(Okoboji)– The city of Okoboji has lost in the latest salvo of court cases involving businessman Butch Parks.
An Administrative Law Judge has ruled in Parks’ favor in a case stemming from April of this year in which the Iowa Department of Natural Resources dismissed a notice of non-compliance against Parks that had originally been filed over the placement of a dock at Okoboji Boats. The dismissal was filed after the dock was relocated to the satisfaction of the DNR. The city appealed, claiming the relocated dock was interfering with boat traffic and other docks in the area.
A hearing was held before an Administrative Law Judge September 12th. The judge’s ruling says the DNR’s action on the placement of the dock WAS proper, adding the DNR has sole jurisdiction over sovereign waters.
On another matter, Parks has filed a lawsuit against three Okoboji city council members. It claims they were in contempt of court when they voted against a liquor license for Okoboji Boats after a judge ruled the issuance of a class “C” liquor license is not prohibited by Okoboji’s zoning ordinance. The lawsuit, filed last week in Dickinson County District Court, lists council members Jim Delperdang, Sue Larsen and David Thoreson as defendants.
