Item Coversheet

NEW BUSINESS  15.

COMMITTEE MEMORANDUM

TO: Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee Members


FROM:
Alina T. Hudak, City Manager


DATE: September 22, 2023


SUBJECT:DISCUSSION REGARDING ANCHOR LIMITATION AREAS BEYOND THE AREA OF THE PROPOSED MOORING FIELD

HISTORY:

The December 2022 City Commission referred an item to the Finance and Economic Resiliency Committee for discussion (Attachment A).   The referral item is to discuss “how the City can work with Miami Dade County to establish anchor limitation area in locations beyond the proposed municipal mooring field.  Neighbors from the Palm, Hibiscus, and Star Islands & Sunset Islands have asked for this to be explored as they fear derelict vessels will invade their neighborhoods once the municipal mooring field is established.”

  

Resolution 2023-32646, sponsored by Commissioner Ricky Arriola, was adopted at the June 2023 City Commission meeting (Attachment B).  The resolution specifies that mooring field operations shall not commence unless and until Anchor Limitation Areas are established for the residential islands including Sunset Islands I through IV, Star Island, Palm Island and Hibiscus Island, in accordance with section 327.4108 of the Florida Statutes.

ANALYSIS:

Anchoring Limitation Areas (ALAs) are defined by State Statute 327.4108.  To prohibit overnight mooring in the areas approved by the Resolution 2023-32646, the Florida Legislature would need to amend the Statute. The Administration has included the establishment of Anchoring Limitation Areas as a priority within the 2024 State Agenda.  It is important to note that currently the State statute provides the authority to counties for establishment of limited ALA locations, however, the statute would need to be amended to include areas of Miami Beach for ALAs that prohibit overnight mooring.

CONCLUSION:

The Administration will continue to communicate with the appropriate parties with the goal to create Anchoring Limitation Areas (ALAs) within the City of Miami Beach as directed in the City Commission Resolution.  ALAs are an option to help alleviate some residential concerns for a well-managed waterway. 

Applicable Area

Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, pursuant to City Code Section 2-14? Does this item utilize G.O. Bond Funds?
Yes No 
ATTACHMENTS:
DescriptionType
Referral MemoMemo
ResolutionResolution