EXCELSIOR SPRINGS – A new City Council rule lets residents drive utility task vehicles on city streets and highways where speed limits are 45 mph or lower. The council acted after community members had asked city officials to permit UTV use, Excelsior Springs Police Department Chief Clinton Reno stated in an Oct. 9 memo to the council and Mayor Sharon Powell. “Many rural cities in our area currently allow UTVs to be operated, and state law allows for cities to enact ordinances that regulate and permit the usage of UTVs within their … (cities),” Reno wrote. “As a result, city staff has been working with the community group to develop a suitable ordinance that would allow UTVs that are properly registered with the police department, and meet certain requirements, to operate.” Per the ordinance, requirements include wearing seat belts and U.S. Department of Transportation-approved helmets. They also include carrying insurance and equipping UTVs with mufflers, bicycle safety flags,…