City of Picayune moves forward with golf carts and 'Go Cups' on streets

The Picayune City Council met on Tuesday afternoon and voted on two ordinances that were discussed late last week by the council.

The first ordinance was a Low Speed Vehicle Ordinance which pertains to golf carts being driven on city streets. The golf carts must be equipped with headlights, brake lights, blinkers, and other safety equipment found on all modes of transportation allowed to be on public roads. The golf carts cannot be driven on state Highways such as Hwy 11 and Hwy 43. Golf carts are allowed to cross state highways at intersections that have stop lights. They are forbidden to be operated on any federal highway such as I-59. The ordinance was approved unanimously, but further rules, regulations, and permits will be required before citizens are able to operate carts legally in the city.

The second ordinance pertains to "Go Cups" which will allow for alcoholic beverages to be consumed in certain areas of downtown, outside of established retailers. The Leisure and Recreation Ordinance will allow citizens to be outside during certain events and festivals to consume alcohol during the hours from 5:00pm until the close of a business serving an alcoholic beverage, and only within the area of the event. One part of the ordinance does not allow for alcohol consumption on the street is the bi-annual Picayune Street Festival, which the council considers to be a family event. The ordinance was passed unanimously.

In other council news, the recent Gumbo Cook-off was a success and Picayune Main Street Director Reba Beebe presented the city with a check in the amount of $10,000 from the proceeds of the event.