Council directs staff to pursue no‑wake/speed options at Joe’s Bayou, asks for statutory justification

Destin — The City Council on Monday asked staff to develop legal justification and proposed ordinance language that would allow the city, potentially in cooperation with Okaloosa County and Florida Fish and Wildlife, to establish additional boating safety restrictions at Joe’s Bayou. The council heard detailed guidance from Mike Norberg, Okaloosa County coastal resource manager, and from city staff and sheriff’s deputies on the state statutory limits for boating safety zones, kayak/boat launch facilities and slow‑speed/no‑wake areas. Norberg and staff emphasized that the state statute defines the conditions under which municipalities may create slow‑speed, no‑wake or no‑vessel zones and that Fish and Wildlife must approve zone permits. Why it matters: Residents and council members described jet‑ski racing and excessive speeds in the narrow bayou that neighbors said endanger paddle‑boarders, swimmers and docks. Council members asked for a path that remains within state statutory authority while preventing dangerous behavior. What the council directed: Councilmember Kevin Schmidt moved that staff produce a matrix showing types of boating safety zones (no‑wake, slow speed, no vessels), the statutory requirements for each, and whether the Joe’s Bayou area meets any of the statutory criteria. Council also asked staff to work with the county so the county can consider a countywide or cooperative approach to establishing and maintaining zones and signs. The motion passed with council consensus as recorded in the meeting. Staff and enforcement: Sheriff’s Office representatives said enforcement would be a joint effort; deputies said the county does operate a marine unit that could support enforcement and that FWC can also issue citations. Staff cautioned that maintenance costs and signage installation are initial expenses; Fish & Wildlife approval is required for kayak‑launch facilities and some zone changes. Ending: Staff will return with a statutory checklist/matrix, proposed ordinance language if criteria are met, cost estimates for signs and launch design requirements, and a recommended enforcement plan.