CEB Minutes 02/25/2016 February 25, 2016
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Naples, Florida, February 25, 2016
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
Ron Doino
Gerald J. Lefebvre
James Lavinski
Lionel L'Esperance
Tony Marino (Excused)
Sue Curley (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT:
Kerry Adams, Code Enforcement
Tamara Lynne Nicola, Attorney to the Board
Jeffrey Letourneau Code Enforcement
Page 1
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA
AGENDA
Date: February 25, 2016 at 9:00 A.M.
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 Doino,
Gerald Lefebvre,Vice Chair James Lavinski
Lionel L' Esperance Robert Ashton
Tony Marino Sue Curley,Alternate
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. January 25,2016 Hearing
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MOTIONS
A. Motions
Motion for Continuance
Motion for Extension of Time
B. Stipulations
1
C. Hearings
1. CASE NO: CEVR20150021469
OWNER: U.S.BANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,AS TRUSTEE,FOR RASC 2006-EMX3
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MICHAELLE CROWLEY
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 3.05.08(C)
PRESENCE OF PROHIBITED EXOTIC VEGETATION,INCLUDING,BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
BRAZILIAN PEPPER,UPON A PROPERTY DEVELOPED AFTER 1991,FOR WHICH THERE IS
A REQUIREMENT TO KEEP THE PROPERTY FREE OF EXOTIC VEGETATION IN
PERPETUITY.
FOLIO NO: 66262006624
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 205 SKIPPING STONE LANE,NAPLES
2. CASE NO: CESD20150017917
OWNER: RAFFAELE FABRIZIO&JANICE FABRIZIO
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR VIRGINIE GIGUERE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10,02.06
(B)(1)(A).POOL PERMIT PRBD20140514906 EXPIRED LEAVING POOL WITH NO
PERMANENT SAFETY BARRIER CREATING A HEALTH AND SAFETY HAZARD
FOLIO NO: 69770005842
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 3158 SAGINAW BAY OR,NAPLES
3. CASE NO: CESD20150007420
OWNER: NWFP HOLDINGS CORP
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JONATHAN MUSSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A).ALTERATIONS TO STRUCTURE WITHOUT APPLICABLE COLLIER COUNTY
PERMITS.
FOLIO NO: 62150200002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 11163 TAMIAMI TRL E,NAPLES
4. CASE NO: CESD2 01.5.0D 1 3777
OWNER; FRANKIE SANCHEZ&GABRIELA SANCHEZ
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVEN LOPEZ-SILVERO
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A).AN ADDITION(INCREASED SQUARE FOOTAGE)ATTACHED TO A PERMITTED
WOOD STORAGE SHED TO INCLUDE A KITCHEN AND A THREE FIXTURE BATHROOM
BUILT WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE REQUIRED PERMIT(S),
INSPECTIONS,AND CERTIFICATE(S)OF OCCUPANCY.
FOLIO NO: 30683000002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1407 TANGERINE ST,IMMOKALEE
5. CASE NO: CESD20150002399
OWNER: EVA M.SILVA
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVEN LOPEZ-SILVERO
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(BX I XA).A MOBILE HOME PLACED AND ACCESSORY BUILDINGS/STRUCTURES,WITH
ELECTRIC AND WATER,BUILT WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE AUTHORIZATION OF
THE REQUIRED PERMITS,INSPECTIONS AND CERTIFICATES OF OCCUPANCY AND
COMPLETIONS.
FOLIO NO: 60180400007
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 220 N 4TH ST,IMMOKALEE
2
6. CASE NO: CESD20150018562
OWNER: ROBERT J DOUGLAS
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVEN LOPEZ-SILVERO
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A).DOCK AND BOAT LIFT INSTALLED ON IMPROVED OCCUPIED WATERFRONT
RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE REQUIRED PERMIT(S),
INSPECTIONS,CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY/COMPLETION.
FOLIO NO: 46420920009
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 631 PALM AVE,GOODLAND
7. CASE NO: CEAU20150020251
OWNER: WILLIAM ROBERT ANDREWS JR
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVEN LOPEZ-SILVERO
VIOLATIONS: 2014 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE,CHAPTER 1, SECTION 105.A FENCE INSTALLED ON
IMPROVED CONSERVATION PROPERTY WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE REQUIRED
PERMITS,INSPECTIONS,AND CERTIFICATE OF COMPLETION.
FOLIO NO: 374240004
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1516 PANTHER RD,COLLIER COUNTY
8. CASE NO: CESD20150021350
OWNER: WILLIAM ROBERT ANDREWS JR
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVEN LOPEZ-SILVERO
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A).OBSERVED SEVERAL PERMITTING VIOLATIONS INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED
TO: LARGE SOLAR PANELS,TWO STORAGE SHEDS,DETACHED GARAGE,A LARGE
COMMUNICATION TOWER/ANTENNA,A SCREENED WOOD DECK ATTACHED TO THE
DWELLING,AND TWO POLE BARNS ON IMPROVED CONSERVATION PROPERTY ALL
WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE REQUIRED PERMIT(S),INSPECTIONS,AND OF
CERTIFICATE OCCUPANCY/COMPLETION.
FOLIO NO: 374240004
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1516 PANTHER RD,COLLIER COUNTY
9. CASE NO: CEPM20150024335
OWNER: DAVIS CROSSINGS VIII LLC ET AL
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEPHEN ATHEY
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 22,ARTICLE VI,SECTION
22-236.DANGEROUS BUILDING.
FOLIO NO: 34690080008
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 8770 DAVIS BLVD,NAPLES
B. Motion for Reduction of Fines/Lien.
3
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. Motion for Imposition of Fines/Liens
1. CASE NO: CENA20150008263
OWNER: 333 INVESTMENTS LAND TRUST
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MICHAELLE CROWLEY
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 54,ARTICLE VI, SECTION
54-185(D).PROHIBITED EXOTIC VEGETATION,INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO
EARLEAF ACACIA AND BRAZILIAN PEPPER,LOCATED UPON UNIMPROVED PROPERTY
WITHIN 200-FOOT RADIUS OF IMPROVED RESIDENTIALLY PROPERTY.
FOLIO NO: 288040002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1450 WHIPPOORWILL LANE,NAPLES
2. CASE NO: CESD20I40004266
OWNER: CARMEN B CINTRON EST
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JUAN SERNA HERRERA
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A).FOUR STRUCTURES ERECTED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING COLLIER COUNTY
BUILDING PERMITS.
FOLIO NO: 63858720003
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 908 GLADES ST,IMMOKALEE
3. CASE NO: CESD20140004241
OWNER: NKY ACQUISITIONS LLC
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JON HOAGBOON
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE,ORDINANCE 04-41,AS AMENDED,
SECTION 10.02.06(B)(1)(E).MAJOR RE-MODELING TO INTERIOR OF STRUCTURE
INCLUDING FRAMING,PLUMBING,ELECTRICAL RENOVATION AND/OR REPLACEMENT
WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING REQUIRED COLLIER COUNTY PERMIT.
FOLIO NO: 62760840001
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 795 102ND AVE N,NAPLES
4. CASE NO: CEROW20140012496
OWNER: MARIA PADILLA
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JAMES KINCAID
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 110,ARTICLE II,DIVISION
1,SECTION 110-31(A).ENCLOSED SWALE IN RIGHT OF WAY WITHOUT APPLICABLE
COLLIER COUNTY PERMIT(S).
FOLIO NO: 62254520002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 5341 MITCHELL ST,NAPLES
5. CASE NO: CESD20130003491
OWNER: OASIS AT NAPLES,THE A CONDOMINIUM
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JONATHAN MUSSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED
SECTION 10.02.06(B)(1)(A)&2007 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE,CHAPTER 1,SECTION 110.4.
12 EXPIRED BUILDING PERMITS ON PROPERTY AS LISTED PRBD20120101429,
201201 01430,20120101431,20120101432,20120101 433,2012010 1434,20120101435,20120101436,
201 20101 437,20120101438,20120101439,2012010145.
FOLIO NO: 238446009
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: ARBOUR WALK CIR,NAPLES
4
6. CASE NO: CEVR20140018858
OWNER: MICHAEL T JOHNSON& LORI R JOHNSON
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MICHAELLE CROWLEY
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 3.05.01(B);
AND COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 22,ARTICLE IV,
SECTION 22-108. REMOVAL OF NATIVE AND NON-NATIVE VEGETATION BY HEAVY
MACHINERY WITHOUT REQUIRED COUNTY PERMIT;PLACEMENT OF LIME-ROCK FILL
AND MULCH/CHIPPED MATERIAL ON CLEARED SITE WITHOUT REQUIRED COUNTY
PERMIT OR AUTHORIZATION,EXCAVATION OF EXISTING GROUND MATERIAL TO A
DEPTH GREATER THAN 3 FEET OVER A LARGE PORTION OF THE PROPERTY,THEN
REPLACEMENT OF THE REMOVED MATERIAL WITH FILL BROUGHT IN FROM OUTSIDE
WITHOUT REQUIRED COUNTY PERMIT.
FOLIO NO: 00341440002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: NO SITE ADDRESS,NAPLES
7. CASE NO: CESD20130008321
OWNER: ANTONIO LOUISSAINT
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JOSEPH MUCHA
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(A).AN UNPERMITTED 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 THE
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
B. Motion to Rescind Previously Issued Order
C. Motion to Amend Previously Issued Order
7. NEW BUSINESS
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 24,2016
12. ADJOURN
5
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning, everybody. I
think now is a perfect opportunity to -- I delayed it long enough
till Gerald got here -- the perfect opportunity to turn off your cell
phones, if you have one.
Notice: That the respondent may be limited to 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 minutes unless the time is adjusted by the Chairman. All
parties participating in the public hearing are asked to observe
Robert 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.
If we'll all stand, and -- Pledge of Allegiance.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let's start out with the
roll call, if you will.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Robert Kaufman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Gerald Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Lionel L'Esperance?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Ronald Doino?
MR. DOINO: Present.
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February 25, 2016
MS. ADAMS: Mr. James Lavinski?
MR. LAVINSKI: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Robert Ashton?
MR. ASHTON: Here.
MS. ADAMS: And Mr. Tony Marino has an excused
absence, and Ms. Sue Curley is absent.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have some changes
to the agenda.
MS. ADAMS: No. 5, public hearings/motions, Letter A,
motions, motion for continuance: We have one addition. It's
from imposition of fines, No. 3, Tab 12, Case
CESD20140004241, NKY Acquisitions, LLC.
Motion for extension of time; we have one addition. It's
from imposition of fines, No. 2, Tab 11, Case
CESD20140004266, Carmen B. Cintron Estate.
Letter B, stipulations; we have five additions. The first is
No. 7 from hearings, Tab 7, Case CEAU20150020251, William
Robert Andrews, Jr.
The second is No. 8 from hearings, Tab 8, Case
CESD20150021350, William Robert Andrews, Jr.
The third is No. 6 from hearings, Tab 6, Case
CESD20150018562, Robert J. Douglas.
The fourth is No. 4 from hearings, Tab 4, Case
CESD20150013777, Frankie Sanchez and Gabriela Sanchez.
The fifth is No. 5 from hearings, Tab 5, Case
CESD20150002399, Eva M. Silva;
Letter C, hearings, Number 1, Tab 1, Case
CEVR20150021469, U.S. Bank National Association as trustee
for RASC 2006-EMX3, has been withdrawn.
Number 4, Tab 4, the case number is incorrect. The correct
case number should be CESD20150013777.
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February 25, 2016
Number 6, old business, Letter A, motion for imposition of
fines/liens: Number 6, Tab 15, Case CEVR20140018858,
Michael T. Johnson and Lori R. Johnson, has been withdrawn,
and that's all the changes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to approve the agenda.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
to approve the agenda as modified.
All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
We have at our positions some paperwork that you may
want to take a couple of minutes to look through at some point,
maybe look through it when the case comes before us.
Having said that, why don't we begin. Oh, the minutes. We
need a motion to accept the minutes.
MR. ASHTON: Motion to accept the minutes.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a
second. Any changes that anybody has on the minutes?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
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February 25, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay.
MS. ADAMS: Okay. The first motion for continuance,
imposition of fines, No. 3, Tab 12, Case CESD20140004241,
NKY Acquisitions, LLC.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. If the Board would take
a minute or two and read what is at their position. It's a letter
from the law office of Richard Cimino.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. Question from Mr.
Lefebvre.
MR. LEFEBVRE: What is the relationship of Mr. DeFrank
with NKY?
MR. HOAGBOON: Okay. For the record, Jon Hoagboon,
Collier County Code Enforcement. He's going to be acquiring the
new title, that is the hope, once it goes to auction.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But what's the relationship now? Is he
the -- did he finance this property? I mean, what's --
MR. HOAGBOON: Lienholder.
MR. LEFEBVRE: He's the mortgage holder?
MR. HOAGBOON: Yes, sir.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't we just begin with,
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February 25, 2016
we have a letter from Mr. Cimino saying that he represents Mr.
DeFrank in connection with the foreclosure, then I'm going to
come to you to explain what I'm reading. That's being foreclosed
on the 10th of March.
MR. HOAGBOON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And it looks like he will be the
high bidder on this.
MR. HOAGBOON: (Nods head.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And he would like a
continuance to apply for the proper permits, demolish the
buildings, et cetera.
MR. HOAGBOON: Yes, sir, that's correct. Basically, he
wants to acquire the property in order to demo it. He's an
investor.
NKY, they held on to that property for a very, very long
time. I guess, basically, they were shopping for investors. They
finally found one. He's going to, more than likely, you know, get
the auction and invest in that permit. It's prime real estate. That's
what he wants to do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I understand that. Is Mr.
Cimino here?
MR. HOAGBOON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: My question on this is, there's a
$42,000 amount that was on -- that was authorized by the Board.
And what they're asking to do now is to postpone implementing
that so that somebody can apply for the permits and -- I'm not
naive -- ask for the fines to be abated at that time.
MR. HOAGBOON: Yes, sir. I believe that was the hope
before it got to this point. They were hoping to find an investor
before it got to this date, and it took a little longer than they
expected.
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February 25, 2016
THE COURT: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Some discussion from
the Board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: So he's not the current lienholder; is that
correct?
MR. HOAGBOON: Correct. Final judgment of foreclosure
was heard and put into the court system on the 8th of February,
so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the bank -- the bank
currently owns the property?
MR. HOAGBOON: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: No.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: No. For the record, John Santafemia,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
Mr. DeFrank is the current lienholder on this property for the
mortgage. He's put this foreclosure action against NKY to
basically foreclose on that property against them. His attorney is
representing him in that letter that -- where he's requesting for the
continuance.
While the auction is set for March 10th, I believe --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: -- obviously there is no guarantee that
he's going to get the property. None of that is a guarantee. That's
-- the Board needs to -- we would like the Board to consider that
-- you know, the age of this case. It has been continued before --
for the imposition already once before, so -- but that's -- he's
basically the current lienholder, the mortgage holder foreclosing
on NKY.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So if he foreclosures on it and we impose
the fine, then that fine, obviously, would have to be paid at some
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February 25, 2016
point, or would it be wiped out in the foreclosure?
MR. SANTAFEMIA: I don't --
MS. NICOLA: I don't do foreclosure law, so I have no idea.
I don't think it's wiped out if they're not included, if the Board's
not included, but I don't know. That would be something I have
to look at.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, typically, on the
foreclosures, let's say a bank has $100,000 mortgage on a
property and it sold on the courthouse steps. The bank shows up,
bids $100 (sic). If nobody else bids, they wind up with the
property. They can bid it all the way up to that $100,000 without
it costing them any money at all. This is a different situation
where the $42,000 probably would need to be satisfied, I'm
guessing, in order for the title to transfer, or maybe I'm wrong.
MS. NICOLA: I have no idea. I mean, you guys are talking
about imposing a lien between the time of a foreclosure judgment
being entered and a sale on the courthouse steps. I don't know the
answer to that, and I would be a little concerned about what
happens in between, then you get a -- if this person doesn't buy
this property, the guy that we're talking about, and then we have a
buyer who buys it on the courthouse steps, is that person going to
have sufficient notice of the fact that the liens have been imposed
between now and then, and then we have a new guy coming in
here with the same issues?
And then the other thing is, is if the Board imposes the liens
today, this $42,000 -- I mean, I'm just thinking practically. We
might have a person who seriously intends on cleaning up this
property, and they're going to say, well, the Board just imposed
$42,000 on this property. Now it's not worth my while to follow
through with my intentions which are to demo it and make it, you
know, up to code, so...
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February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, the $42,000 is part of the
record for anybody who wants to bid on the property, so they're
not going in it with a blindfold. They know that there's $42,000,
and they would adjust their bid accordingly, just like they would
go in and find out that a bank has a mortgage on a property that's
being foreclosed for $100,000.
So this is not an unknown number whether the Board
imposes that fine or not.
MS. NICOLA: Well, No. But the difficulty is, when is it
going to sale?
MR. SANTAFEMIA: March 10.
MS. NICOLA: So it's going to sale March 10th, and we're
meeting today. And by the time we get the orders entered and
signed and recorded, is that going to be sufficient notice for
somebody who's going to purchase at a foreclosure sale on March
10th? I think it's a little close.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: And I'm not sure the actual number,
the $42,000 number.
The order -- the Board's order would obviously come up
with the records showing that there is a code case and that there
are fines that are accruing. But until they're actually imposed,
then there's nothing recorded as to that 42,000, the number
specific.
You can do the math on your own, obviously, but, you
know, there's a lot to consider because the March 10 day, you
know, they don't always go. They don't always go on that same
date. I've seen them postponed numerous times doing foreclosure
stuff.
So there's no guarantee, I don't think, either way on this
except the fact that, you know, if this gentleman is foreclosing on
this property, he is well aware that there's a code case. That's why
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February 25, 2016
he had his attorney write this letter.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And I would assume -- and
we've seen this before also -- that when someone buys this
property, knowing that the $42,000, or whatever the actual
amount is, is sitting out there, they would be able to purchase this
property by a large discount because of the lien that will be
imposed, if we impose it now or in the future. So typically --
MR. SANTAFEMIA: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- that's what happens.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: Mr. DeFrank is actually the
lienholder, so whether somebody comes in and underbids him,
you know, or outbids him, I should say, and takes the property
away from him, you know, that's -- those are unknowns. You
know, there's no way for us to know that. I know some of you
have had experience in this area, so there's no guarantees either
way.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yeah. My question is, is this lien
superior to the foreclosure action, or is it behind? So is it wiped
out? Like, a first mortgage and a second mortgage, first
lienholder foreclosures, the second gets --
MR. SANTAFEMIA: I don't think our -- Kerry, are our
liens --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Our liens are generally ahead of
even a mortgage.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I know Jeff, when --
MR. SANTAFEMIA: They call them super liens or
something?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I remember with Jeff there was a
question of that regarding our liens, so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Should we grant an extension
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February 25, 2016
or continuance, if you will -- that way the fines would continue to
accrue. If we were to grant that to the next meeting, could we
have some expertise at that time as to what the different options
are? I'm assuming that should he purchase this property, he will
be before us at that time requesting something.
MR. LEFEBVRE: This is a catch-22.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: He's obviously not going to request
anything until he gets that property into compliance. The Board
won't even entertain his request at that point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's why I'm surprised that
he's not here right now.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: And, again, it's all an unknown,
because you could postpone this for a month, and they could
postpone the courthouse sale for a month. We could be right back
where we started a month from now, but I certainly --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The only different is the fines
would be higher.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: Correct. And I can certainly look
into options as to, you know, where our lien or whatever would
sit. But a lot of that, too, until after the 10th of March, until we
find out whether this property's actually gone anywhere --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, if that's a motion, I'll
second it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hold on a second.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Hold on before we make a motion.
Could we table this for maybe an hour and see if we can get the
county attorney to give us an answer on that and then come back
and -- I think that might be --
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'll call the county attorney and find
out, if you'd like to do that.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I would like to do that, because that way
Page 11
February 25, 2016
we would have a clearer picture on where we stand for our lien
and what our options are.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you want to table this till the
end of our agenda?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Or until we have a --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Or if a -- we don't have
anybody here that's testifying. We're not holding anybody over --
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- so it shouldn't be a problem.
MR. LEFEBVRE: If that's -- I'd like to make a motion that
we table this until --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Till the end of the agenda item
(sic) or sooner.
Lionel, do you have any problem with that?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I will second that. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second to table this to later in the meeting.
All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thanks.
MS. ADAMS: Next case, motion for extension of time from
imposition of fines, No. 2, Tab 11, Case CESD20140004266,
Carmen B. Cintron Estate.
Page 12
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. This is another letter
that we have at our position. You may want to take a minute or
two to read it.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Good morning.
MR. CINTRON: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Your name, for the record, for
the microphone.
MR. CINTRON: Luis Alberto Cintron.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I have your letter of
request here. Why don't you give us a little background; we can
go from there.
MR. CINTRON: What I'm trying to do is trying -- you
know, I'm working. I'm having this -- you know, because my
mom had passed away. My sister and my brother passed away.
I'm trying to get everything under my name. I'm trying to be in
compliance with the Board, Code Enforcement and everything.
I'm trying to do everything that I can, you know, just to have it,
you know, to be in compliance.
So I just need a little time. I mean, it's not easy for me to get
a permit because it's not under my name.
So I'm trying to do everything that is possible, which I got a
permit. And I did meet my deadlines of knocking down the
buildings. I mean, there's some little debris, you know, that I
have to clean up still. But, like I say, I work every day. I'm
trying to, you know, clean up. And that's all I need, you know.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And how much time do
you think you need to get everything cleaned up and in
compliance?
MR. CINTRON: Well, I want you-all to give me a little bit
Page 13
February 25, 2016
of time, six months or a year, so I can -- because I work every
day.
My -- you know, the dump is closed when I come. I mean, I
moved all -- you know, most of the debris, you know, I just -- you
know, most of the stuff that's out there is my personal items, you
know, like, that I had in the shed, and I just need to move them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What needs to be torn down?
I'm --
MR. CINTRON: Everything's already torn down.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. CINTRON: Everything -- I'm in compliance.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Now the debris -- the debris
from tearing everything down is what needs to be removed?
MR. CINTRON: Just some of it, just some of it, because
most of it's already gone.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you think that's
going to take you six months to do?
MR. CINTRON: Or at least -- three months at least.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Joe?
MR. MUCHA: For the record, Joe Mucha with Code
Enforcement.
I did make a site visit to the property yesterday. He is
correct, all the structures have been demolished. I mean, there is
a decent amount of debris that's left.
I did inform Mr. Cintron that the county's having a free
cleanup in Immokalee on March 5th, Saturday, that he would be
able to utilize to bring his stuff for free. I mean, he's just got to
maybe just set aside that day and just do it, get some help, and he
could probably knock it out in one day, I bet, if he had some
helpers and -- you know, I don't know if you have a truck or not,
but --
Page 14
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you're familiar with the
cleanup day?
MR. CINTRON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you think you can get it all
done on that day?
MR. MUCHA: A good chunk of it, at least.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Maybe we could get some
volunteers from here to help you. I'm tied up myself, but --
MR. CINTRON: I'm trying to do everything that's possible,
and I'm trying to get my brother and sister's -- trying, you know,
to get the house under my name so I can get permits when I need
them. And it's not -- it's not easy, you know.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't we consider a
continuance on this for, say, 60 days or so.
MR. DOINO: Sounds good.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And then we'll see how much
progress is being made. If there's progress that's being made and
it's not quite done, that's a good thing, or maybe it's all done, and
MR. CINTRON: Hopefully it will be.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Would somebody like to make
a motion to that effect?
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make a -- go ahead.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Mr. Ashton?
MR. ASHTON: Make a motion for a 60-day extension.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second for a 60-day continuance.
MR. ASHTON: Continuance, continuance.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any discussion on the
Page 15
February 25, 2016
motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Sixty days. If it's not all done in 60 days you'll come back,
and we'll talk at that time.
MR. CINTRON: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hopefully it will be all done.
MR. CINTRON: Thank you.
MR. MUCHA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The first stipulation is No. 7 from hearings,
Tab 7, Case CEAU20150020251, William Robert Andrews, Jr.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Steve, you look like you're the
only one in town on this one. Why don't you read the stipulation
into the record.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Sure. Good morning. For the
record, Steven Lopez-Silvero, Collier County Code Enforcement.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the
respondent shall:
Pay operational costs in the amount of 64.59 incurred in the
Page 16
February 25, 2016
prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Number 2, abate all violations by applying for and obtaining
all permits, inspections, and certificate of completion and/or --
excuse me -- or must remove said structure and/or improvements,
including materials from the property and restore to a permitted
state within 180 days of this hearing, or a fine of$100 per day
will be imposed until the violation is abated;
Number 3, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within
24 hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance; and,
Number 4, that the respondent, if-- correction -- 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.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I have one question.
This is to a -- to get a permit for a fence?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Six months seems like a long
time to me.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: This is a rural area of Collier
County out in Ochopee. The property's approximately five acres
in size. The property owner has completed a survey, and he's in
the process of obtaining the permit; the fence permit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Says it's on a conservation.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: That's correct.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is a fence allowed on a conservation
land?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: We've checked the zoning or the
Page 17
February 25, 2016
zoning districts or zoning regulations; they are permitted.
MR. LEFEBVRE: They are permitted, okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Joe, you have something to
say?
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
MR. MUCHA: For the record, Joe Mucha with Code
Enforcement.
Since we have two cases -- the other case involves a lot more
permitting issues -- I just figured six months on each just to kind
of keep it -- I understand it won't take six month to get a fence
permit done, but I just figured six months for each so it's kind of
continuity with the two cases; same owner, same property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MUCHA: That's just the reasoning behind the six
months.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So I'm not going to hear
the other case until this one is done, but just basically looking
ahead: Large solar panels, two storage sheds -- detached -- a
bunch of stuff that's on the property.
MR. MUCHA: The second one is very involved, with a lot
of structures and, yeah, solar panels, antennas, et cetera.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We did hear one that
was way out in the rural area years ago, and they were very
limited on what could be put on those sites. I know that's why
Mr. Lefebvre asked that question.
MR. MUCHA: That's why maybe the six months will give
them time to figure out maybe, okay, I might have to take this
fence out, too, you know, and give them six months on
everything.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any comments from the
Page 18
February 25, 2016
Board on --
MR. LEFEBVRE: Motion to approve the stipulated
agreement.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and
second to approve the stip.
Any discussion on this?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MS. ADAMS: The next stipulation is No. 8 from hearings,
Tab 8, Case CESD20150021350, William Robert Andrews, Jr.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Before you read the stipulation,
this is the -- I just wanted to read what the violation was into the
record so that we know what we're dealing with. There were
several permitting violations including, but not limited to, large
solar panels, two storage sheds, a detached garage, a large
communications tower/antenna, a screened wooden deck attached
to the dwelling, two pole barns on the improved property,
conservation property, all without first obtaining required permits,
Page 19
February 25, 2016
inspections, certificates of occupancy.
Now we go back to Mr. Lefebvre's question. Is this
permitted on that property based on zoning or not?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: I have a determination from the
building official for all those improvements.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: And what was stated is if there's
no ag exemption, permits will be required for all improvements.
And I did do the research; there's no ag exemption for that
property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So it's not an
agricultural property. But all the other things, solar panels,
storage sheds, all that was put up without permits?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: The question is, in that zoning can these
items be permitted?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Yes, sir.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And what I keep on reading is
the same word over and over again, the conversation --
conservation property.
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: As I said, we have heard cases
in the past where these things were not permitted to be put in at
all, but why don't you read the stipulation, and let's discuss it.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Sure. Therefore, it is agreed
between the parties that the respondent shall:
Number 1, pay operational costs in the amount of 65.01
incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this
hearing;
Page 20
February 25, 2016
Number 2, abate all violations by obtaining all required
Collier County building permits and/or demolition permit,
inspections, and certificate of completion and/or occupancy
within 180 days of this hearing, or a fine of$250 per day will be
imposed until the violation is abated;
Number 3, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within
24 hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance; and,
Number 4, 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.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I would hate to be back
here six months from now and nothing be done. Is there any way
that we -- and I know ifs -- the stipulation is the stipulation, and
the respondent is not here so we can't modify it.
But I wonder if there's any way that we can have somebody
take a look and see if there's any progress being made between
now and six months.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Well, the property owner does
seem adamant and is cooperating. He has shown efforts. He's
showed me his completed survey, and he's now in the process of
-- he's hired an architect to come up with the engineer drawings
and engineers and all that stuff. He should be obtaining or at least
applying for the permit shortly.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Did he buy this property in this
condition? Can you tell if these improvements were prior to 2014
when he bought it?
Page 21
February 25, 2016
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: They were.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. So he bought the property in its
current state without probably knowing.
It's kind of hard to -- we either have to agree to the stipulated
agreement or go to a hearing and come up with our version. I
mean, it would be nice if there's a way to come in, at least give us
an update maybe every two months or so, but I don't think we can
require them unless we --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Not on the stipulation.
MR. LETOURNEAU: You could just ask Code
Enforcement to come in, and we'd gladly do it. As long as Kerry
could remember to have that on the agenda for our report, and
that doesn't have to be, really, part of the stipulation. It's just
something that we could do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So before we vote on the
stipulation, with the nods from the Board, I'd like to see them at
least touch base two or three months from now, three months, put
it on the agenda, come back and say, he's started working;
something is happening on this. That shouldn't be a big deal. If--
agreement from the Board on that?
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah.
MR. LEFEBVRE: The other worry is, he's not local. He's
from Miami, so -- nothing against people from Miami, but he's
not local, so I just want to make sure that he's on top of it. But it
sounds like he's already taken steps to get this corrected, so...
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: That's correct.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. I make a motion to accept the
stipulated agreement.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a
second.
Page 22
February 25, 2016
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thanks, Steve.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Chairman, the case -- the first motion for
continuance is ready to be called back, if you wanted to do that
now, or if you want to wait till the end; it's up to the Board.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't we wait till the end,
because we have people waiting now.
MS. ADAMS: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We'll just delay the Code
Enforcement people from going back to their activities.
MS. ADAMS: Okay. No problem.
And the next stipulation is No. 6 from hearings, Tab 6, Case
CESD20150018562, Robert J. Douglas.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You look familiar. Okay. Why
don't you read the stipulation. This was a dock and a lift without
a permit.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: That's correct.
Page 23
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Therefore, it is agreed between the
parties that the respondent shall:
Pay operational costs in the amount of 64.59 incurred in the
prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Number 2, abate all violations by obtaining all required
Collier County building permits and/or demolition permit,
inspections, and certificate of completion within 120 days of this
hearing, or a fine of$200 per day will be imposed until the
violation is abated;
Number 3, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within
24 hours of abatement of the violation and request the inspector --
correction -- the investigator perform a site inspection to confirm
compliance; and,
Number 4, 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.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any discussion on this
stipulation?
MR. LEFEBVRE: To receive this -- to get this fully
permitted, does it need any -- does this boat dock require any state
or federal permitting?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: No, just with the county.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Just the county, okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No Corps of Engineers, army
engineers? Yeah, because then he'd need years.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
Page 24
February 25, 2016
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to accept the stipulation as
written.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a
second; Bob Ashton.
Any discussion on it?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Thanks, Steve.
MS. ADAMS: The next stipulation is No. 4 from hearings,
Tab 4, Case CESD20150013777, Frankie Sanchez and Gabriela
Sanchez.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This looks like it was an
addition to a shed; is that correct?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That included a kitchen,
bathroom fixtures, et cetera?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't you read the
stipulation, and we'll go from there.
Page 25
February 25, 2016
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Therefore, it is agreed between the
parties that the respondent shall:
Pay operational costs in the amount of 65.01 incurred in the
prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Number 2, abate all violations by obtaining all required
Collier County building permits and/or demolition permit,
inspections, and certificate of completion and/or occupancy
within 120 days of this hearing, or a fine of$200 per day will be
imposed until the violation is abated;
Number 3, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within
24 hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance; and,
Number 4, 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.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you know whether he's
going to do this by affidavit or just going to start pulling the
building permits and pulling the inspections, et cetera? The
reason I ask is because of the timing on it.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Well, the property owner has hired
a contractor, H&L Bennett, and they have recently, as of the 23rd
of February, applied for the permit for the shed.
Now, they've removed the kitchen and the bathroom, so it's
back to its original permitted state, which was just a storage shed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Nobody's living there?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Okay. Discussion from
the Board?
Page 26
February 25, 2016
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to accept as written.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
to approve the stipulation.
Any discussion on that?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MS. ADAMS: The next stipulation is No. 5 from hearings,
Tab 5, Case CESD20150002399, Eva M. Silva.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This was a mobile home that
was put on the property without a permit?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You've been in touch with
them, and they intend to either remove the mobile home or get it
permitted?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: The mobile home has since been
removed, and it's all -- the mobile -- or the initial complaint was a
mobile home and other structures.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the mobile home is gone?
Page 27
February 25, 2016
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: The mobile home's gone, and the
property owner's working on -- she's applied for four permits, one
being the demolition of the mobile home and the other three for
the other three structures that do remain. Two are sheds, and one
is a storage and carport building.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't you read the
stipulation into the record?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Therefore, it is agreed between the
parties that the respondent shall:
Number 1, pay operational costs in the amount of 64.17
incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this
hearing;
Number 2, abate all violations by obtaining all required
Collier County building permits and/or -- correction -- or
demolition permit, inspections, and certificate of completion
and/or occupancy within 120 days of this hearing, or a fine of
$200 a day will be imposed until the violation is abated;
Number 3, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within
24 hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance; and,
Number 4, 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.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any discussion on the
stipulation?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any motion?
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to accept --
Page 28
February 25, 2016
MR. ASHTON: Motion to accept the stipulation as written.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a
second.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 2 from hearings, Tab 2,
Case CESD20150017917, Raffaele Fabrizio and Janice Fabrizio.
MR. BONAQUIST: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can you state your name on the
mike?
MR. BONAQUIST: Yes, sir. My name is Jim Bonaquist.
I'm an attorney. I represent Mr. Fabrizio.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We don't have to swear
you in, by the way. Just -- we trust attorneys. I don't know why,
but --
Page 29
February 25, 2016
MS. NICOLA: Because you should.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Oh. Spoken like a true
attorney.
MR. BONAQUIST: So I just wanted to tell you what has
happened to Mr. Fabrizio.
I understand that his permit for his pool has expired, and
that's the problem; that there really isn't a health and safety issue
with respect to the barrier; that the barrier is there. That -- okay.
So last January, January of 2015, more than a year ago, Mr.
Fabrizio entered into a contract with the permit holder, Jackson
Pools, to do an extensive repair and finishing up of his pool that
had been abandoned by his prior pool contractor.
Ten months later, it hadn't happened. Came to see me, wrote
a demand letter to Jackson that they finish the job. They ignored
it, so we terminated them.
In October of last year, we got a new pool contractor
involved. I've spoken to the president four different times;
October 20th, December 11th, most recently January 20 and 21,
extensive conversations, asked him what's going on, would he
please finish this for Mr. Fabrizio. I was assured on each
occasion it would happen.
Apparently it didn't happen, and now we received a notice of
this hearing. I forwarded that to the pool contractor, and we've
called and emailed him every day since then with no response.
So this is now the third contractor for Mr. Fabrizio that
hasn't followed through. I would just say, it's really through no
fault of his own. He's tried. He lives in New Jersey. He comes
down. He fined out nothing's done, he calls me, I call the pool
company, and that's what's been going on now for quite a while
with him.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. What we've done here is
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February 25, 2016
kind of gone out of order. We were going to have you present the
case, and then you can rebut it. So why don't we -- now we have
a little background that you can present your case with.
MS. GIGUERE: Good morning. For the record, Vicky
Giguere, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20150017917 dealing
with violation of Collier County Land Development Code 04-41,
as amended, Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a), a pool permit
PRDB20140514906, expired, leaving pool with no permanent
safety barrier creating a health and safety hazard, located at 3158
Saginaw Bay Drive, Naples, Florida, 34119. Folio number is
69770005842.
Service was given on September 11, 2015.
I have the case evidence in the following exhibits: An aerial
photograph of the property, one photo taken September 9, 2015,
and one photo taken November 10, 2015.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Has the respondent's
attorney seen these photos?
MS. GIGUERE: Yes, he has.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any problem with
us admitting them as evidence?
MR. BONAQUIST: No, I don't.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Motion to --
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- accept?
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a
second.
All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
Page 31
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MS. GIGUERE: So this complaint originally came in from
our contractor licensing department, and so we went out and
observed -- on September 9th I saw the orange construction-type
fence, which is an approved temporary barrier while they're in the
permitting process; however, at that time I did find that the permit
for the pool had expired on the 3rd of September.
I called the property owner and left a message on September
9th and issued the notice of violation after that.
I checked CityView for permits on October 12th and found a
permit for the pool was in re-activate status at that time, and there
was also a permit for the screen enclosure to go around the pool,
and it had already been put up. So at that time we decided to give
more time to complete the permit since progress was being made.
But after that point, the permit just stayed in expired status.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What date was that that you --
that the screen enclosure went in?
MS. GIGUERE: The permit was applied for for the screen
enclosure on September 10th. And by my recheck on the -- I
believe the date was 10th, the screen enclosure had already been
put up.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And it wasn't inspected?
MS. GIGUERE: Yes. They have had inspections on the
screen enclosure.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What was the -- if you know,
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February 25, 2016
the last date of the inspection?
MS. GIGUERE: I do. It looks like here actually a couple of
weeks ago in February. But they have -- they're just missing their
final inspection at this point for the screen enclosure.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And this is all part of the
same permit?
MS. GIGUERE: No. That's a separate permit. So it took
care of the health and safety issues as far as the pool permit being
expired because it did have a permanent barrier around it, so that's
why we granted them in a little more time before taking them to
hearing, hoping that the pool permit would be finished.
And I had spoken to the property owner. He explained to
me the issue with the contractors and whatnot. So at that time we
felt there was no health and safety issue. But, unfortunately, the
permit remained expired from the beginning of this case, and so
here we are.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: On the permit that's expired --
I'll explain why I'm asking these questions in a minute. On the
permit that is expired, when was the last inspection on that permit
performed?
MS. GIGUERE: June of 2015.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Because, as you know,
once you do an inspection, it extends the time on the permit.
MS. GIGUERE: Correct, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And the first thing we're trying
to find out here is whether a violation exists or not. So that's why
I'm asking those questions.
Okay. Do you have any other information to provide to us?
MS. GIGUERE: At this time, No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now, we have heard
part of your explanation. And as I said, we discuss, then we'll
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February 25, 2016
either have a finding of whether there is a violation or there isn't.
If there is no violation, that's the end. If there is a violation, then
we'll hear ways of abating the violation, so. I cut you off in the
middle. I'm sorry.
MR. BONAQUIST: That's quite all right. I really have no
facts bearing on whether there's a violation or not. I didn't expect
to be here today. Mr. Fabrizio is in New Jersey. He lives there.
He works there.
I just wanted to come to the Board and explain what was
going on through no fault of his own. He's been trying -- and I
have personal knowledge of that -- to get this done.
He's just been let down by the folks that said they would take
care of it for him. And since there is no life/health/safety issue,
what I would ask is that he be granted as much time as possible to
get a new contractor in to pull the permit and just get it closed out
and get it done.
And it's going to -- we called a pool company for him
yesterday, a new one, and the information we received was
everybody is very, very, very busy right now. We don't know if
we can get out there and, if so, when we can get out there.
So I think we're going to need at least 120 days, and I would
ask for more than that, actually, so we don't need to come back.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Before we do that, we
either have to find that the respondent is in violation or not. I
have one question for the county. This came from contractors
licensing?
MS. GIGUERE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Did they provide any
information on their investigation as far as the contractors are
concerned?
MS. GIGUERE: It was -- it came down to a civil matter
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February 25, 2016
between the contractor and the property owner, and I believe
contractor licensing was contacted by the contractors. I don't
know if it was in fear that they would get in trouble because a
permit wasn't being finished, whatever the case may be. But they
just referred it over to us because the permit was expired.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. As everything revolves
around -- it's probably money. Okay.
Any discussion from the Board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, yes. A couple things. There's two
permits that were issued for this pool. This permit that was issued
that expired did have an inspection done in June, correct?
MS. GIGUERE: Yes. It had passed quite a few inspections,
and in June it also received an extension so that it would not
expire but, for whatever reason, by the time the extension came
up to end in September, the permit just expired.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But if you have an inspection done in
June on a permit, it automatically extends the permit for six
months?
MS. GIGUERE: No. Actually, what happened in June was
the extension to keep the permit from expiring. So it wasn't
actually an inspection. They have had quite a few prior
inspections on the permit.
MR. LEFEBVRE: When was the last inspection on the
property for this permit?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: June 10th.
MR. LEFEBVRE: No. She said that's when -- now she's
saying that's when they extended the permit.
MS. GIGUERE: It actually looks like the last inspection
was done July of 2014, and so before the permit expired, they
went to get the extension, and then after that, it expired in
September.
Page 35
February 25, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: This is almost two years this has been
going on, a pool that --
MR. BONAQUIST: July of 2014 would have been the first
contractor that abandoned the job --
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right.
MR. BONAQUIST: -- which was then taken over in
January of 2015 by the second one. We're now on the third one.
And my understanding, sir, is there's no issue of money. I've
received no claims, no liens, no allegations that money is owed to
anyone.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The reason that we go
through this is, for your benefit, if there was an inspection, the last
inspection was done five months ago. From that date, you have
six more months for the permit not to expire. That's how it
works, so that someone doesn't pull a permit, do no inspections.
That's when the permit expires, after one year. So as long as
you're working on that permit doing inspections -- is the way we
treat that -- it's extended that way.
But in this particular case, it looks like the inspections were
done prior to six months so, in fact, this permit has expired.
MS. GIGUERE: Correct. If I had to guess, I would say that
the second contractor came in and got the extension on the permit
so that it would not expire, but they never actually did any
inspections, and so that way it was left to expire.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So that contractor came
in around what time frame?
MS. GIGUERE: I believe it was the beginning of 2015.
MR. BONAQUIST: January of 2015.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So that's over a year
now as well.
MR. BONAQUIST: Yes, sir.
Page 36
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And he did --
MR. BONAQUIST: He did some work. He was paid a
substantial amount of money and then just stopped coming to the
job; never finished it and never came back.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So what's the state of it now? What
needs to be done to complete the pool?
MR. BONAQUIST: I cannot comment on that. I do not
know. As of 10 days ago, I thought it was done.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, it's pretty simple. If a new pool
company came in and they said, okay, here's the scope of work
that we have to do, and then if they got paid, they got paid for a
certain amount of work they did. So then there should be
something -- if there's six things that they -- 10 things they said
have to be done, six were done, they got paid for the six, there
should be four items done (sic), so this should be very easy to
figure out.
MR. BONAQUIST: We've left numerous messages to try to
find out the status, and I don't know what the status is.
MS. GIGUERE: If I may, I wasn't able to print out all the
activities on the permit, but I do have a screen shot of the majority
of them here, and they have passed inspections such as the pool
deck, the underground and whatnot. So there's quite a bit of the
pool that is already done. It's not like they're at the beginning
stage of the permit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you see any safety issues on
this at all?
MS. GIGUERE: Not at all.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, let's do first things
first. Is -- does a violation exist?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion that a violation does
exist.
Page 37
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So we have a motion.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second that a violation
exists.
Any discussion on that?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay. Now, do you have a suggestion for us to resolve the
situation?
MS. GIGUERE: I do; that the Code Enforcement Board
orders the respondent to pay all operational costs in the amount of
$64.59 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days and
abate all violations by:
Obtaining all required Collier County building permits or
demolition permit, inspections, and certificate of completion
within blank amount of days of this hearing, or a fine of blank
amount of dollars per day will be imposed until the violation is
abated, and 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
Page 38
February 25, 2016
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriff s Office to enforce the provisions of this order, and all
costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now, do you think it
will take somewheres around 120 days to 150 days to get
everything nailed down and completed?
MR. BONAQUIST: I don't know that, sir. I'm asking for as
much time as possible. Especially if we're going to have
liquidated damages at the end of the time, I would ask maybe for
six months then, only because of the conversation I had yesterday
with a different pool company where the representation was made
"everyone is very busy now." I don't know when I can get to it. I
don't know if I can get to it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. During our deliberation
on this, I'd like to throw out that there is no safety problem with it
-- it appears that the owner of the property, the respondent, has
been working to resolve this situation and, because of
circumstances, that's why this is before us -- to consider that when
you fill in the blanks on this suggestion.
MR. LEFEBVRE: On the flip side, what makes me a little
bit leery is that it's in a development, Riverstone, which has a lot
of children in it, and if for some reason they do get into that --
into it, I just think that it might be -- if the pool's filling up with
water, you can't see in the pool. I just don't want to see a kid
injured.
So it's been going on almost two years now. I think this
needs to be fixed. Get someone out there as soon as possible to
get this fixed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody else would
like to throw out some possible numbers to fill in here?
(No response.)
Page 39
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, I'll throw out
some numbers. I'm the resort of last.
Initially you said three months. I'm going to say four
months, and a fine of$100 a day if it's not completed after the
four months.
Now, if it's not done in the four months, you can come back,
and we will see what progress has been made, and quite often the
Board extends the time even further. But this is to -- we only care
about compliance.
I take what Mr. Lefebvre said very seriously, but as long as
the county feels that there is no safety hazard there, that's my
motion, that we impose the 64.59 to be paid within 30 days --
that's important -- and that we grant four months -- is that 150
days -- and the fine is $100 if there's no compliance prior to that.
Any discussion on the motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: How many days again?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hundred and fifty.
MS. NICOLA: Hundred and fifty is --
MR. LEFEBVRE: Five months.
MS. NICOLA: -- five months.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Five months.
MR. ASHTON: You want to give them five months?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If you want to make it four
months, we'll make it four months.
MR. ASHTON: I think 120 days would be more than
sufficient.
MS. NICOLA: A hundred and twenty moves you to June
24th. Giving him the extra 30 days would move them into July
versus June; it would give them until the end of July.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I didn't get a second yet,
so --
Page 40
February 25, 2016
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. There's a second on my
motion.
I have no problem changing the days. I think that we're,
obviously, just trying to bring the situation into compliance. So if
you want to make it 120 days, I have no problem changing my
motion.
MR. LAVINSKI: The second agrees.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Second agrees? Any discussion
on the 120 days?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yeah. Part of-- the other thing I just
thought of is this property is not being occupied. So if something
does happen and someone does get into the pool area, that's my
biggest concern. So I'd like to see it shorter than 120 days, but --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I'm sure that the code
that the contractors work by is to put up the necessary fences, et
cetera, to keep this thing safe.
MS. GIGUERE: When the case originated, there was only
the orange construction fence, which is actually an approved
temporary barrier while you're building the pool. They have since
put it in a screen enclosure with doors and latches. So they've
actually upped the security around the pool, if you will. So at this
time we don't feel that there is a health and safety issue.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So, I mean, it's the same as my
house now. I'm not home, somebody could break into my cage
and go for a swim, but that's just how it is.
Any other discussion on the motion for 120 days, $100 a day
fine after that?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
Page 41
February 25, 2016
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Opposed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. One opposed.
So 120 days. Should you run into any problems meeting
that 120 days, I suggest you come back before the 120 days
elapses so that we can address that issue at that time.
MR. BONAQUIST: Very well. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. GIGUERE: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 3 from hearings, Tab 3,
Case CESD20150007420, NWFP Holdings Corporation.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Could you
state your name on the mike so we can hear.
MR. MUHAMMAD: My name is Muhammad, and I
represent NWFP, and my boss is outside the country, and I'm the
store manager. And the problem is my boss hired the company
for the lighting company --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hold on. Hold on. I just
wanted to get your name for the record.
MR. MUHAMMAD: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And then we're going to go to
the county to present what they have, and then we're going to
come back to you.
But before we come back to you, are you authorized by the
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February 25, 2016
NWFP Holdings Corporation to represent them at this hearing?
MR. MUHAMMAD: Yeah. My boss would present, but I
don't have any kind of papers, anything else, because he's outside
the country right now.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody on the Board
have a problem with that?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Does the county have a
problem with that?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All righty. Now we go
to the county.
MR. MUSSE: Good morning. For the record, Investigator
John Musse, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20150007420 dealing
with the violation of Collier County Land Development Code
04-41, as amended, Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a), alterations to
structures without applicable Collier County permits located at
11163 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida, 34113; Folio No.
62150200002.
Service was given on April 22, 2015.
At this time I would like to present the case evidence in the
following exhibits: Three photos taken by Investigator Robin
Ganguly of Contractor Licensing on April 14, 2015; one aerial
view of the property; and a copy of Permit No.
PREL20150618260.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me just do a quick
summary. So it has -- description of violation: Alterations to
structure. The structure is? Do you have pictures?
MR. MUSSE: Oh, I'm sorry. That was a -- that's what's on
the -- yes. It can be shown on the pictures. That's what's on the
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February 25, 2016
NOV. Sorry. I didn't start out with this case, and I was kind of
misled as well with the description of the case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You have to stay after school.
MR. MUSSE: I have stay, yes. But, yes, that's what's listed
on there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have a picture --
I'm trying to understand what this case is about.
MR. MUSSE: Yeah. I'll show you with the photos.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Has the respondent seen
the photos?
MR. MUSSE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any problem with
us seeing the photos?
MR. MUHAMMAD: No problem.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ASHTON: Motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second to accept the
photos.
All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay.
Page 44
February 25, 2016
MR. MUSSE: I'll explain. What the "alterations" is, is
Investigator Kincaid received a complaint on April 13, 2015,
stating that he observed men installing new lighting at the
Marathon convenience store. Complainant did not see a permit
displayed and was concerned that they might be unlicensed
contractors.
Investigator Kincaid conducted some research and did not
find an active permit for the work. He notified contractor
licensing, Investigator Robin Ganguly, who conducted an
inspection on April 14, 2015, where he found an unpermitted
removal of old florescent lighting tubes, tombstone lighting
receptacles, ballasts, and the installation of new LED lights and
circuitry in the ceiling by an unlicensed contractor.
A pre -- a reinspection was made by Investigator Kincaid on
June 23, 2015, and he found Permit No. PREL20150618260 for
the installation of the LED lights. Permit was issued on June 12,
2015.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So let me, just before we -- so
April is when it was observed?
MR. MUSSE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I imagine something was said
to the respondent.
MR. MUSSE: Yes. The service -- the notice of violation
was served on April 22nd.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And then in -- the permit
arrived when?
MR. MUSSE: It was issued on June 12th.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So on June 12th a licensed --
the only people allowed to pull permits, a licensed contractor,
pulled a permit on June 12th?
MR. MUSSE: Correct.
Page 45
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MUSSE: I received this case on December 16, 2016 --
or 15, sorry, and checked the status on the permit. Conducted
some research and observed that the permit actually expired that
same day. I was able to get in contact with the contractor, John
Pierre. I informed him that the permit was expired and he has to
get in contact with the building department to reactivate the
permit. He said he would and get an extension on the permit.
Conducted a pre-inspection -- prehearing inspection
yesterday. Permit is still expired. I contacted Mr. Pierre as well.
He said -- apparently there's some conflict -- I'm getting two sides
of the story. There's conflict between the contractor and the
owner.
Mr. Pierre notified me that when he went to the property, he
noticed that the -- he stated that the property owner hired other
people or contractors not -- can't verify whether or not they're
licensed or not; that they added lighting to the outside of the
property, or the structure as well, and he says that wasn't part of
the original permit.
So I advised him if there's any issues, then he has to get in
touch with the building department and cancel the permit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you don't know whether or
not he's canceled the permit yesterday or not?
MR. MUSSE: As of yesterday he has not canceled the
permit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So just in summary format,
somebody observed, and they cited them for doing electrical
work, I'm assuming --
MR. MUSSE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- without a permit?
MR. MUSSE: Correct.
Page 46
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: After that, the respondent got a
licensed contractor, pulled a permit, that permit was never
finalized, and expired?
MR. MUSSE: Correct. It's only missing a final inspection.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I understand. Any other
pictures that --
MR. MUSSE: No.
MS. ADAMS: (Shakes head.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now we're up to
listening to you on this particular case, so...
MR. MUHAMMAD: Yeah. My boss hired some company
from Miami, and these people is coming and see it, and he said he
pull up the permits, and then he put the lights.
And my boss give his friend money, and these people is
coming in one, two days after he's left, and he never show up, just
-- and my boss have personal problems, and he just go back to the
country.
And I just -- he just called me, just take care for this stuff I
just call these peoples and peoples, but he never answer, no
nothing.
And I just talked to another company and just still talking for
these peoples because he just says very busy, and --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So what we want to determine
first is whether a violation exists. So I haven't heard anything that
contradicts the county as far as a violation on the property.
Electrical work was done, and there's no CO on the permit that
was pulled to complete that task. The other additional work
outside is not part of this case, I don't believe.
MR. MUSSE: As of yet, no.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So that's what we're
concerned with.
Page 47
February 25, 2016
Any discussion from the Board?
MR. DOINO: Make a motion a violation exists.
MR. ASHTON: Motion a violation exists.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion a
violation exists, and a second by Bob Ashton. Any discussion on
the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay. A violation exists. And Joe -- Jonathan, can you give
us your suggestion to resolve this situation?
MR. MUSSE: The county recommends that code -- or the
county asks the Code Enforcement Board to order 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 obtaining all required Collier County building permits,
demolition permit, inspection, or certificate of
occupancy/completion within X amount of days of this hearing,
or a fine of X amount of dollars per day will be imposed until the
violation's abated.
The respondent must notify the code enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated in order to
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February 25, 2016
conduct a final inspection to confirm abatement. If the
respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may abate the
violation using any methods to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriff s Office to enforce the provisions of this order, and all
costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. This is an electrical
concern in a place that sells gasoline, so I would think that that is
a possible safety concern.
MR. MUSSE: As of right now, the store is still open. When
I walked in there, it doesn't appear to be any danger, but I'm not a
licensed electrician.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You said it's awaiting a final --
MR. MUSSE: Just a final, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- inspection?
MR. MUSSE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So everything is closed up,
buttoned up, just waiting for the final?
MR. MUSSE: Yep.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Would somebody like to
take a shot at filling in the blanks on this suggestion from the
county?
MR. LEFEBVRE: First, when is your boss coming back
from wherever he is?
MR. MUHAMMAD: I hope so next month, because his
mom and dad is very old and is very sick, and he just only have
one son, that's why he go back over there to take care. I hope so
is next month he's come back.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has he authorized you to take
care of this problem?
MR. MUHAMMAD: Yes, sir.
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February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: So we have a permit in place?
MR. MUSSE: It's expired. They just need to reactivate it.
MR. LEFEBVRE: This seems like this could be done in a
relatively short fashion. You have a company, electrical company
that's currently --
MR. MUHAMMAD: I'm still talking to somebody, because
that's the old company. I just call him, and he just no appear, no
nothing, no answer, no call me back.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's important that the company
that you're talking with is licensed in Collier County to pull a
building permit because that's probably what's required here, and
to get it fully inspected and a CO issued. So I don't know if any
of the companies -- I guess the first company was from Miami; is
that correct?
MR. MUHAMMAD: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't know whether or not
they were authorized to pull a permit in Collier County. It doesn't
sound like it, but I don't know.
But I think this would be a -- as Mr. Lefebvre said, it's sort
of a simple thing. You get ahold of a licensed electrical
contractor in Collier County, you have them go in there, pull a
permit on the work that was done, have it inspected, and we're all
done. So the amount of time that would need to be provided to do
that is probably relatively, as Mr. Lefebvre said, limited; probably
30 to 60 days should take care of it.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I'll make a recommendation or motion;
that the 65.01 be paid within 30 days and that within 30 days of
this hearing a permit -- everything will be completed, certificate
of completion will be granted, or a fine of$200 per day will be
imposed.
Page 50
February 25, 2016
MR. DOINO: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay. You have one month to do what we said was get a
licensed contractor who's licensed in Collier County, show them
what needs to be done. I'm sure that the county would be glad to
show what is in violation and get it all resolved and -- in 30 days.
Okay?
MR. MUHAMMAD: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 9 from hearings, Tab 9,
Case CEPM20150024335, Davis Crossings VIII, LLC, et al.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning, Steve. Looks
like you're the lone ranger today.
MR. ATHEY: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you tell us what we
have.
Page 51
February 25, 2016
MR. ATHEY: Good morning. First of all, for the record,
Stephen Athey, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CEPM20150024335 dealing
with the violations of Collier County Code of Laws and
Ordinances, Chapter 22, Article VI, Section 22-236, dangerous
building, located at 8770 Davis Boulevard, Naples, Florida,
34104; Folio 34690080008.
Service was given on January 15, 2016, and at this time I'd
like to present case evidence in the following exhibits: I have
eight photographs of the structure itself, but first I would like to
show three aerials, give a reference of the property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can we get a motion to
accept these photos?
MR. ASHTON: Motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
MR. ATHEY: And also -- I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Go ahead, Steve.
MR. ATHEY: Declaration of dangerous building letter from
the building official is also included in the evidence.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, fine. Okay.
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February 25, 2016
MR. ATHEY: Okay. My initial site visit was on January
14, 2016, after receiving the declaration of dangerous building or
structure letter from the building official, which is dated
December 30, 2015. And while outside I photographed the
structure --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you stop -- one second.
Go back to that previous picture. Where is this? Davis is where?
On the right? The left? Top? Bottom?
MR. ATHEY: This is the -- this is the lot where the
violation -- alleged violation exists at the corner of Davis
Boulevard and 951; the address being 8770 Davis Boulevard.
Now, I showed you this as a reference from 2006 where there was
nothing. The next photograph will show where the structure --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No. I just wanted to know what
street was on this map. I can't see.
MR. ATHEY: That's going to be Davis.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Davis.
MR. ATHEY: That's Davis.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Davis is up on the top.
MR. ATHEY: Right.
MR. LEFEBVRE: On the right is 951.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Gotcha. All right.
MR. LEFEBVRE: It's the steel structure that's there. The --
MR. ATHEY: Yes, sir.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Didn't we hear this case before?
MR. LETOURNEAU: We heard a permitting case dealing
with the property. This is the property maintenance case now.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ATHEY: So here you see, in the following year, a
2007 aerial where a structure -- or construction had begun or
some activity had begun on the property.
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February 25, 2016
The remainder of the photographs, particularly the next
aerial, which is current, would show that virtually nothing has
changed; no activity on the property for almost 10 years.
This is the structure itself.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Was there something there
before this business?
MR. ATHEY: No.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Just vacant land.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Just vacant land, okay.
MR. ATHEY: Yeah, vacant land.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is it still owned by Benderson?
MR. ATHEY: It is.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And the previous case we had, there's
been no resolution on that, correct?
MR. ATHEY: I wasn't involved in the previous.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Do we know?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, no resolution.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: It's kind of odd. I mean, they're a
billion-dollar-plus company, and I just don't -- can't figure out
why they're not responding.
MR. ATHEY: We've had no contact with the owners at all.
MR. LEFEBVRE: No contact at all with Benderson that's
out of Sarasota?
MR. ATHEY: No contact.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Originally with the first case, there
was communication, but during this case we've made numerous
attempts to contact them, and they haven't replied to anybody.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ATHEY: And the photographs show the state,
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February 25, 2016
dilapidated state of the structure. To add testimony, if you so
desire, the building official is actually here and could add
testimony to the status or the state of the structure itself.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't we hear him right
now.
MR. WALSH: Good morning. John Walsh -- oops. Sorry.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
MR. WALSH: John Walsh, chief building official, Collier
County.
I actually have been to this site, I think, two or three times at
this point. It's been there for quite a few years, obviously. This
became a big-ticket item, an AIMS issue, if memory serves
correctly. People wanted to know what was going on with the
building.
We brought the first case with regards to an open permit that
hadn't been closed out. I granted an extension of 90 days the first
time. Nothing happened. One of the stipulations of that
extension was to have the building analyzed by a structural
engineer, which was done, and the response back was that they
were going to pull a separate permit to basically rehab and retrofit
the existing structure, the steel building and concrete. There are
some concrete on there as well.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: How long ago was that?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Four years ago.
MR. WALSH: Couple of months. I don't have the permit
number in front of me. I want to say that was probably a year ago
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WALSH: -- give or take. Permit went through, and a
structural engineer came back and said that the steel columns --
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February 25, 2016
and if you pull up the pictures, you'll see one of them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They look like they're rusting
out.
MR. WALSH: Yes. You'll see here that the horizontal --
the beams are -- have severe rust. From my site visit, I saw the
roof panels, the decking that was up there was rusted. Several
holes you were in it. I had a couple people calling up and saying
that kids were playing in the area.
I had one guy actually admit that he used the building as a
place where he'd shoot his bow and arrow because it was a nice
safe spot in his opinion because it would bounce off the concrete
wall. That didn't sit too well with me.
So I went out. We agreed that a separate permit would be
pulled to rehab the steel structure as it exists.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is this property fenced?
MR. WALSH: No. That is the reason why my latest
determination has come out, because I agreed to allow the
building permit to rehab the building to fix the steel structure as it
exists currently, to replace and sandblast, do whatever the
engineer came back and said that needed to be done so the whole
building wouldn't have to come down.
In that process, they would fix the building as exists but it
would also give them time to basically reapply for a building
permit to complete the building. That process has not begun at
all. I haven't had any communication with regards to the new
building permit to finish.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: When's the last communication
you had with the company?
MR. WALSH: With the actual company itself was before --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah.
MR. WALSH: -- the building permit to fix the steel
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February 25, 2016
superstructure was issued. I want to say June, might have been --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WALSH: -- summer, I would say, give or take. Might
be a day or two off.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WALSH: So that permit was issued. And then I want
to say within the last month after some pushing -- and I want to
say it's in response to my determination of a dangerous building --
they came in and they started to remove some of the roof decking.
The site's still not protected. You can walk in there right
now. I almost drove through the building because it's right on
grade, and you have complete access to it.
There's several panels that are holding on by a thread. I
wouldn't walk through the building. I wouldn't even want to be
working on the building, per se. That's the reason why I have the
determination, and I have -- I'm not waiving on that. Right now
the site is not safe, the building is not safe.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And it's not protected?
MR. WALSH: No, no.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So for us, at this point,
we want to find -- make a determination whether a violation
exists or that a -- that the property is an unsafe structure.
Anybody?
MR. DOINO: Violation, yeah. I would say a violation
exists.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. From Mr. Doino, a
violation exists.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second from Mr. Ashton.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
Page 57
February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
And, Mr. Athey, you have a suggestion? Oh, I see Jeff
Letourneau there. Yes, Jeff.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
MR. LETOURNEAU: For the record, Jeff Letourneau,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
In the beginning when we prepped this case, we had the
standard recommendation of, you know, obtain demo permits or a
building permit and get the thing fixed. But after speaking with
Mr. Walsh just recently, he advised us to maybe put a second part
of the recommendation outlining maybe them getting a fence and
then getting the permit while the fence is up just for safety
reasons. It's very similar to the boarding ones we always use.
And I'll put it up here. I'll show you. And, basically -- I
don't have a second copy of this. I'm sorry. Where's the
microphone at?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So basically what this property
needs is a chain-link fence around it immediately?
MR. LETOURNEAU: It needs some building-official
approved barrier to alleviate the immediate safety issue.
So I'll read the recommendation: That the Code
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February 25, 2016
Enforcement Board orders the respondent to pay all operational
costs in the amount of 65.85 incurred in the prosecution of this
case within 30 days and abate all violations by:
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;
Two, alternatively, if a county-approved barrier is obtained
and the property is secured within blank days of this hearing, then
the time required to complete the repairs, inspections, and
certificate of completion/occupancy will be extended to and must
be completed within blank days of this hearing, or a fine of blank
per day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Now let me stop you. When
you say -- that's not to complete this shopping center. That's just
to --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, I mean --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, a fence is one thing; I
understand that. The No. 2 here, "alternatively." So the first one
is to demolish it?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, the first one is either to get a
building permit and bring the building up to a safe condition or
demolish the structure. The second one is either get a fence,
maybe get a little more time to do the same thing, repair it up to a
safe condition where the building official says that it's safe at that
time, or demolish the building also.
So the fence is the same as, like, we added in our boarding
certificates, puts a Band-Aid up, buys them a little time to get the
actual other permit going.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Discussion from the
Board?
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February 25, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, I just want to revert back to the
previous case. I can't remember when it was heard, but I do
remember the case.
It's not in compliance. There's a fine on the property every
day. How come we haven't foreclosed on that fine? How come
we haven't started action to foreclose on that?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. If you remember -- and I'm
just pulling this out of my memory.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right.
MR. LETOURNEAU: You get -- it was a dual-part order.
The first part was to get the permit issued by sometime last
October and get the CO completed by December. We're -- yeah.
We're going to -- I think it's going to be scheduled next month to
impose the first part of the fine.
MR. LEFEBVRE: If that -- we're asking them in No. 1 to do
the same thing as we asked them in the previous case.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, the previous case they have to
-- they have to have a permitted property. In this case they need to
-- they need to get the building safe at this point. So it doesn't --
they don't necessarily, in this case, have to complete the building.
They just need to put it in a safe condition.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But No. 1 says, obtain all required
Collier County building permits or demolition permits,
inspections, certificate of completion or occupancy within blank
days. So if we did that a year ago...
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, I could take out the occupancy
part and just say a certificate of completion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think the easy way to describe
this -- maybe not use these words -- is they need to fence the
property immediately because of the safety violation. They're not
going to be doing a whole bunch of work, and whether they are or
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February 25, 2016
not doesn't matter. It needs to be fenced immediately.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And I think maybe if we handle
this recommendation in that fashion, get it fenced, give them a
limited amount of time to get it fenced so it complies with the
safety issues, and then the second part would be to go through the
permitting as far as the other issues are concerned on the property.
But the primary is the safety right now.
MR. LETOURNEAU: If you wanted to take the first part of
that out of there and just use the second part of that, that would be
pretty much along the lines that you're talking about right now.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, there's more than --just than a
fence. There's parts of the building that are not secure. And we're
going to be coming into hurricane season in four months or so,
three-and-a-half months, four months, so that worries me. But
what worries me even more is if we do leave 1 in here, if we
already have another case against it -- against them, and we're
using the same language, we're penalizing them twice, because in
the last case it says, must have a CO by a certain date or period.
Now we're telling them again to do it. So if we impose a fine
each time, for each case, it's for the same -- I'm afraid for the
same thing.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, two separate violations,
though. One's an expired permit. They haven't got the permit
issued. They didn't go down and get a permit issued.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. But you're asking them to do two
of the same things.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, the first case I'm asking them
to finish the building. In this case I'm asking them to make the
building safe -- whatever they have right now safe.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. The statement of
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February 25, 2016
violation, under No. 2 it says it's a -- description of violation is a
dangerous building. How do we make it less dangerous? And the
way you make it less dangerous is to cut off access to that
building in any way we can.
I agree -- I agree with Mr. Lefebvre 100 percent, but I'd like
to handle these issues this way. It makes it simpler for us to write
an order and for it to be understood.
So what would be a reasonable amount of time to have them
pull a permit to put a fence in that probably would be -- I don't
know. We can ask the building official what type of fence that
would be required and what he thinks it would take as far as time
is concerned to do that.
MR. WALSH: Basically, the fence we're looking for is
called a temporary construction fence permit. They are, more or
less, over the counter.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So there's -- you can get
that in a week, a day, no problem?
MR. WALSH: Yep.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And there are contractors who
provide that type of construction in the county?
MR. WALSH: Yep.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WALSH: Now, how busy they are versus all the other
construction that's going on, that I can't -- but they should be able
to get it up within a very reasonable amount of time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So would you think 30 days
would be a reasonable amount of time?
MR. WALSH: Yep.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. NICOLA: Mr. Chairman, can I make a suggestion on
the language? Because I think the way that it reads -- I think it
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February 25, 2016
needs to be changed and to say something like obtain a
county-approved barrier and have the property secured within
blank days instead of saying if a county-approved barrier is
obtained. In other words, be more directive. That would just be
my suggestion as far as drafting the order.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I agree with you.
MS. NICOLA: Okay, great.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That way we're protecting a
dangerous building which is what the violation was, so -- and
that's what we're here for. It appears that 30 days would be a
reasonable amount of time. Would someone like to make a
motion to that effect to begin with?
MR. LAVINSKI: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. LAVINSKI: If I may, this might be out of order. I
remember this case last time. And I see Commissioner Fiala is
here. I mentioned last time that she has a program in East Naples
to try to get East Naples up to some standard.
Would it be possible for her to give us a couple of comments
as to what her phone (sic) or her constituents are saying to her
about this particular site which has been there for years?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I think it very relevant to the case.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Commissioner, you've been
invited to come up front.
Good morning.
COMMISSIONER FIALA: Thank you so much. I
appreciate the recognition.
And you don't even realize that you are hitting the nail right
on the head. I get comments all the time, all the time. Now, most
of you know that I'm very active within the community and I go
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February 25, 2016
to a lot of things. I give speeches. This time of year I'm giving
three speeches a week to different homeowner associations. The
very first question out of anybody is what are we going to do with
that skeleton building? It's a shame that people would allow that
to sit in our community like this for so many years.
And a lot of complaints. I get a lot of emails from people as
well, but there isn't an audience that I speak to that doesn't ask
about that.
I'm giving town hall meetings right now. It's the first
question out of the audience as well. And I think that after all this
time, languishing all these many years, it shows what the
contractor thinks of us in Collier County. You're not worth any
more than just this rundown skeleton building.
And I think it makes a very loud statement. And I would
suggest that it -- we've been very lenient, very patient, very
understanding, but I think it's about time we're not so
understanding and we insist that they do something with this
building; either tear it down or build it up but not let it sit like this.
And a fence, what does that do? That gives them more time.
That's my own opinion. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: My comment on the fence is
the first thing that we need to do is provide safety for our
residents. So the providing a fence is not to give them any more
time. It's to protect the property, and I think that has to be done.
The second part is to offer some sort of a motivational tool
to this corporation so that they get busy doing something. And
we have the means to provide that motivation here at the Board,
so...
MR. DOINO: What's the maximum on that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We can go $2,000 a day. I
thought it was $1,000 way back when, but I revisited the rules,
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February 25, 2016
and I believe it's $2,000 a day. Even $1,000 a day is -- I don't
remember what the original case called for, but I'm sure that
there's a huge fine accruing there.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, the other option is if they don't do
it within the 30 days, the county contracts it out to get it done and
then files a lien against the property for --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. We can make that
motion.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And I think we should --
MR. DOINO: I like that.
MR. LEFEBVRE: -- absolutely include that in our order. I
mean, I know usually it says that the county --
MR. LETOURNEAU: That's that verbiage on the bottom
there, "by any means necessary."
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But, again, I want to just stress that I'd
like -- for this property in particularly, want to have that done if
it's not done in 30 days.
I'm amazed that -- Benderson is one of the largest
commercial developers/owners of shopping centers. I'm just
absolutely amazed and appalled that they have not come forward
and taken care of this property. It devalues their properties
because they own properties all around there. And it just really
fuddles me that they're being so negligent.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, liens on this property also
affect their other properties in Collier County, should they own
any others.
MR. LEFEBVRE: They do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't know whether they do or
not.
MR. LEFEBVRE: They own a bunch of other commercial
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February 25, 2016
properties.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So a lien imposed upon this
property is a lien imposed on all the properties that they possess
in Collier County, correct?
MR. LETOURNEAU: That is correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. NICOLA: Bob, can I ask you a question? Why do you
think it's $2,000 a day? Because I'm looking at 162.09, and I can
give you my packet, and I'm reading Subsection D to say that on a
first violation, which --
MR. LEFEBVRE: This is.
MS. NICOLA: -- this would be, it would not exceed $1,000
a day. I just want to show this to you to make sure we're on the
same page.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you think this is a first
violation even though there's another case on it?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Different case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, that's the case I'm talking
about as far as --
MR. LETOURNEAU: It's a different violation.
MS. NICOLA: That one? But, see, then you can impose
$5,000 a day for a repeat violation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. NICOLA: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: The original case is $250-a-day fine
for getting the permit issued, and then if they don't get the CO,
then it's another $250 a day.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any idea what
that's accrued to?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, it's $250 a day since October
28th, I believe.
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February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Oh, okay. That's nothing.
Okay. So, again, safety, and then taking care of this
problem.
I concur with Mr. Lefebvre that you don't want to do
anything that's going to double fine them for the same issue. That
will just cause lawyer action.
So you said that is coming up when, that case?
MR. LETOURNEAU: The imposition will be brought
forward next month at that next CEB hearing for the original case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's going to come before us?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. NICOLA: If you guys don't want to extend the time to
complete the building, do you want to take out the remaining
language in Section 2 where it says, then the time required to
complete the repairs, inspections, and certificate of occupancy --
or completion/occupancy will be extended and just end it with,
"obtain a county-approved barrier and have the property secured
within blank days of this hearing," and just end it there, if you're
not extending the time for the certificate?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. Well, what I also want is -- in the
testimony by the -- Mr. Walsh, is it, correct -- Mr. Walsh stating
that there may be some roof panels that are loose and so forth. So
"secured," I'd probably want to spell out what needs to be
secured, and maybe we may need some more language or to
specify specifically what it is so they're clear. Because "secured"
to somebody might -- is your house "secured" would mean to me,
is your door locked and everything locked. So I don't want them
to think that "secured" means just a fence around it.
MR. WALSH: If I may, I'm going to put the aerial up.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yes. I want to be very clear and concise
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February 25, 2016
so they understand exactly what needs to be done.
MR. WALSH: My opinion, based on my site visit from
yesterday -- and if you wanted to, I could show you my photos on
my phone, but the panel --
MR. LEFEBVRE: We have to enter it as testimony so,
unfortunately, we can't do that from your phone.
MR. WALSH: They are hanging from the roof so, in my
opinion, to "safe off' this site, we protect all access; protect all
access from around that building.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you show that on -- your
finger on the -- yeah.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Let me ask you. Is the parking lot safe?
Are there any electrical poles that have wires that are hanging out,
that the whole site might be better to be fenced in versus just the
building?
MR. WALSH: You'd want -- I mean, it's not a construction
site yet so, I mean, as a builder, I would probably want -- there is
a portion of the parking lot used to store material. It just has
basically a couple orange cones around it. I'm surprised it's
actually still there, to tell you the truth, because it's right next to
the highway; pick it up and go.
I would -- there's a dirt road that comes right around the back
of the building and along the front of the building, which is kind
of separate from the actual parking lot. So that's a clear easy way
of blocking off access around the building.
You want to give a little extra room, that's fine, because that
gives you a place to store material. But that fence should be
secure, should not be able to be knocked over or blown over or
easily moved, and it should be locked.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can you show us again
on there where the fence should go. I don't know how we'll
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February 25, 2016
describe this in an order, but...
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, maybe securing the building.
Does our Land Development Code spell out a barrier for
construction where it has to be installed?
MR. WALSH: No.
MR. LEFEBVRE: It doesn't. Okay.
So I want to have some clarity so they don't come back and,
say, just put a fence right around the steel girders or, you know,
the -- I mean --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, looking at your outline
there, do you think that if a construction barrier was placed where
you have your mark on that aerial photo, that would bring that
building into safety compliance for the present?
MR. WALSH: If it's a suitable barrier, yeah. I mean, they're
typically six foot high. They have some sort of screening on
them. Most of them have some sort of a pad that -- they kind of
sit and they can move it around.
Unfortunately, you know, the winds that we get here -- I've
seen several sites that have those; they're all knocked down. This
should be a permanent fixture because of the way that building
exists.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now, to go along with
our county commissioner, to motivate them, I would certainly
entertain the largest fine that we can come up with, whether it's a
thousand dollar or not, to have this barrier placed within 30 days
or the fines will be $1,000 a day, and they will accrue quite
quickly. Maybe this would get the attention of this corporation.
If not, we're hearing their case next month.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And then, also, we want to include any
roof panels --
MR. DOING: That's what I was going to say.
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February 25, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: -- that may be blowing around, so forth
and so on, correct?
MR. WALSH: Yeah. I mean, if they get a big enough wind,
they will probably move. But, I mean, right now I'm more
worried about them falling.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. What I'm worried about is
"secure" is very ambiguous. So "secure," they can say, we put a
fence around it, it's secured. But then this --
MR. WALSH: I would say something that's permanently
affixed to the ground.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But I'm not talking about the barrier. I'm
talking about the roof and the other part of the structure. I don't
want that to be blowing around. And we've had an unusual
winter where there's been tornadoes and high winds and so forth.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, two things: Put the fence
around it. Next month we can order the corporation to demolish
it.
MR. WALSH: Yes, you could. I mean, right now they have
a permit to remove those rusted-out failing roof panels. I believe
the permit is also to remove the bar joists that are up there
because they're deteriorating as well, and to sandblast and repair
any of the superstructure.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: When was that permit pulled?
MR. WALSH: The permit was pulled, I want to say, about a
year ago. That was the permit that more or less abated the first
code case as far as I recall.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the permit expires in one
year?
MR. WALSH: It expires 180 days from the date of issuance
unless they have --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Inspections.
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February 25, 2016
MR. WALSH: -- action pursuit and they have passing
inspections. Then they get 180 days from that point on.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And they have no inspections
so far?
MR. WALSH: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They've done nothing.
MR. WALSH: Well, within the last month I believe they
tore off the closest, maybe two -- 40 feet on the side to 951.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. DOINO: That can't be added, can it, demolishing some
of that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, we're going to hear this
case as far as the structure is concerned next month.
MR. DOINO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And my concern --
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, only the imposition would be
next month.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The imposition.
MR. LETOURNEAU: You've already heard the case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And they were found in
violation?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: But $250 a day to a corporation
like this is not a real motivational tool. So I'm sure other cases
can be filed in respect to this for other violations.
But right now safety. Let's get it fenced in so that no kids
wander in there or people shooting bow and arrow.
So would you help us with the language on the fence for the
order so that we make sure we have the proper fence there.
MR. WALSH: I would say something to an element of
roughly six foot in height, permanently affixed -- not something
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February 25, 2016
that is readily, easily movable -- and that blocks off all access to
the perimeter of the building with room for staging and storage of
material.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WALSH: And that it's locked. That it -- that nobody
can just go flip the gate open.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is that per the LDC?
MR. WALSH: No. There are parameters. I don't have it
front of me. There are parameters in safeguards during
construction -- I'm pretty sure it's Chapter 33 of the Florida
Building Code -- that gives certain parameters, but there's nothing
100 percent specific. That's why we basically agreed to my
interpretation of it being safe.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Couldn't you just say a barrier
approved by the Collier County building official?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. Now, we need a time
frame on that, when it needs to be done, and then we need, if it's
not done in that time frame, what the fine would be.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I think we know what the fine's going to
be.
MR. DOINO: Ten days; 10 days?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, we're going to have to give them
more than that, because they're going to have to pull a permit and
get a contractor out there.
MR. DOINO: The sooner the better.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't we -- does anybody
want to make a motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: The only thing -- the only question I still
have, to secure the building, we've been talking about the roof
panels and everything. If that was in a prior order, again, I don't
want to include that in this order. And without knowing the prior
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February 25, 2016
order, I don't want to duplicate something. What I don't want to
do is have a two-part where it says that we have to put -- they
have to put the barrier up and then also secure the building if the
building -- if that was already included in a previous case, I don't
want them to come back and say, well, you're double
jeopardizing.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't think a fence was
included in the prior case.
MR. LEFEBVRE: It wasn't, but was the roof panels
included?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, we can do --
MR. WALSH: Again, I'm going off memory. It's been a
couple of months. I'm pretty sure it said that a permit had to be
acquired to address the issues of the building. We allowed a --
basically an alteration or a repair permit to come in and fix the
issues that were damaged that are failing.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. So then I think the only thing we
can probably deal with today is the fence.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Right. And I think we might
see some activity from them. Again, what we want is
compliance. We want it safe and we want this skeleton removed.
So we'll do a "skeletonectomy" or whatever it takes on this
facility. It's probably not doing the corporation any good, and it
certainly isn't doing Collier County any good.
MR. WALSH: Can I also -- sorry to interrupt.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. WALSH: The construction fence permit is, at most, a
one-day depending upon when it comes in.
MR. DOINO: One day.
MR. WALSH: So it's a more or less over-the-county permit.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. But you're going to have to hire
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February 25, 2016
somebody to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So thirty days would be a
reasonable amount of time. I think I asked that already. Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And considering the facts of this, I think
if a fence company comes in with a permit for this property, it
probably will be streamlined to get done knowing the history of
this case.
Can you put down -- put the recommendation back up,
please. I guess I've done most of the talking.
So we all agree that No. 1 probably has to be removed.
MR. DOINO: Right.
MR. LEFEBVRE: All right. And let's see if we can try to
modify No. 2 a little bit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think Tammy did a pretty
good job of her wording on that. Did you write that down, by any
chance?
MS. NICOLA: I did. This is what I have so far: The
respondent must obtain a county-approved -- and I've changed
this -- permanent barrier approved by the Collier County building
commissioner (sic) at least six feet in height which shall block off
all access to the building and shall be locked and secured.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Building official, I believe.
MS. NICOLA: Building official, sorry.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And also must receive a permit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. This is your motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: It sounds like it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And how much if they don't
comply after -- I guess you said 30 days?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Thirty days, $1,000 a day.
MR. DOINO: I'll second that.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And also -- I know it's already stated in
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February 25, 2016
No. 3, but I just want to make it on the record if it's not completed
within 30 days, I'd like to see the county move forward
immediately to get this secured.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You'll agree with that?
MR. DOINO: Yep.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The second agrees.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Did you say building commissioner?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Building official.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Building official.
MS. NICOLA: Building official; I changed it. Sorry about
that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So it might take -- I mean --
MS. NICOLA: I had the commissioner on my brain.
MR. LEFEBVRE: It might take a day or two for you to
review it, correct? You're not going on vacation anytime soon?
MR. WALSH: No.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion; we
have a second. Any other discussion on this motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
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February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay. And we'll be hearing the other case next month.
Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. LAVINSKI: Could we have Jeff Letourneau just go
over that briefly for Commissioner Fiala's purposes to let him --
to let her know what we expect to do next month regarding this
building?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, the original case is for the
expired 2006 permit. We brought the case, I believe, September
of last year, and the order was for Benderson to get a permit
issued to bring the property up to a permitted condition on
October 28th. They failed to do that. The second part of the
order was then to get the final CO sometime next December.
So they didn't get the required permit by October 28th, so
they have a $250-a-day fine accruing for that portion of the order.
We're going to bring it back next month and ask for the
Board to impose that fine at this time, which is over $30,000 at
this point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's the fine?
MR. LETOURNEAU: That's the fine right now.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What about the -- and if they
don't do that, the demolition can be ordered, et cetera, et cetera?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yeah. At that point we have that
standard verbiage that the county may abate at any means
necessary.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So one way or another
that building is going bye-bye soon.
MR. LAVINSKI: Does that help, Donna?
COMMISSIONER FIALA: It helps a lot. Thank you very
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February 25, 2016
much.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is there any other way that we can --
COMMISSIONER FIALA: The citizens of Collier County
will be very happy to hear that we're going to take some action.
Thank you.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Since this is such a hot spot, is there any
way to communicate with Commissioner Fiala on -- maybe on a
regular basis of the update of this building?
MR. LETOURNEAU: We have a process called AIMS that
we're updating probably once every two weeks on this issue. This
is, you know, a high-profile issue, and we try to keep her in the
loop as much as possible.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Very good.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Thank you, Commissioner, for coming
in.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do we need to do a finger
check? You need a break, okay. Why don't we take five minutes.
(A brief recess was had.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd like to call the Code
Enforcement Board back to listen to the next case, which is...
MS. ADAMS: The next case is from No. 6, old business,
Letter A, motion for imposition of fines/liens, Number 1, Tab 10,
Case CENA20150008263, 333 Investments Land Trust.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
MS. CROWLEY: For the record, Michaelle Crowley,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hi, Michaelle. And your
name?
MS. AMINI: Good morning. For the record, Shima Amini,
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February 25, 2016
and I am the daughter of the landowner, Mr. All Reza (phonetic)
Amini.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And you have the permission?
MS. AMINI: Yes, correct. I have actually taken over the
role as property manager. My father has been very ill and
hospitalized. At the moment he's not hospitalized. He was
hospitalized for a week right after -- following the new year, so I
had taken over.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you're here to
request something, otherwise...
MS. AMINI: I am, but I'd like to have Michaelle speak first,
and then I could go right after.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, ordinarily it's done
that (indicating) way. On the cases it's handled that way.
MS. AMINI: Oh, okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: But that's okay. Either way.
What do you prefer, Michaelle? You want to read this into the
record first?
MS. CROWLEY: I will, just for clarification.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CROWLEY: This is a violation of Collier County
Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 54, Article VI, Section
54-185D.
Location: 1450 Whippoorwill Lane, Naples, Florida; Folio
288040002.
The violation: Prohibited exotic vegetation including, but
not limited, to earleaf acacia and Brazilian pepper located upon an
unimproved property within a 200-foot radius of improved
residentially zoned property.
Past orders: On October 22, 2015, the Board continued this
matter. See the attached order of the Board, OR5210, Page 296,
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February 25, 2016
for more information.
On November 20, 2015, the Code Enforcement Board issued
a findings of fact, conclusion of law and order: The respondent
was found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered
to correct the violation. See the attached order of the Board,
OR5217, Page 2212, for more information.
The violation has not been abated as of February 25, 2016;
however, after my arrival here this morning, I did hear from Ms.
Amini that the contractor was reportedly there yesterday
afternoon. I was not aware of that or I would have gone out this
morning before coming here, but I will do an inspection as soon
as I leave here. But as of February the 25th, that has not yet been
abated.
Fines and costs to date are as follows: Fines have accrued at
a rate of$100 per day for the period between January 20, 2016, to
February 25, 2016, 37 days, for a total fine amount of$3,700.
Fines continue to accrue.
The previously assessed operational costs of$65.01 have
been paid. Operational costs for today's hearing, $64.59.
Total amount to date: $3,764.59.
I will indicate that I also did a reinspection on Tuesday and
at that time confirmed that the last remaining earleaf acacia had
been removed. What remained was litter that was exposed. I
would say 95 percent of it had been removed by Tuesday.
I am told that it was finished yesterday, so hopefully that
will be good news for later today. But as of my last site inspection
it was remaining.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. AMINI: Okay. So last time I was here was back in
November, I believe November 20th. I was very new on the case.
My father sort of threw me into it. And the landscaper told me
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February 25, 2016
that he should be done with everything within two weeks.
I was not really aware of the circumstances and what it
entailed; however, this is 10 acres of land. I believe we had a
60-day extension.
Well, the calendar did not really work to my benefit because
we had Thanksgiving; we had all of the Christmas and
everything, and everyone was traveling. Then my father fell ill.
Now, I do not -- my father and I, we do not live here in
Collier County. I do work here, however, five days a week. I -- it
was my mistake. I accidently thought that the 60 days was 60
business days, therefore -- I apologize for that. That's what -- but I
have been pressing on my landscaper, making sure that he is
keeping up to date with everything.
I would also make stops over at the land. Again, this is 10
acres. We're talking about seven-and-a-half football fields. So I
don't know exactly what all of the different vegetations were.
However, they are at this time removed completely, and
Michaelle will -- has just said that.
In reference to the litter, there's only just a tiny bit left, which
Michaelle had sent me photographs of. And with that litter, it was
supposed to be gone yesterday by 12 noon. If there's anything
there right now, I will personally go and pick it up in my truck
and take it.
So I also ask that if there's any way for the fees to be either
waived or limited or -- because of the -- unfortunately, the
holidays and everything that had come up.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you're looking for the A
word?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, we can't do that because --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I understand. The word, I
think, that you were looking for, you would like the fines abated.
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February 25, 2016
MS. AMINI: Oh, correct; yes, I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No, that's okay.
The way I see this, if this violation has been resolved, we
would certainly entertain a motion to abate it. I can't ask you to
run out there and come back, so...
MS. CROWLEY: I'll try.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: How far away is it? No.
MS. CROWLEY: It's on Whippoorwill, by the interstate.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think that the respondent has
gone out of their way to resolve the situation. And if we had heard
this next week instead of this week, probably it would be abated,
and we would certainly entertain that as a motion.
Any discussion from the Board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: We can continue it, or we could have the
county withdraw it and bring it back next month.
MR. LETOURNEAU: For the record, Jeff Letourneau,
Collier County Code Enforcement. We'd recommend
withdrawing it till next month.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good. Okay. So next month
you should come back, everything should be done, and at that
time make your request to abate the fines.
MS. AMINI: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you.
MS. CROWLEY: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 4 from imposition of
fines, Tab 13, Case CEROW20140012496, Maria Padilla.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Could you
state your name on the mike so that --
MR. GADINAS: Jesus Gadinas (phonetic).
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February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I see that the violation has been
abated; is that correct?
MR. KINCAID: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And you're coming before us to
request something?
MR. GADINAS: No. I got a letter that we had to show up
to court today.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. GADINAS: Actually, like three of them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You got three letters?
MR. GADINAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're having a sale on letters
this week.
So it looks like everything has been resolved. There was just
a five-day lapse where the fines accrued at $878.
MR. GADINAS: Well, actually, on the 29th the job -- we
had called in for inspection, and the inspector didn't show up till
Monday. So, actually, it was just a weekend.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you're asking for the fines to
be?
MR. GADINAS: I want to be done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Abated?
MR. GADINAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have -- did you
pay the operational costs on this?
MR. GADINAS: I don't -- I wasn't aware of that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. In order for us to abate
the fine, the one thing that we can't abate is the operational costs.
And in this particular case, the previously assessed operational
costs are $65.01.
MR. GADINAS: Who do I pay that to?
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February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You can give me -- no.
MR. GADINAS: I'll give you the money. That's fine.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No. You can take that up with
the officer after this meeting.
MR. GADINAS: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And if those fines are
paid today, I don't think the Board would have any problem in
abating the $878. Can I get a motion from the Board?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: So moved, Mr. Chairman.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a
second.
All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
So if you pay the 65.01, your $878.76 will be abated.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, minus the 65.01.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Minus the 65.01. You'll do the
arithmetic.
MR. KINCAID: Could the county comment on that before
we make a final decision on that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. KINCAID: Just to refresh the county, when we
brought this case to hearing -- this has been going on since, I
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February 25, 2016
believe, June of 2014. It requires the -- some corrections to a
right-of-way. There was some issues that had to be corrected, and
then it was never finished.
So over the course of a year and a half, the work was finally
done. Just as a refresher, the permit was pulled the morning that
the case came to hearing when you gave them the time frame and
to come back here today.
The only reason code had the case back was because the
transportation department basically had the property scheduled to
go in there and remove all the improvements that were on the
expired permit.
And we're back today, and the Board, at the last hearing,
gave Mr. Padilla an extended period of time because he requested
that he would like to match his existing driveway with pavers,
and he was pretty sure that he wouldn't be able to obtain the
permit to make the correction in the period of-- the short period
of time that you were going to give him to put the driveway apron
in.
So we went to the last day. The county doesn't make
same-day inspections. It's not their policy. So it would be the
next business day, whatever day he called it in. So, basically, he
has waited till the last day to make the corrections.
But in making the corrections, he did not make them -- he
did not order any paver brick, and the correction was put back in
concrete. I don't know if we need to enter this in evidence, or if it
would just -- but I have actual pictures of it where it's poured back
in concrete which, to me, could have been done within a day or
two of the order.
So just those comments, and I'll leave it up to you what you
wish to do with it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. It's in compliance now;
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February 25, 2016
is that correct?
MR. KINCAID: Yes, it is. As far as the transportation, but
there's a lot of putting everything off till the last minute, so I don't
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I understand. And we'd like
everything to run smoothly, and sometimes it does and sometimes
it doesn't. But in the end, that's what we want is compliance, and
this is now in compliance.
Any comments from the Board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We voted on this
already, so you're going to see the agent after the meeting, and
you'll take care of the $65.01.
MR. GADINAS: Right now, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, thank you.
MR. GADINAS: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 5 from imposition of
fines, Tab 14, Case CESD20130003491 Oasis at Naples, the A
Condominium.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ORTEGA: For the record, Herminio Ortega
representing the Oasis at Naples.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you come before us
now to request something?
MR. ORTEGA: An abatement of fines.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. It's says the violation
has been abated; is that correct?
MR. MUSSE: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Does the county have any
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February 25, 2016
problem if these fines would be abated?
MR. MUSSE: No objections.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any comments from the
Board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any motions from the Board?
MR. DOINO: Make a motion --
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to abate.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
to abate.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. ORTEGA: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 7 from imposition of
fines, Tab 16, Case CESD20130008321, Antonio Louissaint.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Good morning. Could
you state your name on the microphone so we can hear you.
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February 25, 2016
MS. FRANCOIS: Jesula Francois.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you are a relative of
Antonio?
MS. FRANCOIS: Yeah. I'm the daughter of Antonio
Louissaint. He's in Haiti trying to vote for a president.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So he's given you
permission to come before the Board?
MS. FRANCOIS: Yes, I do. I have permission and I had --
and I was the one that pulled all the permits and sign everything.
So I'm good, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All righty.
Mr. Mucha, you want to read this order and see where we go
from here?
MR. MUCHA: For the record, Joe Mucha with Code
Enforcement. I think she's going to have a request of you as well.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MUCHA: This case just recently came into
compliance as of Monday. Permit has been finalized.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I see there's a
considerable amount of fine on it which dates back to March of
2014, so...
MS. FRANCOIS: Yeah. I did not -- we did not have the
money to get the permit. When I would come here, I would
always get an extension, but I would always work on it. Like, I
would, you know, work on it little by little because I had to get a
permit. I had to do a permit affidavit. I had to pay the architect to
give me the drawings.
And I did all that with my dad's income, which was $770
every month that he was getting. So that's why it took me a little
more time. And I was explaining to Joe, and Joe said I could ask
to have the fees removed, sir.
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February 25, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The operational costs
have been paid.
Any discussion from the Board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any motions from the Board?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, I move that these fees
be abated.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second to abate.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in
favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries.
MR. MUCHA: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. FRANCOIS: Thank you. And I would like to say
thank you to Joe. He been very kind to me, you know, help me in
my income, and I'm so, you know, thankful that he was the one
that, you know, was chosen to help me. I am so thankful. And
thank you guys for helping me, too.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
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February 25, 2016
MS. FRANCOIS: Uh-huh.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is the one that we're calling
back.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. ADAMS: It's from Tab 12, Case CESD20140004241,
NKY Acquisitions, LLC.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And Mr. Cimino has gone?
Was that this one?
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the
affirmative.)
MR. LETOURNEAU: I don't think he was ever here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That was the other case, okay;
Bonaquist.
MS. NICOLA: Mr. Bonaquist.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Gotcha.
MR. LETOURNEAU: For the record, Jeff Letourneau,
Collier County Code Enforcement. I spoke with Mr. Noell of the
Collier County Attorney's Office, and he gave me the Florida
State statute. I'm going to put it up here, if that's okay. Submit it
into evidence.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Do we have to accept it as evidence?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Make a motion to accept it. Go
ahead.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to accept.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion and second.
All those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
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February 25, 2016
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: It's pretty small print. I'm going to
try to go in layman's terms exactly what Mr. Noell told me is that
when a lis pendens is filed, that pretty much puts a stay on
anything that's going to be put on the property in between the lis
pendens and the final judgment of the sale.
So, basically, if you guys were to impose right now, the
likelihood would be that it would be wiped away, and we'd have
to come back here again to do it all over.
So the County Attorney recommended that we withdraw it
for a month or continue it for a month, see if the property owner
-- the new property owner does buy the property and comes in
here and talks with you guys at that point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I would suggest a
continuance rather than anything else. At least the fines would
continue to accrue.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, if you withdraw it, the fines stay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yeah. Everything's the same as it
was before we came here.
So the county recommends withdrawing till next month.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Kerry, are we at the end of
where we are?
MS. ADAMS: We're up to the consent agenda, but there is
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February 25, 2016
none for this month. There are no cases to be forwarded to the
County Attorney's Office, so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Motion to adjourn.
MR. DOINO: Second.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Third.
MR. DOINO: Fourth.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hang on a second.
MS. ADAMS: We may have a report.
MR. OSSORIO: Mr. Chairman, how we doing today?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I'd like to introduce Mr.
Ossorio. He is the new director of Code Enforcement.
MR. OSSORIO: For the record, Mr. Chairman, Mike
Ossorio. I'm the Collier County Director of Code Enforcement.
It's a pleasure to be here. It's my first CEB meeting in 18
years. I started my career in Code Enforcement back in 1993,
then I moved to the building side, then I moved to the operations
side, then I moved to the contractor licensing side, and I've been
there ever since.
Pleasure to be here. Thank the County Manager, thank the
Assistant County Attorney and the County Attorney's Office for
this recommendation of getting this job. I appreciate it.
What I saw today was a collaboration of good work. I look
forward to continuing to doing good work. I'm looking to do
some changes, some modifications. I believe in change. I believe
in detail, so hopefully we'll see some of that come out in the next
couple of months.
With that, I want to give you just a quick report. I'm a
piechart person. I want to give this to Kerry. Thank you.
I've been on the Licensing Board for 18 years, and I've never
used this machine. And Ron Doino can probably tell you. I don't
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February 25, 2016
even know how to turn this on, so I appreciate the -- Kerry, thank
you.
If you can point to -- let's see -- nuisance abatement, 16
percent, and that's the -- at the bottom. That's 16 percent you can
see, and you can basically see from the permitting side, under site
development is 15 percent, and that is a monthly basis. So you're
going to see this on our website. You're going to see this on a
monthly basis.
And I'm not going to give you numbers and charts and how
many code cases; I'll go ahead and read it into the record. But I
always like the piechart. And you can see on a daily basis what
the Code Enforcement office does. Fifteen percent of the time
we're doing building permit issues relating to construction. You
can see by nuisance abatement, 16, we're doing weeds and trash
and litter.
You can go on from signs, right-of-ways, and property
maintenance. So that's just a flavor for what we're doing for the
month of January.
With that said is we have open cases this month. We did
106 this week, and we've done -- in the last four weeks we've
done 667 cases.
We waivered $4,666,000 in fines in the last several years;
$972,476 in the last four weeks. So we are busy doing the
executive summaries.
We have over 1,027 cases, ongoing cases that filter on by
year by year.
And the other -- and that's all I have other than -- we've -- we
process 667 cases, and we do about 160 to 180 cases per day --
per week, and those are call-in complaints. We do some -- we do
communicate with the building department and licensing
department for any kind of health/safety issues, but we're going to
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February 25, 2016
try to get the word out there to the associations to really try to be
part of the solution, not the problem; call in more complaints. Be
a more civic-minded duty. So that's my philosophy. That's going
to be my detail for the next couple of months.
So with that, I appreciate the opportunity. I think it was a
long meeting. Benderson case was the first, and hopefully we'll
get that order signed in the next couple days, and we'll get the
process started for the appeal process, if there is an appeal
process, and we'll get with the County Attorney's Office and
Kevin Noell, the assistant county attorney, to go over our options
on that piece of property.
So with that, I appreciate the time and effort. No raises for
you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Are you going to be attending
all our meetings or --
MR. OSSORIO: Yes. I'll be --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: --just the fun ones?
MR. OSSORIO: No. We're going to be attending most of
the meetings. I might have Jeff Letourneau sit there, but I also
might have the supervisors sit there, too, as well, because they -- I
don't like a big podium crowd. I like order. So you might have
me sit there. You might have Jeff sit there. You might have the
area supervisor sit there.
So I'm going to try to open up to all the -- all our clients, so
we'll figure that out. Other than that, I appreciate the opportunity.
MR. DOINO: Congrats, Mike.
MR. OSSORIO: Ron, it was good seeing you. I look
forward to working with each and every member here. So,
appreciate it. Thank you.
MR. ASHTON: Welcome aboard.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Welcome aboard. Okay. With
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February 25, 2016
that, we have our next meeting scheduled for March --
MS. ADAMS: Twenty-fourth.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- 24th.
MR. LEFEBVRE: When do we have our regular meeting
where we look over the rules and --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: March 24th.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So we're going to do that next.
MS. ADAMS: Yep.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And we have a new
member. You must be our new member hiding out there. I could
tell because everybody else is gone. Why don't you come up
here, and we'll all meet you. Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: We're adjourned?
*****
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February 25, 2016
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 11 :34 a.m.
C • ! _ ENFOR _ ENT BOARD
Wrakiiri 1
• ERT K6 MAN, CHAIRMAN
These minutes approved by the Board on 2 L-j -
as presented ✓ or as corrected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF GREGORY
COURT REPORTING SERVICE, INC., BY TERRI LEWIS,
NOTARY PUBLIC/COURT REPORTER.
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