Resolution 2023-32480RESOLUTION NO. 2023-32480
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION
OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, URGING
MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
("DERM") TO REVIEW THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS
OF COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AT MARINA FACILITIES,
INCLUDING CHARTER ACTIVITY IN PARTICULAR, AND
TO THE FULLEST EXTENT POSSIBLE, RECOMMEND
THAT THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY
COMMISSIONERS ENACT STRICTER ENVIRONMENTAL
REGULATIONS SO AS TO LIMIT COMMERCIAL
ACTIVITIES AT MARINA FACILITIES AND THEREBY
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach (the "City") is comprised of a number of
islands with approximately 70 miles of shoreline along numerous canals and waterways,
the Atlantic Ocean, and Biscayne Bay Aquatic Preserve, all of which support a wide
variety of flora and fauna; and
WHEREAS, the City hosts approximately 15 million visitors each year, and is
considered one of the world's most popular tourist destinations because of its beaches,
crystal-clear blue water, and amazing tropical environment; and
WHEREAS, the City's marinas are a popular destination for tourists chartering
boats for leisure activities; and
WHEREAS, marinas are typically overlooked in the geography of coastal risk; and
WHEREAS, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has identified the following
potential environmental impacts from boating and marinas: high toxicity in the water;
increased pollutant concentrations in aquatic organisms and sediments; increased
erosion rates; increased nutrients, leading to an increase in algae and a decrease in
oxygen (eutrophication); and high levels of pathogens; and
WHEREAS, in addition to the need to protect the water and our natural resources
and marine life, the City Commission is concerned that commercial operations at facilities
near residential areas create considerable disruption, and pollution, particularly from
charter activity; and
WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission urge Miami -Dade County
Department of Environmental Resources Management ("DERM") to review the
environmental impacts of commercial activity at marina facilities, in particular, charter
activity, and to the fullest extent possible, recommend that the Board of County
Commissioners enact stricter environmental regulations so as to limit commercial
activities at marina facilities and thereby protect the environment; and
WHEREAS, to the extent DERM approvals are required for commercial operations
at City marinas, the City requests that DERM review its regulations and that the County
consider enacting stricter regulations in this area, including limiting the number of boat
slips; and
WHEREAS, residents of the South of Fifth neighborhood, including the South of
Fifth Neighborhood Association, desire stricter environmental protection for the Miami
Beach marinas, and support significantly curbing the number of commercial slips at the
Miami Beach marina, with no more than ten (10) slips per marina.
NOW, THEREFORE BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, that the Mayor and City
Commission hereby urge Miami -Dade County Department of Environmental Resources
Management ("DERM") to review the environmental impacts of commercial activity at
marina facilities, in particular, charter activity, and to the fullest extent possible,
recommend that the Miami -Dade County Board of County Commissioners enact stricter
environmental regulations so as to limit commercial activities at marina facilities and
thereby protect the environment.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this
ATTEST:
FEB 0 8
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
% day of February2 .
2023,
(sponsored by Commissioner Alex J. Fernandez)
Dan Gelber, Mayor
APPROVED AS TO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& FOR EXECUTION
y _ . I I / ---,o 12e� 2
Fg,, city Attorney Late
Resolutions - C7 AP
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: Rafael A. Paz, City Attorney
DATE: February 1, 2023
SUBJECT: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA,
URGING MIAMI-DADE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESOURCES MANAGEMENT
("DERM-) TO REVIEW THE ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF COMMERCIAL ACTIVITY AT MARINA
FACILITIES, INCLUDING CHARTER ACTIVITY IN PARTICULAR, AND TO THE FULLEST EXTENT
POSSIBLE, RECOMMEND THAT THE MIAMI-DADE COUNTY BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
ENACT STRICTER ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS SO AS TO LIMIT COMMERCIAL ACTIVITIES AT
MARINA FACILITIES AND THEREBY PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT.
ANALYSIS
Pursuant to the request of Commissioner Alex Fernandez, the above -referenced Resolution is submitted for consideration by the
Mayor and City Commission at the February 1, 2023 Commission meeting.
SUPPORTING SURVEY DATA
N/A
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
N/A
Is this a "Residents Right Does this item utilize G.O.
to Know" item. pursuant to Bond Funds?
City Code Section 2-142
No No
Leaislative Trackin
Office of the City Attorney
Sponsor
Commissioner Alex Fernandez
ATTACHMENTS:
Description
o Resolution