HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolution_27-24_12/12/2024 RESOLUTION NO. 27-24
A RESOLUTION OF THE VILLAGE COUNCIL OF THE VILLAGE OF
TEQUESTA, FLORIDA, REAFFIRMING ITS PREVIOUSLY
EXPRESSED SUPPORT FOR THE EXTENSION OF THE "MINIMUM
SPEED / NO WAKE ZONE" IN THE INDIAN RIVER LAGOON
INTRACOASTAL WATERWAY NORTH FROM THE C.R. 707 BRIDGE
TO THE AREA NORTH OF CHANNEL MARKER 58; 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 THE FLORIDA FISH
AND WILDLIFE COMMISSION, PALM BEACH COUNTY, AND THE
TOWNS OF JUPITER AND JUPITER INLET COLONY; PROVIDING AN
EFFECTIVE DATE; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES.
WHEREAS, the Indian River Lagoon north of the C.R. 707 Bridge (South Beach
Road) 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, an extension of the "minimum speed /no-wake zone" (which currently
terminates at the C.R. 707 Bridge) north to the area north of channel marker 58 would
impose a boating restriction in this area requiring boats in the navigable channel to travel
at slow speed and produce minimum wake, and would further require boats outside of the
navigable channel to travel at idle speed and produce no wake; and
Pagel
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 Village Council has been made aware of a current continuing local
effort to extend the "minimum speed / no-wake zone" (which currently terminates at the
C.R. 707 Bridge) north to the area north of channel marker 58 for the reasons articulated
above; and
WHEREAS, in 2017 the Village Council previously expressed its support for a
similar effort via Resolution 12-17; and
WHEREAS, the Village Council desires to reaffirm its position of support for this
continuing effort as an important means of protecting the public health, safety and welfare.
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 true and correct, and are incorporated into
this Resolution and are hereby specifically made a part hereof.
Section 2: The Village Council of the Village of Tequesta hereby reaffirms its
position of support for the local effort to extend the "minimum speed / no-wake zone"
(which currently terminates at the C.R. 707 Bridge) north in the Indian River Lagoon from
the C.R. 707 Bridge (South Beach Road) to the area north of channel marker 58, thereby
requiring boats in the navigable channel of the Intracoastal Waterway in this area to travel
at slow speed and produce 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: The Village Manager is directed to do all things necessary to
effectuate the intent of the Village Council as expressed herein.
Section 4: The Village Clerk is directed to provide a copy of this Resolution to
the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, Palm Beach County, and the Towns of Jupiter
and Jupiter Inlet Colony.
Section 5: This Resolution shall take effect immediately upon adoption.
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RESOLUTION DATE
27-24 12/13/24
MOTION Council Member Jayson E. French SECOND Council Member Patrick Painter
FOR AGAINST ABSENT CONFLICT
Mayor Molly Young ✓❑ ❑ ❑ ❑
Vice-Mayor Rick Sartory ❑✓ ❑ ❑ ❑
Council Member Laurie Brandon ❑✓ ❑ ❑ ❑
Council Member Patrick Painter ❑✓ ❑ ❑ ❑
Council Member Jayson E. French ❑✓ ❑ ❑ ❑
The Mayor thereupon declared the Resolution duly passed and adopted.
MAYOR OF TEQUESTA:
Molly Young
ATTEST: = `INCORPORATED:'
4 A9 Q.
Lori McWilliams, MMC
Village Clerk