§ 8-55.5. High impact events on beach property.

(a)

Definitions.

(1)

Beach property means and includes the public bathing beach or beaches on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean in the city extending from the north line of Government Lot 3, Section 12, Township 50 South, Range 42 East extended to the Atlantic Ocean on the south to the northern boundary line of Section 31, Township 49 South, Range 43 East on the north and from North Atlantic Boulevard (State Road A-1-A) on the west to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the east, save and except therefrom that area bounded on the east by the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by the easternmost right-of-way of State Road A-1-A, with the northern and southern boundaries thereof as described in those instruments recorded at Deed Book 372, Page 360 and Official Records Book 1213, Page 643 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, said instruments being on file in the office of the city clerk, and said area generally known as Bonnet House Private Beach, being seven hundred (700) feet of privately owned beach, unencumbered by any public beach easement rights and further excepting therefrom that area shown as Sand Beach on the plat of Lauderdale Beach as recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 2, of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, which extends from the northern boundary line of Section 31, Township 49 South, Range 43 East on the south to the north boundary line of Oakland Park Beach Boulevard extended to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the north and from the east boundary line of Blocks 12, 13, Vista Park, 14, C, D, 15, 16, 17, 18 and 19 of Lauderdale Beach Subdivision as recorded in Plat Book 4, Page 2 of the Public Records of Broward County, Florida, on the west to the waters of the Atlantic Ocean on the east, and it is hereby known and designated as "Fort Lauderdale Beach" and is hereby declared to be a public municipal beach and recreational area for the use of the public in general.

(2)

High impact event means an event or gathering on beach property in the City of Fort Lauderdale during which one (1) or more of the following occur:

a.

An event, activity or period of time that generates a significant spike in social media conversations, increasing audience impressions, and attention on the city, which is expected to generate attendance by more than five thousand (5,000) people for an area of beach property;

b.

City parking lots and garages in an area within a 15-block radius of an event that is held on beach property pursuant to a special event permit, or otherwise, are at full capacity;

c.

An event is held pursuant to a special event permit which is expected to result in attendance by more than twenty-five thousand (25,000) people on beach property;

d.

A maintenance of traffic plan would be required, or is required (e.g., including, but not limited to, street closures, lane closures, shuttle service) based upon the high impact event, or pursuant to a special event permit;

e.

Hotel occupancy levels are anticipated to be greater than eight-five (85) percent in the city; or

f.

Law enforcement mutual aid or other assistance from outside law enforcement agencies is required to provide for the safety and well-being of residents and visitors to the beach property.

(3)

Cooler means a container designed for or capable of carrying or storing foods and beverages in cans or bottles.

(b)

City manager's authority to impose immediate measure(s) for high impact events.

Whenever the city manager determines that a high impact event on beach property will occur, or is in progress, one (1) or more of the following immediate measures may be imposed for beach property, or a portion thereof, to protect the beach property from damage and property degradation:

(1)

The prohibition of coolers.

(2)

The prohibition of any inflatable devices.

(3)

The prohibition of tents, tables, and similar structures.

(4)

The limitation of live or amplified music.

(5)

The limitation of traffic routes to prohibit vehicular access to non-residents, and permit access only for residents and those patrons and employees of businesses located in the specific area where traffic routes have been limited.

(6)

The establishment of occupancy limits for different segments of beach property, and prohibiting access to those areas that have reached those occupancy limits, in order to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the general public.

(7)

The prohibition of any consumption of alcohol on the beach property.

(c)

Notification of high impact event measures. When one (1) or more immediate measures are implemented by the city manager pursuant to subsection b., above, such measures, and their duration, shall be filed with the city clerk and delivered to all appropriate news and social media for publication and to local radio and television stations for broadcast. If practicable, signs may be posted in the impacted area(s) advising of the measures during the duration of such measures.

(d)

Enforcement penalty. Any refusal to comply with the measures imposed pursuant to subsection 8-55.5(b), above, may be punished as provided in section 1-6 of this Code.

(Ord. No. C-18-02 , § 1, 2-6-18)