Council hears complaints about illegal charters at Silver Palm Boat Ramp; deputy proposes $200,000 for dock attendants

During the Sept. 25 final budget hearing the council considered a council member’s request — raised on behalf of the Marine Advisory Board — to address unauthorized charter and pickup/drop‑off activity at the Silver Palm Boat Ramp.

Deputy Miranaglis (council member) described photos and reports showing charters and other commercial operators occupying the seawall and blocking docks, and proposed adding two dock attendants at roughly $100,000 per attendant (estimated $200,000) to collect fees, check licenses and insurance, and manage parking enforcement.

City staff and code enforcement said the activity is already prohibited by city code as a commercial use of park property but that enforcement is operationally challenging because vendors often depart before staff can issue citations. Development and parks staff said alternatives include formalizing the activity with a license and a landing fee, identifying better locations (for example Red Reef West), or strengthening signage and interim warnings while staff collect usage data.

“Right now, city code prohibits this activity. It’s a commercial activity in a park,” City Manager George S. Brown said. Staff recommended a data‑driven approach: have rangers and code staff collect frequency and timing data so the council can decide whether to prohibit, strictly enforce, or authorize and charge for the activity. Code enforcement also said it has contacted known vendors by phone to warn them.

Council members signaled support for further study and interim enforcement measures (signage, notifications and direct outreach) rather than immediately adding personnel in the adopted budget; staff said the cost and service model could be brought back as an amendment if the council decides to authorize a program.

Next steps: Staff will collect more data from park rangers and code enforcement on frequency, locations and safety risks and return with recommendations for enforcement, licensing, location changes or a budget amendment if the council elects to formalize the service.