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Council permits overnight mooring at Riverwalk day dock for intergovernmental transit service

5024501 · June 21, 2025
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Summary

Council amended code to allow overnight mooring at the Riverwalk public day dock by intergovernmental agreement so the county's expanded water‑taxi service can dock larger vessels overnight.

The City Council adopted a text change on May 28 to permit overnight mooring at the Riverwalk public day dock — but only when an intergovernmental agreement (IGA) authorizes a government transit operator to use the dock overnight. City staff and council described the change as a targeted amendment to accommodate Manatee County’s water‑taxi program and a planned larger, faster vessel the county intends to deploy.

Public Works and administration said the city’s original day‑dock ordinance prohibited overnight mooring; county transit officials asked for a targeted code change so a larger enclosed vessel the county is acquiring could berth overnight while operating an intercity/visitor ferry route. The change restricts overnight mooring to government transit operators under an IGA to limit commercial mooring and protect the dock’s public-access purpose.

Council members asked about signage and derelict‑vessel concerns; staff said the amendment applies specifically to the Riverwalk day dock and that the county and Tourism Development Council are coordinating improved signage and wayfinding. The ordinance passed 5–0.