(Okoboji)– There was more discussion at Tuesday’s Okoboji City Council meeting into proposed revisions to regulations for public access docks drafted by a committee. It makes changes to the application itself, amends the effectiveness of permits from five years to one, and sets a deadline of March 15th of each year for submitting applications. Another change increases the amount of liability insurance required and establishes a fee structure for permits.
Other changes include a limitation of one hoist per family with a maximum hoist size of 30 by 12 with a limit on the number of hoists per dock and a prohibition on additional accessories. Those will only take effect if there’s a change in ownership or if a hoist is relinquished. Councilman Dan Sanders said he has concerns with the so-called “grandfather” provision…
“I have a hard time if we’re going to say no swim platforms, no diving boards, no nothing, and then you grandfather them all in, we’re not gaining anything. And so I guess I would like to see we create the ordinance, not grandfather anything in, but make it effective the 2030 season. That gives people three years. If they choose to keep an oversize boat or hoist, that gives them three years to find a spot at one of the commercial marinas or other commercial areas. And so that’s kind of where I’m at.”
Councilman Jim Hentges spoke in favor the “grandfather” provision…
“I understand where you’re coming from but these people bought that, put those hoists in in good faith and it’s not really, how do I say that, appropriate for us, to slam them down even if you give them three years.”
Council members Jim Delperdang, Julie Mau and Kae Hoppe also expressed support for the grandfather provision, which will be included in the proposed ordinance when it comes back to the council August 11th for a public hearing.
