Please place on the September 13, 2023 agenda a referral to the September 26, 2023 Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee meeting to discuss the current conditions and surrounding quality of life concerns pertaining to commercial charter vessels (“Commercial Charters”) operating within the City.

On April 28, 2023, the City Commission adopted Ordinance No. 2023-4550, which created Section 82-72 of the City Code, prohibiting Commercial Charters operating at public marinas and public marine facilities in the City from conducting all commercial vessel activity each day from 9 p.m. until 7 a.m. the following day (although pleasure vessels, educational “eco” or nature tours, and commercial fishing and diving vessels are excluded).  Moreover, the Ordinance also provides that if a Commercial Charter violates the City Code, then it is subject to civil fines ranging from $500 for a first offense, up to $5,000 for a fourth or subsequent violation within the preceding six (6) months, along with the revocation of any City-issued business tax receipt.  

Prior to enacting Ordinance No. 2023-4550, the City continuously received complaints concerning Commercial Charter activity caused by the public intoxication, excessively loud arguments, public urination, unnecessarily loud music, fighting and other disturbances of Commercial Charter patrons and the noise created by the very nature of Commercial Charter operations, all of which negatively impacted neighboring residents’ quality of life and the City’s safety and cleanliness.  Now, over four (4) months later, some residents have suggested that perhaps the implementation of an earlier curfew (from 9 p.m. to 8 p.m.) for Commercial Charters, and an increase in the fines for any violation, might be necessary.

As such, I would request the Administration to be prepared to address the present conditions surrounding Commercial Charter operations in the City, and invite a representative from the marina operator, Suntex Marina Investors, LLC (“Suntex”), to attend PSNQLC in order to assist in addressing this item.  I would also request that the Administration and Suntex be prepared to discuss the City’s options to mitigate any ongoing issues including, but not limited to, further limiting the permissible hours of operation for Commercial Charters, and increasing the civil fines for any violations.