G39-88 ilk Ordinance No. G39-88
AN ORDINANCE
PROVIDING FOR RESTRICTIONS ON THE OPERATION
OF VESSELS AND WATERCRAFT ON THE AREA OF THE FOX RIVER LOCATED
WITHIN THE CITY OF ELGIN
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF ELGIN, ILLINOIS:
Section I. That Title 11 of the Elgin Municipal Code, 1976, as amended, be and is
hereby further amended by adding the following:
"Chapter 11.50
Vessels and Watercraft
11.50.010 Definitions.
A. Words and phrases as used in this chapter shall be defined as
provided in Illinois Revised Statutes, 1 985, Chapter 95Y2, The Boat Registra-
tion and Safety Act, as amended, with such exceptions as are hereinafter
set forth in this section.
B. "Wake" is defined as a movement of water created by a vessel or
watercraft underway great enough to disturb a boat at rest.
1 1.50.02 No wake.
No person shall create a wake or operate a vessel or watercraft in
excess of five (5) miles per hour on the area of the Fox River located
within the city limits when said area has been posted as "no wake".
11.50.020 Operation of vessels or watercrafts prohibited.
No person shall operate a vessel or watercraft on the area of the Fox
River located within the city limits when such area has been posted as "no
boating".
11.50.030 Posting--Authorization.
The Chief of Police is hereby authorized and directed to post the area
of the Fox River located within the city limits as "no wake" or "no boating"
with buoys or appropriate signs. Posting for "no wake" shall occur when the
flow of the Fox River at the Algonquin Dam reaches 1,500,000,000 gallons
a day with a corresponding river elevation of approximately 710.10.
Posting for "no boating" shall occur when the flow of the Fox River at the
Algonquin Dam reaches 2,500,000,000 gallons a day with a corresponding
river elevation of approximately 711.0."
Section 2. That all ordinances or parts of ordinances in conflict with the provi-
sions of this ordinance are hereby repealed.
Section 3. That this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its
passage and publication in the manner provided by law.
s/ Marlene Shales
Marlene Shales, Mayor Pro Tern
Presented: May 25, 1988
Passed: May 25, 1988
Vote: Yeas 5 Nays 0
Recorded:
Published:
Attest:
s/ Marie Yearman
Marie Yearman, City Clerk
r
r
May 12, 1988
MEMORANDUM
TO: Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM: City Manager
SUBJECT: Proposed Ordinance Providing for Restrictions of the
Operation of Watercraft on the Fox River
PURPOSE: To lend uniformity and provide a standard method for regulating
boating traffic on the Fox River during periods of high water.
BACKGROUND: High water on the Fox River poses problems to the several
dwelling units located on the east bank along McBride Street. This situa-
tion is further compounded when boating traffic causes wakes and further
endangers the dwellings and erodes the shore line. Passage of this ordi-
ance will lend uniformity to controlling boating traffic in Elgin. The
accompanying ordinance was reviewed and approved by Council at the Com-
mittee of the Whole Meeting on April 13, 1988.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: None
RECOMMENDATION: I recommend the passage of this ordinance.
City Man.,
r
.ii