HomeMy WebLinkAboutHandouts_Regular_12/12/2019c
RESOLUTION NO.
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, REQUESTING PALM BEACH COUNTY (the
COUNTY) TO 'INSTALL ADA-COMPLIANT MATTING AT THE
COUNTY -DESIGNATED KAYAK LAUNCH SITE IN CORAL COVE
PARK THEREBY ENABLING THE FLORIDA FISH AND WILDLIFE
CONSERVATION COMMISSION. (FWC) TO OFFICIALLY
RECOGNIZE THE SITE AND CREATE A "MINIMUM SPEED / NO
WAKE ZONE" IN THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON INTRACOASTAL
WATERWAY FROM THE C.R. 707 BRIDGE TO A POINT, 500 FEET
NORTH OF THE CORAL COVE PARK KAYAK LAUNCH SITE;
DIRECTING THE VILLAGE MANAGER TO DO ALL THINGS
NECESSARY TO EFFECTUATE THE INTENT OF THE VILLAGE
COUNCIL AS EXPRESSED HEREIN; DIRECTING THE VILLAGE
CLERK TO PROVIDE COPIES OF. THIS RESOLUTION TO PALM
BEACH COUNTY, THE FWC, THE TOWNS OF JUPITER AND
JUPITER INLET COLONY, AND THE MARINE INDUSTRY
ASSOCIATION OF PALM. BEACH COUNTY; PROVIDING. AN
EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon from the C.R. 707 Bridge (South Beach Road) to
and including Coral Cove Park is a popular location for boating, kayaking, paddle -boarding,
snorkeling and general recreational swimming; and
WHEREAS, current Intracoastal Waterway regulations allow powerboats to travel at
speeds up to 25 miles per hour in the navigable channel and at "slow speed — minimum wake"
outside of the channel in this area; and
WHEREAS, powerboat acceleration and deceleration, along with the wake generated,by
boats traveling'at such speeds creates a variety of issues harmful to the public health, safety and
welfare, including physical danger and injury to snorkelers and swimmers, dangerous bridge
navigation by multiple competing boats of varying sizes, accelerated degradation and erosion of
adjacent and near -by shorelines, loss of mangrove islands, harm to special status species (e.g. West
Indian Manatee, and Johnson Seagrass), and damage to infrastructure and personal property such
as docks and other boats; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council passed a resolution on March 13, 2017 supporting the
creation of a reduced speed zone from the C.R. 707 Bridge to the northern boundary of Coral Cove
Park.
1
h Znda4; -
n'`' "
WHEREAS, an extension of the "minimum speed / no -wake zone" from the C.R. 707
Bridge to a point 500 feet north of the Coral Cove Park kayak launch site would impose a boating
restriction in this area requiring boats in the navigable channel to travel at minimum speed and
produce a minimum wake, and would further require boats outside of the navigable channel to
travel at idle speed and produce no wake; and
WHEREAS, the imposition of such boating restrictions in this area would increase boater
safety especially related to bridge navigation; would, on average, only increase travel time through
this area by a matter of minutes; and would reduce, minimize, and even eliminate the above
referenced dangers to the public health, safety and welfare caused by current powerboat
acceleration and deceleration, along with the wake generated by boats traveling at the higher
speeds that are currently permitted; and
WHEREAS, the installation of ADA-compliant matting at the Coral Cove Park kayak
launch site is necessary for the FWC to designate the described area as a minimum speed / no wake
zone.
WHEREAS, the Village Council has been made aware of a current local effort to extend
the "minimum speed / no -wake zone" from the C.R. 707 Bridge to a point 500 feet north of the
Coral Cove Park kayak launch site for the reasons expressed above; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council desires to express its support for this effort as a means of
protecting the public health, safety and welfare and enhancing recreational opportunities and
access in the region for the residents of the Village of Tequesta and others within the community.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA, PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA, AS FOLLOWS:
Section 1: The above recitals are incorporated into this Resolution and are hereby
specifically made a part hereof.
Section 2: The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta hereby expresses its support
for the local effort to extend the "minimum speed / no -wake zone" in the Indian River Lagoon
from the C.R. 707 Bridge to a point 500 feet north of the Coral Cove Park kayak launch site,
thereby requiring boats in the navigable channel in this area to travel at minimum speed and
produce a minimum wake, and thereby further requiring boats outside of the navigable channel in
this area to travel at idle speed and produce no wake.
Section 3: To enable the creation of such a reduced speed zone, the Village Council
of the Village. of Tequesta herebyrequests that Palm Beach County install ADA-compliant.
v
matting at the County -designated kayak launch site in Coral Cove Park.
Section 4: The Village Manager is directed to do all things necessary to effectuate the
intent of the Village Council as expressed herein.
Section 5: The Village Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Resolution to Palm
Beach County, the FWC, the Towns of Jupiter and Jupiter Inlet Colony, and the Marine Industry
Association of Palm Beach County.
Section 6: This Resolution shall take effect.immediately upon adoption.
..
3