Enforcement of Ellis Harbor boathouses and houseboats the job of the state DNR, City Hall concludes

The Ellis Boat Harbor apparently will live on, but the City Council says it wants the owners of boathouses there to deal with the state of Iowa, not City Hall.

If you remember, it was the Iowa Department of Natural Resources that took an interest in the semi-permanent boathouse community at the harbor after last June's flood ransacked the harbor and sent some of the houses down the Cedar River and into a railroad bridge.

The DNR, which has jurisdiction of the river, suddenly was paying attention to the Ellis Harbor community as it had not done before the flood. The state agency declared that the boathouses were illegal. It said Iowa law does not allow such structures with sides and roofs on Iowa waters.

On Tuesday, Jeff Kraayenbrink, of the city's Parks and Recreation Department, explained that the DNR has agreed to allow each owner of a boathouse in the Ellis Boat Harbor to seek a variance from state regulations so the owner can keep the house in the harbor. The variances, though, require homes to follow state law on the disposal of wastewater and other matters.

A council majority indicated that it favored the Class III dock permits so that boathouse owners deal directly with the state on variances, wastewater disposal and code enforcement.

Those with houseboats -- the ones that can move in the river -- also must work with the state in obtaining a permit and disposing of waste.

The city's Riverfront Commission favors the Class II permit. The commission feels more city involvement would give the City Council a chance to show its support for the harbor, council member Chuck Wieneke, who attended many of the meetings with the DNR, told the council.

On the other hand, the DNR prefers the Class III permit so it could deal directly with the boathouse owners. The city attorney and city manager also support the Class III option.

Under the new arrangement, the tenant will have responsibility for disposing of waste.

Kraayenbrink said about 70 boat houses remain in the harbor, down from about 130 before the flood.