| | | | | | | | | TO: | Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee Members |
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| FROM:
| Alina T. Hudak, City Manager
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| | DATE: | February 28, 2023
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| | SUBJECT: | DISCUSSION REGARDING CONCERNS RELATING TO AN EXCESSIVE NUMBER OF BOATS ANCHORING OVERNIGHT ON BISCAYNE BAY, INCLUDING NEAR PALM AND HIBISCUS ISLANDS, CREATING NOISE AND OTHER QUALITY OF LIFE DISRUPTIONS FOR RESIDENTS ON PALM AND HIBISCUS ISLANDS.
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| | | | | | | | HISTORY:
| | Commissioner Meiner placed a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (PSNQLC) on the October 26, 2022 City Commission Meeting agenda to discuss concerns relating to an excessive number of boats anchoring overnight on Biscayne Bay, including near Palm and Hibiscus Islands, creating noise and other quality of life disruptions for residents on Palm and Hibiscus Islands. |
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| | | | | | | | ANALYSIS
| On September 16, 2022 the City of Miami issued a deadline to vessels occupying the area adjacent to Watson Island to vacate in order to allow implementation of their mooring field. Since that date, some vessels previously occupying the Watson Island anchorage area have dissipated and migrated to areas just outside the City of Miami’s mooring field area. As a result, some of these vessels have legally anchored in areas within the jurisdictional boundaries of the City of Miami Beach. The presence of these vessels has drawn increased concerns /complaints by several residents of the Palm and Hibiscus Islands. Many of the complaints are about the presence of the vessels, the potential for derelict status, and occasional perceived noise violations.
The Miami Beach Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit has been monitoring the situation and conducting patrols in the area. Area checks are conducted six times a day to ensure the vessels are not encroaching on seawall access for the property owners. Derelict vessel inspections occur when legally justified to do so and noise violations are addressed pursuant to existing state statutes. It is important to note, vessels anchored in this area are legally justified to do so. Attached for reference are aerial pictures of the western portion of Palm and Hibiscus Islands on February 10th, 2023. |
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| | | | | | | | CONCLUSION:
The Administration is working collaboratively with all stakeholders to pursue the designation of Anchoring Limitation Areas (ALA). The establishment of ALA’s will allow stricter regulation of the anchoring of vessels within the City’s jurisdiction. Until this occurs, the Miami Beach Police Department will continue to monitor the waters surrounding these areas.
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| | | | | | | | | Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? | | Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds? | | | No | | No | |
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| | | | | | | | Strategic Connection
| | Neighborhoods - Prevent and solve crime for residents and visitors. |
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