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

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.