Resolution 2025-33764 RESOLUTION NO. 202533764
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
ESTIMATE THE COST TO PHASE OUT THE USE OF PORTABLE, GAS-
POWERED FLOODLIGHTS IN LUMMUS PARK, PARTICULARLY DURING
SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON EACH YEAR(APRIL 1 —OCTOBER 31),AND
TO SUBSTITUTE WITH MORE SUITABLE LIGHTING ALTERNATIVES, SUCH
AS SHIELDED, LOW-MOUNTED AMBER, OR RED LED LIGHTS, IN ORDER
TO PROTECT SEA TURTLES, ENHANCE OCEAN DRIVE AESTHETICS, AND
MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY; AND
FURTHER, DIRECTING THE CITYADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE THE COST
FOR THIS PROJECT AS A POSSIBLE BUDGET ENHANCEMENT DURING
THE FISCAL YEAR 2026 BUDGET PROCESS.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach ("City") is committed to preserving and protecting
its unique coastal environment, including the critical habitat of nesting sea turtles along its
beaches; and
WHEREAS, sea turtle nesting season in the City occurs annually from April 1 through
October 31, during which artificial lighting can disorient hatchlings and nesting females,
leading to injury or death and threatening the survival of protected species; and
WHEREAS, the portable, gas-powered floodlights currently used in Lummus Park emit
intense, unshielded white light that can disrupt sea turtle nesting behavior and cause
significant disorientalion to hatchlings as they emerge and seek the ocean; and
WHEREAS, originally intended for short-term use during construction, maintenance, or
emergency events, these portable, gas-powered floodlights have become frequent fixtures —
left in place or redeployed on a near-continuous basis — in Lummus Park; and
WHEREAS, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission ("FWC') and other
environmental agencies recommend the use of turtle-friendly lighting, including shielded, low-
mounted amberor red LED lights, to minimize light pollulion and protecl sea turtle populations;
and
WHEREAS, the use, and continued overuse, of gas-powered floodlights also detracts
from the aesthetic experience of Ocean Drive and contributes to noise and air pollution in an
iconic and heavily visited area of the City; and
WHEREAS, the City seeks to balance environmental stewardship and public safety by
transitioning to more suslainable and marine life-friendly lighting alternatives that provide
adequate illumination for persons in Lummus Park, utilizing lhe Lummus Park Promenade, or
to maintain public safety as the Police Department deems appropriate, during the evening and
nighttime hours; and
WHEREAS, phasing out gas-powered Floodlights in favor of shielded, turtle-safe lighting
solutions reflects the City's broader goals of suslainability, ecological responsibility, and
enhancing the resident and visitor experience along Ocean Drive and adjacent public spaces.
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 of the City of Miami Beach, Florida, hereby direct the City Administration to
estimate the cost to phase out the use of portable, gas-powered Floodlights in Lummus Park,
particularly during sea turtle nesting season each year(April 1 -0ctober 31), and to substitute
with more suitable lighting alternatives, such as shielded, low-mounted amber, or red led
lights, in order to protect sea Wrtles, enhance Ocean Drive aesthetics, and maintain adequate
illumination for public safety; and further, direc[ing the City Administration to include the cost
for this project as a possible budget enhancement during the Fiscal Year 2026 budget
process.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this as day of JUnC. P0Y5
�
Mayor Steven Meiner
ATTEST:
:UN 3 Q 2025 -�Ph^i-B,Ea�„
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�i7a� r �1i
�—R�el E Granado, City Clerk ': '-iy�0a7�tRi[o.N-
REGIS BARBOU `9� '� ;9'
(Sponsored by Vice-Mayor David Suarez) �'�'���H 26;-.'
APPROVED ASTO
FORM & LANGUAGE
& CUTION
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CityAtfomey/^�� � pa�y
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2
Resolutions-C7 BC
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attomey Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: June 25, 2025
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO
ESTIMATE THE COST TO PHASE OUT THE USE OF PORTABLE, GAS-
POWERED FLOODLIGHTS IN LUMMUS PARK, PARTICULARLY DURING SEA
TURTLE NESTING SEASON EACH YEAR (APRIL 1 - OCTOBER 31), AND TO
SUBSTITUTE WITH MORE SUITABLE LIGHTING ALTERNATIVES, SUCH AS
SHIELDED, LOW-MOUNTED AMBER, OR RED LED LIGHTS, IN ORDER TO
PROTECT SEA TURTLES, ENHANCE OCEAN DRIVE AESTHETICS, AND
MAINTAIN ADEQUATE ILLUMINATION FOR PUBLIC SAFETY; AND FURTHER,
DIRECTING THE CIN ADMINISTRATION TO INCLUDE THE COST FOR THIS
PROJECT AS A POSSIBLE BUDGET ENHANCEMENT DURING THE FISCAL
YEAR 2026 BUDGET PROCESS.
RECOMMENDATION
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
ANALYSIS
The atlached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsor, Vice-Mayor David Suarez.
FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT
The sponsor o(this item requests that the Administration be prepared to address the fscal impact
of this proposed measure and to iden[ify funding in the FV 2026 budget process.
Doas this Ordinance reauire a Business Imoact Estimate?
(FOR ORDINANCES ONLY)
If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE)was published on:
See BIE at: https�llwww miamibeachfl qovlc'N-halllcitv-clerklmeetinq-noticesl
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
1137
Apoliwble Area
Soulh Beach
Is this a "Residents Riaht to Know" item. Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to CiN Code Section 2-77? Proiect?
No rya
Was this Aaenda Item initiallv reuuested bv a lobbvist which as defined in Code Sec 2381
includes a orincioal enaaaed in lobbvina? No
If so, specity the name of lobbyist(s)and pnncipal(s):
Deoartment
City Attorney
Soonsorlsl
Vice-Mayor David Suarez
Co-soonsor(s)
Condensed Title
Remove Lummus Park Flood Lights to Protect Sea Turtles and Improve Ocean Drive
Aesthetics. (Suarez) CA
Previous Action IFor Ciri Clerk Use Onlvl
1738