HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — The Hollywood City Commission on Sept. 3 rejected a motion to rescind a recent resolution that directed staff to pursue permits for vessel-exclusion buoys, leaving intact the commission’s instruction to apply for buoys roughly 218 yards offshore while staff confirms the status of an existing municipal ordinance that currently refers to a 300‑yard exclusion.

City Manager (unnamed) told the commission that staff “had failed to inform you and recognize that we already have a long standing for decades existing ordinance that's at 300 yards,” and said the omission led to inconsistent public information during the prior discussion. Director Chris O’Brien characterized the earlier briefing as “incomplete.”

Why it matters: The question pits two public-safety aims — keeping swimmers, snorkelers and divers clear of motorized vessels — against recreational boating and access to nearshore reefs. Commission members said the buoys are meant to create a visible, enforceable line in the water so lifeguards and marine patrols can better protect swimmers and divers.

The commission’s action and next steps

- Motion to reconsider the earlier resolution (mover: Commissioner Schuham; second: Vice Mayor Quintana) failed on a 5–2 vote. The two commissioners supporting reconsideration were Vice Mayor Idelma Quintana and Commissioner Schuham; the commission majority opposed, and the earlier resolution stands.

- Staff was directed to continue permitting work. City staff said they will: (1) confirm whether the existing 300‑yard ordinance is valid and whether it was ever permitted by the state; (2) proceed with permit applications for vessel‑exclusion buoys at the distance authorized by the commission’s prior resolution; and (3) pursue separate permits for reef‑marker buoys and for mooring buoys so one permitting track does not hold up the others.

- Commissioners requested a follow‑up briefing with clear legal references and recommended permit distances so the body can decide whether to amend the city ordinance to match any permitted buoy line.

What staff said

City Manager: “Staff had failed to inform you and recognize that we already have a long standing for decades existing ordinance that's at 300 yards,” a staff presentation to the commission said, and staff pledged to verify the ordinance’s standing with the state before finalizing recommendations.

Director O’Brien: “Incomplete,” O’Brien said of the earlier presentation and explained that the city must secure state authorization for any exclusionary buoys and that permitting will be pursued while staff verifies the ordinance and other technical questions.

Points raised by commissioners and speakers

- Safety and enforcement: Several commissioners and the fire/lifeguard contingent emphasized enforcement depends on marked buoys; an unmarked ordinance is difficult to enforce.

- Consistency with neighbors: Some commissioners cited Hallandale Beach and Dania Beach as nearby points of comparison when debating a consistent line for boaters.

- Natural‑feature approach: Lifeguards told the commission they often use the color change in the water (the shallower light‑to‑dark contour) as an operational guide; some commissioners asked staff to include shoreline contour and reef locations in any permitting analysis.

No new buoys were installed at the meeting. The commission kept the prior resolution in place and instructed staff to pursue permitting and to return with verified legal and technical recommendations.