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Commission asks parks and parking staff to address boat‑ramp enforcement after residents report pay‑to‑launch incidents
Summary
A commissioner raised complaints that security at a city‑operated boat ramp blocked launches and required pay‑by‑phone receipts even when users were not parking; park and parking officials said the city does not charge for launching and will follow up with protocol and contractor oversight.
Commissioners on Sept. 13 pressed parks and parking authority staff to resolve reports that security at a city‑operated boat ramp had blocked users from launching without producing a pay‑by‑phone parking receipt.
Issue described by commissioner Commissioner Gabriel (on the dais) said he observed private security closing ramp gates on weekdays and demanding that users pay a $15.79 pay‑by‑phone fee even when they were launching rather than parking. He said the practice had happened more than once in his district and that residents were being targeted; he asked for a uniform policy and said the practice should not be limited to one neighborhood.
Agency responses - Angel Diaz, COO of the Miami Parking Authority, told the commission parking enforcement only applies when the lot is open and that the authority charges for parking, not for ramp access. He said the parking authority enforces when lots are open but does not control gate opening and that the parks department and its contracted security manage the ramp operations. - Barbara Hernandez, Assistant City Manager for Operations (parks), said park rangers and the contracted security company handle boat‑ramp operations. Hernandez said staff had met with the security contractor, reminded them not to prevent lawful ramp access, and would follow up after commissioners reported a second incident.
Commissioner direction and next steps Commissioners asked parks and the parking authority to reconcile their practices, confirm that launching a vessel without parking is not charged, and ensure contractors do not improperly block lawful use. Parks and MPA staff confirmed they would investigate the incidents, address contractor behavior, and report back to the commission.
Quote from the hearing: “We are actually prohibited in charging for the use of a boat ramp and access to the river,” a commissioner said during the discussion, and parks staff acknowledged they would address the reported incidents with the contractor.
Ending: Staff agreed to follow up with the contractor, clarify the policy for launch access versus parking, and report back to the commissioner with findings.
