By DEBORAH GERTZ HUSAR

Herald-Whig Staff Writer

PITTSFIELD, Ill. -- The Pittsfield City Council gave preliminary approval Tuesday to rules governing the use of gas-powered and electric vehicles.

Under the ordinance, neighborhood vehicles (NV) such as golf carts:

* May operate on city streets where the posted speed is 35 miles per hour or less, but may cross a street with a higher speed limit.

* Must travel at speeds between 20 and 25 miles per hour.

* Must have brakes, a steering apparatus, tires, a rearview mirror, red reflective warning devices in the front and rear, a slow moving vehicle emblem, headlight, tail lamp, turn signals, an approved windshield and seat belt.

* Must be covered by a liability insurance policy.

* Must be registered with the city and display an annual permit, available from the city clerk at a cost of $50.

Operators of a NV must comply with all requirements of the Illinois Vehicle Code.

The new ordinance answers residents who expressed interest in using "neighborhood electric vehicles" as a way to counter recent high gas prices.

A recent change in state law authorized the use of NVs, but required municipalities also to authorize their use. The city's ordinance committee discussed the issue for several months before making a recommendation to the full council. Final approval of the ordinance is expected in February.

Aldermen also approved the annual audit and learned that 40 percent of the city's anticipated natural gas supply has been purchased for winter 2009.

-- dhusar@whig.com/221-3379