R7AB - Direct Quiet Zone and Waterway Marker Pilot

Resolutions - R7 AB

R7 AB 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. Applicable Area:

COMMISSION MEMORANDUM

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.

BACKGROUND/HISTORY

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

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 signage 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 wetface 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.

FISCAL IMPACT STATEMENT

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.

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.gov/city-hall/city-clerk/meeting-notices/

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

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.

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

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

Sponsor(s)

Commissioner David Suarez

Co-sponsor(s)

Condensed Title

Committee Referrals - C4 O

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:

Post Quiet Zone Signage in Various Residential Areas Around City Waterways. (Suarez) EN