Okoboji City Council Approves 1st Reading Of Proposed Ordinance Banning Parking On Odd Numbered Side Of Lakeshore Drive, Fairfield Street

(Okoboji)– The Okoboji City Council Tuesday evening approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance change that would prohibit parking on the odd numbered side of Lakeshore Drive and Fairfield Street. It followed a public hearing that drew a comment from a man who often travels Lakeshore Drive, citing safety concerns…Lakeshore Dr Concerns 

A second reading of the proposed change will be held at the council’s next regular meeting, September 8^th.

The Okoboji City Council also Tuesday approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would make it illegal to park unattached trailers on city streets. Construction trailers, however, would still be allowed in areas that are designated as “construction zones”. A motion to waive the 2^nd and 3^rd readings of the proposed ordinance failed on 2 to 3 vote, meaning it will come back to the council for a second reading next month.

The council also approved the first reading of a proposed ordinance that would prohibit the direct discharge of sump pumps onto city streets and rights-of-way. It would set June 1^st , 2021, as the deadline for compliance. That matter will also come back to the council next month for a second reading.

They also set September 8^th as the date for a public hearing for some proposed changes to the city’s zoning ordinance clarifying language pertaining to steps, decks and patios as well as for fences and hedges. A public hearing will also be held September 8^th on a proposal to lower the speed limit over that portion of 165^th Street the city has jurisdiction over to 25 mph.

The council also Tuesday approved a new contract with Waste Management to replace 18-gallon recycling bins with 64 gallon lidded and wheeled carts. It will cost residents $7.50 per month. Residents will also be able to upgrade to 96 gallon carts at that same rate if they wish.

The Okoboji City Council also discussed better coordinating communication between the city’s personnel and finance committees when it comes to personnel-related issues and transitioning employee evaluations from a fiscal year basis to a calendar year basis.