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HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2025-34055RESOLUTION NO. 2025-34055 A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO BEGIN THE PILOT PROGRAM OF PLACING QUIET ZONE SIGNS ON SEAWALLS IN THE IDENTIFIED LOCATIONS AND BEGIN THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ADDING WATERWAY MARKER SIGNS IN THE WATER FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION AND TO IDENTIFY ASSOCIATED FUNDING. WHEREAS, the Mayor and City Commission of the City of Miami Beach approved a referral on June 25, 2025, to explore the placement of Quiet Zone signage in residential areas around city waterways; and WHEREAS, the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee (the "Committee") discussed the matter at its October 22, 2025 meeting, and recommended moving forward with landward signage in the short-term and a long-term plan for waterway markers; and WHEREAS, according to the City's Marine Patrol, excessive noise from vessels navigating City waterways has prompted numerous complaints from residents, particularly in areas such as Star, Palm, and Hibiscus Islands, Belle Isle, Surprise Lake, La Gorce, Indian Creek, Normandy Shores, Biscayne Point, Stillwater, and Tatum Waterway; and WHEREAS, the City Administration has determined that placing signage on City - owned seawalls and landward locations minimizes regulatory burdens and avoids the need for environmental permitting from agencies such as DERM, FWC, FDEP, USACE, and the USCG; and WHEREAS, any signage must be visible from at least 50 yards away in order to be effective for boaters, which may require larger signs and careful placement to avoid obstructing scenic views; and WHEREAS, in contrast, the installation of in -water waterway markers would involve significant regulatory, environmental, and financial hurdles, including permitting from multiple various agencies; and WHEREAS, the Committee requested that Quiet Zone signs be placed on land in the locations identified in the Committee Memorandum, and the Administration recommends identifying a funding source to design, print, and install the signs in-house within the FY 2027 budget in order to reduce consultant costs; and WHEREAS, funding for the Quiet Zone signage initiative is to be identified during the FY 2027 budget process, as no funds are currently allocated in the FY 2026 budget. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT DULY RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, hereby accept the favorable recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, directing the City Administration to begin the pilot program of placing quiet zone signs on seawalls in the identified locations and begin the permitting process for adding waterway marker signs in the water for a long-term solution and to identify associated funding. PASSED AND ADOPTED this 1-7 dayof Deyoj ee, 12025. ATTEST: Steven Meiner, Mayor Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk DEC 2 2 2025 ....... -ern ...... (Sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez) <.,;,,,'� �:;cev.oe�i=o APPROVED AS TO FORM & LANGUAGE EXECUTION Izl� Izoz� IN AMomv_ _ Dote Resolutions - R7 AB MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Eric Carpenter, City Manager DATE: December 17, 2025 TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, ACCEPTING THE FAVORABLE RECOMMENDATION OF THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO BEGIN THE PILOT PROGRAM OF PLACING QUIET ZONE SIGNS ON SEAWALLS IN THE IDENTIFIED LOCATIONS AND BEGIN THE PERMITTING PROCESS FOR ADDING WATERWAY MARKER SIGNS IN THE WATER FOR A LONG-TERM SOLUTION AND TO IDENTIFY ASSOCIATED FUNDING. RECOMMENDATION The Administration understands waterway noise concerns conveyed through the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee. Due to the regulatory reticence to add waterway markers and the challenges with visibility of upland signage, the Administration does not recommend that resources and funding be allocated for this project. Regulatory agencies must provide their approval for waterway markers, and recent projects and meetings have illustrated the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), and the US Coast Guard (USCG) are not in support of additional waterway markers due to sign pollution and the potential for navigational hazards. If the Mayor and City Commission accept the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, a scope will need to be developed to estimate the funding required for the short term and long-term capital project of designing, permitting, and constructing waterway and land -based signage for quiet zones as part of the FY 2027 budget process. On June 25, 2025, the Mayor and City Commission approved item C4 O, Referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee to discuss potentially placing quiet zone signage in various residential areas around city waterways. (Attachment A). The item was sponsored by Commissioner David Suarez. At the October 22, 2025 Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, the Committee provided a favorable recommendation for the item to move to the full commission to begin the pilot program of placing signs on seawalls in the identified locations and to begin the permitting process for adding signs in the waterways for a long-term solution. ANALYSIS The referral memorandum and Committee discussion requested waterway Quiet Zone signage including on land, seawalls, and in waterways. Key considerations include location and visibility of the signage posted on land and seawalls within city -owned property. Per conversations with Marine Patrol and Code Compliance, vessels that travel through the city's waterways usually maintain a 50-to-100-yard buffer from seawalls, sometimes further, depending on the area. As 2907 of 3458 such, any signage posted should be visible from at least 50 yards away. This may require larger signage to be posted in these areas; however, consideration should be given to avoid obstructing views of the Bay and adjacent waterways. Furthermore, if the signage is posted on the wetface of an existing seawall, the visibility of the signage at high tide and at a distance, durability of the paint and materials used, and the maintenance required to keep the sign visible should be considered. Placing Quiet Zone sigr;Lge on land and seawalls within City -owned property minimizes the environmental regulatory considerations and need for authorizations from the environmental permitting agencies depending where and how the signage would be mounted on the seawall. If the signage is mounted landward of the welfare of the existing seawall and no upland resources are impacted by the installation (i.e. mangroves), authorization from the environmental agencies will not be required. If the signage is mounted on the wetface of existing seawalls or on the top of existing seawall caps, authorization may be required from Miami -Dade County (DERM). If the signage were to be placed in the waterways utilizing waterway markers, there would be considerable regulatory requirements from the environmental permitting agencies. The installation would require review and approval from DERM, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and the US Coast Guard (USCG) at a minimum. Many of the regulatory considerations from these agencies include the presence of benthic resources, water depth, endangered species habitat, letters of consent from adjacent property owners, waterward extension of the structures, proximity to federal channels, and navigational concerns. The costs associated with posting signage varies depending on the design including size, location of the sign, materials used, and method of installation. If the signs were printed in-house via the Parking Department, the cost would be lower than going out for a competitive bid. A consultant would need to be engaged to complete the design and permitting and provide an opinion of probable cost for construction. The referral memo highlighted locations such as Monument Island, Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, street ends along West Ave and easements or other appropriate areas on the Venetian Causeway. In addition, Marine Patrol highlighted top areas of complaints and vessel traffic as: Star Island, Palm and Hibiscus Islands, Belle Isle, Surprise Lake, La Gorce, Indian Creek north of 63rd, Normandy Shores, Biscayne Point, Stillwater, and Tatum Waterway. In regard to Monument Island, pursuant to Resolution 2023-32570, the City Commission accepted the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee to prioritize funding for a project on the spoil island to create a non -motorized vessel and swim -only area, riprap revetment, restoration, and related signage. This project is currently undergoing the design and permitting process with the relevant environmental regulatory agencies. If the project is approved, constructed, and enforced, there is likely to be a decline in noise complaints emanating from the island. The Administration recommends the City Commission carefully consider several critical factors that will significantly impact the General Fund budget: 1. The City's increasing unfunded capital improvement program; 2. Long-term General Fund financial projections indicating a potential shortfall in upcoming fiscal years; 3. The passage of Amendment 5 in November 2024, which increases the homestead exemption and further constrains the growth of taxable property values. 2908 of 3458 These considerations are essential to ensure that decisions regarding the waterway marker signage align with the City's broader long-term financial stability and strategic priorities. If the Mayor and City Commission recommend funding, the Administration recommends it be considered as part of the FY 2027 budget process. 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.govicity-hall/cityclorklmeetina-notices! FINANCIAL INFORMATION If the Mayor and City Commission accept the recommendation of the Public Safely and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, a scope will need to be developed to estimate the funding required for the short term and long-term capital project of designing, permitting, and constructing waterway and land -based signage for quiet zones as part of the FY 2027 budget process. CONCLUSION Due to the regulatory reticence to add waterway markers and the challenges with visibility of upland signage, the Administration does not recommend that resources and funding be allocated for this project. If the Mayor and City Commission accept the recommendation of the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee, a scope will need to be developed to estimate the funding required for the short term and long-term capital project of designing, permitting, and constructing waterway and land -based signage for quiet zones as part of the FY 2027 budget process. Applicable Area Citywide Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item, Is this item related to a G.O. Bond pursuant to City Code Section 2-17? Proiect? 11a7 IT 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 Environment and Sustainability Sponsorial Commissioner David Suarez Co-sponsor(s) Condensed Title 2909 of 34SS Post Quiet Zone Signage in Various Residential Areas Around City Waterways. (Suarez) EN Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only) 2910 of 3458 C4 O REFERRAL TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POTENTIALLY PLACING QUIET ZONE SIGNAGE IN VARIOUS RESIDENTIAL AREAS AROUND CITY WATERWAYS. Applicable Area: 2911 of 3458 Committee Referrals - C4 O MIAMI BEACH COMMISSION MEMORANDUM TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission FROM: Commissioner David Suarez DATE: June 25, 2025 TITLE: REFERRAL TO THE PUBLIC SAFETY AND NEIGHBORHOOD QUALITY OF LIFE COMMITTEE TO DISCUSS POTENTIALLY PLACING QUIET ZONE SIGNAGE IN VARIOUS RESIDENTIAL AREAS AROUND CITY WATERWAYS. BACKGROUNDIHISTORY ANALYSIS Please place on the June 25, 2025 City Commission agenda a referral to the Public Safety and Neighborhood Quality of Life Committee ('PSNQLC") meeting to discuss potentially placing "Quiet Zone" signage in various residential areas around City waterways. The Marine and Waterfront Protection Authority ('MWPA") recently passed a Resolution regarding the posting of Quiet Zone signs in various residential waterway areas. While the City's Marine Patrol has recently done a good job of enforcing the City's Noise Ordinance, they cannot be everywhere, and Quiet Zone signage in residential areas can impact responsible vessel operators and will alleviate any doubt about the applicability of noise restrictions in the water. In support of residents' quality of life, I would like to discuss the possibility of the City posting Quiet Zone signage on land and seawalls within City -owned property such as Monument Island, Maurice Gibb Memorial Park, the dead-end streets to Biscayne Bay off West Avenue, and the easements or other appropriate areas on the Venetian Causeway. As such, I would request that the City Administration be prepared at Committee to discuss their thoughts and recommendations, along with any costs or concerns, regarding this initiative. FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT TBD Does this Ordinance require a Business Impact Estimate? (FOR ORDINANCES ONLY) If applicable, the Business Impact Estimate (BIE) was published on: See BIE at: h"ps:llwww.miamibeachfl.gov/city-hall/cityclerk/meetinci-notices) 2912 of 3458 CONCLUSION Applicable Area Citywide Is this a 'Residents Riaht to Know" item. Is this item related to a G.O. Bond Pursuant to City Code Section 2-177 Project? kin No 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): N/A Department Office of Commissioner David Suarez Sponsor(s) Commissioner David Suarez Co-sponsors) Condensed Title Ref: PSNQLC - Post Quiet Zone Signage in Various Residential Areas Around City Waterways. (Suarez) Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only) 2913 of 3458