully on a roadway. Address the actual enforcement gap in §4 rather than creating a new Village vehicle category. (h) HIGHWAY has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(22). (i) MOPED has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(29m). (j) MOTOR BICYCLE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(30). NOTE: Remove MOTOR BICYCLE from the ordinance's bicycle/e-bike/e-scooter framework. Wisconsin defines and regulates motor bicycles separately. Do not create local bicycle-style registration, sidewalk, parking, or operating rules for them here; leave their operation to applicable Wisconsin law and revised §4 where roadway qualification is at issue. (k) PLAY VEHICLE has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(43m). (l) ROADWAY has the same meaning as provided in Wis. Stat. § 340.01(54). ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 2 Proposed Redline - Brian Sparrow - 9/8/2026 (2) REGISTRATION OF BICYCLES, ELECTRIC BICYCLES, AND MOTOR BICYCLES. (a) Registration Required. No person shall operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle customarily kept within the Village upon any highway, roadway, sidewalk, or public way unless such bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle has been properly registered with the Village as provided in this subsection. (b) Application for Registration. Application for a bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle registration shall be made on a form provided by the Chief of Police. This application shall constitute the registration of such bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle. If any person acquires any registered or unregistered bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle, they shall immediately register such bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle with the Police Department, except that a person who acquires a bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle from a member of the immediate family need not reregister. (c) Registration Sticker. The Chief of Police shall furnish to each registrant an identification sticker serially numbered to correspond with the registration number. Such sticker shall be affixed to the bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle and remain so affixed until removed for replacement with another sticker upon reregistration. (d) Registration Fee. The registration fee for each bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle shall be $5.00 for the period the bicycle, electric bicycle, or motor bicycle is owned by the registered owner or a member of the immediate family. (2) VOLUNTARY BICYCLE REGISTRATION. (a) Registration of bicycles and electric bicycles with the Village shall not be required as a condition of operation. (b) The Village may encourage owners of bicycles and electric bicycles to voluntarily register their bicycles with a nationally available bicycle registration service for purposes of identification and theft recovery. (c) The Police Department may provide information regarding available bicycle registration and theft- recovery services to Village residents. NOTE: Modernize rather than expand the existing registration program. Replace the $5 mandatory Village licensing/database requirement with voluntary registration through established theft-recovery services. (3) GENERAL REGULATIONS FOR OPERATION. NOTE: Scope cleanup: §3 should regulate bicycles, electric bicycles, and electric scooters. Motor bicycles are separately governed under Wisconsin law, and disability mobility devices should not be swept into general recreational micromobility restrictions. (a) Traffic Laws Apply. Every person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device upon a highway or roadway shall be subject to all Village ordinances and state laws applicable to the operator of a vehicle, except as to those provisions that by their express terms apply only to motor vehicles or which by their nature can have no application. NOTE: MOTOR BICYCLE is struck throughout §3 for the same reason: it should not be lumped into the Village's bicycle/e- bike/e-scooter operating rules. This does not exempt motor bicycles from Wisconsin law. (b) Where Prohibited. No person may operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device upon any highway, roadway, sidewalk, trail, path, or public way where a sign is erected indicating that bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, motor bicycles, and/or electric personal assistive mobility device are prohibited. (c) Operation on Highways or Roadways. 1. Every person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, and/or electric personal assistive mobility device upon a highway or roadway shall obey all traffic control devices, signs, posted speed limits, and signals applicable to motor vehicles. ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 3 Proposed Redline - Brian Sparrow - 9/8/2026 2. Every person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device upon a highway or roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the highway or roadway as practical, exercising due care when passing a standing vehicle or one proceeding in the same directionoperate in accordance with applicable Wisconsin law governing position upon the roadway. NOTE: Use the existing state standard. Avoid creating a slightly different local version of Wisconsin's roadway-position requirements. 3. Persons operating bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, motor bicycles, or electric personal assistive mobility devices upon a highway or roadway shall ride single file. NOTE: More restrictive than Wisconsin law. State law permits bicycles to ride two abreast when doing so does not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic. Use the existing state standard. 4. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device upon a highway or roadway shall impede the normal movement of motor vehicle traffic. NOTE: State law already addresses traffic impedance. The draft also omits Wisconsin's 'normal and reasonable movement of traffic' language. Avoid creating a different local standard. 5. No person shall operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device at a speed greater than is reasonable and prudent under existing conditions or in excess of any posted speed limit. (d) Operation on Sidewalks. Except as provided in subsection (e) below, any person may operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device on sidewalks, subject to the following restrictions: NOTE: Do not inadvertently authorize motor-vehicle-type devices on sidewalks. Deleting the motor-off requirement should preserve normal e-bike/e-scooter operation without expanding sidewalk access to motor bicycles. 1. Bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, motor bicycles, and electric personal assistive mobility devices shall be operated at a moderate speed when no pedestrian is in the area, and at a slow speed when pedestrians are present. 2. Every person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device upon a sidewalk shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians at all times. 3. Persons operating bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, motor bicycles, or electric personal assistive mobility devices upon a sidewalk shall ride single file. 4. Electric bicycles, electric scooters, and motor bicycles operating upon a sidewalk shall have the power unit or component turned off during operation. NOTE: Unnecessarily restrictive and impractical. For an electric scooter, this effectively prohibits normal operation. The ordinance already requires appropriate speed, pedestrian right-of-way, audible warning, and dismounting when necessary. Regulate unsafe behavior rather than effectively prohibiting powered sidewalk operation. 5. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device upon a sidewalk shall attempt to pass another person traveling in the same direction on said sidewalk before providing an audible warning. 6. Pedestrians shall at all times have the right-of-way upon sidewalks and, if necessary, a person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall dismount and vacate the sidewalk to prevent a collision. (e) Prohibited Sidewalks. No person may operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device on any of the following sidewalks and pathways: ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 4 Proposed Redline - Brian Sparrow - 9/8/2026 1. The pathway located in Cedar Hills Subdivisions between Lots 43 and 44, Lots 44 and 27, and Lots 26 and 27. Lots 43 and 44 are located on Redwood Land and Lots 26 and 27 are located on Juniper Drive. NOTE: 3b already allows for sidewalk prohibition by signage. We should not call out specific minor areas that would be better served by signage. (f) Clinging to Other Vehicles and Towing. 1. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall attach their bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device to any other moving vehicle. 2. The operator of any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall not tow, drag, or cause to be drawn behind the bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device any coaster, sled, play vehicle, trailer (designed for a motor vehicle), person, or any other similar object or vehicle. This subsection does not prohibit the towing of trailers designed to be towed by bicycles or electric bicycles (g) Passengers. No bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall be used to carry more persons at one time than the number for which it is designed or equipped. (h) Age Limit. No person under 16 years of age may operate a class 3 electric bicycle. NOTE: Already established by Wisconsin law. Consider whether duplicating the state requirement locally provides an enforcement benefit. (i) Improper Operating. 1. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall participate in any race, speed, or endurance contest with other moving vehicles. 2. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall perform or attempt to perform any acrobatics or stunt riding. 3. No person operating a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall endanger the safety of any person or property by the negligent or reckless operation of a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device. (j) Safety Equipment Required. No person may operate a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device during hours of darkness unless such bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device is equipped with or the operator is wearing a lamp emitting a white light visible from a distance of at least 500 feet to the front of such bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device. Such bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device shall also be equipped with a red reflector that has a diameter of at least two inches of surface area on the rear so mounted and maintained as to be visible from all distances from 50 to 500 feet to the rear when directly in front of lawful upper beams of headlamps on a motor vehicle. A lamp emitting a red light visible from a distance of 500 feet to the rear may be used in addition to but not in lieu of the red reflector. (k) Parking. No person shall leave or park a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device at such a place or in such a way as to create a hazard to pedestrians, motor vehicle operators, or to anyone else. Bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, motor bicycles, and electric personal assistive mobility devices shall be parked either upon the highway or roadway against the curb, in bicycle racks or, if on the sidewalk, in such a manner as to afford the least obstruction to ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 5 Proposed Redline - Brian Sparrow - 9/8/2026 pedestrian traffic, and not in such a manner as to obstruct the ingress and egress to buildings used by the public. Bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, motor bicycles, and electric personal assistive mobility devices may not be affixed to traffic signal posts or trees. Law enforcement officers may remove and impound any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device parked in violation of this subsection. (l) Abandonment. No person shall abandon any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device on any highway, roadway, sidewalk, or any public or private property within the Village, and no person shall leave or park any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, or motor bicycle unattended on any highway, roadway, sidewalk, or public or private property within the Village for such time and under such circumstances as to cause the bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device reasonably to appear to have been abandoned. Law enforcement officers may remove and impound any bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, motor bicycle, or electric personal assistive mobility device reasonably believed to have been abandoned in violation of this subsection. (m) Disability Mobility Devices. Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict the use of a wheelchair, other power-driven mobility device, or other mobility aid by an individual with a disability where such use is protected or required under the Americans with Disabilities Act or other applicable law. NOTE: ADA clause. This preserves applicable disability-access protections without attempting to recreate federal mobility- device rules in the Village's bicycle and scooter ordinance. (4) E-MOTOS AND MOPEDS. (a) No person shall operate an e-moto or moped upon a highway, roadway, or sidewalk, unless the e-moto or moped is registered with the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and is operated by a person who is at least 16 years of age and holds a valid license or permit. (b) No person shall operate an e-moto upon any sidewalk, trail, path, public way, or other public property within the Village. (4) MOTOR-POWERED DEVICES ON ROADWAYS. No person may operate a motor-powered two-wheeled or three-wheeled device upon a highway or roadway unless: (a) the device qualifies for lawful roadway operation under Wisconsin law; and (b) the device and its operator comply with all registration, licensing, and other requirements imposed by Wisconsin law for such operation. NOTE: Solve the enforcement gap without creating an 'e-moto' class. A registrable moped or motorcycle that is not properly registered or licensed fails (b); a device that cannot qualify for lawful roadway operation at all fails (a). The provision also follows future Wisconsin classifications automatically. (5) PLAY VEHICLES. No person shall operate or ride upon any play vehicle upon any highway or roadway, except while crossing the highway or roadway at a crosswalk. NOTE: Not clear that this is needed since it’s restating state law. (6) COMMERCIAL RENTAL OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS PROHIBITED. No person or business shall offer short-term commercial rental of electric scooters to the public. (6) COMMERCIAL RENTAL OF ELECTRIC SCOOTERS. (a) No person or business shall offer short-term commercial rental of electric scooters to the public within the Village without prior written approval of the Public Safety Committee. ORDINANCE NO. _________-2026 Page 6 Proposed Redline - Brian Sparrow - 9/8/2026 (b) The Public Safety Committee may impose reasonable conditions on any approval to address public safety, parking, right-of-way use, fleet management, operating areas, and other impacts associated with the rental operation. NOTE: Preserve local control without imposing a permanent ban. Requiring Public Safety Committee approval allows the Village to review a future proposal and impose appropriate operating conditions without requiring another ordinance amendment. (7) PENALTIES. (a) Any person who shall violate any provision of this section shall be subject to a penalty as provided in section 25.04 of this Code. (b) Any parent or guardian of any child who authorizes or knowingly permits such child to violate this section may be subject to the provisions of Wis. Stats. §§ 346.77 and 346.82(1). SECTION II The terms and provisions of this ordinance are severable. Should any term or provision of this ordinance be found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining terms and provisions shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION III All ordinances or parts of ordinances contravening the terms of this ordinance are hereby to that extent repealed. SECTION IV This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force upon its passage and the day after its publication. Adopted: ____________________ ______________________________________ Robert A Soderberg, Village President ATTEST: ____________________________________ Donna Ott, Village Clerk Approved as to form: ____________________________ Brian C. Sajdak, Village Attorney Published: ____________________ PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE DISCUSSION DRAFT Separate youth helmet proposal for discussion alongside the proposed rewrite of Section 7.12. Requested action: Discuss the framework and, if there is interest, direct the Village Attorney to prepare a final ordinance for future Committee consideration. Key decisions for discussion: • Age threshold: under 16 as drafted, or a different age. • Covered devices and public locations, including whether trails and paths should be included. • Graduated enforcement: warning, corrective/fix-it option, then a small forfeiture; and whether to add parent/guardian responsibility. • Medical/disability accommodation language and interaction with ADA-protected mobility devices. • Whether to establish or partner on a helmet-access program so cost does not prevent compliance. STATE OF WISCONSIN VILLAGE OF GERMANTOWN WASHINGTON COUNTY DISCUSSION DRAFT ORDINANCE NO. _____-2026 AN ORDINANCE CREATING SECTION 7.__ OF THE GERMANTOWN MUNICIPAL CODE RELATING TO PROTECTIVE HELMETS FOR PERSONS UNDER 16 WHEREAS, the Village Board desires to consider a targeted protective-helmet requirement for young riders and passengers using bicycles, electric bicycles, electric scooters, and other covered wheeled devices; and WHEREAS, the Village Board desires that any such requirement emphasize education, corrective compliance, and access to compliant helmets; and WHEREAS, the Village Board intends any youth helmet requirement to remain separate from the legal classification of a device and from the rules governing where that device may otherwise be operated. NOW, THEREFORE, the Village Board of the Village of Germantown, Wisconsin, do ordain as follows: SECTION I Section 7.__ of the Germantown Municipal Code is created to read as follows: 7.__ - YOUTH PROTECTIVE HELMETS. (1) DEFINITIONS. (a) COVERED DEVICE means a bicycle, electric bicycle, electric scooter, in-line skates, or play vehicle as defined or governed by applicable Wisconsin law. (b) PROTECTIVE HELMET means a helmet that is properly fitted and fastened and that complies with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission bicycle-helmet standard in 16 C.F.R. Part 1203, or any successor federal standard applicable to bicycle helmets. (2) HELMET REQUIRED. (a) A person under 16 years of age who operates or rides as a passenger on a covered device upon a highway, roadway, sidewalk, bicycle lane, bicycle way, trail, path, or other public way under Village jurisdiction shall wear a protective helmet. (b) This section does not change the legal classification of a covered device or expand or restrict where that device may otherwise lawfully be operated. (3) MEDICAL AND DISABILITY ACCOMMODATIONS. (a) The helmet requirement does not apply when a protective helmet cannot reasonably be worn because of a medical condition or disability. (b) Nothing in this section shall be construed to restrict or condition the use of a wheelchair, other power-driven mobility device, or other mobility aid by an individual with a disability where such use is protected or required under the Americans with Disabilities Act or other applicable law. (c) Nothing in this section requires a child to disclose a medical diagnosis to a law enforcement officer at the time of contact. (4) ENFORCEMENT. (a) First Violation. A first known violation of this section shall result in a written warning and educational information regarding helmet safety and compliance. (b) Second Violation; Corrective Option. A second known violation may result in a forfeiture not exceeding $25, exclusive of applicable court costs. The citation shall provide a corrective option allowing the forfeiture to be waived or the citation otherwise satisfied, as permitted by Municipal Court procedure, upon timely proof that a compliant protective helmet has been obtained. (c) Third and Subsequent Violations. A third or subsequent known violation may result in a forfeiture not exceeding $25, exclusive of applicable court costs, without the corrective option provided in paragraph (b). (d) No device may be confiscated or impounded solely because of a violation of this section. (5) HELMET ACCESS AND EDUCATION. The Village may coordinate with schools, public-safety organizations, community partners, and local businesses to provide helmet education, fittings, and free or reduced-cost helmets. The Village may establish or participate in a helmet-access fund or community partnership for children whose families cannot reasonably afford a compliant protective helmet. (6) RELATIONSHIP TO OTHER LAW. A violation of this section does not alter the underlying access rights, registration requirements, licensing requirements, or other legal status of any device or its operator under Wisconsin law or any other applicable law. SECTION II The terms and provisions of this ordinance are severable. Should any term or provision of this ordinance be found to be invalid by a court of competent jurisdiction, the remaining terms and provisions shall remain in full force and effect. SECTION III All ordinances or parts of ordinances contravening the terms of this ordinance are hereby to that extent repealed. SECTION IV This ordinance shall take effect and be in full force upon its passage and the day after its publication. Adopted: ____________________ ______________________________________ Robert A Soderberg, Village President ATTEST: ____________________________________ Donna Ott, Village Clerk Approved as to form: ____________________________ Brian C. Sajdak, Village Attorney Published: ____________________