02/17/2021 - Civil Citation Appeal HearingsPresent:
CIVIL CITATION APPEAL HEARINGS
CITY OF CLEARWATER
FEBRUARY 17, 2021
Nancy Mag Special Magistrate
Matthew Smith Senior Assistant City Attorney
James Perz Police Officer
Stephanie Beruvides Paralegal
Nicole Sprague Deputy City Clerk
The meeting was called to order at 1:00 p.m. at the Clearwater Main Library, 2nd Floor
Conference Room.
To provide continuity for research, items are in agenda order although not necessarily
discussed in that order.
3. Citizens to be Heard Regarding Items Not on the Agenda: None.
4. New Business
4.1 Case CW20-169599 — Violation of Code for Prohibited Mooring: Respondent
Christopher Grasso
Officer Perz said that on December 31, 2020 he started the derelict vessel process on a
25 ft sailing vessel named Sweet Pea with a Florida boat registration of FL6224RG located west
of the intracoastal waterway north of Seminole boat docks (201 Seminole St). The vessel has
been fully submerged since August 2019; during high tide, the boat cannot be seen and during
low tide only a couple inches of the boat break the water, and it is a navigational hazard to other
boaters, especially when it is dark. The registered owner of the vessel is Praxis Properties and
Christopher Grasso is named as president of the company in Sunbiz. An officer went to the
address listed in Sunbiz to make contact with the owner, but there was no response.
Officer Perz said the vessel needs to be removed and should have been done so a long
time ago. The boat meets the criteria as a derelict vessel as it is completely sunken, it cannot
move itself without mechanical assistance and will require a contractor to remove the boat. The
owner of the vessel has not made an attempt to contact the officer.
Officer Perz said the fee for the approximately 5 hours of time spent on the case is
$145.70. Based on information received from the City Attorney's office, the removal of the boat
will cost approximately $5,000.00.
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In response to a question, Assistant City Attorney Matthew Smith said the Deputy City
Clerk mailed the notice by certified mail as well as by first class mail with an affidavit of
mailing. The Deputy City Clerk said the certified letter was returned unclaimed.
Officer Perz said the vessel was stickered by FWC with a notice to remove the vessel
which has been ignored. He said there is another derelict vessel in the area registered to the
same owner. He clarified that Mr. Grasso is the only registered agent listed for Praxis
Properties.
Based on the evidence and testimony given, the Magistrate declared the vessel is
derelict under City of Clearwater code Article VII Sec 33.055 and award the City fees and costs
of $5000.00 for the vessel removal, $145.70 for investigative costs, $105.00 for civil penalty and
$50.00 for administrative fees totaling $5, 300.70.
5. Adjournment
The meeting was adjourned at 1:23 p.m.
Attest'
Deputy City Clerk
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