Committee flags e-bikes, micro‑mobility and drones as enforcement priorities; asks MIPD and code to brief next meeting

Councilor Bonita Schwan told the committee she has observed electric bikes and other motorized micro‑mobility devices operating on the beach and at access points and said she will present a white paper to City Council on pedestrian safety. “I have been seeing electric bikes on the actual beach,” Schwan said, and asked the committee to consider enforcement and public‑education responses.

Committee members described the existing nightly beach-activity report compiled by MIPD (which logs fishermen, drones observed, sea‑turtle lighting violations and noise complaints) and agreed the committee should compile data before proposing ordinance changes. Member Quinlan said the city code already prohibits drones within 500 feet of posted nesting areas but noted signage is lacking; code enforcement is working to place signs at Residence Beach. The committee asked staff to invite law enforcement and code to the next meeting to review CAD logs, call data and enforcement options and to help the public learn how to document incidents (photos, calls) to create enforceable records.

Why this matters: e‑bike and drone use touches public safety, sea‑turtle protections, and enforcement capacity. The committee signaled this is a multi‑agency issue requiring MIPD, code enforcement, and public outreach.