Parking will change a bit in Marathon starting tomorrow.
Luis Gonzalez, the mayor of Marathon, joined Good Morning Keys this morning on KeysTalk 96.9/102.5FM this morning to talk about what’s been going on in the city.
Parking fees in Marathon will go into effect as of tomorrow.
Gonzalez said, “The parking fees and the boat launch fee is something that was discussed and was voted on. There’s going to be a launch and recovery fee as well as the boat ramps that offer parking, there would be a fee for leaving your boat. Beach parking will also be implemented.”
If you are a resident of the city of Marathon or Key Colony, you will not need to pay. A camera at these areas will pick up your license plate and will recognize it as a vehicle within the city limits. Everyone else will need to go to a kiosk set up in the areas and provide vehicle information and pay.
Gonzalez said, “It’s pretty normal. You put your information in and you get a parking ticket and you put it on your window and off you go.”
One kiosk was vandalized recently by packing the credit card slot with sand.
Gonzalez reminded, “This is a camera-driven system, so things like that will be picked up on camera, and we might be looking for you here soon.”
The parking fees will help the city of Marathon with costs and expenses.
Fines will be assessed for people who don’t follow the parking structure.
Gonzalez pointed out, “Our parks and beaches take a beating and we need to try to recover to keep them in the pristine shape that they’re in.”
With Governor Ron DeSantis signing the affordable housing act, it will have direct impact on Marathon. It looks like the 300 Rate of Growth ordinance permits might be back in play.
Gonzalez said, “It’s dire. Not only here in Marathon, but throughout the Keys. These units are going to serve an important factor for our workforce that is continuously leaving on a daily basis and we need to provide everything possible to try to keep them here.”
Mayor Gonzalez reminded of the Seven Mile Bridge Run tomorrow and that the bridge will be closed from 6 to 9 a.m. tomorrow. Traffic before and after the run will be slow.
The Marathon City Council will meet at 5:30 p.m. on April 11. The Planning Commission will meet at 5:30 p.m. on April 17 and a Code Compliance hearing at 2 p.m. on April 20.
Support for non-profits will see more than $100,000.
Gonzalez said, “Our non-profits in this community as well as every other community, they play a huge role and they cover areas that sometimes we don’t see. They warrant receiving help whenever possible.”