The conversation about golf carts and side-by-side vehicles returned to the council for discussion and approval at the Oct. 22 Pilot Point City Council meeting.
Some of the requirements in the ordinance to operate a golf cart or side-byside within the city include the driver having a valid driver’s license, insurance and vehicle registration.
“You cannot drive them on roadways that are over 35 miles an hour,” Chief of Police Angela Mathews said, reiterating the state law.
The ordinance prohibits all-terrain vehicles.
It also prohibits motor-assisted scooters, mini-motorbikes or pocket bikes on any path except for the ones designed exclusively for bicycles.
Council acknowledged that it would primarily impact students who use motor- assisted scooters to and from school.
“Those mini scooters and all that, those have been illegal all this time, also,” Mayor Chad Major said. “So we're not creating something new, we're just reinforcing something that already exists.”
The council discussed ways to work with the local district to inform students and families.
“Communication has to be there,” council member Andrew Ambrosio said.
Council approved the ordinance pending the city attorney’s final approval of the ordinance and “adding the exception of driving golf carts or side-by-sides to school events after dark,” Ambrosio said.
Council members agreed to an amendment setting an effective date of Jan. 1, 2027, to allow more time to alert and educate people on the changes.
Assistant Community Services Director Katie Blust discussed the program requirements for the city to become a Certified Local Government.
A few of the requirements in the agenda packet included: designating a person as the local Historic Preservation Officer, public participation, adopting a local historic preservation ordinance that meets the CLG standards and nominating properties to the National Register of Historic Places.
Some of the benefits expressed by staff include grant opportunities and tax benefits for properties on the National Register.
“I do think that in becoming a CLG, it will just open up a ton of opportunities, but even more importantly, it will spawn growth to the Square and help revitalize it,” Ambrosio said.
Major agreed and noted, “This is not something that's budgeted, and there is a cost.”
City Manager Britt Lusk said there is not a set timeline, but staff is making progress.
Council appointed all the applicants who applied for the 2027 Legislative Task Force for the 90th Texas Legislature Session.
The six applications that were received were Ross P. Gagliano, William Harrison, John Thomas Haughton, Melissa Rumpf, Kathleen Scott and Trent Trubenbach.
Four of the applicants live within the city limits, and two live in the ETJ.
During public comment, residents Cindy Farris and Patty Wilson returned to speak about the $5 fee added to cover additional exercise classes at the community center.
They both urged the council to look into other options, such as donations. Lusk said that the matter will return for discussion at the next council meeting in November.
Mayor Chad Major read a proclamation declaring October Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pilot Point.
“Every October, we gather to mourn and honor the lives of Texans lost to this violence,” Major read. “In Texas between 2020 and 2024, 848 women were killed by their intimate partners. Twenty-eight of those were here in Denton County.”
Stan Sagert, a representative from Denton County Friends of the Family, shared a few words.
“We served 33 individuals from Pilot Point in 2025 and 40 in 2024,” Sagert said.
He stressed the importance of knowing where to find help and expressed gratitude for the partnership between Denton County Friends of the Family and the Pilot Point Police Department.
“Each of us has a role to play in creating a community where survivors are believed,” Sagert said. “Support is available, and people know they do not have to navigate these experiences alone.”
