HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-34265RESOLUTION NO 2026-34265
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION,
PURSUANT TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE RECENTLY ENACTED
HB 1103, TO IDENTIFY AREAS IN WHICH THE CITY MAY NEED TO
REGULATE, BY ORDINANCE, VESSEL SPEED AND OPERATION WITHIN
THREE HUNDRED (300) FEET OF A CONFLUENCE OF BODIES OF WATER
PRESENTING A BLIND CORNER, AND UP TO A DISTANCE OF ONE
THOUSAND (1,000) FEET WHERE NECESSARY BASED UPON THE
SPECIFIC GEOMETRY OF THE CONFLUENCE (SIGHTLINES, CHANNEL
WIDTH, TRAFFIC PATTERNS, ETC.), IN ORDER TO ENSURE SAFE
NAVIGATION AND VISIBILITY FOR APPROACHING VESSELS; AND
FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO PRESENT ITS
FINDINGS, VIA LETTER TO COMMISSION, WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS OF
THE ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach ("City") is a coastal municipality with extensive
waterways, canals, basins, and navigable channels utilized by recreational, commercial, and
governmental vessels; and
WHEREAS, certain confluences of bodies of water within the City present blind corners,
obstructed sightlines, narrow channels, heavy vessel traffic, or other navigational conditions that
may create unsafe circumstances for approaching vessels; and
WHEREAS, excessive vessel speed and unsafe vessel operation near such blind -corner
confluences may increase the likelihood of collisions, injuries, property damage, and other threats
to public safety and navigation; and
WHEREAS, during its 2026 Legislative Session, the Florida Legislature adopted HB 1103,
entitled "Local Administration of Vessel Restrictions," which authorizes municipalities and
counties to adopt ordinances regulating vessel speed and operation within three hundred (300)
feet of a confluence of water bodies presenting a blind corner, and up to a distance of one
thousand (1,000) feet if the extended area is necessary to ensure safe navigation and visibility for
approaching vessels; and
WHEREAS, HB 1103 further recognizes that local governments are uniquely positioned
to evaluate local navigational conditions, including sightlines, channel width, traffic patterns,
vessel congestion, and other geometry -related factors affecting boating safety, and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission desire for the City Administration to identify
areas within the City's waterways in which additional vessel speed or operational regulations may
be appropriate pursuant to the authority granted under HB 1103 and Section 327.46, Florida
Statutes; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission further desire for the City Administration to
provide a written report of its findings and recommendations regarding any proposed boating -
restricted areas, including the appropriate geographic scope, operational restrictions, signage,
and enforcement considerations necessary to promote safe navigation and protect the public
health, safety, and welfare, to the Mayor and City Commission within ninety (90) days of the
adoption of this Resolution in order to ensure timely consideration of any proposed regulatory
measures.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby direct the City
Administration, pursuant to the authority granted by the recently enacted HB 1103, to identify
areas in which the City may need to regulate, by Ordinance, vessel speed and operation within
three hundred (300) feet of a confluence of bodies of water presenting a blind corner, and up to
a distance of one thousand (1,000) feet where necessary based upon the specific geometry of
the confluence (sightlines, channel width, traffic patterns, etc.), to ensure safe navigation and
visibility for approaching vessels; and further, directing the City Administration to present its
findings, via Letter to Commission, within ninety (90) days of the adoption of this Resolution.
PASSED and ADOPTED this day o
ATTEST:
-7W MAY 2 6 2026
Rafael Ell. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez)
f M, 2026.
Steven Meiner, Mayor
NCO.`
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
City Attorney n 1 ' D
ate
Resolutions - C7 S
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: May 20, 2026
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION, PURSUANT
TO THE AUTHORITY GRANTED BY THE RECENTLY ENACTED HB 1103, TO
IDENTIFY AREAS IN WHICH THE CITY MAY NEED TO REGULATE, BY
ORDINANCE, VESSEL SPEED AND OPERATION WITHIN THREE HUNDRED
(300) FEET OF A CONFLUENCE OF BODIES OF WATER PRESENTING A BLIND
CORNER, AND UP TO A DISTANCE OF ONE THOUSAND (1,000) FEET WHERE
NECESSARY BASED UPON THE SPECIFIC GEOMETRY OF THE CONFLUENCE
(SIGHTLINES, CHANNEL WIDTH, TRAFFIC PATTERNS, ETC.), IN ORDER TO
ENSURE SAFE NAVIGATION AND VISIBILITY FOR APPROACHING VESSELS:
AND FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO PRESENT ITS
FINDINGS, VIA LETTER TO COMMISSION, WITHIN NINETY (90) DAYS OF THE
ADOPTION OF THIS RESOLUTION.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUND/HISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Commissioner David
Suarez.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
None.
Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on:
See BIE at: https://www miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
386 of 1709
Applicable Area
Citywide
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item,
pursuant to City Code Section 2-17?
IR7
Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
Project?
M
Was this Agenda Item initially requested by a lobbyist which, as defined in Code Sec. 2-481,
includes a principal engaged in lobbying? No
If so, specify the name of lobbyist(s) and principal(s):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsor(s)
Commissioner David Suarez
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Identify Areas Near Blind Corners in Need of Vessel Speed Regulation. (Suarez) CA
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
387 of 1709