Park District: We've Reached No Conclusion on Wilmette Harbor Lease

The following is a response from the Wilmette Park District .

 The “Open Letter to Residents of Wilmette” currently being circulated to the media in regard to the lease of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District (MWRD) with the Wilmette Harbor Association (WHA) does not accurately portray the Wilmette Park District’s position in this matter. The Park District has reached no definitive conclusion to be involved in the harbor’s operations other than to study the issue further.

In the fall of 2010 the Park District was approached by the WHA and the MWRD to explore the possibility of a cooperative venture between the Park District and the WHA in securing a new lease for the Wilmette Harbor. The WHA has a 50-year lease with MWRD which expires in 2012. Recent changes in the law require the MWRD to put its leases out to a competitive bid process unless the lease holder is another governmental agency.

As a part of these discussions, and as a matter of due diligence, the Park District asked the WHA to share information in regard to harbor operations. The inquiry included current budgetary information, legal liabilities, membership policies, vendor controls, personnel procedures and the process by which mooring spots are granted. As of now the WHA has not shared all the requested information. But it has continued to indicate that it would like the Park District to sign a new lease on its behalf, thus allowing it to benefit from the state statute exemptions.

Making informed decisions is imperative to the Park District—especially when decisions could involve the expenditure of taxpayer funds. The Park District has made no decision as to whether there is a role for it in the next lease agreement with the MWRD.

The Wilmette Park District has issued the following response to concerns regarding the potential purchase of the Wilmette Harbor lease. Stay tuned to Patch for more on the story.

The Park District looks forward to continuing our discussions with the representatives and membership of the WHA and MWRD during this fact gathering process. We welcome an open discussion about the management and operations of the Wilmette Harbor and any appropriate role for the Park District in that matter.

The Park District invites members of the WHA and the general public to attend a meeting of the Board of Park Commissioners or the Parks and Recreation Committee to discuss this matter.