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Council moves to terminate lease at Old Bridge Marina after months of noncompliance
Summary
City staff told the council the Old Bridge Marina lease will be terminated after the owner repeatedly failed to remove submerged vessels and comply with permit/cleanup obligations following Hurricane Ian. Council approved termination and discussed likely city costs and potential liens to recover removal expenses.
City Manager Marty Lawing summarized a months‑long enforcement effort at Old Bridge Marina, a 1.98‑acre submerged‑lands lease, and recommended terminating the lease after the marina failed to remove submerged boats and comply with cleanup directives following Hurricane Ian.
Lawing told the council the city had sent notices of violation and a default letter; the owner’s registered agent accepted some notices but there was “no response or indication that they had fully complied” and the city had started permit attempts that were declined by DEP. Lawing said if the lease is terminated the city would assume control and responsibility for expensive boat removals but could pursue liens against the upland property to recover costs.
Council members discussed practical considerations, including whether the city would become responsible for removal costs, options to recover expenses, and interest in pursuing the property if it became available on the market. One council member suggested the city should watch for bankruptcy or sale opportunities to acquire useful waterfront property. The council approved the recommended lease termination and directed staff to proceed with next steps.
Implementation: staff will pursue termination steps and outline cost‑recovery options; the city flagged removal costs as potentially significant and noted liens on uplands as a recovery mechanism.
