HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution 2026-34183RESOLUTION NO. 2026-34183
A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE
CITY OF MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY
ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE IT A CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2O27
LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY TO URGE THE STATE OF FLORIDA TO
ADOPT LEGISLATION PROHIBITING ADVERTISING VESSELS FROM
OPERATING, ANCHORING, OR MOORING IN STATE WATERS,
INCLUDING IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ADJACENT TO THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH.
WHEREAS, the City of Miami Beach ('City") is an internationally renowned coastal
community whose economy, quality of life, and identity are closely tied to the protection and
enjoyment of its beaches, ocean views, and coastal environment; and
WHEREAS, advertising vessels displaying or towing large banners, LED or flashing
lights, or other promotional materials have operated in navigable waters within and adjacent to
City, including the Atlantic Ocean; and
WHEREAS, the City has received numerous complaints from residents and beachgoers,
including residents of oceanfront properties and individuals enjoying the City's beaches and
adjacent swim areas, regarding the presence and operation of advertising vessels; and
WHEREAS, the operation of advertising vessels along the City's coastline and other
navigable waters constitutes a visual nuisance that detracts from the natural beauty of the City's
shoreline and the enjoyment of the ocean and waterways by residents and visitors; and
WHEREAS, such advertising vessels operate within busy waterways used by
recreational boaters, personal watercraft operators, parasail operators, and other marine traffic,
along with many swimmers, divers, and bathers; and
WHEREAS, the presence and operation of advertising vessels in close proximity to
heavily used beaches and adjacent swim areas raises public safety concerns for swimmers and
other ocean and waterway users; and
WHEREAS, illuminated, digital, or other sign displays visible over long distances on
open water may distract vessel operators and contribute to reduced situational awareness in
heavily used coastal waters; and
WHEREAS, the beaches, ocean views, and waterways are critical components of the
City's tourism -based economy, which generates substantial economic activity, employment
opportunities, and tax revenues for both the City, County, and the State of Florida, and
businesses throughout the City - including hotels, restaurants, retail shops, and service
providers - heavily rely on tourism to support their business operations; and
WHEREAS, other jurisdictions have recognized the potential safety and nuisance
concerns associated with advertising vessels, including the State of New York which, pursuant
to Section 43-a of the New York Navigation Law, prohibits vessels from operating, anchoring,
or mooring in the navigable waters of the State while displaying or operating a digital billboard
or other type of billboard utilizing flashing, intermittent, or moving lights; and
WHEREAS, prohibiting vessels used primarily to display signs or floating billboard
structures are intended to regulate the placement and operation of sign structures in a content -
neutral manner rather than with any regard to the message displayed; and
WHEREAS, the City respectfully urges the State of Florida to adopt legislation
prohibiting advertising vessels from operating, anchoring, or mooring in state waters, including
in the Atlantic Ocean, in order to protect public safety, reduce marine accidents and traffic
conflicts in busy waterways, eliminate visual nuisances along the shoreline and waterways, and
preserve the economic vitality and natural beauty of the City of Miami Beach and Florida's other
coastal communities.
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 make
it a City of Miami Beach 2027 legislative priority to urge the State of Florida to adopt legislation
prohibiting advertising vessels from operating, anchoring, or mooring in State waters, including
in the Atlantic Ocean adjacent to the City'' of Miami Beach.
9
PASSED AND ADOPTED this � dayof AOMk q(^/ 2026.
ATTEST:N MAR
2 U 2026 Steven Meiner, Mayor
Rafael E. Granado, City Clerk
(Sponsored by Mayor Steven Meiner and Commis Tanya K. Bhatt)
t
.e.. a.IAt4
APPROVED AS TO
FORM &LANGUAGE
&fOR EXECUTION
City A#WW ,^r,� Date
Resolutions - C7 AC
MIAMI BEACH
COMMISSION MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Commission
FROM: City Attorney Ricardo J. Dopico
DATE: March 18, 2026
TITLE: A RESOLUTION OF THE MAYOR AND CITY COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF
MIAMI BEACH, FLORIDA, DIRECTING THE CITY ADMINISTRATION TO MAKE IT
A CITY OF MIAMI BEACH 2O27 LEGISLATIVE PRIORITY TO URGE THE STATE
OF FLORIDA TO ADOPT LEGISLATION PROHIBITING ADVERTISING VESSELS
FROM OPERATING, ANCHORING, OR MOORING IN STATE WATERS,
INCLUDING IN THE ATLANTIC OCEAN ADJACENT TO THE CITY OF MIAMI
BEACH.
BACKGROUNDIHISTORY
ANALYSIS
The attached Resolution was prepared at the request of the sponsors, Mayor Steven Meiner and
Commissioner Tanya K. BhatL
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.miamibeachfi.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
CONCLUSION
Applicable Area
Citywide
680 of 1677
Is this a "Residents Right to Know" item. Is this item related to a G.O. Bond
pursuant to City Code Section 2-177 Project?
No 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):
Department
City Attorney
Sponsorts)
Mayor Steven Meiner
Commissioner Tanya K. Bhatt
Co-sponsor(s)
Condensed Title
Prohibit Commercial Vessel Advertising as a 2027 Legislative Priority. (MeinerfBhatt) CA
Previous Action (For City Clerk Use Only)
681 of 1677