Title
AMENDMENT TO CHAPTER VIII OF
THE CODE OF THE CHICAGO PARK DISTRICT
Body
To the Honorable Board of Commissioners of the Chicago Park District:
I. Recommendation
It is recommended that the Board of Commissioners grant authority to amend Chapter VIII, Section D of the Code of the Chicago Park District.
II. Explanation
Section 7.02 of the Chicago Park District Act, 70 ILCS 1505/7.02, enables the Board of Commissioners to “establish by ordinance all needful rules and regulations for government and protection of parks…”
Chapter VIII, Section D of the Code of the Chicago Park District (“Chapter VIII”) addresses the rules and regulations related to boater’s conduct and the operation of their boats in the Chicago Park District harbor system. In October 2017, the Board of Commissioners authorized changes to the code relating to the procedural issues and the assignment of moorings in the harbors. Now, the Chicago Park District staff is recommending changes to the rules and regulation that pertain to boaters in the harbor system.
The rules and regulations for boaters in Chapter VIII were originally written decades ago, and have been amended from time to time over the years. Westrec Marinas, the Chicago Park District’s harbor manager, is recommending modernizing these rules and expanding them to include common sense additions, like establishing “quiet hours” in the harbors and making boaters responsible for the behavior of their guests. The rules, as revised, include rules that are similar to those in effect at marinas around the United States including those managed by Westrec.
Westrec obtains boater feedback on an ongoing basis by hosting regular meeting In order to prepare for this proposed change in the rules Westrec Marinas vetted the proposed rule revisions with the boaters. In January 2018, Westrec mailed copies of the proposed new harbor rules to all of the permittees in the harbors. That notice included an invitation to a public meeting on January 18, 2018 at Northerly Island, to hear boater comments about the proposed rules. Boaters were also invited to provide feedback via email or phone call. The public meeting was held and was attended by approximately 40 harbor customers. Generally, the proposed new rules were overall well received. Some minor comments were expressed by boaters. For example boaters requested extending the amount of time a boat will be absent from the slip from 24 hours to 48 hours before requiring notice to harbor staff. Westrec listened to these concerns and made some minor modifications to the proposed rules following that meeting.
It is therefore recommended that Chapter VIII of the Code of the Chicago Park District be amended. The amendment will become effective upon approval of the Board of Commissioners.
The General Counsel shall prepare and publish copies of the Chapter VIII of the Code of the Chicago Park District that have been revised by reason of this amendment.