CEB Minutes 02/26/2015 CEB
MEETING
MINUTES
FEBRUARY 26, 2015
February 26, 2015
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Naples, Florida, February 26, 2015
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Code
Enforcement Board, in and for the County of Collier, having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m. in
REGULAR SESSION in Building "F" of the Government
Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following members
present:
Chairman: Robert Kaufman
Robert Ashton
Lisa Chapman Bushnell (Alternate)
Sue Curley (Alternate)
Ronald Kezeske
James Lavinski
Gerald Lefebvre
Lionel L'Esperance (Excused)
Tony Marino
ALSO PRESENT:
Tamara Lynn Nicola, Attorney for the Board
Jeff Wright, Code Enforcement Director
Kerry Adams, Code Enforcement Specialist
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CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA
AGENDA
Date: February 26,2015
Location: 3299 Tamiami Trail East,Naples,FL 34104
NOTICE: THE RESPONDENT MAY BE LIMITED TO TWENTY(20)MINUTES FOR CASE
PRESENTATION UNLESS ADDITIONAL TIME IS GRANTED BY THE BOARD. PERSONS
WISHING TO SPEAK ON ANY AGENDA ITEM WILL RECEIVE UP TO FIVE(5)MINUTES
UNLESS THE TIME IS ADJUSTED BY THE CHAIRMAN.
ALL PARTIES PARTICIPATING IN THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE ASKED TO OBSERVE
ROBERTS RULES OF ORDER AND SPEAK ONE AT A TIME SO THAT THE COURT
REPORTER CAN RECORD ALL STATEMENTS BEING MADE.
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL NEED A
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO,AND THEREFORE MAY NEED
TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH
RECORD INCLUDES THE TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO
BE BASED.NEITHER COLLIER COUNTY NOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD SHALL
BE RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING THIS RECORD.
1. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
2. ROLL CALL
Robert Kaufman,Chair Ronald Kezeske
Gerald Lefebvre,Vice Chair James Lavinski
Lionel L' Esperance Robert Ashton
Tony Marino Lisa Chapman Bushnell,Alternate
Sue Curley,Alternate
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. JANUARY 22,2015 Hearing
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MOTIONS
A. Motions
Motion for Continuance
Motion for Extension of Time
1. CASE NO: CESD20120013716
OWNER: BRANISLAVA CIRAKOVIC VUKOVIC,GINA RADENKOVICH,AND ALEKSANDAR H.
RADENKOVICH
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR HEINZ BOX
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER.COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTIONS
10.02.06(B)(I)(A), 10.02.06(B)(1)(E),AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(E)(1).OBSERVED
ALTERATIONS/IMPROVEMENTS TO STRUCTURE/PROPERTY AND NO COLLIER COUNTY
PERMITS OBTAINED
FOLIO NO: 62578800000
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 10580 6TH ST,NAPLES,FL
B. Stipulations
C. Hearings
1. CASE NO: CESD20140022932
OWNER: JP MORGAN ALTERNATIVE LOAN TRUST
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR DELICIA PULSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE IX,COLLIER
COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06(Bx1)(A),
(E)AND(I).ALTERATIONS,ADDITIONS,INCLUDING ELECTRICAL AND PLUMBING
COMPLETED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING ALL REQUIRED COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING
PERMITS.THESE ADDITIONS HAVE ALSO CREATED SEPARATE LIVING AREAS WITH NO
ACCESS TO MAIN STRUCTURE LIVING AREA.
FOLIO NO: 63404640003
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 4584 W ALHAMBRA CIR,NAPLES
2. CASE NO: CELU20140020649
OWNER: MCARTHUR WILLIAMS&BARBARA J WILLIAMS
LARRY S TOLLET&KELLY J TOLLET
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEPHEN ATHEY
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER.COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 1.04.04
(A)AND 2.02.03.BAKER TOWING OCCUPYING AND OPERATING BUSINESS FROM THIS
PROPERTY WITHOUT AN APPROVED SITE DEVELOPMENT PLAN AND SUBSEQUENTLY
OBTAINING A BUSINESS TAX RECIEPT.
FOLIO NO: 00240880006
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 5840 YAHL ST,NAPLES
2
3. CASE NO: CESD20140020715
OWNER: MIRIAM R JEWELL
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JONATHAN MUSSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(I)(A)AND 10.02.06(BXI)(E)(I).CONVERTED THE GARAGE INTO A THEA I ER ROOM
WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING VALID COLLIER COUNTY PERMITS.
FOLIO NO: 80640001528
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 6596 GLEN ARBOR WAY,NAPLES
4. CASE NO: CESD20140021849
OWNER: FIFTH THIRD MORTGAGE
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR.DELICIA PULSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 2 ARTICLE IX COLLIER
COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06(B)(i)(A).
PERMIT 2007060198 FOR POOL AND PERMIT 2007031231 FOR FENCE NEVER RECEIVED
CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION.
FOLIO NO: 24021600009
VIOLATION
, ADDRESS: 151 BURNING TREE DR,NAPLES
5. CASE NO: CESD20140009560
OWNER: NAFDOF22 LLC
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR RALPH BOSA
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SEC HON 10.02.06
(BX1)(A).EXPIRED PERMIT FOR GARAGE CONVERTED TO LIVING SPACE.
FOLIO NO: 36812840008
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 171 29TH ST SW,NAPLES
6. CASE NO: CEVR20140007649
OWNER: PIOTR&JOANNA BANSKI
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR DAVID JONES
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 3.05.08(C).COLLIER COUNTY
PROHIBITED EXOTIC VEGETATION ON PROPERTY.
FOLIO NO: 38280080003
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 731 LOGAN BLVD S,NAPLES
7. CASE NO: CESD20140013696
OWNER: ELVIN VEGA LEBRON
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR COLLEEN DAVIDSON
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1XE).UNPERMITTTED STRUCTURE IN THE REAR OF THE PROPERTY.
FOLIO NO: 35771560006
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1772 41 ST TER SW,NAPLES
3
8. CASE NO: CESD20140006549
OWNER: TIMOTHY J&DONNA A O'MALLEY
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR DELICIA PULSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1XA).UNPERMITTTED BATHROOM REMODELING AT THIS RESIDENCE.
FOLIO NO: 61280240001
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1290 GOLDFINCH WAY,NAPLES
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. Motion for Imposition of Fines/Liens
I. CASE NO: CESD20120013716
OWNER: BRANISLAVA CIRAKOVIC VUKOVIC,GINA RADENKOVICH,AND ALEKSANDAR H.
RADENKOVICH
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR HEINZ BOX
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTIONS
10.02.06(BX I)(A), 10.02.06(BX I XE),AND 10.02.0603X I XEXI).OBSERVED
ALTERATIONS/IMPROVEMENTS TO STRUCTURE/PROPERTY AND NO COLLIER COUNTY
PERMITS OBTAINED
FOLIO NO: 62578800000
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 10580 6TH ST,NAPLES,FL
2. CASE NO: GESD20130005831
OWNER: EVA A GUERRERO
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MARIA RODRIGUEZ
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(A).A SMALL TYPE POLE BARN WITH A METAL ROOF WITH NO ELECTRIC.
ALSO AN ADDITION ATTACHED TO THE MOBILE HOME WITH ELECTRIC,ALL
CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE REQUIRED
PERMIT(S),INSPECTION(S)AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AS REQUIRED BY THE
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT 04-41,AS AMENDED.
FOLIO NO: 30730960008
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1301 PEACH ST,IMMOKALEE,FL
3. CASE NO: CELU20100021891.
OWNER: KENNETH R TANNASSEE SR
OFFICER INVESTIGATOR COLLEEN DAVIDSON
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION
1.04.01(A)AND SECTION 2.02.03.ACCESSORY STRUCTURE ON THE PROPERTY WITHOUT
A PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE ON THE SAME LOT.
FOLIO NO: 37925940001
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 4790 PINE RIDGE RD,NAPLES,FL
4
4. CASE NO: CESD20130008321
OWNER: ANTONIO LOUISSAINT
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MARIA RODRIGUEZ
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(A).AN UNPER.MITTED ADDITION BEING USED AS LIVING SPACE WITH A
THREE FIXTURE BATHROOM TO INCLUDE ELECTRIC AND PLUMBING. ALSO INSTALLED
NEW WINDOWS AND DOORS ALL CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING TILE
AUTHORIZATION OF THE REQUIRED PERMIT(S),INSPECTION(S)AND CERTIFICATE(S)OF
OCCUPANCY AS REQUIRED BY THE COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING CODE.
FOLIO NO: 00134120005
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 610 S 5TH ST,IMMOKALEE,FL 34142
5. CASE NO: CESD20140000219
OWNER: FAIRHOMES PEARL PROPERTIES LLC
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR ARTHUR FORD
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(I)(E)(1).IMPROVEMENTS TO PROPERTY WITHOUT REQUIRED PERMITS,
INSPECTIONS AND CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION/OCCUPANCY.
FOLIO NO: 26681800001
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 4112 COCONUT CIRCLE SOUTH,NAPLES,FL
6. CASE NO: CESD201.20008638
OWNER: PAULA MENDOZA
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MARIA RODRIGUEZ
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(BX1XA).AN EXPIRED PERMIT WITH NO INSPECTIONS DONE ON THE
INSTALLATION OF THE MOBILE HOME AND A METAL TYPE STAND ALONE CARPORT
INSTALLED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE REQUIRED
PERMITS,INSPECTIONS,AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AS REQUIRED BY THE
COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE.
FOLIO NO: 82961866
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 2918 IMMOKALEE DR,IMMOKALEE,FL
B. Motion for Reduction of Fines/Lien
C. Motion to Rescind Previously Issued Order
D. Motion to Amend Previously Issued Order
5
7. NEW BUSINESS
A. Imposition of Fines discussion
B. Nuisance Abatement Board discussion
8. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Request to Forward Cases to County Attorney's Office as Referenced in Submitted Executive Summary.
9. REPORTS
10. COMMENTS
11. NEXT MEETING DATE- MARCH 26,2015
12. ADJOURN
6
February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Morning. I'd like to call the
Code Enforcement Board to order.
Notice: The respondent may be limited to 20 minutes for
case presentations, unless additional time is granted by the board.
Persons wishing to speak on any agenda item will receive up
to five minutes, unless the time is adjusted by the chairman.
All parties participating in the public hearing are asked to
observe Roberts Rules of Order and speak one at a time so that
the court reporter can record all statements being made.
Any person who decides to appeal a decision of this board
will need a record of the proceedings pertaining thereto and
therefore may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the
proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and
evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
Neither Collier County nor the Code Enforcement Board
shall be responsible for providing this record.
And at this time I'd like to have everybody stand for our
pledge.
(Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: For all of us tech wizards out
there that have cell phones, it might be a good idea to turn your
ringer off at this time. Otherwise when it rings just bring it up
here and we'll answer it for you.
Why don't we start with the roll call.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Robert Kaufman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Present.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Gerald Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Present.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Tony Marino?
MR. MARINO: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Ronald Kezeske?
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February 26, 2015
MR. KEZESKE: Present.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. James Lavinski?
MR. LAVINSKI: Present.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Robert Ashton?
MR. ASHTON: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Lisa Chapman Bushnell?
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Ms. Sue Curley?
MS. CURLEY: Here.
MS. ADAMS: And Mr. Lionel L'Esperance has an excused
absence.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, since Mr. L'Esperance
will not be here, Lisa is the Senior Alternate, so she will be a full
voting member of the Board this morning.
And I'd like to welcome our newest member, Ron Kezeske.
Did I pronounce your last name right?
MR. KEZESKE: Without the last N. Kezeske.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Kezeske. So we have a
Kezeske and a Lavinski. You're not related, are you?
MR. KEZESKE: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, do we have any changes
to the agenda?
MS. ADAMS: Number five, Public Hearings/Motions, A,
Motion for Extension of Time, we have one addition. It's from
Imposition of Fines number 3, tab 11. Case CELU20100021891,
Kenneth R. Tannassee, Sr.
Letter B, Stipulations, we have two additions. The first is
number three from hearings, tab three, Case CESD20140020715,
Miriam R. Jewell.
The second is number six from Hearings, tab six, Case
CEVR20140007649, Piotr and Joanna Banski.
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February 26, 2015
Letter C, Hearings, number one, tab one, Case
CESD20140022932, JP Morgan Alternative Loan Trust has been
withdrawn.
Number two, tab two, Case CELU20140020649, McArthur
Williams, Barbara J. Williams, Larry S. Toilet and Kelly J. Toilet
has been withdrawn.
Number four, tab four, Case CESD20140021849,
Fifth/Third Mortgage, has been withdrawn.
Number five, tab five, Case CESD20140009560,
NAFDOF22, LLC has been withdrawn.
Number seven, tab 7, Case CESD20140013696, Elvin Vega
Lebron, has been withdrawn.
Number six, Old Business, letter B, Motion for Reduction of
Fines, we have one addition. It's from Imposition of Fines number
five, tab 13, Case CESD20140000219, Fairhomes Pearl
Properties, LLC.
And that's all the changes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have a change in
the agenda for one of the items at the end for discussion on the
lien, Jeff?
MR. WRIGHT: Yes, Mr. Chairman. For the record, Jeff
Wright, Code Enforcement Director.
Under Item 7.A, the discussion was scheduled for imposition
of fines. We are proposing to combine that with the discussion
next month of your rules, if the board would allow it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody have a
problem on the board with that?
(No response.)
MR. LEFEBVRE: Motion to approve the agenda.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion to approve it
with those modifications.
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February 26, 2015
MR. MARINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay, with all the withdrawals we're almost to the point of
making a motion to adjourn, but we have a little business in
between.
The approval of the minutes. Everybody have a chance to
review the minutes? Any changes?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If not, accept a motion to --
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to approve.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
to approve the minutes.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
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February 26, 2015
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Which brings us to the hearings for today.
MS. ADAMS: The first motion for Extension of Time is
number one from tab 9, Case CESD20120013716, Branislava
Cirakovic Vukovic, Gina Radenkovich and Aleksandar H.
Radenkovich.
(Branislava Cirakovic Vukovic and Investigator Box were
duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MS. VUKOVIC: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You've requested an extension
of time on this?
MS. VUKOVIC: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I have a copy of the
letter that you wrote which was written on February 4th. The
fines had started to accrue on January 21st.
Okay, so why don't you let us know a little bit about what
you --
MS. VUKOVIC: Well, this case started in 2012. And
finally we received -- because it was a zoning issue, and we
finally received the appointment with the Zoning Committee in
April, I believe 9th of 2015, so that's what we waiting, because I
couldn't do nothing in between until that zoning.
And we fill out the application in 2012. So hopefully that's
going to be the time when it's all said and done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you have a -- it's coming to
the courts or the commissioners to okay your zoning --
MS. VUKOVIC: Correct.
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February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- in the April meeting?
MS. VUKOVIC: That's what they inform me, April 9, I
believe.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, Heinz, any discussion on
that?
INVESTIGATOR BOX: No. They've pretty much been up
to date with the hearing process. Although one of the entries that I
have shows that the last entry was made to verify a -- it's called
verify hearing schedule, and that was done on March 5th of 2014.
And I haven't heard anything since. So it is up for review. We
don't dispute that at all, so --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, this hearing is going to
be in --
MS. VUKOVIC: Zoning department, I believe.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And have you received
any letter from them stating that they're going to hear it in April?
MS. VUKOVIC: Yes. That's what they informed us,
basically.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And have you shared that
information with Investigator Heinz?
MS. VUKOVIC: Yes.
INVESTIGATOR BOX: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. From the board, any
comments, questions, suggestion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I'm just wondering why it's taken so
long. It's taken three years to get to where we are. And in April
you're going to be in front of the Planning Commission, and then
from there isn't -- the board has to then vote on the zoning; is that
correct?
INVESTIGATOR BOX: Yes, sir.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So we're looking at probably May at the
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February 26, 2015
earliest before the commissioners actually hear or approve the
case.
This is just going on. And I'm kind of baffled why it would
take three years to get to this point. That's --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What was the nature of the
violation?
MS. VUKOVIC: I have no answer why it's taking so long.
And I keep coming to see you guys, and I really enjoy it, but I
don't understand because at the time when we receive the
complaint we realize the property which we purchased and
actually one of the people who is the owner, he passed away,
actually, in the meantime. So when I purchased it as a duplex,
and in Collier County records still states it's a duplex, all the
deeds were saying it's a duplex. But in the zoning department it
says it's not a duplex. And it had the two driveways. And I
actually provide the satellite images showing this was what I
bought and this is what it is.
But one of the tenants complain about something and they
called me and they said oh, by the way, this is not a duplex. So it
was really like for me, it was a -- because I bought it a couple
years prior. So what happens, immediately when she did that, I
said I bought it as a duplex, it's investment property for me and
my Godmother, that's what she lives off. And I figured okay, let
me fill out the application, I believe it was $5,000 at that time,
and we started the procedure. However, I think the planning
department is very busy and zoning, and we -- I keep coming
asking for extension, and in the meantime, you know, I have no
answer on your question, but it just took so long. And I hope it's
coming to an end, so --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, it sounds as though, as
Mr. Lefebvre just said, that it's not going to end in April.
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February 26, 2015
Hopefully that you'll get your okay in April.
MS. VUKOVIC: I hope so.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Would that end this case?
INVESTIGATOR BOX: As far as I know, yes. I was told
that the hearing examiner's involved with this, it's a pretty
complex case, so --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any other comments
from the Board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any motions from the Board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion we extend for six
months. But if this doesn't come to fruition by then, then we have
to make a decision to impose.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now, that would bring it
to August. So hopefully if you get the right decision --
MS. VUKOVIC: I hope so.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- then you wouldn't come back
here again. If you get the wrong decision, I don't know what the
next process on your part would be.
MS. VUKOVIC: I will have to find out exactly from them.
But I will tell you, for me personally this caused so much
hardship because what happens, like whatever your decision is,
every single property that I buy or sell, actually it has a stigma
about this property. Have nothing to do with the like 10 others I'm
buying and selling. Basically they see oh, you have these fines
pending, and they put a lien on every of my closings. So it makes
it much more difficult than $5,000 of whatever I need to do to be
up to zoning.
And I hear you, but again, there is a certain procedure I have
to follow as well, and that's pretty much it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, we have a motion. Do
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February 26, 2015
we have a second to the motion?
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second on the
motion.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
So you have six months. Hopefully April comes, they hear
it, you get what you need and everybody's happy.
MS. VUKOVIC: I hope so. Thank God.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you very much.
MS. VUKOVIC: Thank you. Have a great morning.
MS. ADAMS: Next motion for Extension of Time is from
Imposition of Fines number three, tab 11, Case
CELU20100021891, Kenneth R. Tannassee, Sr.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And Mr. Chair, I'm going to recuse
myself. An individual that I work for hires Mr. Tannassee as
subcontractor, so I'm going to step aside.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You'll give the
paperwork to Tammy?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yes, I will.
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February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
(Kenneth Tannassee, Tatiana Gust and Investigator Mucha
were duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you give the board a
couple minutes to review the letter that we have requesting this.
It should be in your package, tab 11 on the top.
Okay, why don't you -- since you're requesting the extension
of time, why don't you present your story.
MR. TANNASSEE: We purchased the property the latter
part of last year. There was some code violations with the
improved property. A storage building, storage facility on the
residential piece of property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Were you aware of that at the
time you purchased it?
MR. TANNASSEE: Yes, we were. We met before you
before we purchased the property, part of our due diligence, to
discuss, you know, the procedure going forth to purchase the
property.
And after closing we met before the board again to ask for
the necessary time to get a permit, which I think you granted us
for 60 days and you imposed fines of$150 a day.
We did acquire a permit. We sent the information to the
code enforcement. We forwarded so they could see we have
acquired the permit and we're working on breaking ground next
week. So we wanted to -- we're asking, you know, to stop the
fines and to give us an extension of time to construct the home.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Joe, what have you to
say on this?
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: For the record, Joe Mucha,
Supervisor, Collier County Code Enforcement Board.
The county has no objection to an extension like he
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February 26, 2015
mentioned. They have a building permit issued now as of
January 27th to construct a single-family home.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I remember this case,
and this case goes back to the time when I think Ken Kelly was
the chair of the board, back to 2011. And what it is appeared to
me has happened is that respondent came before the board back in
2011 and asked for time to build a single-family structure to come
into compliance. The board granted a year. Nothing happened.
Came back again, asked for another year. Nothing happened.
The property was being marketed, I don't know the exact
numbers, but let's -- round figures, it was being marketed at that
time for sale for around $480,000, somewhere in that
neighborhood. And because it had a code violation on it that
probably presented a problem to the owner of the property.
The owner of the property finally did sell it to the new
owners for I think, as memory serves me, for about $188,000. So
it was like $200,000 less than the original offer because of the
violation that was on the property.
To abate the fines now would in essence have the taxpayers
of Collier County paying for this transaction and would open the
doors, I believe, to anybody else who has a code violation to sell
the property to somebody, have them sell it back to them in the
future or resolve the situation and eliminate all the fines.
I'm not here to -- we only care about compliance. Well,
from 2011 I remember going back a ways, there was a comment
from one of the board members saying you could build a high-rise
on the property in that period of time. There was no zoning issue.
And even after the new people have purchased the property, they
have been in violation even after given time.
So I am -- I'm personally unwilling to grant an extension on
this.
Page 12
February 26, 2015
Any comments from the Board?
MR. ASHTON: No, I agree with you, Jim. I mean, this is
what I've brought up before about --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Put the mic closer to you.
MR. ASHTON: Sorry about that.
I agree with you. Like I said before, I mean, I brought it up
a couple meetings ago about these fines, people walk away from
it. You know, and there's a lot of work. We have inspectors
spending their time, the county spending time and they're getting
away scot-free. You know, it's like I'll do this and I won't have to
pay any fines. And I agree, we cannot -- like I said, this goes
back to 2011. It should have been resolved before this.
MS. CURLEY: I have a comment.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Please.
MS. CURLEY: I think it's a little irrelevant to compare the
listing price to the sales price, because that's a variable that
someone can set at their discretion. So unless he has an apprais--
I mean, to suggest that he got the property at half price and
therefore he should have a higher fine just seems a little bit unfair.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, this is not a higher fine,
this is a -- since the respondent purchased the property he is in
violation. This property from 2011, from March 24th of 2011
until November 22nd of 2014, there were no fines. Everything
was waived. Time was granted. This is from November 22nd,
'14. You purchased the property when?
MR. TANNASSEE: I believe October of last year.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You bought it in October of last
year. October of 2014?
MR. TANNASSEE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And when you came
before the Board you said that you were going to have -- you have
Page 13
February 26, 2015
a building permit on this?
MR. TANNASSEE: Yes, we have plans. We've acquired
the permit. We just --
MS. GUST: Can I?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MS. GUST: I just want to -- for the record Tatiana Gust. I
want -- Mr. Tannassee came in front of the board on July 7th
before they bought property and explained to you, and I have the
minutes here, that the house will take about a year to construct.
And you acknowledged that, and you -- even it was back and
forth saying that it will take that amount of time. But at the time
you didn't feel comfortable giving an extension of one year, given
the previous experience with the previous owners. So at that time
you granted 120 days extensions to obtain the permit only and
advised that we can request an extension for the construction of
the house at that time.
120 days were completed on November 20th. At the time we
couldn't obtain full building drawings to -- I'm assisting Mr.
Tannassee with the permitting process, and didn't have enough
information or completed drawings to submit for permit at that
time.
So in that meeting we came in front of you and I asked you
with Mr. Tannassee to give 60 days to obtain the permit. And we
obtained the permit in that time frame. And that's why we're in
here today, to ask you for a construction time without the
imposing of the fines.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. KEZESKE: Mr. Chairman, may I ask a question?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. KEZESKE: If we grant an extension here, that
wouldn't eliminate or abate the current fines, that would just stop
Page 14
February 26, 2015
the accrual of fines, correct?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct. If we did a
continuance, the fines would continue. That is correct.
MR. KEZESKE: Rather than giving a year extension, I
would be leaning towards -- and maybe I should make a motion,
if everybody's good for it, is I would make a motion for 90 days,
but I would like to see a notice of commencement on the property
within that 90 days. That would show us further progress. Giving
a year I think would delay the process. But if we continue to see
progress, we can deal with the currently accrued fines once the
property's brought into compliance. But my concern is, is that
we've given huge amounts of time saying it does take time to
build a house, and rather maybe we just need to manage the
progress here and make sure that continued progress continues.
So motion to give 90 days extension, but we want to see a
notice of commencement.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, we have a motion.
MR. LEFEBVRE: He said extension.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Not extension, you're asking for
a continuance.
MR. KEZESKE: Correct. Yes, we need to see the progress.
MR. LAVINSKI: But we need to leave the fines in place.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And they will continue to
accrue. That's what the continuance does.
MR. KEZESKE: Correct. Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, we have a motion. Do
we have a second on that motion?
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a second from Lisa.
Any discussion on the motion?
MR. LAVINSKI: I think it's important that we keep our eye
Page 15
February 26, 2015
on this thing, because I can't support the request for a year,
because we've already gone through three years and we're going
to be here this time next year. So I would lean toward the
continuance that we have on the agenda right now rather than as a
requested time to build that single-family home.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: My concern on this is this: In
2011 the respondent came before the board and said exactly what
this respondent is saying now, only he has a building permit now.
Yes, Joe.
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: Remember, that guy, though,
had a whole divorce situation that was going on and that's why he
kept asking for the year, because he was going through like a
really messy divorce and that's why he kept asking for time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No, I understand that.
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: At least this guy's got the
permit in hand.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That was my point. Because we
are at the same point now with the same work that needs to be
done to build a house, the only difference is we have a building
permit.
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And I agree with Ron that that
might be a solution as we have asked many people in the past to
come back on a regular basis to report the progress that's going on
on the property, and I think that maybe 90 days would be
sufficient time to do that.
In 90 days do you think you're going to be starting the
construction?
MR. TANNASSEE: Yes.
MS. GUST: Yeah, construction is going to start. We
already have crews in the field, they're installing the silt fence for
Page 16
February 26, 2015
construction. They lay out the stakes. We are in the process for
construction. We can give you instructions reports at that time
what level we are for the construction. And it will take more than
90 days to construct the whole house, though.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Probably 90 days will
get you your commencement, as Ron has mentioned. And we can
review it at that time.
My suggestion is that prior to the 90 days that you provide
some information to code enforcement to show the progress, and
rather than waiting until it expires, the 90 days, to do it ahead of
time.
MR. TANNAS SEE: Well, we've kept up with sending --
forwarding all correspondences with code enforcement during the
permit processing in the Building Department. And we asked this
and they forward the correspondences as well to let them know
when we had any issues with corrections and anything we needed
during the permit process.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, I do remember the last
letter that you wrote where you wanted the Code Enforcement
Board to ensure that no fines would be imposed. And I think we
said at that time that that was not the case. Whether they're
imposed or not is a board activity. Certainly if the house -- if the
violation is abated, that would be taken into consideration.
Okay, any other discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
Page 17
February 26, 2015
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries.
MR. TANNASSEE: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: Next item from B, Stipulations, number
three, tab three. Case CESD20140020715, Miriam R. Jewell.
(Investigator Mucha was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Looks like we have a garage
conversion.
You want to read the stipulation into the record?
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: Yes, sir. For the record, Joe
Mucha, Supervisor, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20140020715. I met
with the owner, Miriam Jewell, on February 23rd, and we reached
an agreement.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the
respondent shall:
One: Pay operational costs in the amount of$66.27 incurred
in the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing.
Two: Abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier
County building permits or demolition permits, inspections and
certification of completion/occupancy within 90 days of this
hearing or a fine of$200 per day will be imposed until the
violation is abated.
Three: Respondent must notify code enforcement within 24
hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator to
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance.
Four: That if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the
county may abate the violation using any method to bring the
Page 18
February 26, 2015
violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the
Collier County Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this
agreement, and all costs of abatement shall be assessed to the
property owner.
And just to put on the record, there is a permit application
that has been submitted for a permit by affidavit. It's still going
through the review process. So I'm pretty confident the 90 days
will hold true.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Is this occupied, this
space?
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: No, sir, it's a standalone
garage that was converted into a theater.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: It was very well done, but just
without a permit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any discussion from the
Board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, I'll accept a motion to
accept the stipulation as written then.
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to accept.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
to accept the stipulation as written.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
Page 19
February 26, 2015
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thanks, Joe.
MS. ADAMS: The next stipulation is number six, tab six,
Case CEVR20140007649, Piotr and Joanna Banski.
(Investigator Much was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning, you look
familiar.
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: For the record, Joe Mucha,
Collier County Code Enforcement Supervisor.
This is in reference to Case number CEVR20140007649. I
met with owner Piotr Banski on behalf of himself and his wife,
Joanna, back on February 23rd. We reached an agreement. I'll go
through it.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the
respondent shall:
One: Pay operational costs in the amount of$65.01 incurred
in the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing.
Two: Abate all violations by:
A, must obtain any necessary permits, inspections and
certificate of completion for the removal of all Collier County
prohibited exotic vegetation.
The prohibited exotic vegetation base stump must be treated
with a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved herbicide
and a visual tracer dye shall be applied when the prohibited exotic
vegetation is removed but the base of the vegetation remains.
This order of the board shall be completed within 120 days
of this hearing or a fine of$100 per day will be imposed until the
violation is abated.
Page 20
February 26, 2015
Three: Respondent must notify code enforcement within 24
hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance.
Four: That if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the
county may abate the violation using any method to bring the
violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the
Collier County Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this
agreement, and all costs of abatement shall be assessed to the
property owner.
Just to put it out there, Mr. Banski's actually removed I
would say about 90 percent of the exotics on the property, and he
actually removed the -- it was Brazilian pepper that was
complained about that was on the back side of his property. He
removed that right away, but because he has an Estates zoned lot
there's so much on there that -- he's a working guy doing it
himself. So we just wanted to give him a little time. But he's
taken care of the issue that was actually complained about, but
because of the ordinance he has to remove everything.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Did he think that 120 days was
going to be sufficient time?
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any discussion from the
board?
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to approve.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
to approve the stipulation as written. All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
Page 21
February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thanks, Joe.
INVESTIGATOR MUCHA: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: Next case is number eight, tab eight, Case
CESD20140006549, Timothy J. and Donna A. O'Malley.
(Investigator Pulse was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Morning.
For the record, Dee Pulse, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20140006549, dealing
with the violation of Collier County Code of Laws and
Ordinances, Chapter 2, Article 9, Collier County Land
Development Code 04-41, as amended. Section
10.02.06(B)(1)(a). It's unpermitted bathroom remodeling at this
residence.
Located at 1290 Goldfinch Way, Naples, Florida, 34105.
Folio 61280240001.
Service was given on April 23rd, 2014.
I would like to now present the case evidence in the
following exhibits: Three photographs taken by Investigator Rob
Ganguli on April 11th, 2014. One photo taken by me on April
30th, 2014.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, can we get a motion to
accept the photos?
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to accept.
Page 22
February 26, 2015
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
to accept the photos.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Okay, our department received
a complaint for a bathroom remodel without permits in which we
referred to contractor licensing to investigate for a possible
unlicensed contractor.
There was at that time an active permit for kitchen
remodeling and living room remodel which was obtained by a
contractor Neiman Homes, LLC. It did not include bathroom
remodel.
Investigator Ganguli inspected the work going on and
confirmed there is a bathroom remodel had begun. The owner
was advised a permit would be required and a stop work order
was issued.
On April 24th, 2014 a revision was added to the current
permit for the remodel of interior bathroom and closet.
At this time the permit is expired and no passing inspections
have been completed.
Contact has been made to Neiman Homes to advise a permit
Page 23
February 26, 2015
expiring.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you have spoken with the
respondent? Not the respondent, you spoke with the contractor.
Has anybody had an opportunity to speak with the owner of the
property?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: I don't have contact information
for them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's not in the county records
who owns the property?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Mr. and Mrs. O'Malley.
However, I do not have contact information for them, phone
number or anything.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the notification was sent out
to -- on the violation was sent to the O'Malleys.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Property was posted?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Yes, sir. Actually, Mr.
O'Malley signed for the Notice of Violation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is he an out-of-state person or a
local person?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: His address of record is 1290
Goldfinch Way, Naples, Florida.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Did the contractor have a contact -- a
phone number for him?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That seems strange to me if
somebody's working on my house that I don't know how to get
ahold of them. How do they expect to get paid?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion a violation exists.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
Page 24
February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion a violation
exists and we have a second.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
You have a suggestion for us?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Yes, sir.
Recommendation that the Code Enforcement Board orders
the respondent to pay all operational costs in the amount of
$65.01 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days and
abate all violations by:
Number one: Obtaining all required Collier County building
permits or demolition permit, inspections and certificate of
completion/occupancy within blank days of this hearing or a fine
of blank per day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
Number two: The respondent must notify the code
enforcement investigator when the violation has been abated in
order to conduct a final inspection to confirm abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce provisions of this order, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
Page 25
February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, one quickie question.
The pictures that you showed us, they were taken by
contractor licensing and one by you; is that correct?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Did you receive permission
from the contractor to enter the premise to take a picture?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: No, Investigator Ganguli did.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: He did?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Yes, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And he received that
permission from the contractor rather than the homeowner.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: No, he spoke directly to the
homeowner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Oh, so there has been some
kind --
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: There was contact in the
beginning when a violation was confirmed and a stop work order
was issued. And then a revision was added to the existing permit
for the bathroom remodel.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So that picture that you showed
was taken on -- that you took was on February 10th?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: On April 11th Investigator
Ganguli took the actual inside photos of the bathroom remodel. I
took the outside of the home photo on April 30th.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, because it says the date
of reinspection is February 10th? Unless I'm missing something
there. Is that --
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: That's when the -- I'm not sure.
Is that on the statement of violation?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: That's when I last reinspected.
Page 26
February 26, 2015
The permit is still expired.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is this an unpermitted bathroom
remodel? Because it was at one point permitted and the permit
has expired. Should it be that the permit has expired? The
violation's actually a permit has expired.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Correct.
MR. LEFEBVRE: It's not an unpermitted bathroom,
because the bathroom has been permitted.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: That was the actual complaint
that came into our office, unpermitted --
MR. LEFEBVRE: Initially.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: -- bathroom remodel. Urn-hum.
And the owner was spoken to by Investigator Ganguli that a
permit would be required and he issued a stop work order at that
time.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right, but they went back in and got the
bathroom added in to the permit as part of the permit, along with
a closet.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So technically the bathroom, it was
permitted.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: They obtained a permit for it.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But the permit has expired.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: It has expired. And actually it
expired in October -- was beginning to expire. I think it actually
did expire and a 90-day extension was --
MR. LEFEBVRE: So there was no inspections done on any
of the work at all.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: None.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Because even if there was an inspection
Page 27
February 26, 2015
done on a kitchen work, that would keep the permit active, even
though the bathroom wasn't completed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: There's been no inspections --
there's been four inspections, but they all failed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is the property in the same
condition that I see on that bottom picture here with the walls, no
sheet rock, et cetera?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: I have not been inside.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: The owner was not very
cooperative in the beginning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, well, maybe he'll be
more cooperative in the future. Why don't you give us -- he's
asking for -- 65.01 is the --
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Operational cost.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- operational cost.
Do you have any other --
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: No, sir.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So basically if they went and got this
re-permitted, then the violation would go away.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Right. We've been monitoring.
I mean, they got the revision, they added the bathroom, we've
been monitoring for the inspections and completion, and the
permits expired.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, anybody want to take a
shot at the motion on this?
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah, I'll give it a shot. I make a motion
that the 65.01 admin cost be paid within 30 days; that we give
120 days or a fine of$200 a day.
Page 28
February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have a second?
MR. MARINO: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second.
Any discussion on the motion?
MR. ASHTON: Don't you think 120 days is a little bit long?
I mean -- I mean, he's had the permit, he knows it's expired, so --
MR. LAVINSKI: Well, the 120 days requires the
completion and inspections, right?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No, I don't think so. What that
would be, if I went back and re-upped the permit, then they'd be
in compliance and then the normal -- so Mr. Ashton's comment is.
MR. LAVINSKI: Apropos?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Apropos, yes. It's also
copacetic.
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make the 120 60. Does that suffice?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: We do have in our
recommendation that it includes obtaining the permit, inspections
and certificate of completion.
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah, that's what I'm reading here. That's
why I wanted to go with the 120.
MR. LEFEBVRE: The problem I have is it says
unpermitted bathroom remodeling at this residence. It's not
unpermitted, because they added it into the permit. So for me the
statement of violation or description of violation is inaccurate
because they actually did put it into the permit. It should be -- it's
an expired permit.
And to get -- now the recommendation should reflect -- it
should reflect that it's a expired permit. And by getting a permit
active, being active, the violation would go away, which this
recommendation doesn't state. So there's -- for me right now, I'm
kind of-- this needs to be cleaned up.
Page 29
February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Jeff, would you like to say
something?
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: I would.
(Supervisor Letourneau was duly sworn.)
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: I think that the
unpermitted started when the case started. It was the basic
complaint that there wasn't a permit for the bathroom. There was
a permit for the other stuff
Contractor Licensing contacted the owner, and correct me if
I'm wrong on this, and they went and got the permit. That's been
established.
I just think that we didn't change the verbiage in between
when the case started and we should have. It should have stated
that it was an expired permit that we're bringing at this point.
However, due to the fact that this gentleman did get a permit
and then allowed it to expire with -- what did you say, four failed
inspections?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Yes.
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: -- we would request that
the board order him to complete this permit in a given time. So
that's why we added the certificate of completion with our
recommendation.
Theoretically you're right, if he did get the extension on this
permit, he would be in compliance at that point. However, we
have brought cases before where it was the same situation where
they continuously play the game of letting it expire and we just
want to make sure that he follows through this time and gets it.
Now, it's up to the board's discretion whether or not they
want to do that, but that's our recommendation.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. But we just -- this violation
should have been changed. And what I'm saying is we're finding
Page 30
February 26, 2015
that there's a violation, but it's not the violation that's stated here.
That's my --
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: It's still violating the
ordinance that we've cited right here, because they've allowed it to
expire. Did we cite the 10.02.06?
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Yes.
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: If we read in here --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think what you're driving at is
an expired permit is no permit.
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: If you read down to the
bottom here, it said first obtaining the authorization of the
required permits, inspections and certificate of occupancy as
required by the Collier County Building Code.
They might have obtained it but they didn't get the required
inspections or the certificate of occupancy for this particular
permit. And I believe that it's in your power to compel them to
follow through and get this permit taken care of. Because we
don't want to come back here six months down the road with
another expired permit if this guy doesn't follow through.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: My major concern right now is
that the owner of the property has not done anything to ameliorate
the situation. Hasn't been in contact with code enforcement, hasn't
gotten a CO on the building permit, let it expire. And if I'm not
mistaken, what is the difference between an expired building
permit and no building permit?
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: Technically nothing,
really, to be honest with you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Tammy, do you have
any comments?
MR. LEFEBVRE: But we're not talking about an expired
permit, we're talking about --
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February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No, I understand.
MS. NICOLA: I think that maybe what the order should say
is that the violation initially was presented as an unpermitted
bathroom remodel, but at the hearing the discussion included that
it was in fact originally permitted but that the permit had expired.
I just think we can include that in the body of the order to make it
clear. Because I think it should be clear. I think that the way that
it's written, it sounds like there never was a permit when there
was.
MR. LEFEBVRE: There originally wasn't a permit for the
bathroom, but it was added in --
MS. NICOLA: Right.
MR. LEFEBVRE: -- to the permit for the kitchen.
MS. NICOLA: But where we're at now is that there was a
permit that's expired. So I think for clarification, I think we can
include that in the order and we'll be fine.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is that a motion? No, I'm only
kidding.
MS. NICOLA: I don't think I can do that, but I can assist, if
that's possible.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm only kidding.
So we have a motion and we have a second. And let me
restate the motion. That the respondent be fined the 65 -- not
fined, the administrative costs of$65.01 to be paid within 30
days. So far, so good.
That the fine, I'll do that first, is $200 a day until the
situation is abated.
MR. LAVINSKI: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So to narrow this down now,
what needs to be done to abate the situation, and that's the
verbiage that we are discussing right now.
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February 26, 2015
And that's either 60 days to make sure you pull the permit or
reactivate the permit, or, if I understand you correctly, 120 days to
have the whole thing done.
MR. LAVINSKI: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We could probably make both
of those part of the motion, and that would resolve the discussion
that we're having right now.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But we can't compel someone to do more
than what is required by the law. So if they're not in violation
after 60 days by pulling a permit we can't compel them to --
because once you get the permit, you have six months to get all
your inspections and get it --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, it says that you can do an
inspection, you can do an electrical inspection, that extends it six
months. Then you can do a plumbing inspection, it extends it
another six months, you can do a drywall inspection. You could
drag this out forever, or close to forever.
So what we have here is what is the board requesting of the
respondent, given the fact that the respondent has been very
uncooperative? So if you want to have in your motion that he has
to have the whole thing done in 120 days, that's the board's
prerogative. Or if you want to make sure, this talks to Mr.
Lefebvre's comment, that he has to at least pull a building permit
or re-up the building permit, if you will, and he's been -- he could
be given 60 days to do that. So it's up to the board.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And then should we add some language?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, the language that Tammy
suggested is a description of what's happened there. So --
MS. NICOLA: Right.
MR. KEZESKE: What were they provided notice of? What
did the homeowner receive as far as -- are they -- I guess what's
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February 26, 2015
the correct way to say this. Are they aware that -- what have they
been explained? Have they been told you're in violation because
the permits expired and you have something that's no longer
permitted? Or -- I'm looking through the paperwork here and I'm
seeing the -- what was sent to them on the 23rd of-- May 14?
Was that the notice that they were currently --
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: That's the section that was
cited from the Land Development Code, and also the verbiage is
included in that. That's what I read about they must obtain the
permit, get the inspections and get the certificate of occupancy.
So they were provided that notice right there.
MR. KEZESKE: Mr. Chairman, with that said, I would lean
more towards the 120 and $200 a day, based on the fact that
they've already been given notice that they need to address not
only the permit but completion of the permit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And to the motion
maker, that was your original motion?
MR. LAVINSKI: That's the original idea of my motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And the second? Mr. Ashton,
would you go along with --
MR. ASHTON: As long as the 120 days is for completion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And the order will
reflect that.
So in review, it's 120 days, $200 a day fine after that. The
court costs, if you will, are $65.01 to be paid within 30 days.
MR. LAVINSKI: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, that's the motion, that's
the second.
Any other discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
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February 26, 2015
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
SUPERVISOR LETOURNEAU: Can I make a slight
statement also? Mr. Lefebvre definitely had a very good question
there. And I'll try to make sure that in the future the violation will
reflect on the statement of violation at the time of the hearing so
we won't have any more confusion like that.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Thank you very much.
INVESTIGATOR PULSE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is from number six, Old
Business. A, Motion for Impositions of Fines/Liens. Number
two, tab 10, Case CESD20130005831, Eva A. Guerrero.
(Ms. Eva Guerrero and Investigator Rodriguez were duly
sworn.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MS. GUERRERO: Good morning.
INVESTIGATOR RODRIGUEZ: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, this is the stage where
the fine is being imposed because the violation has not been
abated. And you're before us now to request something. Tell us
what that is.
MS. GUERRERO: Just requesting like five more days just
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February 26, 2015
to finish. I just turned in -- I finally completed everything. I
demoed what I was really originally getting the permits for. And
then I just called in for inspection yesterday. So it should be done
by Friday.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
Good morning.
INVESTIGATOR RODRIGUEZ: Good morning. For the
record, Marie Rodriguez, Collier County Code Enforcement.
She has completed. The only thing that needs to be done is
inspected for the demolition, which she is scheduled for Friday.
So she's requesting a little bit more time as a continuance, because
of course this is a continuance, so that she can final this last
permit and the violation will be abated.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Not necessarily be -- the
violation will be abated, but not necessarily the fine.
INVESTIGATOR RODRIGUEZ: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That will probably be -- it
seems like the right process to follow now would be to grant a
one-month continuance, and at that time you could come back
and request whatever you want to request.
MS. GUERRERO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That will give you the five days
that you need to get it done and the board looks more favorably
on cases that have been abated and where the operational costs
have been paid. And today's operational costs are 65.84, which
you probably would need to pay before the next meeting next
month.
MS. GUERRERO: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to continue the case 'til
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February 26, 2015
next month, and also pay the operational cost prior to next month
in the amount of$65.84.
MR. MARINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, we have a motion and a
second.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
We'll see you next month.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is number four, tab 12, Case
CESD20130008321, Antonio Louissaint.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, why don't you both say
your name into the microphone so we can have it.
MR. LOUISSAINT: Antonio Louissaint.
MS. FRANCOIS: Drucilla Francois.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And you are?
MS. FRANCOIS: The daughter.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The daughter. Okay. Very
good.
MS. FRANCOIS: And I been doing all the paperwork and
-- because he don't read and write, I been doing all the
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February 26, 2015
paperworks for him.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have everybody sworn?
(Drucilla Francois, Antonio Louissaint and Investigator
Rodriguez were duly sworn.)
(Drucilla Francois was duly sworn to interpret the testimony
from English to Creole.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MS. FRANCOIS: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you tell us a little bit
about the case so we can go forward from here.
MS. FRANCOIS: Well, basically I thought everything was
done. I was just going to come here today and, you know, get all
the liens and all the fee waived because I did everything. I've been
very compliant. I pass all my inspection. And then I had to get a
certification of elevation. And they told me that the certification
of elevation did not pass this morning at 9: 15, that I need to
re-cap the bathroom. Which I will have no problem doing, but I
would need more time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Re-cap?
INVESTIGATOR RODRIGUEZ: She did a permit by
affidavit for the addition --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Right.
INVESTIGATOR RODRIGUEZ: -- for living square
footage that she added to the house. She did permit by affidavit.
She got the permit. The inspections were all passed. They were
requiring an elevation certificate and a 10-day spot survey, which
she did both. But when they reviewed the elevation certificate, it
did not meet the elevation. She is below the road, the crown of
the road, she's below it.
So now she either has to either raise it or convert it into
storage, one or the other. Which at this point I don't know which
Page 38
February 26, 2015
would be more -- less costly for her, because she's already paid
this outrageous amount of money for the permit by affidavit.
So we thought we were going to be finished but we're not.
So now she has to figure out if she has to demo the bathroom and
convert it into storage, she'll need to do a demolition permit to
demo the restroom and the shower, whatever else she has in there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So basically you need more
time to get everything resolved.
MS. FRANCOIS: Yeah, I need more time. And then I don't
want to demo it, because, you know, I'll just put a cap in the
bathroom and not use it, if that's possible, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, that's not up to the board.
What we're trying to do is to talk about the violation and whatever
we can do to help you come into compliance.
MS. FRANCOIS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So if you need more time to do
it and it sounds, Maria, that that's the case here, I don't know how
much more time you would need. Do you have any idea?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion we continue for 120
days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, we have a --
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- motion and a second to
continue for 120 days. That means you have an additional four
months to get things resolved. If you can't get it resolved in four
months, come back before four months and request whatever you
want to request again, whether it's more time or whatever. But
whatever we can do to help you resolve your situation, we're
more than happy to do.
MS. FRANCOIS: Yeah, and I've been in compliance and
doing everything that you guys asked me to do with no problem.
Page 39
February 26, 2015
I just, you know, didn't know if this was going to, you know,
come up today that I needed to take care of this, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's why we're granting 120
days, no discussion, whatnot. We have a motion and a second.
Any other discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
So four months. Hopefully you'll get everything done,
whatever needs to be done. Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is number five, tab 13, Case
CESD20140000219, Fairhomes Pearl Properties, LLC.
(Andrew Ventura and Supervisor Snow were duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We trust attorneys. I don't
know why, but we just follow the rules. We have one on the
board, you know, so --
MR. MARINO: Sam's all right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, we are at the imposition
of fines, so you're up first.
MR. SAAD: So we are here today to request abatement of
fines for this property.
I want to give you all a little bit of history. I hope a copy of
Page 40
February 26, 2015
my motion was in your packet.
Essentially this property had two violations. We purchased
the property at a foreclosure sale and so we inherited the problem.
We came in once the -- we were made aware of the violations.
We went in to apply for demolition permits and moved fairly
quickly to begin remedying the problem, although we had a
number of stumbling blocks.
The first one was that we had a tenant in the property who
would not grant us access, and so we had to work with him over a
couple of months to get him into a new property before we could
even begin the demolition.
Once the demolition began, again, moving as quickly as
possible, but typical we had problems with our contractor, we had
problems getting through the permitting process.
The permitting process -- not necessarily blaming the county
for this, our contractor was not the most diligent in getting all the
documents exactly the way the permit techs wanted it, so we had
to deal with that. And then our contractor was not very
expeditious in getting his work done. We had in fact found him
spearfishing in the Keys and had to get him to come back here
and keep working on the project.
So we came in, we asked for an extension of time on
October 6th, that was the first time I was before you, and you
granted that. And we continued to work on it. And finally when
we got all the permits, we got the work done as quickly as
possible. And in the interim we had to come back for our motion
for continuance. We came back for an extension, you granted a
continuance, and on December 29th we finally got everything
signed and sealed, all permits issued.
And today we're here requesting that the fines be abated.
We've already paid all of the costs, and, you know, just typical
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February 26, 2015
simple problems, but it was never our intention to delay or hinder
the process. From the beginning our goal was to get this property
into compliance, as soon as we were made aware of the
violations.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the $72.34 been paid also?
MR. SAAD: Yes -- I'm sorry, wait, wait. The $72.34 from
today?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: As of today.
MR. SAAD: We were told that if you abated the fines that
that would not be due. Otherwise we'll pay it today.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: That is correct. Verbatim he's right
on spot. I think they were diligent in doing what they were doing.
The last permit was issued in December and in a very short time
frame they got it C.O.'d. And once they understood the
seriousness of the board and the board's opinion in this matter,
they moved very quickly to abate the violation. So the county will
acquiesce to whatever the board decides to do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: One question I have. At the
time the property was purchased on the courthouse steps, were
you aware of the violation that existed?
MR. SAAD: I'll ask Andrew Ventura, he works for the
management company, to answer that.
MR. VENTURA: No, we were not.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The reason I ask that
question is I'm a member of the Naples Board of Realtors, and
that's one of the things that we try to let all the potential buyers of
properties know, that there's a process to go through to see if there
are any liens on the property. This may seem to be one that falls
through the cracks because it's purchased at the courthouse steps
and we'll probably make a recommendation somewhere along the
line that that be discussed or at least mentioned when the property
Page 42
February 26, 2015
is sold on the courthouse steps.
MR. SAAD: And Chairman, as you know, I also deal with a
lot of real estate here in Collier County. And given that some
thoughts were more of a policy discussion than a part of this
hearing, but one of the things that I had thought of was if it was
possible for code enforcement to go and check prior to the sale
and post something on their website. That was an idea that I had I
was going to discuss with code at some point.
MR. LAVINSKI: Sam, if someone did their due diligence
prior to that courthouse purchase, wouldn't they have seen that?
MR. SAAD: It's difficult because, you know, unless you are
-- if you are just an investor trying to purchase property, you
might not know the code very well. And it's very difficult to get a
-- if it's a contract for the purchase and sale, it says right in the
contract that the buyer can get code inspections, and they call
code and they request a review of the record and they actually get
somebody to go out there and do a code inspection.
But when you do it on the courthouse steps you don't have
access to the property.
So in this case the problems were all interior. So there was
an improperly built bathroom in one of their piece, I believe.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But there wasn't an open code case on it.
MR. SAAD: No.
MR. LEFEBVRE: It wasn't open. So if you did a code
search, just a search, or you did a title search --
MR. SAAD: Oh, yeah. You guys go to the code website, I
believe, and check for open permits prior to going to the
courthouse.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. But if you did a title search and
there was a case against it, then you would see that there was an
order. But in this particular case it was not brought to anyone's
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February 26, 2015
attention --
MR. VENTURA: There was nothing.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right, there was nothing.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, any other discussion
from the board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any motions from the board?
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Motion to abate.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, we have a motion.
MR. MARINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second to abate the fine.
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thank you.
MR. VENTURA: Thank you very much.
MS. ADAMS: Next case is number six, tab 14, case
CESD20120008638, Paula Mendoza.
(Baltimore Mendoza, Paula Mendoza and Investigator
Rodriguez were duly sworn.)
(Baltimore Mendoza was duly sworn to translate from
English to Spanish.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Could you
Page 44
February 26, 2015
state your name on the microphone so we can hear it.
MR. MENDOZA: Baltimore Mendoza, her son.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, and --
MR. MENDOZA: Paula Mendoza.
MS. MENDOZA: Paula Mendoza.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And this is the portion as we
mentioned in the past for the imposition of fines. If you have
some new information or request, it's your turn to make that
request now.
MR. MENDOZA: Everything on the house, everything that
was needed to be done, everything I think we got done already. It
started with the mobile home and then it went to a shed. And
then I think we got everything moved to where it needed to be
and everything. I think everything got done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Maria?
INVESTIGATOR RODRIGUEZ: They're requesting for
their fines to be waived. They have completed everything.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So this is now --
INVESTIGATOR RODRIGUEZ: It's abated.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has been abated. So the "has
not been" is old news?
INVESTIGATOR RODRIGUEZ: Right. No, it's abated.
He abated in December.
MS. ADAMS: There should be a revision on your desk at
tab 14.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Got you. Okay.
Any questions from the board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Motion to abate.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
to abate the fine.
Page 45
February 26, 2015
All those in favor?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. KEZESKE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MS. CHAPMAN BUSHNELL: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thank you.
MR. MENDOZA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you for working and
getting it done.
MR. MENDOZA: Thank you. You have a good day.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You too.
MS. ADAMS: The next item is from number seven, New
Business, letter B, Nuisance Abatement Board Discussion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the first nuisance is -- oh,
Kitchell.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm only kidding.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Basically I think just to give you a
brief introduction, this board can serve as a Nuisance Abatement
Board, although we haven't done that in quite some time.
The object or intent of the Nuisance Abatement Board is
criminal activity or alleged criminal activity received by the
Sheriffs Department with more than two complaints in a
six-month period related to specific activity.
Now, what would happen is you would go before the Code
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February 26, 2015
Enforcement Board. The Code Enforcement Board would be
adjourned and you would initiate the Nuisance Abatement Board.
This is part of the function that you can do. Although we haven't
done it, I personally have done nuisance abatement notices of
violation when I was in Immokalee and it works. We work
closely with the Sheriffs Office. They receive the complaints.
Again, more than two complaints in a six-month period related to
specific activity. Once that's initiated a notice is issued. They
have to contact the Sheriffs Office or Code Enforcement within
14 days of that notice and reasonably try to abate the violations,
which will be noticed.
For instance, if there was alleged prostitution going on or
alleged drug activity and they had high hedges, the notice could
request for them to cut down the hedges. So when the Sheriff or
enforcement authority is going by they could see what's
happening on the property.
So it's a little bit different than what you're used to. It's a
little bit different than permitting. These are specifically designed
to abate a public nuisance. A public nuisance -- I was doing some
research yesterday. A public nuisance is something that's going
to affect more than one person. It's a community issue. And that's
what this is for.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: For instance, a house that was
not secured where kids are hanging out in the house, that's
normally a code violation that --
SUPERVISOR SNOW: That's not a public -- as far as a
Nuisance Abatement Board, that is correct. And I believe you got
the documentation which outlines those five things. They're very
specific criterion that is established for the Nuisance Abatement
Board. So I'll turn it over to the board, if you have any questions.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So it could be the same person
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February 26, 2015
complaining in a two-month period, or does it have to be two
separate complaints, separate individuals?
SUPERVISOR SNOW: No, sir, it doesn't. It suggests that
any citizen, official or officer can make a complaint. It doesn't
specify is it only separate complaints. It just says it has to be
more than two complaints in a six-month period.
Now, another criterion in this is the statute is very definitive
on, it doesn't say that you can have one for prostitution, one for
stolen goods. I think it -- the process would say it has to be one of
those criterion, the five criteria to define this have to exceed that
more than two complaints in a six-month period. Which is three
complaints or more.
So we -- the Sheriff would receive them, somebody would
call in or I would talk to the Sheriffs Office or another listening
official or citizen would say, listen, we believe that drug activity
is taken on this place (sic). They take the complaint.
The Sheriff comes to us after they receive that third
complaint and say listen, we believe this place is a public
nuisance. We would issue a notice, we'd issue order to correct, be
very specific, and they would comply or not comply.
The moment that they don't comply after we make a
reasonable effort, they come before you and appear before you as
a Nuisance Abatement Board, not the Code Enforcement Board.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the Code Enforcement
Board would adjourn --
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- and we would open up -- not
unlike is done with the County Commissioners and the different
hats that they wear. They close it, open up a new --
SUPERVISOR SNOW: I think that's an eloquent way of
putting it. That is just another function of this board.
Page 48
February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, is it -- the details in our --
SUPERVISOR SNOW: They are in the Code Enforcement
consolidated ordinance.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And it's a good time to
send out an additional copy of that, I think, because we're going to
have our rules discussion next month, so the timing on this is very
good.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: I would anticipate. I'm sorry --
MR. LEFEBVRE: No, go ahead.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: -- Mr. Lefebvre.
I would anticipate. I know in East Naples we have one that
is pending, a notice is going to be issued. So this is something
that I believe is definitely going to happen. It's not one of those
things that may be something that you're going to be moving
forward toward.
I think the director of Code Enforcement, I can't speak for
Mr. Wright, but one of his things when we discussed the
management meetings, he wants to use every enforcement means
possible to protect the community. And this is a very good
program.
Again, I've issued notices before. And it's -- we can get very
creative, the Sheriff can get very creative on the recommendations
that they want. For instance, if there was drug activity in a house,
we could request that all the tenants have a background check
before they're allowed to live on the premises.
Again, the criterion for this is very specific. It's not -- it has
to do with drug activity, it has to do with gang activity, it has to
do with stolen property. And the drug activity can't be just usage,
it has to be the manufacture, sale or distribution. So it's very
specific on those issues.
And again, that has to come from the Sheriffs Office. Code
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February 26, 2015
Enforcement's part of this and you're part of this once they bring
it to us we issue the notice, because it's a civil remedy, it's not a
criminal remedy. This is for if property or property owners are
not taking responsibility for things that are happening on their
property. And let's say they arrest the tenant for distribution and
they just move somebody in and it just continues. This is a civil
ability to correct or cause property owners to be responsible for
what's happening on the property, which everybody knows this
board does 365 days a year every time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So these will all revolve around
property owners.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Yes, sir. Yes, sir.
And by the way, part of the rules on this is this board would
find that there's a public nuisance either with a business or on a
premise. The board can order the premise vacated for a year or as
the board so would fit to do. That's one of the remedies, strong
remedies. The language in your ordinance is very definitive
about what you can do.
MR. LEFEBVRE: How are these cases being resolved
currently?
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Up to this point I know that the
ones that I've issued, that they came into compliance, they abided
by what the order was said. I think the one we had up in
Immokalee had to do with there was alleged prostitution taking
place so we had them cut the hedge, we had them install outside
lighting so that anytime the Sheriff would drive by that they could
see what's happening on the property. The lights would be
activated by motion sensor so any time anybody was outside, they
could see. And that abated them.
The one currently we're working on is alleged drug activity.
And I don't want to discuss it because it's not going to be heard,
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February 26, 2015
but it's alleged drug activity. So it's a little bit sensitive because
there are some Sheriff issues that we have to -- we have to be
considerate of before we can move forward.
MR. LEFEBVRE: If there's an investigation going on, we
don't want to compromise that.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Exactly right.
So what would happen is we would issue that notice. It's
just like a normal violation, what you see in your packet. And it
would have the orders to correct on there.
Now, we would present,just like we always would, the
evidence. We would -- I'm sure we would include the complaints
for -- that was offer you some history on the background exactly
that would happen, any complaints, offer some photographs of the
property and then it would just -- when we do our
recommendation, we could make a recommendation and the
board would follow up as it sees fit.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Has there been any discussion with the
Sheriffs Department for them to assign an officer or deputy to
this type of division, maybe?
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Well, the community policing
officers, I work with -- every district has community policing
officers. And I work specifically with Corporal Nelson. Corporal
Nelson has appeared before this board on many occasions. So
he's the one that I work with. But I think it's because they are
independent entities, I think each district is going to have their
representative community policing officer.
So -- and I know Commander Williams is one of the legal
authorities for the Collier County Sheriffs Office. And I know
that Corporal Nelson has been in fact discussing with Commander
Williams their options. And I think they're in -- I can't speak for
the Sheriffs Office, but I know from talking to Corporal Nelson,
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February 26, 2015
they're in favor of this. I think it's a good remedy for them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The logistics on this. When you
have a case that's going to come before the board and we'll call it
the Collier County Nuisance Board --
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Nuisance Abatement Board, yes,
sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Nuisance Abatement Board.
Unless you talk to my wife and she'll just call me a nuisance, but
-- it will come as another tab and another item on our agenda, or
does it have to be completely separate?
SUPERVISOR SNOW: I think that's something that Kerry
can address.
MS. ADAMS: It would be a separate agenda altogether.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: A separate agenda, and we'll be
notified just as we are now that there's going to be one or two or
no cases for the Nuisance Abatement Board.
MS. ADAMS: Right. It would be on the same day as our
regular hearing, and then you would get attached with your
regular agenda --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Right, after the adjournment of
the Collier County Code Enforcement Board we could open up
and probably have a disclaimer read in the beginning of it just like
we do now with this board.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: I would think that's the process.
Again, Ed Morad who's been with the department for 25
years I think has experienced the Nuisance Abatement Board.
But I think Mr. Lefebvre has been on the board the longest. I've
been here nine years and we haven't done it. I have issued notices
related to nuisance abatement related to this part of the ordinance,
but we haven't enacted that. And I think we want to get back
toward that to give other options for officials within the
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February 26, 2015
community to keep our community safe. And I think that's the
overall purpose for this.
When criminal activity is happening on a property and
related to these five criteria and the owner is not taking
responsibility, that's what this section or that's what this process
appearing before the Nuisance Abatement Board defined as a
public nuisance is for.
I think your ordinance is very definitive. I would encourage
you to read it. I have provided, and Ms. Adams indicated that she
had sent that to you, two documents for you. One, it's really
outlining the process and the other is the bullet point.
So it is not a complex process. It is a fairly easy process to
do. You would -- it's the same thing that you do here, you would
listen to the nature of the violation and make a ruling on does a
public nuisance exist.
MR. LEFEBVRE: How quickly would a case come in front
of us? What I'm worried about, like you said, is compromising a
police investigation.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Well, it's not -- sir, it's not going to
-- it won't move forward until we get those complaints from them.
Once we get those complaints from them, that's when we move
forward.
I have one right now, the one I was speaking of, I'm waiting
for the complaints to come in from the Sheriffs. And once we do
that, then we are not going to compromise there.
And that's -- on their end they're working -- talking to
Commander Williams and his authority to make sure that they
aren't going to do that. And once we get that, then that's going to
be the evidence. Obviously that's going to have to be presented to
suggest that we meet the criteria for establishing a public
nuisance.
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February 26, 2015
MR. LAVINSKI: Kitchell, I have one question. I think
over the years you've seen that more than one of us on this board
is somewhat concerned about the fact that the county is spending
a lot of money chasing this stuff. And we sit up here and abate
these fines, which we're working on, by the way.
But anyway, on Page 4 it says the cost shall be assessed,
which the county attorney or the sheriff has incurred in the
preparation, investigation and presentation of this case.
Now, they're not going to come before us and say it's $65.01,
are they?
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Well, I think -- this is the thing.
There was a ruling a number of years ago in the Florida Statute
that says that only certain costs can be imposed on a respondent
based upon -- I think it's based upon the paying of taxes. We all
know that -- because years ago imposition -- when we would do
the fines, the operational costs would be five or $600, because
they would be billed for all that. Now, that's gone down.
I'm not sure if it's going to be applicable to this. Because it's
very specific in the ordinance what we can do. And that's going
to be on an operation side, so we'll get to that.
But as far as your fines or anything you want to hold
anybody to, it's specific on the amount of fines, it's specific on --
it's not specific on the amount of time or what the criteria would
be to abate the violation, so this board can get very creative on the
remedies for these things.
As far as the fines are concerned, that's -- the county always
acquiesced to what this board would desire.
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah, I'm not so much concerned about
the fines, because that was kind of-- raised its head last Tuesday
at the --
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Well, we can look at -- sir, we'll
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February 26, 2015
look at that and answer your question is that -- is it going to be
feasible for all the time the county spends, including the time for
MR. LAVINSKI: Right.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: -- the attorneys and everything else
for them to be -- for that to be billed.
MR. LAVINSKI: Right. Because if this paragraph here on
Page 4 is just motherhood, then we probably ought to get it out of
there so we don't get in that brouha (sic) again.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: We can look at that, sir. But the
reason I included it in there, because it does specifically say that
that's part of this Nuisance Abatement Board that they -- all the
time that the entities spend in the county bringing this to appear
before you is billable time.
MR. LAVINSKI: Right. And I think that's what we're
looking for.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: One of the items on our agenda
which tails into what Mr. Lavinski said is the imposition of fines
discussion that we have postponed until next month's hearing.
MR. LAVINSKI: Next month, right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So we will be discussing that as
well, the amount of fines and the abatements and that type of
information.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: If you look on Page 1 on the
identified violations of the Nuisance Abatement Board, the scope
and applicability, it cleared prostitute, lewd and lascivious acts,
manufacture, sale or distribution of a controlled substance, gang
activity, stolen property. And there's specific criteria for a pain
management and things that happen as a result of-- on a pain
management facility related to if there were any robberies, if there
were any sale of substances. And I don't think we've ever gone
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February 26, 2015
there, but that's part of it. But ifs very specific on that criterion.
For instance, if just because somebody had drugs in their
possession, that doesn't meet the --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm a little surprised that you
don't have noise on there.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Well, sir, we have parameters
within the civil action. We have a very definitive noise ordinance
and you have noise investigators within this county. I think
there's six of them currently. And I think we're going to -- the
Investigative Manager, Mr. Letourneau, wishes to increase that to
about 10. During season we run quite a few cases and they're
very active, and usually we never know where we're going to end
up with those. We could end up in the middle of an orange field
measuring how loud a pump is out there. So it's very diverse.
But we can address those things. We address that part of it
civilly. This is just another part that allows us to address alleged
-- now, they don't have to be arrests, all they have to be is
complaints.
More than two in a six-month period in a civil venue. That's
the main criterion. It's the same process that you all have done
since I've been here. The notice has to be issued, we have to give
them reasonable time to comply, we have to define what they
need to do. If they don't do it, they appear before you and we
seek a remedy.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have any
questions from the board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm sure we'll be discussing it in
greater detail as the cases hit the board.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Yes, sir, I will be bringing one
before this board personally.
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February 26, 2015
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All right.
SUPERVISOR SNOW: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MR. LAVINSKI: All this for no additional increase in
salary.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're not getting a raise? I
didn't realize that.
Okay, do we have any other new business from the board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, I guess I was
within three minutes of what I thought we'd end.
MR. MARINO: You're ahead of schedule.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We don't have Larry Dean to
make the motion for adjournment.
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make a motion we adjourn.
MR. ASHTON: I'll second.
MR. MARINO: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We are adjourned.
*****
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February 26, 2015
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 10:28 a.m.
COLLIER COUNTY CODE
NFO e EMEN BOARD
;be Or' an, Chairman
These minutes approved by the board on 3 -2c -- ( ,
as presented (V or as corrected
Transcript prepared on behalf of Gregory Reporting Service, Inc.,
by Cherie' R. Nottingham.
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