Riviera Beach council approves modified paid‑parking plan after hours of public comment

Riviera Beach — The City Council on Tuesday approved a modified paid‑parking program for the Ocean Walk and Marina Districts, aiming to reduce long‑term vehicle storage in preferred lots and generate restricted revenue for parking and mobility projects.

City Manager Jonathan Evans told the council, “This item before you this evening is seeking direction from the board as to how you wish to or how you wish to proceed concerning the provision of paid parking services.” The vote followed a two‑hour public comment period during which local business owners, marina users and island residents expressed concerns about costs to employees, validation logistics and impacts on summertime sales.

The council’s approval implements a camera‑based license‑plate recognition system operated by a third‑party vendor and sets a suite of rates and exceptions the council debated at the meeting. Under the amended plan the council approved, the city will offer an annual resident parking pass for $50 per vehicle (license‑plate tied), allow limited free parking windows in some lots, and authorize staff to whitelist employees and marina slip holders so those vehicles are not charged while working or when associated with a paid slip.

The plan reflects changes after months of outreach. Randy Sherman, the city’s chief financial officer,…