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01/23/2013 MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MEETING MINUTES CITY OF CLEARWATER January 23, 2013 Present: Michael Boutzoukas Chair Duane Schultz Vice-Chair Sheila Cole Board Member James E. Strickland Board Member Sue A. Johnson Board Member Michael J. Riordon Board Member Wayne Carothers Board Member Also Present: Andy Salzman Attorney for the Board Camilo Soto Assistant City Attorney Nicole Sprague Secretary to the Board Patricia O. Sullivan Board Reporter The Chair called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. at City Hall, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily discussed in that order. The Chair outlined the procedures and stated any aggrieved party may appeal a final administrative order of the Municipal Code Enforcement Board to the Circuit Court of Pinellas County within thirty days of the execution of the order. Florida Statute 286.0105 requires any party appealing a decision of this Board to have a record of the proceedings. 2. APPROVAL OF MINUTES – December 19, 2012 Member Schultz moved to approve the minutes of the regular Municipal Code Enforcement Board meeting of December 19, 2012, as submitted in written summation to each board member. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 3. PUBLIC HEARINGS 3.1 Case 01-13 Federal Asset Mgmt LLC 696 Snug Isl Roof Maintenance/Clean Roof – O’Neil No one was present to represent the owner. Inspector Corey O’Neil provided a PowerPoint presentation. A Notice of Violation was issued on August 29, 2012, following the first inspection. Violations at 696 Snug Island relate to roof maintenance. Property photographs on August 28 and December 5, 2012 showed two tarps covering portions of the roof to stop leaks. Property photographs on January 22, 2013 showed a blue tarp covering a portion of the roof. Inspector O’Neil said he had spoken to the tenant but the property owner had not responded to any efforts to communicate. Code Enforcement 2013-01-23 1 Member Schultz moved to find the Respondent(s) in violation of the City of Clearwater Community Development Code as referred to in the affidavit in this case. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Inspector O’Neil recommended compliance by February 22, 2013 or a fine of $150 per day per violation be imposed. Member Riordon moved to enter an order requiring the Respondent to correct the violation on or before February 22, 2013. If the Respondent does not comply within the time specified, the Board may order a fine of $150 per day per violation for each day each violation continues to exist. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Assistant City Attorney Camilo Soto submitted composite exhibits. This case came before the City of Clearwater Code Enforcement Board on January 23, 2013, after due notice to the Respondent(s), and having heard testimony under oath and received evidence, the Board issues the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order: FINDINGS OF FACT Based upon the testimony and evidence received, it is evident that a portion of the roof is covered by tarp and requires repair. The Respondent(s) was/were not present. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 3-1502.D.1 The Respondent(s) is/are in violation of the City of Clearwater Code Section(s) & 3-1502.D.3 , as referred in the Affidavit in this case. ORDER It is the Order of the Board that the Respondent(s) shall comply with said Section(s) of the City of Clearwater Community Development Code by February 22, 2013. If Respondent(s) does/do not comply within the time specified, the Board may order a fine of $150.00 per day for each day the violation continues to exist. Upon complying with said Section(s) of the Code, the Respondent(s) shall notify Inspector Corey O’Neil, who shall inspect the property and notify the Board of compliance. If the Respondent(s) fails/fail to comply within the time specified, a certified copy of the Order imposing the fine may be recorded in the Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida, and once recorded shall constitute a lien against any real property owned by the Respondent(s), pursuant to Chapter 162, Florida Statutes. Any aggrieved party may petition the Board to reconsider or rehear any Board Order resulting from a public hearing. A petition for rehearing must be made in writing and filed with the Board Secretary no later than thirty days after the execution of the Order and prior to the filing of any appeal. Upon receipt of the petition, the Board will consider whether or not to reconsider or rehear the case. The Board will not hear oral argument or evidence in determining whether to grant the petition to reconsider or rehear. Code Enforcement 2013-01-23 2 Any aggrieved party may appeal a final administrative Order of the Municipal Code Enforcement Board to the Circuit Court of Pinellas County within thirty (30) days of the execution of the Order. Florida Statute 286.0105 requires any party appealing a decision of this Board to have a record of the proceedings. DONE AND ORDERED this 23rd day of January 2013, at Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. 3.2 Case 02-13 Federal Asset Mgmt LLC 696 Snug Isl Docks– O’Neil No one was present to represent the owner. Inspector Corey O’Neil provided a PowerPoint presentation. A Notice of Violation was issued on July 2, 2012, following the first inspection. Violations at 696 Snug Island relate to a dock in disrepair. Property photographs on June 27, August 28, and December 5, 2012 showed the leaning dock with its corner underwater and an electrical outlet near the water line. Property photographs on January 22, 2013 showed the leaning dock with its corner underwater, an electrical outlet near the water line, and buckling wood on the dock structure. While the previous owner had begun repair work, the current owner has made no such effort. The property owner did not respond to any staff efforts to communicate. The tenant indicated he did not allow his children on the dock. Member Strickland moved to find the Respondent(s) in violation of the City of Clearwater Development Code as referred to in the affidavit in this case. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Inspector O’Neil recommended compliance by February 22, 2013 or a fine of $150 per day per violation be imposed. It was felt the fine should be higher as the dock poses a serious safety hazard for children living on the property. Member Shultz moved to enter an order requiring the Respondent to correct the violation on or before February 22, 2013. If the Respondent does not comply within the time specified, the Board may order a fine of $200 per day per violation for each day each violation continues to exist. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. Attorney Soto submitted composite exhibits. This case came before the City of Clearwater Code Enforcement Board on January 23, 2013, after due notice to the Respondent(s), and having heard testimony under oath and received evidence, the Board issues the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order: FINDINGS OF FACT Code Enforcement 2013-01-23 3 Based upon the testimony and evidence received, it is evident that the dock is leaning, a corner of the dock is underwater, and wood on the dock is buckling. The Respondent(s) was/were not present. CONCLUSIONS OF LAW 3-601.D.2 The Respondent(s) is/are in violation of the City of Clearwater Code Section , as referred in the Affidavit in this case. ORDER It is the Order of the Board that the Respondent(s) shall comply with said Section(s) of the City of Clearwater Community Development Code by February 22, 2013. If Respondent(s) does/do not comply within the time specified, the Board may order a fine of $200.00 per day for each day the violation continues to exist. Upon complying with said Section(s) of the Code, the Respondent(s) shall notify Inspector Corey O’Neil, who shall inspect the property and notify the Board of compliance. If the Respondent(s) fails/fail to comply within the time specified, a certified copy of the Order imposing the fine may be recorded in the Public Records of Pinellas County, Florida, and once recorded shall constitute a lien against any real property owned by the Respondent(s), pursuant to Chapter 162, Florida Statutes. Any aggrieved party may petition the Board to reconsider or rehear any Board Order resulting from a public hearing. A petition for rehearing must be made in writing and filed with the Board Secretary no later than thirty days after the execution of the Order and prior to the filing of any appeal. Upon receipt of the petition, the Board will consider whether or not to reconsider or rehear the case. The Board will not hear oral argument or evidence in determining whether to grant the petition to reconsider or rehear. Any aggrieved party may appeal a final administrative Order of the Municipal Code Enforcement Board to the Circuit Court of Pinellas County within thirty (30) days of the execution of the Order. Florida Statute 286.0105 requires any party appealing a decision of this Board to have a record of the proceedings. DONE AND ORDERED this 23rd day of January 2013, at Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. 3.3 Case 03-13 – Continued to February 27, 2013 Sugar Factory LLC 1844 Drew Street Sign Maintenance - Weaver Case 03-13 was continued automatically to February 27, 2013. 4. UNFINISHED BUSINESS 4.1 Case 42-12 – Affidavit of Compliance 1504 Garden Inc. 1504 N. Garden Avenue Exterior Surfaces – Franco Code Enforcement 2013-01-23 4 4.2 Case 53-12 – Affidavit of Compliance Charlie Harris Tre 702 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue Exterior Surfaces – Franco 4.3 Case 54-12 - Affidavit of Compliance Klaus P. & Margaret J. Hilgers 210 N. Lincoln Avenue Public Health, Safety or Welfare Nuisance – Franco 4.3b Case 44-12 – Affidavit of Compliance Mary Margaret Jones 1223 Idlewild Drive Exterior Storage/Outdoor Display - Franco 4.4 Case 47-12 – Affidavit of Non-Compliance Eric D. & Renee A. Parks 714 S. Ft. Harrison Avenue Abandoned Building - Schaar 4.5 Case 50-12 Affidavit of Non-Compliance Riviera Motel LLC 217 Coronado Drive Exterior Surfaces – O’Neil Member Cole moved to accept the Affidavits of Compliance for Cases 42-12, 44-12, 53-12, and 54-12 and to accept the Affidavits of Non-Compliance and issue the Orders imposing fines for Cases 47-12 and 50-12. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 5. NEW BUSINESS: 5.1 Case 22-12 – Request for Fine Reduction LOM, Inc. 311 S. Gulfview Boulevard Sea Turtle Nesting – O’Neil No one was present to represent the owner. Inspector O’Neil reviewed the property owner’s request to reduce the fine. He had 8 meetings and 20 telephone calls with the property owner’s representative regarding compliance issues. The property was out of compliance from August 2011 to October 2012. Code Compliance Manager Terry Teunis said staff supports reducing the fine to administration costs due to misunderstandings that had occurred. Opposition was expressed to reducing the fine as turtle lighting requirements are easily accessible on the Internet and the property owner delayed compliance until fines began to accrue. Member Schultz said based on staff’s recommendation he moved to enter an order reducing the fine for Case 22-12 to administration costs of $1,872.20, payable by February 22, Code Enforcement 2013-01-23 5 2013, or the lien will revert to its original amount. The motion was duly seconded. Members Schultz, Cole, Strickland, Johnson, and Carothers, and Chair Boutzoukas voted “Aye”; Member Riordon voted “Nay.” Motion carried. The Municipal Code Enforcement Board has considered the Respondent’s request for reconsideration of fine at a hearing held on January 23, 2013, and based upon the evidence presented, enters the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order. After considering the request for reduction of fine filed by the Respondent(s) and considering that the property is now in compliance, it is evident that a reduction in fine is appropriate in the above-referenced case. It is the Order of this Board that the fine previously imposed in the Order of the Board dated September 26, 2012, as recorded in O.R. Book 17748, Pages 1319 - 1322, of the public records of Pinellas County, Florida, is hereby reduced to administration costs of $1,872.20 payable to the Petitioner within 30 days of the date of this Order. If the reduced fine is not paid within the time specified in this Order, a lien in the original amount of $19,500 shall be recorded in the public records of Pinellas County, Florida. DONE AND ORDERED this 23rd day of January 2013, at Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. 5.2 Case 43-12 – Federal Conciliation Agreement Mary M. Jones 2021 Oakdale Way Development Code Violation – Franco Attorney Soto said the City had entered into a Federal Conciliation Agreement with HUD (Housing & Urban Development) Department. As part of the agreement, the MCEB (Municipal Code Enforcement Board) is requested to waive the fine and administration costs for Case 43-12. In the agreement, neither the City nor MCEB admit to wrongdoing or liability. The City has agreed to modify the City’s Community Development Code to further clarify the definition of a housekeeping unit, implement policy considerations requested by HUD, and settle the initial complaint for a minimal amount. Attorney for the Board Andy Salzman said the MCEB is a party to the initial complaint; depositions were taken in the matter. The City determined the agreement is the best way to avoid unnecessary litigation and clarify issues. The Municipal Code Enforcement Board has considered request for reconsideration of fine at a hearing held on January 23, 2013, and based upon the evidence presented, enters the following Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, and Order. It is the Order of this Board that the fine previously imposed in the Order of the Board dated September 26, 2012, as recorded in O.R. Book 17764, Pages 2603-2605, of the public records of Pinellas County, Florida, is hereby reduced to $0, conditioned upon the execution of conciliation agreements by HUD complainants Mary Margaret Jones, Richard Emory, and Freddie Jones and approval of such conciliation agreements by HUD; otherwise, the fines revert back to the accrued amount and will continue accruing until the property is brought into compliance. Administrative costs are also waived. Code Enforcement 2013-01-23 6 DONE AND ORDERED this 23rd day of January 2013, at Clearwater, Pinellas County, Florida. 5.3 Election of Chair/Vice-Chair Member Johnson moved to appoint Duane Schultz as Chair. The motion was duly seconded and approved by unanimous consent. Member Cole moved to appoint James Strickland as Vice-Chair. The motion was duly seconded and approved by unanimous consent. 6. NUISANCE ABATEMENT LIEN FILINGS: Torin D. Mc Cray PNU2012-00987 1326 Fairmont Street 03-29-15-08370-001-0070 $200.00 Bethel Christian Center Church Inc. PNU2012-01382 1502 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue 10-29-15-61758-002-0081 $283.70 Bethel Christian Center Church Inc. PNU2012-01385 1002 Grant Street 10-29-15-61758-002-0060 $320.95 Henry Jones Est. PNU2012-01595 798 Jurgens Street 10-29-15-00000-230-230-0400 $289.56 Mario A. Chavez PNU2012-01646 1705 N. Highland Avenue 02-29-15-38700-001-0010 $325.00 Marie Dobransky PNU2012-01557 1109 Melonwood Avenue 08-29-16-99103-004-0200 $356.57 Anthony, Ronald, & Lisa Jackson PNU2012-01403 1008 Applewood Drive 08-29-16-99100-008-0230 $200.00 Bethel Christian Center Church Inc. PNU2012-01384 1003 Marshall Street 10-29-15-61758-002-0070 $320.95 Bethel Christian Center Church Inc. PNU2012-01383 1500 N. Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue 10-29-15-61758-002-0080 $283.70 Code Enforcement 2013-01-23 7 Chuck C. Broadhurst PNU2012-01796 1112 Palm Bluff Street 10-29-15-33552-006-0390 $287.08 Patricia De Priest PNU2012-01793 1631 Tuscola Road 23-29-15-76428-000-0280 $200.00 Mary Houle PNU2012-01728 1109 Ridge Avenue 11-29-15-39060-005-0060 $469.50 Pace Tech Properties Inc. PNU2012-01538 507 N. Garden Avenue 09-29-15-37422-002-017Q $341.50 Pace Tech Properties Inc. PNU2012-01537 507 N. Garden Avenue 09-29-15-37422-002-0151 $307.75 Mary J Baker Est. PNU2012-01638 1354 Barry Street 22-29-15-48906-002-0160 $362.39 Urbano 8� Karla R. Rodriguez PNU2Q12-01803 835 Belleair Road 27-29-15-50490-000-0040 $416.00 Otis George PNU2012-01539 Minie Proctor Est. 511 N. Garden Avenue $342.85 09-29-15-37422-002-0181 Tarpon IV LLC PNU2012-01372 801 Howard Street 22-29-15-07938-010-0010 $426.37 Member Johnson moved to accept the Nuisance Abatement Lien filings. The motion was duly seconded and carried unanimously. 7. ADJOURN: Attest: . The meeting adjourned at 2:00 p.m. for the Boa Code Enforcement 2013-01-23 tHE �!� ���" .�.��_ � � - _� _ � Chair 0 Code Enforcement Board 0