Commission approves draft watercraft enforcement ordinance to advance to city council

Shannon McGillis presented a 123‑page draft watercraft enforcement ordinance to the Jacksonville Waterways Commission on March 13 and asked the commission to approve the draft for filing with City Council. McGillis said the draft expanded enforcement specificity to help law enforcement and administrative bodies address derelict or improperly moored vessels and described recent changes to departmental organization that affected a few sections.

Commissioners praised the ordinance for its specificity and enforcement clarity. Several commissioners, including Barker and Fraden, said the detailed notice provisions and stepwise enforcement approach would help law enforcement and the Environmental Quality Division handle contested removals more efficiently and fairly. Vice Chair Adam Hoyles said the Environmental Protection Board would likely have substantial follow‑up work and hearings.

McGillis said the draft is not final and that staff are coordinating language on pages she identified as affected by recent reorganizations; she said the earliest filing date would be April 2 if the commission approved the draft. Commissioners voted to approve the draft to proceed to Council; Chair Gay, Commissioner Paluso and another council member were listed as co‑introducers for the council filing with confirmation to be sought from Councilmember Amaro.

Commissioners noted the importance of law‑enforcement involvement during implementation; Captain Jim Suber and others were described as partners for the enforcement and hearing process. McGillis encouraged commissioners to ask for line‑by‑line briefings if desired before council filing.