CEB Minutes 05/26/2016 May 26, 2016
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Naples, Florida, May 26, 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
Tony Marino
Kathleen Elrod
Sue Curley (Alternate)
Lionel L'Esperance (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT:
Tamara Lynne Nicola, Attorney to the Board
Jeff Letourneau, Manager of Investigations
Kerry Adams, Code Enforcement
Page 1
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY,FLORIDA
AGENDA
Date: May 26,2016 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
James Lavinski,Vice Chair Tony Marino
Gerald Lefebvre Robert Ashton
Lionel L'Esperance Sue Curley,Alternate
Kathleen Elrod,Alternate
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
A. April 29,2016 Hearing
5. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MOTIONS
A. Motions
Motion for Continuance
1
Motion for Extension of Time
1. CASE NO: CESD20150017447
OWNER: DANIEL HERRERA AND GLENDA GONZALEZ
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JUAN SERNA HERRERA
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A).INTERIOR IMPROVEMENTS ON A WOODEN STRUCTURE CONSISTING OF
ELECTRIC,DRYWALL,INSULATION,FRAMING,TRUSSES,AND PLUMBING,ALL
CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE REQUIRED
PERMITS,INSPECTIONS,AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY AS REQUIRED BY THE
COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING DEPARTMENT.
FOLIO NO: 30733560007
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1316 ORANGE STREET,IMMOKALEE
2. CASE NO: CESD20140010232
OWNER: MANSOLILLO IRA LLC
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JEFF LETOURNEAU
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A).AND 2010 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE CHAPTER 1,PART 2,SECTION 105.1.
COMPLETE REMODELING OF THE INTERIOR OF THE HOME AND GARAGE BEING
CONVERTED TO LIVING SPACE INCLUDING PLUMBING,ELECTRIC AND STRUCTURAL
WORK AS WELL AS A FENCE IN THE FRONT YARD ALL WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING
REQUIRED COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING PERMITS.
FOLIO NO: 37161440006
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 120 7TH ST SW,NAPLES
3. CASE NO: CELU20100021891
OWNER: KENNETH R TANNASSEE SR
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MARIA RODRIGUEZ
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION
1.04.01(A)AND SECTION 2.02.03.ACCESSORY STRUCTURE ON THE PROPERTY WITHOUT
A PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE ON THE SAME LOT.
FOLIO NO: 37925940001
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 4790 PINE RIDGE RD,NAPLES
4. CASE NO: CESD20120013716
OWNER: BRANISLAVA CIRAKOVIC VUKOVIC,GINA RADENKOVICH,AND ALEKSANDAR H.
RADENKOVICH
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR ART FORD
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTIONS
10.02.06(B)(I)(A), I0.02.06(B)(1)(E),AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(E)(I).OBSERVED
ALTERATIONS/IMPROVEMENTS TO STRUCTURE/PROPERTY AND NO COLLIER COUNTY
PERMITS OBTAINED.
FOLIO NO: 62578800000
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 10580 6TH ST,NAPLES
B. Stipulations
2
C. Hearings
1. CASE NO: CESD20150014619
OWNER: PETER WESSEL TRUSTEE,OF THE PETER WESSEL IRREV TRUST UTD 2/14/06
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JEFF LETOURNEAU
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A)AND 10.02.06(B)(I)(E)(I).A SHED TYPE STRUCTURE LOCATED IN THE REAR
YARD OF THE PROPERTY WITH NO PERMITS ON FILE.
FOLIO NO: 49582200004
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 6 DERHENSON DR,NAPLES
2. CASE NO: CEROW20150023030
OWNER: PATRICK J.BROWNE AND BEATRIZ Z.PEREZ
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 110 ROADS AND
BRIDGES,ARTICLE II CONSTRUCTION IN RIGHT OF WAY,DIVISION 1 GENERALLY,
SECTION 110-31(A).THE CULVERT/DRAINAGE PIPE HAS FAILED,THAT IS,IT HAS
COLLAPSED OR RUSTED THROUGH.ORDINANCE 2003-37 REQUIRES THAT NECESSARY
REPAIRS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROPERTY OWNER.
FOLIO NO: 164960002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 203 WILLOUGHBY DRIVE,NAPLES
3. CASE NO: CEROW20150023031
OWNER: VERONICA TRESSLER,BARBARA DETHLOFF,AND ELIZABETH LUCKY
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 110 ROADS AND
BRIDGES,ARTICLE II CONSTRUCTION IN RIGHT OF WAY,DIVISION I GENERALLY,
SECTION 110-31(A).THE CULVERT/DRAINAGE PIPE HAS FAILED,THAT IS,IT HAS
COLLAPSED OR RUSTED THROUGH.ORDINANCE 2003-37 REQUIRES THAT NECESSARY
REPAIRS ARE THE RESPONSIBILITY OF THE PROPERTY OWNER.
FOLIO NO: 161080008
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 231 WILLOUGHBY DRIVE,NAPLES
4. CASE NO: CES20160003214
OWNER: JERILYN NEUHAUS
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JONATHAN MUSSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED, SECTION
5.06.04(C)(3)AND 5.06,06(A)(7).MINIATURE EIFFEL TOWER STANDING ABOUT 8-10 FT
TALL WITH LED LIGHTING.
FOLIO NO: 52501840005
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 365 CAPRI BLVD,NAPLES
5. CASE NO: CELU20160001564
OWNER: ROBIN OKOLSKI
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JONATHAN MUSSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 1.04.01(A).
OUTSIDE STORAGE OF PODS AND A DUMPSTER ON A RESIDENTIALLY ZONED
PROPERTY.
FOLIO NO: 52399800008
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 145 CAPRI BLVD,NAPLES
3
6. CASE NO: CELU20160000342
OWNER: BEN F.JONES AND APRIL T.JONES
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JONATHAN MUSSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 1.04.01(A)
AND 4.05.02(K).OFF-SITE PARKING LOT LOCATED ON UNIMPROVED PROPERTY
WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING ALL COUNTY APPROVALS INCLUDING A SITE
DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
FOLIO NO: 52501320004
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 285 CAPRI BLVD,NAPLES
7. CASE NO: CELU20160000346
OWNER: BEN F.JONES AND APRIL T.JONES
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JONATHAN MUSSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 1.04.01(A)
AND 4.05.02(K).OFF-SITE PARKING LOT LOCATED ON UNIMPROVED PROPERTY
WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING ALL COUNTY APPROVALS INCLUDING A SITE
DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
FOLIO NO: 52501400005
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 289 CAPRI BLVD,NAPLES
8. CASE NO: CELU20150022434
OWNER: BEN F.JONES AND APRIL T.JONES
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JONATHAN MUSSE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 1.04.01(A)
AND 4.05.02(K).OFF-SITE PARKING LOT LOCATED ON UNIMPROVED PROPERTY
WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING ALL COUNTY APPROVALS INCLUDING A SITE
DEVELOPMENT PLAN.
FOLIO NO: 52501360006
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 287 CAPRI BLVD,NAPLES
9. CASE NO: CESD20150004083
OWNER: ELBA SERRANO MORALES
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVEN LOPEZ-SILVERO
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(A).A SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENCE,TO INCLUDE A NEWLY ATTACHED
ADDITION AT THE REAR OF THE RESIDENCE WAS OBSERVED.THE RESIDENCE HAS
BEEN CONVERTED INTO THREE DWELLING UNITS EACH WITH SEPARATE BATHROOMS
AND KITCHENS.EACH UNIT HAS ONLY ONE DOOR FOR INGRESS/EGRESS.ALL
IMPROVEMENTS HAVE BEEN CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE
AUTHORIZATION OF THE REQUIRED PERMITS,INSPECTIONS,AND CERTIFICATE OF
OCCUPANCY/COMPLETION.
FOLIO NO: 30734120006
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1316 APPLE STREET,IMMOKALEE
10. CASE NO: CEROW20150021347
OWNER: CWABS INC.,CERTIFICATE HOLDERS
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR PATRICK BALDWIN
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY CODE OF LAWS AND ORDINANCES,CHAPTER 110 ROADS AND
BRIDGES,ARTICLE II CONSTRUCTION IN RIGHT OF WAY,DIVISION 1 GENERALLY,
SECTION 110-31(A).EXPIRED PERMIT NUMBER PRROW2014082232201.
FOLIO NO: 37987760009
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 3610 WHITE BLVD,NAPLES
4
11. CASE NO: CESD20150011320
OWNER: KELLY BAKER
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JOE GIANNONE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(A).A SINGLE WIDE MOBILE HOME AND UTILITY SHED STAGED ON
IMPROVED UNOCCUPIED RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING THE
REQUIRED PERMITS,INSPECTIONS,AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY/COMPLETION.
FOLIO NO: 01132480005
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 259 GLADYS CT,COPELAND
12. CASE NO: CELU20150022253
OWNER: LA SORIANA INC.
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVEN LOPEZ-SILVERO
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 2.02.03.
USING VACANT LOT AS OVERFLOW PARKING WITHOUT AN APPROVED SDPA.
PL20140001643 IS IN REJECTION STATUS,NOT YET APPROVED BY COLLIER COUNTY TO
USE AS ADDITIONAL PARKING LOT.
FOLIO NO: 25631080005
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: NO SITE ADDRESS,IMMOKALEE
B. Motion for Reduction of Fines/Lien.
6. OLD BUSINESS
A. Motion for Imposition of Fines/Liens
1. CASE NO: CESD20140010232
OWNER: MANSOLILLO IRA LLC
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR JEFF LETOURNEAU
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A).AND 2010 FLORIDA BUILDING CODE CHAPTER 1,PART 2,SECTION 105.1.
COMPLETE REMODELING OF THE INTERIOR OF THE HOME AND GARAGE BEING
CONVERTED TO LIVING SPACE INCLUDING PLUMBING,ELECTRIC AND STRUCTURAL
WORK AS WELL AS A FENCE IN THE FRONT YARD ALL WITHOUT FIRST OBTAINING
REQUIRED COLLIER COUNTY BUILDING PERMITS.
FOLIO NO: 37161440006
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 120 7TH ST SW,NAPLES
2. CASE NO: CELU20100021891
OWNER: KENNETH R TANNASSEE SR
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MARIA RODRIGUEZ
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION
1.04.01(A)AND SECTION 2.02.03.ACCESSORY STRUCTURE ON THE PROPERTY WITHOUT
A PRINCIPAL STRUCTURE ON THE SAME LOT.
FOLIO NO: 37925940001
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 4790 PINE RIDGE RD,NAPLES
5
3. CASE NO: CESD20150011591
OWNER: JOSE G.CUEVAS
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR ERIC SHORT
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTION 10.02.06
(B)(1)(A)AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(E)(I).A VACANT UNOCCUPIED HOME WITH NO
CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY.
FOLIO NO: 39592820002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 4230 8TH ST NE,NAPLES
4. CASE NO: CESD20120013716
OWNER: BRANISLAVA CIRAKOVIC VUKOVIC,GINA RADENKOVICH,AND ALEKSANDAR H.
RADENKOVICH
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR ART FORD
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41 AS AMENDED,SECTIONS
10.02.06(B)(1)(A), I0.02.06(B)(1)(E),AND 10.02.06(B)(1)(E)(I).OBSERVED
ALTERATIONS/IMPROVEMENTS TO STRUCTURE/PROPERTY AND NO COLLIER COUNTY
PERMITS OBTAINED.
FOLIO NO: 62578800000
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 10580 6TH ST,NAPLES
5. CASE NO: CESD20140000965
OWNER: MARICELA PEREZ
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR STEVEN LOPEZ-SILVERO
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(A).AN ADDITION WITH ELECTRIC,AND A CARPORT WITH A WOODEN
DECK ALL ATTACHED TO THE PRIMARY STRUCTURE,ALL CONSTRUCTED WITHOUT
FIRST OBTAINING THE AUTHORIZATION OF THE REQUIRED PERMITS,INSPECTIONS
AND CERTIFICATE OF OCCUPANCY/COMPLETION AS REQUIRED BY THE COLLIER
COUNTY BUILDING CODE.
FOLIO NO: 34750000025
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 4755 VIREO LN,IMMOKALEE
6. CASE NO: CESD20150003265
OWNER: WILLIAM T.CABAL
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR VICKI GIGUERE
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,AS AMENDED,SECTION
10.02.06(B)(1)(A). UNPERMITTED STRUCTURES AND EXTERIOR LIGHTING IN THE REAR
YARD.
FOLIO NO: 38166040002
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 5941 COPPER LEAF LN,NAPLES
7. CASE NO: CESD20150013679
OWNER: LIN LIN WANG
OFFICER: INVESTIGATOR MICHAEL ODOM
VIOLATIONS: COLLIER COUNTY LAND DEVELOPMENT CODE 04-41,SECTIONS 10.02.06(B)(1)(A)
AND I0.02.06(B)(1)(EXI).UNPERMITTED STRUCTURAL,PLUMBING,ELECTRICAL AND
HVAC ALTERATIONS TO THE RESIDENTIAL STRUCTURE.
FOLIO NO: 193560004
VIOLATION
ADDRESS: 1747 ACREMAKER RD,NAPLES
6
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- June 23,2016
12. ADJOURN
7
May 26, 2016
Good morning. I'd like to call the Code Enforcement Board to
order.
Notice: The respondent may be limited to 20 minutes, 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's 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 you could all turn off your cell phones and stand for the pledge.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let's start out with the roll
call.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Robert Kaufman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. James Lavinski?
MR. LAVINSKI: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Gerald Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Ronald Doino?
MR. DOINO: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Tony Marino?
MR. MARINO: Here.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Robert Ashton?
MR. ASHTON: Here.
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May 26, 2016
MS. ADAMS: Ms. Sue Curley?
MS. CURLEY: Here.
MS. ADAMS: And, Ms. Kathleen Elrod?
MS. ELROD: Here.
MS. ADAMS: And Mr. Lionel L'Esperance has an excused
absence.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And using the term after the
name as alternate, I think Sue was the alternate that voted as a full
member at the last meeting. We'll move that to Kathy for this meeting.
MR. MARINO: Oh.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I heard a sigh from Tony down
there.
MR. MARINO: Can I vote?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can you vote on what?
MR. MARINO: On anything.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, we'll let you vote since you're
a full member.
MR. MARINO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have changes to the agenda?
MS. ADAMS: Number 5, public hearings, motions, Letter A,
motions, motion for extension of time, No. 3, Tab 15, Case
CELU20100021891, Kenneth R. Tannassee, Sr., has been withdrawn.
And just for clarification, that's the motion for extension of time only
that's being withdrawn.
Letter B, stipulations, we have four additions. The first is No. 12
from hearings, Tab 13, Case CELU20150022253, La Soriana,
Incorporated.
The second is No. 11 from hearings, Tab 12, Case
CESD20150011320, Kelly Baker.
The third is No. 2 from hearings Tab 3, Case
CEROW20150023030, Patrick J. Browne and Beatriz Z. Perez.
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May 26, 2016
The fourth is No. 9 from hearings, Tab 10, Case
CESD20150004083, Elba Serrano Morales.
Letter C, hearings, No. 4, Tab 5, Case CES20160003214, Jerilynn
Newhaus has been withdrawn.
Number 6, Tab 7, Case CELU20160000342, Ben F. Jones and
April T. Jones, has been withdrawn.
Number 7, Tab 8, Case CELU20160000346, Ben F. Jones and
April T. Jones, has been withdrawn.
Number 8, Tab 9, Case CELU20150022434, Ben F. Jones and
April T. Jones, has been withdrawn.
Number 6, old business, Letter A, motion for imposition of
fines/liens, No. 6, Tab 19, Case CESD20150003265, William T.
Cabal, has been withdrawn, and that's all the changes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can I get a motion to approve
the agenda as modified.
MR. DOINO: Motion to approve.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay. The minutes. Any changes on the minutes from last
meeting?
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May 26, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to approve.
MR. MARINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second to
approve. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay.
MS. ADAMS: The first --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We begin.
MS. ADAMS: The first motion for extension of time, No. 1, Tab
1, Case CESD20150017447, Daniel Herrera and Glenda Gonzalez.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Could you put your
name on the mike so we all hear it? Your name.
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: Daniel Herrera.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you're asking for a
90-day extension.
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Your letter.
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You want to give us a little history
on this?
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: Yeah. Well, I've been working on
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May 26, 2016
the house, and I need more time because I need to do the drywall and
insulation and, of course, I need the more time because I'm going to
divorce, and I need to fix my house because I need to have my kids in
there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. In February, we heard this
case, and there was a stipulation that was agreed to. Since that
stipulation in February was done, what has been done on the house?
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: Well, I had to hire a contractor for --
he can pull up the permits and everything, so I let him do the -- pull the
permits and all that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So permits were pulled; is that what
you're saying?
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: Yes, sir; yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Permits for the whole house or just
drywall or what?
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: The drywall and the insulation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the permit been approved?
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: He's working on it, the contractor.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's -- my question is, has the
permit been approved, yes or no?
MR. JUAN HERRERA: Can I speak? For the record, Collier
County Code Enforcement, Juan Serna Herrera.
Right now the permit's under rejection, but the contractor did
submit -- or under -- yeah, rejection, but the contractor did submit
corrections on Tuesday, May 24th. So we're waiting on that, but they
are -- he is trying to move forward with the permit.
MR. LEFEBVRE: When were the permits applied for?
MR. JUAN HERRERA: The permit was applied for on April
27th.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Wow. And this came before us in January.
So it took all of February, all of March, and nearly all of April to
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May 26, 2016
submit for permits. Seems like a long time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Was the $65.43 paid?
MR. JUAN HERRERA: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any additional questions from the
Board?
(No response.)
MR. LAVINSKI: Seems like a long time in between what should
have been done. I'll make a motion to deny.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion to deny.
Any second on that motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'll second it for discussion purposes.
Would you like to talk to your motion?
MR. LAVINSKI: Excuse me. It just seems, yeah, like my
learned colleague over there was saying, that it took a long time to get
the permit in process, and I would think after a stipulation of 120 days,
that we certainly would have been on top of that permitting process.
MR. JUAN HERRERA: Well, when I went in the home, the
electric and the plumbing were done. The only thing that needed to be
done is just to install the insulation and put up the drywall and that's --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Was the electrical inspected?
MR. JUAN HERRERA: It's part of the permit -- yeah. Part of
the permit was for the insulation, the framing foundation, and
plumbing.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm a little confused. So the permit
was approved?
MR. JUAN HERRERA: No, it wasn't approved. They needed a
little bit more information, so that's what the contractor turned in for
that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Here's my confusion. When I ask if
the permit was applied for and was it approved, you said no.
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May 26, 2016
MR. JUAN HERRERA: No, no. It's under rejection as of right
now.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So if the permit wasn't approved,
could you please help me understand how you could have the
plumbing and the electrical approved when you have no permit. Joe?
MR. MUCHA: For the record, Supervisor Joe Mucha, Collier
County Code Enforcement. I think that what he's trying to say is this
was previously done, hasn't been approved yet, obviously. The permit
hasn't been approved, so it hasn't been inspected. So, no, it hasn't been
approved by the County.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Has Joe been sworn?
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Now, Joe, you want to the say
something? No, I'm only kidding. We heard you. Okay.
So the permit wasn't approved. The other work was done prior to
the permit.
MR. MUCHA: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hence, the code hearing?
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir. This was, like, he was working on the
house, he got busted. That's why we're here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now I understand.
MR. MARINO: You understand?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Now I understand.
Okay. You know, I'm getting old, and sometimes you have to dig
in there.
Okay. Any other comments from the Board on the motion to
deny?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
Page 8
May 26, 2016
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So we're going to hear this
case. The extension is not approved. Let me just see where I am on
this.
MS. ADAMS: Mr. Chairman, his compliance date isn't actually
until Saturday, so this isn't -- this is not on the agenda, and he won't
start accruing fines till Sunday.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Okay.
Jeff, you wanted to say something?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So if it's completed by next meeting, he would
come here, probably ask for an abatement. If it isn't completed, then
he would still come here and possibly ask for another extension at that
point, correct?
MS. ADAMS: That's correct.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Just --
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: Yeah.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So you understand.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You understand that?
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MR. DANIEL HERRERA: You're welcome.
MS. ADAMS: The next motion for extension of time, No. 2, Tab
14, Case CESD20140010232, Mansolillo IRA, LLC.
Page 9
May 26, 2016
MR. MANSOLILLO: I feel like this is an anniversary.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You're here to request an
extension.
MR. MANSOLILLO: Yeah. If I may approach?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. MANSOLILLO: I took pictures yesterday.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Here. You want to put them up on the
overhead.
MR. MANSOLILLO: Thank you.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We need a motion to accept
the --
MR. DOINO: Motion to accept the pictures.
MR. MARINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second to
accept the exhibit. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Thank you.
MR. MANSOLILLO: That's the carriage house. All we're
waiting for is odds and ends at this point. Everything's done. All the
rough inspections were done. It's all closed in. That building, though,
Page 10
May 26, 2016
is the cause of my time problem, because what was designed for the air
conditioning unit in there was no good for it, and the county guy
agreed with us.
So we went back to the engineers, redesigned it. Trouble is, that's
a custom-made unit, because you know how you have a unit inside, a
unit outside? This is all in one, and it goes, like, through the wall in
the attic. And we're waiting for that to come in.
When that comes in, he can finish the air conditioning installing,
and then the electrical guy can finish the tie-ins to the electricity.
Everything else is in.
And then we're waiting for -- you see in another picture -- I don't
think he has it up there yet -- the kitchen. We're waiting for the granite
guy who has the granite right now to cut -- to put in the sinks so the
plumber can finish, and he'll call for final inspection.
The place came out beautiful. I'm sure your inspectors will
concur with me. But it was neither fast nor cheap. We lost two
air-conditioning systems to thieves. We lost two water systems to
thieves. We lost -- believe it or not, we lost our main cable from the
house to the street to thieves who got it down for copper.
So to avoid that happening again, I trenched from the house all
the ways out to the street and put an underground line in. You can see
there's a permit for it. It was done and inspected. We'll finally connect
it. It took me almost six months to get that done with Florida Power &
Light so that we could have electricity to work on the job.
It's been a task. But, you know, I'm a retired disabled veteran.
This is what I'm doing. And, like, I don't need to sell the house
tomorrow to live. But we're on it every day. Your guys have been out
there with us. And, you know, when I -- before I put the drywall on
that house, I wrote my name, spray painted it on all the walls because I
sign my work. And that house is perfect. Not fast, not cheap, but
perfect.
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May 26, 2016
So that's why I'm back here again. I just need to wait to get the
inspections. It might take 90 days. I don't know how fast the system's
going to come in. That's what worries me. It's a weird system.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me ask you a quick question,
because I don't remember this -- we hear a lot of cases. I don't
remember this specific case, but this goes back to 2014.
MR. MANSOLILLO: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So from 2014, we're closing in on a
couple years.
MR. MANSOLILLO: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Was there one big thing that held
this up for so long?
MR. MANSOLILLO: No. It was 90 small things. Like, we
thought we could redo the roof, and the roofs were no good. So when
we finally pulled them off, I said, they're so bad, let's do it right. Let's
rip everything out, go right down to the trusses, rebuild the roofs. You
could see where the roof permit was approved, you know. Just
everything -- the only thing I saved on this house were the studs.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MANSOLILLO: The whole exterior's been redone but, you
know, you find it a piece at a time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You're asking in your request
for a 60-day extension. Do you think -- I understand you don't know
when the unit is going to come in.
MR. MANSOLILLO: I just picked a number, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MANSOLILLO: I don't know.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sort of like a lotto?
MR. MANSOLILLO: Yeah, you know, I'm telling you like it is.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MANSOLILLO: I don't know if you remember, but I've
Page 12
May 26, 2016
been here a couple of times. You and I served on the same base in
Vietnam.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's right.
MR. MANSOLILLO: That's right. Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Come over here and I'll hit
you. No.
Questions from the Board?
MR. MARINO: What does the county say?
MR. LETOURNEAU: He's got -- for the record, Jeff Letourneau,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
He's got a couple active permits right now. Hasn't been any recent
inspections, but he did just recently reactivate the permits, so it appears
that he is trying to move along. We have no objection at this point for
an extension. It's -- he's got it fenced off. There's really no health or
safety issues at this point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anything else from the
Board?
MR. LAVINSKI: Are there any complaints been filed on this?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, sir. No.
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make a motion to extend 60 days.
MR. DOINO: I'll second it.
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. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
Page 13
May 26, 2016
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. MANSOLILLO: Thank you so much.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If 60 days goes by and the air
conditioning doesn't come in, we'll probably see you again.
MR. MANSOLILLO: Yeah, probably so, sir. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. ADAMS: The next Motion for Extension of time, No. 4,
Tab 17, Case CESD20120013716, Branislava Cirakovic Vukovic,
Gina Radenkovich, and Aleksander H. Radenkovich.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: When I lived in New York, I used to
listen to a radio station that had all the oldies on it. That's what we're
hearing today, oldies. This one goes back to 2013.
So, I think we've seen you a few times before.
MS. VUKOVIC: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Good morning. You're here
to request an extension -- request the Board for an Extension of the
Stipulation Agreement. I don't think you specified in there how much
of an extension that you were looking for.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: I believe -- my name is Branislava Cirakovic.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: It really depends on the county because we --
at the last meeting I already had hired the contractor at the advice of
the committee. So I hired a contractor, we hired the architect, we hired
the engineer for stamps, and they submitted the plans to the building
department; however, building department had some changes
requested to be done on the plans because this dwelling is little bit
older so it -- something wasn't really matching.
Page 14
May 26, 2016
And basically, at this point, once when the building department
approved the plans, we'll call for inspection and have the case closed.
How long it is going to take, I really -- it's up to the building
department. So whatever you can do, you know, at this point; you
know, I'm appreciative, but it's a certain procedure that we follow.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. This is -- if I'm not mistaken,
I add up all the --
SPEAKER: Extension.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- extensions, I think it's seven times,
plus today is eight.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: To honest with you, you know, it's a different
procedure when we started for rezoning, and now it's for building
department. So it's totally different. And I understand, yes, you're
correct, but initially it was for a zoning -- rezoning, and now it's for
building and code, so it's a total different, basically, case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And the county says?
MR. SANTAFEMIA: For the record, John Santafemia, Collier
County Code Enforcement Board Investigative Supervisor.
There have been numerous extensions granted by this board. My
understanding is that they attempted to get a variance from multifamily
for this dwelling. That is a very long process, which is why it needed
to be extended prior to today.
Their variance was denied by the county. They were -- it was
recommended to them that they permit it, the extra space as an in-law
suite. They have hired an engineer, and they are working with the
county on the drawings, and I have a letter from the engineer basically
saying that they're working on submitting for the permits and
everything.
So we don't think that they will have a problem moving forward
permitting it as an in-law suite at this point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Once it's permitted, is this a permit
Page 15
May 26, 2016
by of--
MR. SANTAFEMIA: It's going to be a permit by affidavit, by
engineering affidavit, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. It's hard for the Board to
grant an extension without knowing how much of an extension. So I
understand that the respondent doesn't know.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: My understanding is that the engineer has
actually submitted the plans to the planing department once. They
were sent back to him for revisions. He's working on those revisions at
this time. And once he gets them submitted back to the county with
those revisions, that it should be -- should move along quickly after
that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Would you think that these plans
would happen within weeks?
MR. SANTAFEMIA: I don't know. How long have they been
with the engineer at this point?
MS. CIRAKOVIC: One week.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have any idea on the
scope of it; how long that would take?
MR. SANTAFEMIA: It's difficult to make that determination. If
the engineer submits them back to the county and the county accepts
that and moves forward, it should move quickly. You know, I'm
thinking 60 days max. If there are further revisions that the county
wants and has to send them back to the engineer, it could go on longer.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any other comments from the
Board?
MR. LAVINSKI: I was just wondering, you know, this has been
around -- matter of fact, it had a birthday a couple of days ago of three
years. And I keep watching almost every Collier County Commission
meeting, and they get accolades for processing these permits and
doing, I guess, whatever they have to do.
Page 16
May 26, 2016
Is the problem here on the respondent that they're not pressuring
whoever this dude is that's supposed to be doing what they need to get
done, or does it go to that person and then lie there for 60 days before
we realize, wow, we haven't got this permit or whatever ready?
MR. SANTAFEMIA: And I apologize. I'm not the original
person that started this case, and I'm not sure how long the time frames
were when they were trying to get the variance through that process.
In reading the case myself, there does look like there may have
been some delays. They had to have a public hearing and everything
on this.
So I don't think that the respondent's been not pursuing an avenue
to resolve this issue. It's just the whole process just takes a long time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Three years is not a long time. It's
actually too long. I would -- to quote my friend Mr. Lefebvre, you can
build a high-rise in less time than it's taking to do this.
I would say one last continuance and -- for 30 days, and if it's not
done by then, we're going to impose the fine probably because enough
time is enough time. And somebody, obviously, needs to light a fire
wherever the fire needs to be lit.
Is it possible for us, not us, the county to go to the people who are
holding onto this review and --
MR. SANTAFEMIA: At this point the drawings are still with her
engineer, and he hasn't resubmitted them to the county, so there's
nobody for me to light a fire. That would be up to her to do that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Okay. So as soon as he have them, I should,
basically, personally bring it to you, and hopeful it's going to be
resolved quickly?
MR. SANTAFEMIA: No. It's going to be a permit by affidavit,
so the sooner he gets those revisions back to the county --
MS. CIRAKOVIC: I understand.
Page 17
May 26, 2016
MR. SANTAFEMIA: -- the quicker that this process will move.
MR. MARINO: How long is it going to take to get that to the
county?
MR. LEFEBVRE: She doesn't know.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: I can go to his office. It's -- you know, it's
engineering office and, actually, my contractor was handling that part,
so I have to check with them. But it really depends, how big is that
revision, because, you know -- but it's a drawing, so --
MR. MARINO: I agree with my colleague that maybe you
should light a fire under them and find out exactly how long --
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Trust me, I totally agree with everything you
say, and --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me give you another suggestion.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Please.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If it's not done by the next meeting, I
would suggest that that engineer -- you bring him here.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Bring him here, yeah. I will. I pay him, so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Because this is just -- this is just
going on and on and on and on. There doesn't seem to be a resolution
forthcoming.
Yes, Bob?
MR. ASHTON: No, I think 30-day extension, that's it. Build a
fire under him, and next time go after him.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Thank you.
MR. MARINO: Is that a motion?
MR. ASHTON: I make a motion for 30-day extension.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Not extension. Continuance.
MR. MARINO: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Mr. Lefebvre?
MR. LAVINSKI: Once it's submitted to the county, what is the
turnaround time at that point? Because that figures in, I mean, to the 30
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May 26, 2016
days or not.
MR. MARINO: I don't know.
MR. SANTAFEMIA: That's difficult for me to predict.
MR. LAVINSKI: On average. I mean, I don't -- I'm not trying to
give you a --
MR. SANTAFEMIA: If everything is in order, you know, it
should be within 30 days. I can't imagine it wouldn't be.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Just for clarification. They submitted
plans. The county said they need to be revised. Do you know when
those plans were returned to the engineer from the county?
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Week ago.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: One week ago, okay. So now the
engineering firm has had a week to --
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Make the revisions.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Fix those.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: They're submitted, and from that point there
will be, like he said, up to 30 days, hopefully, if there is not another
revision.
So I just wanted to mention, in case -- because I have to go
overseas with my children, so in case I'm not here, is there somebody I
can send or can I -- for next meeting or something because --
MR. LEFEBVRE: Your engineer.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Pardon? Yeah, engineer can represent me.
MR. ASHTON: Give him authorization to represent you.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So would someone like to
make that motion?
MR. ASHTON: Make a motion we give them a 30-day
continuance.
MR. MARINO: Second it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And second. All those in favor?
Page 19
May 26, 2016
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Enjoy your trip.
MS. CIRAKOVIC: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is from Letter B, Stipulations. It's
No. 12 from hearings, Tab 13, Case CELU20150022253, La Soriana,
Incorporated.
MR. ESQUIVEL: Good morning.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you state your name on the
mike so --
MR. ESQUIVEL: David Esquivel.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You're the owner?
MR. ESQUIVEL: Yes; yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You want to read the
stipulation into the record, Joe.
MR. MUCHA: Yes. For the record, Joe Mucha, Supervisor of
Collier County Code Enforcement.
I'm here on behalf of Investigator Steven Lopez-Silvero who
couldn't be here today due to a Family Emergency.
But he met with Mr. Esquivel back on May 13th, and they agreed
-- Mr. Esquivel agreed to pay operational costs in the amount of
Page 20
May 26, 2016
$64.59 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this
hearing;
To abate all violations by ceasing and desisting all prohibited use
for overflow parking on unimproved property within one day of this
hearing or a fine of$100 per day will be imposed until the violation is
abated.
Number 3, obtaining an approved site development plan of such
use for overflow parking is to be taking place, and obtaining any and
all required Collier County building permits, inspections, and
certificates of completion/occupancy for proposed overflow parking lot
within 120 days of this hearing, or a fine of$200 per day will be
imposed until the violation is abated;
Four, respondent must notify code enforcement within 24 hours
of the abatement of the violation and request the investigator perform a
site inspection to confirm compliance;
And the last part, 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. So stop using the lot as a
parking lot.
MR. MUCHA: Which has occurred. He's stopped.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Because -- and then he has to
give 24-hour notice, which, if it's tomorrow, the notice should be given
today.
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Sir?
MR. ESQUIVEL: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You understand the agreement that
you entered into?
Page 21
May 26, 2016
MR. ESQUIVEL: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No problem meeting those
requirements?
MR. ESQUIVEL: Well, in my behalf no, but I have no control
where people park. But, anyway.
I submitted for a permit a couple years ago. I've hired three
engineers. I've paid them 8,500. I'm in a similar situation as her.
And I'm submitting for creating a parking lot. And I got three
rejections every time we submit to the county. The last one they gave
me something new saying I have to build a wall.
And the gentleman at the zoning/reviewing, all he said, oh, I'm
sorry. I missed it on the first review. We've been -- it's -- we've been
three times that we submitted for the permit. We're in process.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: In this particular case the stipulation
is no parking on there starting tomorrow.
MR. ESQUIVEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And the $64.59 to be paid within 30
days, and then anything else that you need to do as far as getting with
the county or getting something done, that's outside of this stipulation.
MR. MUCHA: Well, if you look at No. 3, though, we are also
giving him 120 days if he wants to go that route, which he is. He's
going that route. He wants to get this approved for a parking lot.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MUCHA: Yeah. This -- really, the crux of this was about
the parking on the unimproved lot.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, this came in from a
complaint?
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir. It was the Sheriffs Department.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So if people are parking there
now that you have no control over, I'm sure your friends at the Sheriffs
Department will be able to make those people an offer that they can't
Page 22
May 26, 2016
refuse by giving them a summons of some sort.
MR. ESQUIVEL: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is this a lot next to a restaurant you own or
what's --
MR. ESQUIVEL: Yes, kind of, sort of.
So I'm going to -- I'm going to -- I think I'm going to tape it off so
I guess people won't park there, or I wanted to put some rocks or
something in there; I don't know, a fence.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think what would help you is, if
somebody parks there and you see it, you call the cops.
MR. ESQUIVEL: But I don't live here. I can't be guarding it all
the time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is there somebody near the property
that --
MR. ESQUIVEL: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- that can act in that behalf?
MR. ESQUIVEL: Yes, maybe.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MARINO: Is the property adjacent to the restaurant?
MR. ESQUIVEL: Yes.
MR. MARINO: Why don't you get a towing company to put
tow-away signs up?
MR. LEFEBVRE: It's up to him to do what --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Whatever needs to be done.
MR. MARINO: Right.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I guess -- so do you have an engineer that you
hired?
MR. ESQUIVEL: I've hired three engineers.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Three engineers to try to get this permitted?
MR. ESQUIVEL: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And he has to go through and get a Site
Page 23
May 26, 2016
Development Plan; is that the proper -- the process?
MR. MUCHA: He does -- he is in -- has an application for a Site
Development Plan.
MR. ESQUIVEL: I've been going on for three -- two years with
the county back and forth.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Will he need access to 41, direct access from
the parking lot?
MR. MUCHA: Forty-one?
MR. ESQUIVEL: This is Immokalee.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Oh, it's Immokalee, sorry.
MR. MUCHA: Can I just show an aerial so you guys can get an
idea?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yeah. What I'm trying to get at is will he
need any state permits or anything for access to any kind of road?
MR. ESQUIVEL: No.
MR. MUCHA: Well, he would need a right-of-way permit to
access this lot.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. But it's not going to be through any
state level or anything?
MR. MUCHA: No, sir.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Which will take probably months and months
and months.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Joe, can you describe what we're
looking at?
MR. MUCHA: Okay. The highlighted lot is the property in
question, and what it is is on the lot right across the street they have a
flea market -- his flea market, and on the weekends that's where the
parking becomes really bad. People park all over the place, and the
sheriffs, they've been working with us to try and get this resolved, and
it just took a little time. I think we got it kind of nipped in the bud. I
mean, I think people are realizing not to park there. But, yeah, he's
Page 24
May 26, 2016
right. I mean, you can't police it 24/7.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. MUCHA: You can't stop people. But we just wanted to
make sure that he's doing everything -- he's exhausting every means
that he can to prevent it until he gets his approval by the county for a
parking lot.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ESQUIVEL: Sir? What's stopping me from finishing this?
The county. We submitted -- we keep on submitting, and we get
objection and comments. We answered all the comments, and now
they want us to build a wall, which is fine. And, like I said, oh, all he
said, oh, I'm sorry. I missed it. Now, next time they're going to want
me to build a bridge or a lake.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is not the purview of Code
Enforcement. This is -- if you want to point the gentleman in the right
direction on who to go see there, that probably would resolve his
concerns.
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir.
MR. ESQUIVEL: What do you mean by that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We don't control the land
development folks who issue permits, et cetera.
MR. ESQUIVEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're just here to hear the case that's
before us. So if you have a concern with a wall or whatever goes on,
you need to go to the right people, and we're not the right people in this
particular case.
MR. MARINO: I would start with a towing company.
MR. LEFEBVRE: This use is permitted for this property, too, a
parking lot?
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
Page 25
May 26, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is four months enough for a Site Development
Plan? Typically it takes six-plus months.
MR. MUCHA: He's had one in place, though, since 2014. It's
just every time he's had to do these revisions and --
MR. LEFEBVRE: He had what in place?
MR. MUCHA: He applied for a Site Development Plan back in
2014, it was, David?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right.
MR. ESQUIVEL: Everything approved. All we just got to get it
and submit it and we'll work on it. We'll build to --
MR. LEFEBVRE: What do you mean by everything's -- you
already went --
MR. ESQUIVEL: The plans. I've got two, three engineers
working on it. I've got a landscaping architect. It's just the county,
every time we submit, they give us rejections, new rejections, new
comments.
MR. LEFEBVRE: But what I'm trying to get at is, by the time
you get into the Planning Commission to review -- or to approve you
or deny you, you have to then go to, if I'm not mistaken, the Board.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yep.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Commissioners.
MR. ESQUIVEL: No, no. It's just through zoning. It's just
making sure all the setbacks, the plans, the elevation, the calculations
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is that correct that he will not need to go in
front of a hearing?
MR. ESQUIVEL: No.
MR. MUCHA: I don't want to say no on that.
MR. ESQUIVEL: I did it before I went to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me stop this. We have a
stipulation in front of us. Let's dispose of the stipulation.
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May 26, 2016
Joe will help this gentleman, David, to go to the right people in
the county to get done whatever needs to get done.
MR. LEFEBVRE: What I'm worried about, in our stipulation
says a Site Development Plan. Does he need that or not is what I'm
asking?
MR. ESQUIVEL: Sir, it's been approved. I've had a pre-meeting
application a year -- before you build anything or rezone anything, you
have to get it approved. Mine was approved. I've paid 1,500, 2,500
for that application. That's why I went forward with engineers to do
what I wanted to do, build what I want to build. Make sense?
All we need is just minor stuff, but they keep on bringing little
stuff. It's not nothing big. For an example --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me --
MR. ESQUIVEL: It's just little stuff
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm going to cut the discussion on
this off
MR. MUCHA: If you'd like, I mean, I can strike the thing about
the site development. This really was coming here about the parking.
That was the main thing that we wanted to prevent.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MUCHA: We can strike that part out of it, and he can
continue working on his Site Development Plan as long as nobody's
parking there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MUCHA: Is that fair?
MR. ESQUIVEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. NICOLA: So, Joe, are you taking out the part up to the word
"and"?
MR. ASHTON: Number 4?
MR. MUCHA: Basically, I think just No. 3. We could just strike
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May 26, 2016
the whole thing.
MS. NICOLA: Don't you think you want to leave in obtaining all
required building permits? Isn't that -- he doesn't have one yet, right?
Don't we want to just take out the first part of that sentence up through
"and" and start with "obtaining"? Am I wrong?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I don't have a problem with the Site
Development Plan being in there but, realistically, four months is not
enough time to get a Site Development Plan. That's what I'm trying to
get at.
MR. ESQUIVEL: It could be years. We're in the middle of
history. There are so many permits being pulled. They say there's so
many thousands and thousands of houses.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion that we --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion that we approve stipulated
agreement, and then in four months we'll see what happens.
MR. DOINO: I'll second that.
MR. MUCHA: That's fair.
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. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
Page 28
May 26, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Thank you, Joe.
MR. ESQUIVEL: Be back here in four months?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Hope not.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hopefully it's all resolved in four
months.
MS. CURLEY: Don't curse yourself.
MR. MARINO: Get some tow-away signs.
MS. ADAMS: The next Stipulation is No. 11 from hearings, Tab
12, Case CESD20150011320, Kelly Baker.
(The speaker was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. GIANNONE: Good morning, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Looks like the respondent is not
present.
MR. GIANNONE: No, sir.
For the record, Investigator Joseph Giannone, Collier County
Code Enforcement.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't you let us know
what this is and what the stipulation reads.
MR. GIANNONE: It's an unpermitted trailer and shed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. GIANNONE: And it has been agreed upon between the
parties that the respondent pay all operational costs in the amount of
$65.43 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days of the
hearing;
Number 2, abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier
County building permits, demolition permits, inspections, certificate of
occupancy/completion within 120 days of this hearing, or a fine of
$200 per day will be imposed until the violation is abated;
Three, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24 hours
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May 26, 2016
of the abatement of the violation or request the investigator perform a
site inspection to confirm compliance;
Four, 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. This was signed when?
MR. GIANNONE: This was signed yesterday, sir, 5/24 (sic).
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Since the respondent is not here, it's
up to the Board to approve or not approve it. Any motions from the
Board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to approve.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second to
approve the stipulation. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. GIANNONE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next Stipulation is No. 2 from hearings, Tab
3, Case CEROW20150023030, Patrick J. Browne and Beatriz Z.
Perez.
Page 30
May 26, 2016
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. BALDWIN: For the record, Patrick Baldwin, Collier
County Code Enforcement investigator.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall: One, pay operational costs in the amount of$65.01 incurred in
the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Two, abate all violations by: Obtaining all required Collier
County right-of-way permits and inspections through final approval
and/or remove all offending material from the right-of-way for an
activity not permitted with a valid Collier County right-of-way permit
within 120 days of this hearing, or a fine of$150 per day will be
imposed until the violation is abated;
Three, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24 hours
of abatement of the violation and request the investigator perform a
site inspection to confirm compliance;
Four, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county
may abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs
Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Sir?
MR. BROWNE: Yes. Patrick Browne.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Patrick, you've agreed to this?
MR. BROWNE: Yes. The only thing I'd like to have is 180 days
instead of 120. We're in rainy season. I'm a firefighter/paramedic. So
if we do have any tropical storms, hurricanes, I get called back to duty.
Could be whenever. We get cleaned up, I get back on, so that could
delay it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. What we'd have to do then,
since this was the stipulation, you and Patrick get together, initial
whatever, and then we'll take it from there.
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May 26, 2016
MR. BALDWIN: I'd agree with that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So the stipulation, you want
to change the --
MR. BROWNE: Dates, the amount of days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Gerald?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I think it's more important to get it fixed as
soon as possible with the rainy season here, or nearly here. So instead
of extending it, I'd like to see it shortened. But I think it should be
fixed as soon as possible.
MR. BALDWIN: The homeowner stated he's going to do it
himself. He's going to pull a homeowner builder permit.
MR. LAVINSKI: What's happened since December 3rd?
MR. ASHTON: December?
MR. BALDWIN: Sir? Mr. Browne.
MR. BROWNE: School and work.
MR. LAVINSKI: What was that?
MR. BROWNE: School. I'm going to become a registered nurse,
and just work, full-time job.
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah, but you've got a code violation standing
out here. Doesn't that come --
MR. BROWNE: I understand.
MR. LAVINSKI: -- somewhere in your priorities?
MR. BROWNE: Yes, it does. It's a matter of the culvert being
galvanized pipes that rust, and I've seen others in the neighborhood of
Willoughby Acres where I live. Mine is minute compared to those.
Rust doesn't happen overnight. This is probably approximately 20
years of or longer. It will get done.
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah. I just got a problem with this even --
even the -- what are you asking for, 120 days, since nothing has been
done since December 3rd. You know, I know we all have other
priorities in life and other issues, but you've got a code violation here
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May 26, 2016
which could affect your whole neighborhood, not just you or your
driveway.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Patrick.
MR. BALDWIN: The county is comfortable with 120 days.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion to accept the stipulated
agreement.
MR. MARINO: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. That means it's accepted at
120 days?
MR. LEFEBVRE: That's correct, sir.
MR. ASHTON: Hundred and twenty days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Carries.
MR. BALDWIN: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next Stipulation is No. 9 from hearings, Tab
10, Case CESD20150004083, Elba Serrano Morales.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Could you state
your name on the microphone.
MS. SERRANO: Elba Serrano.
(Christopher Bances, Interpreter, was duly sworn to translate from
English to Spanish and Spanish to English to the best of his ability.)
Page 33
May 26, 2016
(The respondent was duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Joe, you want to read the stipulation?
MR. MUCHA: Yes. For the record, Joe Mucha, supervisor of
Collier County Code Enforcement.
I met with Ms. Morales this morning. She's agreed to pay
operational costs in the amount of$65.01 incurred in the prosecution
of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Number 2, to abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier
County building permits or demolition permits, inspections, and
certificate of completion/occupancy within 180 days of this hearing or
a fine of$200 per day will be imposed until the violation is abated;
Three, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24 hours
of abatement of the violation and request the investigator perform a
site inspection to confirm compliance;
Four, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county
may abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs
Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I have a couple of questions.
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This goes back 14 months ago. This
is where a single-family residence had an addition to the rear of the
residence?
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Was that occupied? Is that
occupied?
MR. MUCHA: The house is currently vacant, and there was
another building that was at the rear of the property that has been torn
down. That was part of the original complaint.
It took them a long time to get the permit approved. It kept
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May 26, 2016
getting rejected, the application did. It's finally been approved. It's
ready to be issued. So that's why I thought, well, let's go ahead and do
six months just to make sure they have enough time to -- because I
think all of the work still needs to be done, correct? So -- but the
house is vacant.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And it's a single-family --
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- situation?
Okay. Any questions from the Board?
MR. LAVINSKI: Make a motion to approve the stipulated
agreement.
MR. MARINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
Any discussion on the motion?
MR. LAVINSKI: Does that -- Joe, where it says each unit has
only one door for egress, is that going to be solved by taking it back?
MR. MUCHA: Yes, sir. That's part of the -- the permit is
actually -- is to return the multifamily dwelling back to a single-family,
so that's the permit, yes, sir.
MR. LAVINSKI: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
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May 26, 2016
MR. MUCHA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: How are your fingers doing?
THE COURT REPORTER: I'm okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You're okay? Okay.
MS. ADAMS: Actually, Mr. Chairman, we have one other
change to the agenda. There's been a Stipulation added. The next
stipulation will be No. 5 from hearings, Tab 6, Case
CELU20160001564, Robin Okolski.
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to accept the change.
MR. DOINO: Second.
MR. MARINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. This looks like it was a
storage POD on a residentially zoned property.
MR. MUSSE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You want to read the
stipulation?
MR. MUSSE: For the record, Investigator Jonathan Musse,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
It is agreed between the parties that the respondent shall: Pay
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May 26, 2016
operational costs in the amount of$65.01 incurred in the prosecution
of this case within 30 (sic) days and abate all violations by removing
any and all offending commercial equipment being stored on this
residentially zoned property within 60 days of this hearing, or a fine of
$100 per day will be imposed until the violation's abated.
Alternatively, obtain a valid Collier County building permit to repair
the damages caused by the flood which would allow the storage of
PODS and a dumpster on the property while the permit is active within
30 -- within 60 days of this hearing, or a fine of$100 per day will be
imposed until the violation's abated.
Respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24 hours of
abatement of the violation and request the investigator perform a site
inspection to confirm compliance;
That if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation using the methods 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 that all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to property owner.
I think I made a mistake on the first part. I think I said 30 days,
and I meant 60.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think you said 30 days to pay the
operational costs.
MR. MUSSE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sixty days.
MR. MUSSE: Okay. I just wanted to clarify that it was 60 to
come into compliance with both sections.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Could you give us a quick
overview of what this was? There was a flood or --
MR. MUSSE: Yes. Mrs. Okolski's water heater broke.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MUSSE: And she was -- while she was at work, and she
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May 26, 2016
came home to a mess. And she had to remove some of her belongings
and store them in these PODS. And then for -- the dumpster was for
the damages that had to be removed. It was a long period of time
because she was waiting for the insurance company to make an
assessment of the damages, and -- but as I -- if I'm understanding
correctly, with the insurance company, it's all done?
MS. OKOLSKI: Now I'm dealing with the mortgage company to
release the funds so that I can start work.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So it's to remove -- the
damaged stuff goes into a dumpster?
MR. MUSSE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And the POD is the storage for the
stuff that's going to eventually go back into the house?
MR. MUSSE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And what you're saying -- because
it's a little confusing -- 60 days for the first part to remove the PODS?
MR. MUSSE: Yes. The first part is she could either remove the
PODS and the dumpster within 60 days; second part is if she obtains a
permit, which I think she's in the process of obtaining a permit, the
PODS and the dumpster would be allowed there because she's doing
repairs to the property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MUSSE: I got a photo if you want to see. I mean, it's just
PODS and a dumpster.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't think that's necessary.
MR. LAVINSKI: Which of these two items do you plan to do, 2
or 3?
MS. OKOLSKI: Two. I'm actually applying for a permit. I need
to repair the walls now before anything can go back in.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. Once you have a building
permit, then you can have the dumpster there, et cetera, et cetera.
Page 38
May 26, 2016
Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: So, really, 2 is not an issue. It's 3?
MS. OKOLSKI: I don't know. I don't have it in front of me.
MR. LEFEBVRE: It's right up there. On the screen.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Eye test.
MS. OKOLSKI: Three.
MR. LAVINSKI: Two is to remove, but you don't intend to
remove. You intend to get your permit and try to get livable again.
MS. OKOLSKI: As soon as the walls are out, the dumpster will
be gone. It's just I have to -- I've been waiting. You know the process.
So the contractor was taking a day off yesterday and today to apply, so
there should be one in; probably some by today.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have enough time to submit
-- get the permit going?
MS. OKOLSKI: It's a -- even though it's my residence, it's a
duplex, so I won't get a residential permit. I guess it's a commercial
permit, so it might take a little longer. But I would think that 60 -- I
don't know. I've never done it. I would think that 60 days is sufficient
to get the permit, but I don't know how it works.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you agree to the writeup
here?
MS. OKOLSKI: (Nods head.)
MR. LAVINSKI: What's the extent of the damages?
MS. OKOLSKI: I lost almost everything. The whole inside has
to be ripped apart, and all the walls have to be redone.
MR. LAVINSKI: They have to be done from floor to ceilings or
just four feet --
MS. OKOLSKI: Four feet up.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Four feet up.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Typical.
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah. That's what I wanted to make sure.
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May 26, 2016
Is 60 days going to be enough? That seems like a --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's for the permit, not for the repairs.
Once the permit is in place, then you are permitted to have the PODS.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Correct. And then that would alleviate
the violation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Oh. A permit to repair the damages. Okay.
Very good.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: If we leave No. 2 in there, is she going to be
caught in a Catch 22 if she can't get her permit in 60 days? Because 2
will kick in in 60 days, and she'll be fined for having the stuff there
while she's still working on 3.
MR. LEFEBVRE: She said that permits were being applied for
yesterday or today, you said --
MS. OKOLSKI: Uh-huh.
MR. LEFEBVRE: -- by your contractor. So it sounds like -- 60
days sounds quite sufficient.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't think that will be a problem
going forward. The worst case, it comes back to us again.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion to approve the stipulated
agreement.
MR. DOINO: 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. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
Page 40
May 26, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. MUSSE: Thank you.
MS. OKOLSKI: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is from Letter C, hearings, Number
1, Tab 2, Case CESD20150014619, Peter Wessel Trustee of the Peter
Wessel Irrevocable Trust under trust dated February 14, 2006.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Respondent's not present?
MR. WESSEL: I am present.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: He is. Oh.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Jeff, you're up.
MR. LETOURNEAU: For the record, Jeff Letourneau, Collier
County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20150014619 dealing with
the violations of the Collier County Land Development Code 2004, as
amended -- excuse me -- 2004-41, as amended, Section
10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i).
The violation description is a shed-type structure in the rear yard
built without obtaining a Collier County building permit, inspections,
and certificate of completion.
The violation location is 6 Derhenson Drive, Naples, Florida,
34114; Folio No. 49582200004.
This property is located in a mobile home zoning district.
Service was given on July 29, 2015.
I would now like to present case evidence in the following
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May 26, 2016
exhibits. I've shown these exhibits to Mr. Wessel, and I believe he has
no objection to these.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any objection to the
pictures?
MR. WESSEL: I have no objection.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Could we get a motion to --
MR. LAVINSKI: Motion to accept.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second to
accept the pictures. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. The first photo is going to be taken
on July 29th, and the seven following photos will be taken on -- excuse
me -- July 29, 2015; the following seven photos were taken on
November 19, 2015. All these were taken by Investigator Michael
Odom. The ninth photo will be a photo taken off the Collier County
Property Appraiser website, and the 10th photo was taken by me
yesterday to prove that the violation still remains.
Okay. On July 21, 2015, Code Enforcement received a complaint
that there was an unpermitted shed in the rear property being used for
living purposes.
On July 22, 2015, Investigator Odom conducted a site visit and
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May 26, 2016
observed structure from the street. No one was home at this time.
Investigator Odom then proceeded to do some extensive research,
including looking at the property card, going through all our data
banks and our computers, the CD Plus, CityView webs, and no valid
Collier County permit could be found for this particular structure.
We presented the issue to the Collier County building official,
and he determined that this was a violation.
Investigator Odom and I had numerous conversations with Mr.
Wessel regarding this issue; however, as of today the structure
remains, and a building permit has not been issued for it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Was this structure occupied at the
time?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I don't think it was being occupied. I just
think that it was kind of like a hangout maybe more than being
occupied.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It doesn't matter either way, but
okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And that's pretty much it. We're just here
because we want Mr. Wessel to obtain a building permit, inspections,
and certificate of completion for this structure.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you know whether or not this is
zoned for this?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yes, you can have sheds in this particular
zoning; however, I'm not sure if this particular structure meets
setbacks. It might be an issue. I haven't been out there measuring it
myself, but it looks like it's going to be really close to the back rear
setback.
MR. MARINO: Did you say that there are people living in the
shed?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I don't believe at this time anybody's
living in that shed.
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May 26, 2016
MR. MARINO: But they were?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I think at one point over the past 12 years
or so there might have been people living in here, but I think at the
time Mr. Odom went out there, I think it was more of just a hangout or
something rather than people actually living and sleeping in the
structure.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me point out on this photo that's
before us, the red lines are not a true indication of the property lines, so
just --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Correct. They're notoriously off on the
property appraiser's.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Peter, you're up.
MR. WESSEL: Thank you, sir.
I guess, first, I want to submit into evidence photographs I printed
off of Google Earth. I have copies for everybody. Is that how I do
that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't you give those to
Kerry.
I need a motion from the Board to accept the evidence --
MR. DOINO: Motion to accept.
MR. MARINO: I make a motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
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May 26, 2016
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you want to put the
pictures up right now?
MR. WESSEL: Yeah, I can, actually. They're -- they're --
basically I heard one of the gentlemen say it affects the whole
neighborhood. And what these photographs show, I printed off of
Google Earth, is my house is 6 Derhenson Drive, and five houses to
the left and five houses to the right and the 10 houses that abut the
property in the back, so there's 20 houses. Out of those 20 houses,
probably 10 to 12 of them have sheds as close to the property line as is
mine.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The problem with that
argument, I'll mention it, is Johnny threw a rock at me and I threw a
rock back at him doesn't make -- you understand?
MR. WESSEL: That's not my primary argument.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WESSEL: It's just -- I know that that's an interest of the
state. They weigh -- they like people to have free access to their land,
but the state has some interests, and that's one of the interests of the
state is how are you affecting the neighborhoods, that's why I took
these photographs.
And another interest of the state is safety. And we hang out in
there, as he said. I offered him to go in and take more pictures
yesterday. He didn't feel the need to. He believed me, I guess.
The building has a foundation. It's safer than any of the mobile
homes out there, any of them. So it's safe.
My primary argument is that -- and this is the third time I've been
here. My primary argument is that I was a tenant in the property 12
years ago when the shed was rented out to somebody. It was a rented,
occupied dwelling illegally at the time, and the man got evicted. I
lived in the big house. This man lived in the shed. It was an apartment.
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May 26, 2016
It had walls. It had plumbing. It had -- it was an apartment, and full
kitchen and everything.
And the guy got evicted and called Code Enforcement. Code
Enforcement went out, talked to the prior owner, Mr. Valenta, and had
him gut the building.
I had an offer to buy the property at that time. I withdrew my
offer. We weren't going to close anyway until he had listed it with a
real estate agent, and he wanted to wait until his contract with the real
estate agent was up for commission purposes, but we had an agreement
in principle, and I'd given him some earnest money. And I was going
to buy the place, and then all of a sudden Code Enforcement shows up.
And Code Enforcement had him gut the entire building, everything
out, everything out. It's a shell. There's no walls. There's no plumbing.
And so I'm going to rely on some affirmative defenses of
equitable estoppel as one, and laches as the other. And what I need to
prove -- first, I'll stipulate that there's not a permit, and I'll even
stipulate that it's probably too close to the property line. I'll stipulate
that.
But equitable estoppel is an affirmative defense to that if I meet
four conditions. One, there has to be conduct on my part giving rise to
a notice of violation, and that's obvious. I've been given notice of the
violation. I am -- I own the offending property.
The second requirement is a -- for me to assert effectively
equitable estoppel, I have to prove that there's an reasonable delay by
Code Enforcement despite knowledge or imputed knowledge. And as
he said, 10 years ago, and as I said, 10 or 12 years ago Code
Enforcement was out there. And the courts have imputed knowledge
for such behavior.
And I was in an accident -- not in an accident. I-75 was closed
down this morning because of a fatal accident, and I didn't get a chance
to photocopy some case law that I got as just a convenience for
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May 26, 2016
everybody. I will photocopy and give it to everybody if you don't
decide today, you want to look into this a little further, but the case law
supports imputed action. They should have known. They were
looking at this shed 10 years ago; they should have known then.
The third thing I have to prove is a lack of knowledge by me that
Code Enforcement would proceed. Well, I lacked the knowledge they
would proceed, because I literally asked Code Enforcement officer 10
years ago, is this a done deal? Is it good? I lowered my offer to buy
because I wasn't going to get rental income, but I still had the shed.
And the Code Enforcement officer said, yes, it's a done deal. Mr.
Valenta has done -- the prior owner has done everything we have
asked him to do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any other pictures that
you want to show, or just that overhead shot there?
MR. WESSEL: Well, yeah. That's two of them, and what they
are -- it's my street. And almost everyone has a shed, basically, is all
I'm proving.
With that -- and I have no other pictures to show.
I took several on my phone yesterday, but they -- he doesn't think
anyone's living in there. There's nobody living in there.
Going back to equitable estoppel, a lack of knowledge on my
part. I was literally told Code Enforcement was done, so I proved lack
of knowledge.
And then the fourth thing I have to prove is injury to me, and the
injury to me is that I paid to get the shed. That was part of the
purchase price. I paid to furnish the shed, and I would have to pay to
tear the shed down or get a variance. So that's my defense of equitable
estoppel.
The other one is laches, and that's just merely a -- a statute of
laches is kind of like a statute of limitations, just unreasonable delay on
the part of the Code Enforcement in this case. And, again, I'll state that
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May 26, 2016
there's unreasonable delay given they were on the property looking at
that very structure 10 years ago. So I think I have two affirmative
defenses.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Tammy, do you want to comment on
MS. NICOLA: Well, I am familiar with equitable estoppel and
laches, and I have successfully used that argument in court. He's right
about the law. I mean --
MR. LETOURNEAU: I would say the county has a good
counterargument to this.
MS. NICOLA: But he's correct about the law on laches and
estoppel. I mean, those are the requirements and, you know, if you
walk into a courtroom, a judge can decide that there was an
unreasonable delay that caused harm to the litigant.
And in my practice, which I think most of you know, outside of
here is in divorce court, it usually has to do with somebody who comes
after child support 10 years later, and a guy's coming in to, you know,
the Department of Revenue, and they're saying you owe $54,000. And
the mother says, well, you know, I never went after it, but now, you
know -- now I'm going to seek it even though he's been seeing the kids,
he knows where the children are, he's been paying for clothes, those
kinds of things.
So -- but they're used in civil cases, too. I'm sure that if the county
did some research on it, we could probably find something that would
apply. Maybe not right on point with his situation, but in a civil
situation where there was a delay that everybody knew about and it
caused harm to the litigant.
So I thought when he had addressed it last time that we were
going to have a county attorney, I was hoping, maybe coming in here
today to, you know, have point, counterpoint on it, because --
truthfully, I would be much more comfortable about it if we had a
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May 26, 2016
county attorney who was taking a position on this.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Jeff, you have comment that
you'd like to make on this?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I have many comments I'd like to make
on this.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: First, I'd like to submit as evidence the
original complaint about the case that Mr. Wessel was talking about,
so...
MR. LEFEBVRE: Has he seen that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has he seen that?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I don't think so.
MS. CURLEY: That's the case from 10 years ago?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have any problem
with him submitting that?
MR. WESSEL: I do not.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could we have a motion from the
Board to accept?
MR. ASHTON: Motion to accept.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Motion to accept and
seconded. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
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May 26, 2016
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay, Jeff.
MR. LETOURNEAU: The complaint for this case that Mr.
Wessel is referencing is actually two-part. It was one -- weed use to
have a rental registration, and there was no rental registration for this
particular structure, and also that they had modified a garage into
living space.
So I did some research on this case, and there are some following
cases on this over the years that dealt with people actually living in this
structure. But I can safely say at no time did I see that any county
employee had any reason to believe that this structure was
unpermitted.
I find no record that any county employee mentioned that this was
an unpermitted structure. Every time they went out there they dealt
with the actual complaint.
And I would say that this is not a glaring violation, and it's not
apparent that this is a violation. You'd have to do a ton of research just
to make sure that this is a violation. It wasn't required for any of the
complaints that we had out there.
And Mr. Wessel is relaying something that happened 10 years
ago. The county contends that we believe that the investigator told
him everything was clear as far as the rental registration and the living
in this garage right here. I don't believe the investigator ever looked
into whether the structure was permitted, and I don't believe any
investigator that went out there on this property afterwards looked into
whether this structure was permitted.
You know, he could have been out there -- it was Mr. -- Larry
Schwartz was the investigator. He could have said, yeah, everything's
all clear. Does that assume that there was some other electrical
violations in the main houses? I mean, he was just saying everything
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May 26, 2016
was all clear as far as the rental registration and the garage conversion.
And that's pretty much our contention is that I don't think any
county employee knew that this was a violation until we did the
research for this particular case we're here for today.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And I have discussed it with the county
attorney and, you know, we -- we're on the same page as far as this
testimony.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Tammy, are you okay with
that?
MS. NICOLA: I'm actually not okay with that. I -- this just -- this
particular case doesn't sit well with me, and here's why: Well, we've
got this, right? We don't have somebody who was -- who investigated
at the time here to testify about what he or she did or did not do to tell
this gentleman.
The fact that -- you know, if we take what he says as true, that a
code investigator said you need to rip out the entire living area of this
particular structure in order to be in compliance concerns me because
here we've got this guy that's living there and he hears, oh, rip it out
and you're fine. Get rid of your tenants, and you're fine, and then 10
years later he buys the property and he pays good consideration for it
probably because it has an additional structure on the property; to me it
fits right within that laches and estoppel argument.
I, as the attorney for Code Enforcement, would not recommend
finding a violation. I'm not personally comfortable with it as a lawyer
because it just rings true to me what he's saying, and unless we had an
investigator who came in here -- and I understand -- I understand the
position that Code's taking, but unless we had the investigator that was
in here (sic) that came in and said, I did not tell Mr. Wessel that, he
was misinformed, then I have a problem with that. I do. I just think --
I think the evidence that he's providing right now is uncontroverted.
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May 26, 2016
That's my problem. Even though the county's saying we have -- we
have this paperwork, but what we don't have is we don't have
investigative notes, and we don't have an investigator. We don't have
anybody that was involved in this matter from the county's position
back when it happened.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Mr. Wessel?
MR. WESSEL: I do have six cases from the Florida courts
involving code enforcement decisions that are pretty much on point
where they -- if what Jeff is saying is true, that they only investigated
the rental registration, the courts impute the knowledge to them that
they should have known that it was too close to the property line, that
there wasn't a building permit.
So even if I never talked to the investigator, my equitable estoppel
defense, according to these courts cases, would still hold. But I, in
fact, did talk to the guy. I had an offer to buy the house at the time.
MS. NICOLA: Mr. Wessel, can I see those, please?
MR. WESSEL: Yes, you may.
MS. NICOLA: Thank you. I'll give them back to you. I'd just
like to look at them.
MR. WESSEL: I provided Mr. Odom -- or maybe you, Jeff.
Was it you I provided these to?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Is that the laches cases?
MR. WESSEL: I have six cases that are all here.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I think I got one from you. I wasn't sure
about six, though.
MR. WESSEL: Yeah, I have six. I provided all six of them to
someone in Code Enforcement just to let them know where I was
going to be coming from.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It looks like we have a new player?
MR. NOELL: Good morning, Board. My name is Kevin Noell.
I'm an assistant county attorney. I'd be happy to participate in the
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May 26, 2016
closing arguments. I would just -- I just want to make sure that our
Code Enforcement personnel is done presenting the evidence for it.
So is there any more evidence that you wanted to present before --
MR. LETOURNEAU: As far as the structure being not
permitted, no. I'm not sure -- depending on Mr. Wessel's further
testimony, I'm not sure if we want to do any more of the laches and
estoppel, though.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Tammy, you said that you
wanted to -- you would feel better if you had an attorney from the
county, and it looks like --
MS. NICOLA: I would. And in all honesty, I would feel more
comfortable if I had some time to review these cases. I mean, he's
provided some code cases which may or may not be on point, and I'm
not comfortable with giving an opinion on them at this point.
But I would prefer it if we could withdraw this case and bring it
before the Board in 30 days. And I hate to ask you to come back, but
for me to be able to look at this -- and I would -- I don't want the Board
to make the wrong decision. I think that we should be informed about
what these cases say and for me to be able to give you an opinion as to
whether they're on point and whether I can advise you what I think,
you know, about this truthfully.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes, sir.
MR. NOELL: And the county's position, we don't have an issue
if we want to continue it for 30 days for that purpose. What we would
like to do, though, is put all of the evidence on the record and be done
from that perspective. And then if we want to do -- even if they want
to do arguments in 30 days, that's fine. We're prepared to do
arguments today, but I just want to get the evidence on the record this
morning and be closed out from that perspective.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have any comments
from the Board regarding this? I know that -- I mean, if time goes by,
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May 26, 2016
if somebody built a structure on my property that violated the setbacks,
it was actually on my property and 20 years goes by, what difference
does it make? It doesn't belong there.
So I'm assuming that your argument is somebody came out here
and saw that it was on my property and chose not to do anything, and
that's your defense.
MS. CURLEY: I have a question or a comment.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MS. CURLEY: I think that the gentleman didn't own the
property at that time.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Correct. He had a contract.
MR. WESSEL: I was a tenant with a contract to buy.
MS. CURLEY: But the gentleman didn't own the property at that
time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
MS. CURLEY: So what occurred before his ownership has
nothing to do with this case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I agree with you.
MS. CURLEY: And it is his own due diligence to buy a survey
to survey what documents are included in the purchase and to hire a
home inspector to check permits and do all that. So that is his due
diligence to do at the time of his purchase.
What occurred, what hearsay or what evidence occurred, before
really is nothing to do with this case.
MR. NOELL: And at some point when we want to close the
hearing, before we do that I would like to ask some questions in
followup.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you do that now.
MR. NOELL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And then we'll come back. We'll
close the public hearing and then listen to the Board. How's that? Go
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May 26, 2016
ahead.
MR. NOELL: Sir, you had mentioned you had a conversation
with a code enforcement employee several years ago?
MR. WESSEL: I don't think I did. I know for a fact I did.
MR. NOELL: Okay. What was -- what was said in that
conversation?
MR. WESSEL: This -- that was an ongoing case. I didn't get to
see what Jeff just handed me. I just said it was okay to submit it into
evidence. But it went on for a while. Mr. Valenta was kind of
contentious. He missed several deadlines.
MR. NOELL: And, sir, what I want to do is I want to be
respectful of your time, so I'll just ask you very specific questions.
What do you recall being mentioned in that conversation with you
and the Code Enforcement officer?
MR. WESSEL: I let him know that I was going to be a buyer of
the property, and I wanted to know, was the shed good to go.
MR. NOELL: Okay. Is that exactly what you asked him?
MR. WESSEL: In those words. The words might have been a
little bit different but the same intent, yeah.
MR. NOELL: And what was his response?
MR. WESSEL: His response was "good to go."
MR. NOELL: Okay. Anything else that he said in that
conversation?
MR. WESSEL: Not that I recall.
MR. NOELL: Did you have any other conversations with any
other Code Enforcement personnel before you bought the structure?
MR. WESSEL: No.
MR. NOELL: Okay. And just to make sure I understand, your
position that equitable estoppel applies in this matter is based off that
conversation you just testified to; is that right?
MR. WESSEL: Not totally; not totally. It also applies from the
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May 26, 2016
mere fact that -- or maybe this would fall under laches, either laches or
equitable estoppel. The mere fact that the county has knowledge
imputed to them by them having been there and should have known.
That's their job.
MR. NOELL: I understand, and I know the Board will let you,
you know, present your argument. But my question for you is a
specific question. As far as the equitable estoppel that you're raising
today, is -- that conversation that you just testified to, is that the sole
basis for that conver -- was that conversation that you had with the
Code Enforcement officer several years ago? That was the extent of
the conversation?
MR. WESSEL: No, sir.
MR. NOELL: There was another conversation?
MR. WESSEL: No, that wasn't the question you asked. You
asked me a specific question. You want to repeat the question?
MR. NOELL: Sure. You had a conversation with a code
enforcement investigator several years ago about the property, correct?
MR. WESSEL: Correct.
MR. NOELL: And in that conversation he told you that you were
"good to go," correct?
MR. WESSEL: Correct.
MR. NOELL: Other than that conversation, is there any other
conversation you had with anybody else from Code Enforcement
regarding the property that you are relying on for your defense here
today?
MR. WESSEL: I didn't have another conversation.
MR. NOELL: Okay. And I understand your other position that
it's been there for a while and things of that nature. I'm just trying to
find the extent of the conversations that you had. So that was the
conversation?
MR. WESSEL: Correct.
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May 26, 2016
MR. NOELL: Okay. About how many years ago was that
conversation?
MR. WESSEL: I closed in '06. So I think it was in '05; '05,'06.
Let me see if I have a copy.
MR. LEFEBVRE: You closed on June 26, 2006.
MR. NOELL: Is that about right? I'm not looking for the exact
date, but is that about the right time frame of that conversation?
MR. WESSEL: No. It was pretty much well prior to that, I
believe. I think it was closer to '05.
MR. NOELL: Okay. So about 11 years ago from today, right?
MR. WESSEL: Yeah. I'm basing that based on a cashier's check
for my earnest money.
MR. NOELL: I understand.
MR. WESSEL: Dated in February of'06.
MR. NOELL: Okay.
MR. WESSEL: So I believe the conversation happened in '05.
MR. NOELL: Okay. Thanks. And then back then, do you know
why the code enforcement investigator was there, what violation he
was investigating specifically?
MR. WESSEL: Yes. Well, to my knowledge, the tenant worked
for the owner, Mr. Valenta. He was an employee of Mr. Valenta, as
was I. And they had a fight over some hours that one party claimed
got worked, one party claimed weren't worked. So they had a fight,
and the tenant was evicted.
And then the tenant apparently called Code Enforcement and said
this building is not up to code.
MR. NOELL: Okay. And where did you get that knowledge
from; talking with the owner of the building back then?
MR. WESSEL: No. Well, with Code Enforcement, the owner,
and the tenant, all of them. I was very well -- I was trying to find out
everything I could, because I was buying the property.
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May 26, 2016
MR. NOELL: Did you talk to the code enforcement investigator
on what specific violations he was out there investigating 11 years
ago?
MR. WESSEL: Well, I knew -- I don't know if I asked him, but I
knew he was investigating the rental of it, and I saw -- in fact, I
participated in the demolition of the property.
MR. NOELL: And what I'm asking you is a different question.
I'm asking you a more specific question.
MR. WESSEL: Okay.
MR. NOELL: I'm asking you if you talked with the code
enforcement investigator and asked him why he was out there
investigating.
MR. WESSEL: I don't recall if I asked him that specific question.
MR. NOELL: To your knowledge, did you ever hear him make
any statement as to what violation he was out there investigating back
then?
MR. WESSEL: The only thing I can say for certain was that he
told me everything was "good to go" in regards to my being a potential
purchaser of the property.
MR. NOELL: Okay. So is that a no?
MR. WESSEL: I forget --
MR. NOELL: I'll ask it again. So do you know why the code
enforcement investigator -- what specific violation he was out there
investigating 11 years ago?
MR. WESSEL: I don't remember if I knew -- if he told me what
specific -- no. The answer's no.
MR. NOELL: I don't have any other questions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Mr. Wessel, do you have any
other comments?
MR. WESSEL: Yes, I do.
I had a couple of thoughts on my mind and kind of got off track
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May 26, 2016
here. But I wanted to address the chairperson's (sic) concern about I
didn't own the property at the time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WESSEL: And that, according to the case law, doesn't
matter. According to the case law, that doesn't matter, but even if it
did matter, I was in privity of contract, is what it's called, to purchase
the land, which does give me an interest in it. I do have -- I think she
was saying I had no interest in what Code Enforcement was doing 11
years ago, but I did because I was in privity of property. It doesn't
matter according to case law.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Just for -- I'm looking -- in a
summary look that I'm looking at, what you're saying is if you knew
about this thing not being permitted 10 years ago, whatever the date is,
10 years ago, then that 10-year delay, that's what you're citing; is that
correct, more or less?
MR. WESSEL: What I'm citing is the affirmative defense of
equitable estoppel, which is when courts look at what's equitable,
what's fair. Would it be unfair to make me tear the shed down? Yes, it
would be unfair to make me tear the shed down given what has
happened. That's what I'm saying.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, we --
MS. NICOLA: Can I chime in a minute? I just want to tell the
Board, I did a little bit of research while everyone's been talking, and
there is a brand new March 2, 2016, Second District Court opinion in
the case of Siegel versus Lee County, which appears to be directly on
point on the issue of laches and equitable estoppel.
Not having time to review this case -- it's brand new; it's not even
released for publication yet -- respectfully, I think we should adjourn
this matter until the next. I mean, I understand the county's position
that we took all the evidence today, but I'm not comfortable giving an
opinion. I'm happy to write a memorandum of law on this to the Board
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May 26, 2016
before the next meeting, but with a brand new opinion, which has been
issued within the last several weeks, I'm not comfortable making a
decision on this yet to give to the Board on where I would advise you
on the law.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Gerald, you said you have
some comments.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yeah, regarding equitable defense, estoppel
defense.
First of all, the respondent just stated that, No. 1 -- I didn't get
what No. 3 was, but I'll go through the one -- the three that I have:
Notice of violation. He stated that he didn't know what the
violation was, in fact, so he wasn't noticed of the violation. And the
violation was different 10 years ago, 11 years ago, than what it was
now.
MR. NOELL: Respectfully, if I just -- if I just may, because I just
want, from a procedural standpoint, if this is elevated from this forum,
I just want to make sure that procedurally everything was done as it
needed to be done.
So at this point, I want to be clear on if we're still in the evidence
phase where he's providing testimony, and we're providing testimony.
And I totally and respectfully -- I totally agree that when we get
into the legal opinion and the argument phase, you know, I think that's
a phase that obviously we're going to get into it, but I think we're kind
of jumping ahead of that phase to make sure -- I don't know if he has
more evidence to put on, because I don't want to -- that to affect what
his testimony is going to be as far as the legal arguments that are -- you
know what I mean, the positions that the Board's taking --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You would feel more comfortable if
I closed the public hearing?
MR. NOELL: I think we need to make sure that he has given all
of his evidence, we've given all of our evidence --
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May 26, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. NOELL: -- and then the public hearing's been closed, and
then we can go into the arguments, the legal arguments.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Mr. Wessel, you said you
have a comment?
MR. WESSEL: Ido.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WESSEL: The gentleman asked the question about conduct
on my part giving rise to notice of violation.
The violation that we're here for today, the conduct on my part is
I'm the owner. So to answer his question, the first element of the four
requirements for equitable estoppel is met by my mere owning the
property today while we are here litigating it today for a violation that
was issued in my name. It has nothing to do with the other violation
from 10 years ago. That just gave the county notice.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WESSEL: And the attorney for the county mentioned that --
because he had mentioned coming back in 30 days and hated to make
us do that. I'd hate to do that, too. He said he was ready for closing
arguments. I'm ready for closing arguments.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any other evidence that
you'd like to present?
MR. WESSEL: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have any other
evidence that you'd like to present?
MR. NOELL: We have no further evidence.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The public hearing is now
closed. Okay. Now we can open it up for discussion.
MR. NOELL: Would you like closings first, or whatever the
Chair's -- the Board's pleasure is.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd like to hear from the Board first
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and then -- actually, from your closing statement first, and then the
Board can comment on that.
MR. NOELL: Okay. The county's position is very clear. What
-- the evidence you have before you at this point is essentially just a
self-serving hearsay statement from the violator, and that statement
was by a code enforcement investigator about 10 years ago who
simply said everything's okay.
If the argument then is because he said everything's okay I can no
longer be in violation of anything ever that has to do with the code
because I was told everything's okay, just think of the irrational
position that would allow him to go into as far as with violations,
things like that. So I would first submit that.
And, obviously, the Board has the ability to weigh evidence and
discredit any or all of the evidence they found lacking in credibility,
and I would first argue and submit to the Board that a simple statement
by a code enforcement investigator of "everything's okay" doesn't rise
to the level of equitable estoppel in the argument he's making.
The other point to make, just based on the evidence, is you heard
from Mr. Letourneau, our investigator, who went out there -- or who
testified that the investigator at the time went out there based on an
entirely different violation that we are here for today. In fact, the
violator did not even know why he was out there and what he was
investigating at the time.
So, again, it would be a different situation if he was out there a
few years ago -- this investigator was out there a few years ago
investigating this very violation and then two years later we cite him
for the very violation when he relied on the earlier investigator saying
that he's okay. That -- that's certainly a very different argument.
Here it's kind of apples and oranges. The investigator from 11
years ago was out there to investigate a totally different violation, and
everything was okay in regards to that violation because the steps were
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taken to correct it. So it's really an apples and oranges kind of
argument that he's trying to make to assert that, therefore, I can't have
any violations on this property because about 11 years ago I was told
that everything was okay.
In regards to some of the cases -- and I think it may even have to
do with the case that was cited by the Board's attorney, there's certainly
a distinction between violations that are open and obvious where a
code enforcement officer walks by an area and can tell on the face of
either a building, a structure, or land that a violation exists, and there's
a difference between that type of a violation and a violation where
investigation needs to take place.
And you heard from Jeff Letourneau, our supervisor of
investigations, that in order to find a violation, the violation that's
before the Board today, it took extensive investigation going to
property receipt cards and all the different things they had to do to
determine whether a violation existed.
So the argument in regards to laches of it being an unreasonable
amount of time before I was cited for this violation, well, the violation
that we're here to talk about today and that he's been cited for is not an
open and obvious violation that someone would know by just walking
by the structure. It is one that requires investigation and research of
records. So that's an entirely different -- different sort of violation than
the open and obvious type of violations.
So, in sum, I think that the only evidence the Board has before
them in support of the equitable estoppel argument is a self-serving
statement by a person who certainly has a huge interest in this matter,
and that statement is "everything was okay," and that -- it's the county's
position that doesn't give rise to an equitable estoppel defense.
And in regards to the type of violation itself being more of a
hidden violation that took investigation to uncover, that would explain
the delay and, certainly, our position is that the laches defense wouldn't
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apply in this case either.
Thanks for your time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. What I'd like to do is to have
Mr. Wessel give us his summary, and at that time we're going to go to
the Board, and we're going to solicit comments from the Board as to
whether they want to complete this case or give our attorney 30 days to
research the case that she brought up.
Okay. So, Mr. Wessel, why don't you give us your summary.
MR. WESSEL: I will. And thank you for calling it a summary as
opposed to a closing argument because new evidence was introduced.
When he says a code officer does not rise to the level of whatever,
that's his testimony. That's not the way the courts see it. The courts see
that the code officer does, indeed, rise to that level, and the -- he
mentioned me -- or to anyone, just imagine the violations you could
get away with. Equitable estoppel doesn't win every case it's asserted
in. If the state has an interest that outweighs the litigant's rights -- for
example, if I were making bombs in there or something like that, then
my equitable estoppel defense probably wouldn't hold water because
the state would have an overriding interest.
That's why I mentioned the safety of the structure, and that's why
I mentioned the whole neighborhood is full of these things all on the
property line. So I don't think the state has an overriding interest to the
equitable estoppel defense.
And he mentioned something about new violations I can do
because now I'm carte blanche and some officer was out there 11 years
ago and didn't notice something. Well, that's not true either. I can't
cause any new violations because they weren't there to have been
discovered. They can't have been imputed if they didn't exist. He's
saying things that are just -- I don't do this for a living, so bear with
me, please.
Due diligence. Somebody mentioned due diligence, and I think I
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conducted due diligence when I spoke to a representative of the code
enforcement agency or board, was the shed okay, and I was told yes,
the shed's okay. I think I conducted due diligence as to the shed.
Now, if there was a fire issue inside the main building, the
wiring's faulty or something like that, I have nothing to stand on, okay?
Also that would be a state interest; safety issue, too.
The violation's imputed. It's just -- that's just the way the law is.
It's -- the whole defense, affirmative defense of equitable estoppel is to
come in place of the law when the law would treat someone unfairly.
And that's what's happening to me if I'm told to take my money and
tear that shed down when the whole neighborhood's full of these sheds.
And I can't make an equitable estoppel defense for them, but it's
just unfair to do it to me. And I think that my arguments of equitable
estoppel and my argument of laches stand.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. What we will do now -- are
your fingers okay?
THE COURT REPORTER: I could use a break, but if you're
almost done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We're almost done.
We're going to have discussion from the Board, and part of the
discussion should be whether we want to continue this till next month's
hearing and give the parties a chance to present written response to
either the case that Tammy's referring to or something else. So why
don't we open it up to the Board.
MR. LAVINSKI: I think --
MR. ASHTON: I think what we ought to do is continue it and let
Tammy go over all the evidence that Mr. Wessel has given her, and
she can do an opinion. I think that the county should also have copies
of that so that they can have their opinion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: Mr. Chairman, I disagree with that position. I
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May 26, 2016
think that this has been around long enough. We've got enough facts
here that when we get into the discussion I'd like to bring up a couple
of things. And I think just to kick this down the road is an injustice,
and we ought to bite the bullet and address it today.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I agree. And I started talking about a few
items which the county attorney touched upon, and I'd like to further
those statements that I have. So I feel that we should put this to rest
today.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any other comments? Sue?
MS. CURLEY: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Tony?
MR. MARINO: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Ron?
MR. DOINO: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. My comments on this, I agree
that we should finish it up today. There's always a recourse after this.
This is not the end-all. So I think that we should weigh the evidence
that's been provided and make a decision whether the respondent is in
violation or not.
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: Could I say something in his
defense?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The public hearing's closed. Sorry.
Kathy?
MS. ELROD: As a realtor, it doesn't matter who built it. It's in
violation, period.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Go ahead.
MR. LEFEBVRE: First of all, what was touched upon, again, to
reiterate, is the county attorney stated that it was a different violation.
The defendant, or I should say the respondent, did say that he didn't
know what violation it was, but he did say he was under contract, and
because the tenants had to move out because that was the violation, he
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May 26, 2016
had his price of the contract reduced.
So No. 4 of estoppel defense is injury to the parties. There is no
injury because you got a reduction in the purchase price, number one.
Number two, again, the notice of violation you're saying you
didn't know what the notice of violation was, but you had to be
noticed.
Number 2 of equitable defense, estoppel defense, delay by Code
Enforcement. There wasn't delay in this case because it was a totally
separate case.
And the other thing is, you're putting the responsibility on Code
Enforcement to further -- do further research to find if there's another
violation on the property.
But if I know I was buying a property, and I am right now, and
there's a fence that was built, and I asked if there was a permit, there
isn't. There will be prior to me taking possession of that property, and
I'll make sure of that. I'll see a permit. I asked that question. I
followed up. That's part of doing due diligence. It's your
responsibility.
If you know that there is a violation, some kind of violation, I'd
want to get something in writing stating that that violation's been
corrected and how -- what was done to correct it.
I feel that the responsibility is upon the buyer to do that. There
are avenues to do that, and that wasn't taken on your part.
So that's one of the reasons why -- or these are the reasons why I
feel that the case should move forward.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The Code Enforcement has a
process that they go through to look at properties to see if they are -- if
there are any code violations on them, and their response is in writing.
So if they had looked at this property way back when and made a
determination that it was not in violation, that would have been
provided, using today as an example, of what it is in writing.
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May 26, 2016
There is nothing in writing. As was said, it's -- this is what I
believe he said. And when you put the listings up there of what the
violation was 10 or 11 years ago, I mean, it could have been that the
lawn was too high. That doesn't mean that there was a permit on the
building, and that is what I see here as the violation.
The violation as stated is a shed structure located in the -- it says a
year, but it's rear of the property with no permits on file, and that's the
facts. There is a building in the rear of the property, and there are no
permits on file.
So I think we should go forward, determine whether a violation
exists or not.
MR. LAVINSKI: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to add a couple things.
A lot of dates have been thrown out; 11 years, 12 years. If I can rely
on Mr. Brock's recorded deed, the respondent didn't even have -- he's
the owner of this property. He didn't even have a revocable trust until
February the 14th, 2006, less than 10 years ago.
The warranty deed transferred the title to him on the 29th day of
June 2006. Mr. Brock recorded it on 8/8/2006. So the respondent has
owned this property less than 10 years. I'd like to put that on the
record. So we're not talking 11, 12, 14. It's right here in the county
records that says less than 10 years.
The second issue is the respondent keeps saying he did a due
diligence. If he did his due diligence, which I assume he did, he would
have known nine years and eight months ago that that shed was a
violation. He knew it. So he can't say that he didn't know about it and
that nobody told him about it. He knew it if he did his due diligence.
And I think the -- and based on that -- and the shed, obviously,
based on the county's research, the code investigator's, it is in violation.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make a motion we find a violation does
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May 26, 2016
exist.
MR. MARINO: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second that
a violation exists. Any comments on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, I'll call for the vote.
All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Now, do you have a suggestion, Jeff, as far as where we go from
here?
MR. LETOURNEAU: We do. The county recommends that the
Code 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: Number 1, 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 this
violation is abated;
Number 2, 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
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May 26, 2016
bring the violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the
Collier County Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this order,
and all costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. One of the things that was put
out there was that he has to rip it down. That's not the case. He needs
to get a permit, so it's not just a -- I know that the respondent has said
that several times. It's not -- nobody's asking you to rip it down. Part
of this is to get a permit, which is what the violation originally was.
So would anybody on the Board like to take a shot at filling in the
blanks?
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah, I would.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make a motion that the $65.85 be paid
within 30 days, and that if I go by our guidelines, I'd like to deviate a
little bit from it. Building permits, to obtain a permit, inspections, and
a CO for a shed or a fence, et cetera, it says 30 days or a fine of$100.
I'd like to make that to be corrected within 90 days or a fine of$150 a
day be imposed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion.
MR. MARINO: I'll second that one.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
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May 26, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Mr. Wessel, you understand the motion?
MR. WESSEL: I understand that he said --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, thank you. You have
the right to repeal (sic), et cetera, et cetera. I'm sure you're aware of
that.
MR. WESSEL: I just wanted to technically -- I don't know if it
matters or not. Technically, I admitted the violation. There is no
permit. There -- it is too close to the property line.
I was looking for a ruling on my affirmative defense.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We took that into consideration.
MR. WESSEL: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you. We're going to take a
break till 11 :00, or 11 :02.
(A brief recess was had.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd like to call the Code Enforcement
Board back to order.
MR. MARINO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you, Tony, for your
permission. I'd come down there and slap you, but you're older than I
am, and they could put me in jail for that. Okay.
MR. MARINO: I'm older than you know, but I look good.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's a matter of opinion.
MS. CURLEY: Moving on wisely.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Kerry.
MS. ADAMS: Okay. The next case is No. 3, Tab 4, Case
CEROW20150023031, Veronica Tressler, Barbara Dethloff, and
Elizabeth Lucky.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
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May 26, 2016
MR. BALDWIN: Good morning. For the record, Patrick
Baldwin, code enforcement investigator, Collier County.
This is in reference to Case No. CEROW20150023031 dealing
with the violations of Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances,
Chapter 110, road and bridges; Article II, construction in the
right-of-way; Division 1, generally, Section 110-31(A).
The violation is the culvert/drainage pipe has failed, that it has
collapsed or rusted through. Ordinance 2003-37 requires that the
necessary repairs are the responsibility of the property owner.
This violation is located at 231 Willoughby Drive, Naples,
Florida 34110; Folio No. 161080008.
Service was given on December 3, 2015, via posting.
I would like to present some case evidence in the following
exhibits. Four photographs taken and one aerial photograph taken
from the Collier County Property Appraiser's website.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the respondent seen the
photographs?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes, she has.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any objection to those
photographs?
MS. TRESSLER: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We need a motion to accept
the photographs.
MR. ASHTON: Motion to accept.
MR. DOINO: Motion to accept. Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
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May 26, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. BALDWIN: I would like to present the following case
details: On December 12th -- December 1, 2015, an email was
received by Code Enforcement from Senior Field Inspector Matt
Graham of the Growth Management Department informing us of a
violation. On December 3, 2015, I posted the notice of violation on
the property and the courthouse.
I have spoken to one of the owners, Veronica, Ms. Tressler, on a
few occasions and another man, Mike Slade, about the violation. Mr.
Slade was trying to help the owners obtain a permit, but to this day no
permit has been applied for and no work has been done to fix the
problem.
These pictures here that Mrs. Adams is showing you are the
culvert in question and of the collapse of the driveway. You can see
the cracks in the driveway that are done by the roots or the rusted
culvert. Regardless, the transportation department has deemed this a
violation. Prior to this, we had an earlier case dealing with this on the
same street.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What am I looking at in this
photograph?
MR. BALDWIN: That's generally the posting.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. BALDWIN: You can just barely see -- you can't really see
the culvert in that.
And that's the aerial photo. It looks a little dark, but it's -- it's
right in the middle, right in the middle, the big parcel there on
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May 26, 2016
Willoughby.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you -- is this the last picture?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you go back to the first
picture?
I've seen a lot of culverts. This one has sticks in it, but it doesn't
look any worse to me, looking at the picture, than any other culverts
that I see. It doesn't have the concrete around it that they are putting in
now, but this says it's rusty. Naturally, it's rusty, but is it rusted
through? Collapsing?
MR. BALDWIN: The transportation department has a test where
they did go out and they push the thing down -- push a device down
and, yes, it has collapsed, and it's rusted through. So that's why they're
required to fix the problem per Ordinance 2003-37 where the property
owner is required to fix the damage to the culvert, the pipes.
MR. MARINO: There was one picture that looked like it had a
concrete end on it.
MR. BALDWIN: Excuse me?
MR. MARINO: There was one picture that shows a concrete
pipe. Is that the other end of the driveway, the other end of the
culvert? Kerry, if you could go back.
MR. BALDWIN: No, that's still the same side. That was just
after Collier County cut some of the roots out of problem to try to
create more of a water flow. There was a -- there were more sticks
preventing water, I guess, from flowing there, per the transportation
department.
MR. MARINO: But that doesn't look like metal. That looks like
concrete to me. Could be wrong.
MR. LETOURNEAU: It looks like they probably took -- it's
concrete and they took the metal off the end of it while they repaired
the roots.
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May 26, 2016
MR. MARINO: Probably.
MR. BALDWIN: Yes. They were only repairing the roots
around it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. BALDWIN: This has been an ongoing issue in the
Willoughby Acres area and Palm River Estates area as well.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All right. Could you give us
your name.
MS. TRESSLER: Yes. Veronica Tressler.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. TRESSLER: I never really saw, you know, the sticks or
anything until they came and cut it and did the inspection and never
had -- even last year with all that rain, we never had sitting or standing
water, or I probably would have realized there was something wrong.
The problem is, I don't have the money to do it, you know. That's
my biggest -- I mean, there is no standing water. I haven't had any
complaints from my neighbors stating that there was a problem, and I
didn't see, you know, the sticks or anything. It's a very -- property full
of trees, so I never saw that until they came and did the inspection and
cut it back.
And without having had any standing water there, there was
really no evidence to me that there was a problem. I'm not saying there
isn't a problem, or I'm not refusing. It's just a matter of finances.
I live on Social Security. I've had a lot of medical issues lately,
and, you know -- and I just need time to -- time to address it.
MR. MARINO: What is the cost to repair something like this?
MR. BALDWIN: From the 30 cases that I've been around in this
area, probably, I've heard anywhere from $4,500 to $12,000.
MS. TRESSLER: Yeah. What I've checked has been anywhere
from 12- to $15,000. I don't -- you know, I mean, the property's old.
The house is old, so there's been -- I've just recently had to replace the
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May 26, 2016
air conditioner, so there is a lot of issues. It's just addressing them one
at a time, whichever one is more needed at the time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. If you had sufficient time to
budget for this going forward, would that be hopeful?
MS. TRESSLER: It would certainly be helpful.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The first thing we need to do is to
determine whether a violation exists or not.
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make a motion a violation does exist.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Being as this -- do you have a suggestion for us?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes, I do, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. BALDWIN: That the Code Enforcement Board order the
respondent 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:
One, obtaining all required Collier County right-of-way permits
and inspections through final approval and/or remove all offending
material from the right-of-way for any activity not permitted with a
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May 26, 2016
valid Collier County right-of-way permit within blank days of this
hearing or a fine of blank dollars per day will be imposed until the
violation is abated;
Two, the respondent must notify the code enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a
final inspection to confirm abatement. If the respondent fails to abate
the violation, the county may abate the violation using any method to
bring the violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the
Collier County Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this order,
and all costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. When I look at this pipe and
no standing water around it, you haven't -- have you been out there?
MR. BALDWIN: Oh, yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Have you seen any obstruction to the
water flow, et cetera?
MR. BALDWIN: We've had a couple rains since December,
really, that were significant, and I -- no.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So this isn't something that —
MR. BALDWIN: You can clearly tell that it's one of the worst
ones that I've seen.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So it needs to be fixed.
MR. BALDWIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: "When" is the question that we're
working on now. Anybody have any comments? Suggestions?
MR. MARINO: Is the pipe collapsed? I mean, is it to a point
where there's no water flow going through it at all? We haven't had
any rain for a while, so we really can't tell.
MR. BALDWIN: Most of the transportation -- when they come,
most of the pipes that are collapsing, they're determining that they're
collapsing underneath the concrete or the pavers of the driveways. The
ends on any of these don't really appear to have been collapsed. It's the
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May 26, 2016
driveway portion that has failed.
This one just, in particularly, had a lot of roots out of-- coming
out of it, so the transportation department and the road and bridge
department removed most of the roots coming out of each end of this.
But the collapsing is really the driveway and where it comes.
I could have showed some other -- better angles of pictures, and I
have angles on cases where you actually see the dip in the driveway
coming out rather than just the angle that I took the pictures today.
If you actually saw, there is a little bit of dip in the driveway that
indicates that the driveway is collapsing and that it needs a new pipe.
MR. MARINO: If the driveway collapsing -- if the driveway is
collapsing, is it collapsing because the pipe is collapsing also?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Probably.
MR. MARINO: Probably.
MR. BALDWIN: That's what the transportation department is
stating, yes, sir.
MR. MARINO: Has anybody complained in the neighborhood of
flooding or the water's just standing there, or is this just something the
transportation department picked up on?
MR. BALDWIN: The transportation department picked up on
this with their field supervisor. This isn't the -- again, this isn't the only
one. There are many in this area.
From my hearing of this -- of this whole process why they're in
this area, many of the property owners in this area, or the homeowners
association or a small group of people have been complaining about
water in this area, and the county is going through it now trying to
clean it up, along with the Palm River area. Kind of like what they did
years ago in the Naples Park area.
MR. MARINO: How old is this development or the house?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Seventy -- late '70s when they first started.
MR. MARINO: Seventies?
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May 26, 2016
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yeah.
MR. MARINO: So we're looking at 40 years.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Almost.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: My concern is giving the respondent
sufficient time to budget for this.
MR. MARINO: I agree.
MR. LEFEBVRE: We just had a case on the same street this
morning, and I think we gave 120 days or a fine of$150, if I'm not
mistaken.
MS. CURLEY: However, that first case had already been
notified.
MR. BALDWIN: They were both notified on the same exact day
by me.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Same exact day. So I'm hard-pressed to
deviate from that. He had an argument that he's working, and he's
emergency personnel, and if there's a storm, he's going to have to go
out.
Again, my argument is, we need to get this done. If it's going to
cause a problem, we need to get it done prior to the heavy rains that
we're going to have in a month or two.
So I'm hard-pressed to give more time than we did with the other
-- Mr. Browne.
MS. CURLEY: Is it required?
MR. LAVINSKI: Right, I agree.
MR. DOINO: I agree, too.
MS. CURLEY: Does it require a permit?
MS. TRESSLER: He's a working gentleman.
MR. BALDWIN: Yes, it will require a permit.
MS. TRESSLER: He's a working firefighter. I'm a single woman
with, you know, Social Security I live on, and he's never complained
about standing water on his property. My other neighbor has never
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May 26, 2016
complained. Last year we had a lot, a lot of rain, and we didn't have
standing water in the property.
Like I said, I'm not not wanting to do the thing. For me it's a
financial thing. I live on 800-and-some dollars a month Social
Security. I have a lot of medical bills, a lot of medical issues. I think
there is a difference between the firefighter who has an income coming
in and my situation. I think they are -- I agree.
MR. LEFEBVRE: His argument was -- his argument was he was
going to do it himself, so he wanted extra time.
MS. TRESSLER: Right.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So there was a circumstance there that we
said, no, we want to get this fixed as soon as possible.
So I understand there may be a financial hardship, but there could
be a greater financial hardship on everyone if this floods and this
causes a problem. So that's --
MR. LAVINSKI: Right, I agree.
MR. LEFEBVRE: That's where I'm coming from.
MR. LAVINSKI: And I think that if we put out the same type of
time frame and violation dollars that we did in the last case, it's not
unheard of-- I know the City of Naples, they'll even end up -- the
county, or the city in that case did it and put it on your tax bill so you
don't have to worry about it unless you pay a small piece over the next
10 years or something.
So I don't think a nonfinancial position right now sways me either
way. There's a violation, and it's affecting not only your house but
every other house on the street, and I think it ought to be corrected.
So I'd like to make the motion --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: -- that the 65.85 be paid within 30 days; that
the violation be corrected within 60 days or a fine of$150 a day.
MR. ASHTON: We gave 120.
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May 26, 2016
MS. TRESSLER: Sixty days is --
MR. LEFEBVRE: We gave 120 on --
MR. DOINO: Hundred and twenty days.
MR. LAVINSKI: Did we? Okay. I'll change the 60 to 120.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion. Do we
have a second?
MR. ASHTON: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any discussion on the
motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MR. MARINO: Nay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Nay. Okay.
I suggest you call the county and tell them what your financial
situation is and ask them if there's anything that can be worked out.
MR. LAVINSKI: Right. That's what I thought, if you and your
neighbors, if there's eight or 10 or 12, whatever the number is, I'm sure
if you went to the streets and stormwater, whatever department it is,
pleaded your case -- I know the City of Naples has done it. They've
done it, put the charges on your ad valorem tax bill, and the issue in 10
years, 15 years --
MS. TRESSLER: Sir, does that mean that they fix it and they add
it to my tax and I pay so much every time I pay my taxes quarterly?
MR. LAVINSKI: That's what happened in the City of Naples. I
don't want to speak for the county department. But what happened
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May 26, 2016
there was the city came in, did the repairs, said, okay, it cost us -- and
they're probably going to do it cheaper than a contractor.
MS. TRESSLER: Yeah.
MR. LAVINSKI: It costs us $10,000. We'll add that to your ad
valorem over 10 years. I think they gave them 20 years because --
MR. LEFEBVRE: I think you're talking about --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's an MSTB, B, as in boy. That's for
MR. LEFEBVRE: Special tax district.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. There's an MSTU, and there's
an MSTB. And the B -- Jeff, correct me if I'm wrong -- you can get
five or six people together and agree to that, and that's how a B works.
An MSTU is you get a 50 percent plus one of the group together, and
that takes care of-- that's an MSTU.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I believe you're generally correct on that,
yes; yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We went through this.
MS. TRESSLER: Sir, who do I find out about that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think that Patrick should give you a
hand in pointing you in the right direction.
Will you do that, Patrick?
MR. BALDWIN: Certainly will.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. TRESSLER: Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 10, Tab 11, Case
CEROW20150021347, CWABS, Incorporated, Certificate Holders.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
MR. BALDWIN: I believe this gentleman would like to speak
first on behalf of the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
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May 26, 2016
MR. WALKER: Yes. Here on behalf of CWAB (sic) Bank of
America. We are just requesting --
THE COURT REPORTER: Your name?
MR. WALKER: Oh, sorry. Tyler Walker.
Requesting 45 days to come in compliance with the violation.
Basically, the client here took the property subject to a mortgage
foreclosure. Two weeks prior to the certificate of sale from the
foreclosure, the prior owner applied for a permit to expand the
driveway, I believe. And it still sits there as it is, unfortunately, so the
Bank of America took it subject to that, and now they're trying to
rectify it in order to turn around the property and sell it themselves. So
we're just asking for another 45 days to clear that up.
They have a plan in place right now. They did not relay the
details to me, unfortunately, but they said that they have a plan, so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I would suggest that you -- your
request go in multiples of 30. We don't know how to count by 15 on
the Board.
MR. WALKER: Sixty days then.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Are you their counsel?
MR. WALKER: I'm standing-in counsel for their lead counsel,
so I was asked to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the answer is yes?
MR. WALKER: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: That's simply the question, yes or no.
MS. NICOLA: What firm are you with?
MR. WALKER: I'm with Lindsey and Allen.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So what you're asking for is a
continuance on this for 60 days?
MR. WALKER: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you think that
everything will be taken care of by then?
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May 26, 2016
MR. WALKER: Yes, I believe so.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Most likely. Okay.
Comments from the Board? Motions from the Board?
MR. LAVINSKI: Does the county agree with that?
MR. BALDWIN: The county would have no objection to that,
sir.
MR. DOINO: Make a motion, 60 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. BALDWIN: Thank you.
MR. WALKER: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case from No. 6, old business, Letter A,
motion for imposition of fines/liens, No. 2, Tab 15, Case
CELU20100021891, Kenneth R. Tannassee, Sr.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Just let the record be known that I'm going to
recuse myself due to a business relationship.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You're up first in this
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May 26, 2016
particular instance because you're requesting something.
MR. TANNASSEE: Ken Tannassee, for the record.
MS. CORNEAL: Barbara Corneal.
MR. TANNASSEE: We have our CO, so I guess we're asking
for a waiver of the fines, abatement of fines.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: And what's the reason for abatement that
you're requesting?
MR. TANNASSEE: We completed -- we purchased the property
in 2014, and we've worked diligently to get the house built. I know
there was a case open since 2010 on the property, but we spent a little
over a year and, you know, the idea was to bring it in compliance, and
we did, so -- fines being imposed, you know, to get this done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. I went through the numbers
on this property. In March of 2011 the Board granted 360 days; in
January of'12, the Board granted 360 days; in March of 2013, the
Board granted 270 days; and January of 2014, the Board granted 180
days, which comes to 1170 days at the fine of$150 a day, or the Board
has, really, given $175,500 abatement on this property to date. That
does not include the $82,000 -- $82,800 that's before us.
Okay. Comments from the Board?
MR. LAVINSKI: Yeah. I think where this case has recently
celebrated its fifth birthday, that there's an awful lot of extra work that
has gone in from the county.
And I certainly appreciate the perseverance of the respondent to
get this corrected in the long run, but during that time the county
taxpayers have spent numerous dollars re-inspecting, double-checking,
going back, back and forth.
Anyway, to make a long story short, I'd like to make a motion that
we abate all the fines except $10,000.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have a second?
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May 26, 2016
MS. PEREZ: Board members, if I may add. Just in the time
frame of the case, Mr. Tannassee -- Mr. and Mrs. Tannassee did
purchase the property in 2014. When they purchased the property and
they came before you, they were no longer granted extensions of time.
They were only granted continuance -- continuances.
They have worked diligently in the last few months that I've been
in touch with them to abate -- you know, abate the violation.
It was a property that only had an accessory structure, and they
had to build a whole house in order to be able -- you know, a house in
order to be able to keep the accessory on this lot.
So that's the investment that they did make. You know, they did
build a home, an entire home, and went through the whole permitting
process to get to where they are today.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LAVINSKI: Well, there were a couple of extensions in
2014. One in January, one in July.
MS. CURLEY: I have a --
MR. TANNASSEE: It was difficult. I mean, we -- to go through
the permit process and revisions and get contractors. I mean, you have
a construction boom right now. It's very, very difficult to get
performance out of anyone. We paid extra money to get overtime
hours, you know, to get to this point.
MS. CURLEY: I have a comment.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sue?
MS. CURLEY: I mean, I think most of us remember this case.
We've sort of lived through this.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah, we remember.
MS. CURLEY: And I just want to make a comment directly on
the comment about that the county has paid fees. This gentleman,
every time he gets an inspection or he puts a permit in, he's paying
those fees that are associated with these documents, and he's paying his
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May 26, 2016
$68 today.
Those fees are the fees that he's paying that are averaged or
calculated by the county for those services that the county has provided
him, period.
MR. TANNASSEE: The impact fees were over $26,000. I
mean, it's --
MR. LAVINSKI: Well, I disagree, having somewhat familiarity
with other local code enforcement boards. They look at the time that
these investigators spend going out to your property to re-inspect or to
-- whatever the case may be.
And it's certainly within the Florida Statutes to allow for this time
and expense that the county -- obviously, the county has spent, I don't
know, 50 times more time on this case than they would on a case had it
been solved the first time it came before us, so they're going back and
back.
Their cars are wearing out, their fuel is being spent, and it's a little
more than the fees that you pay for a permit. It's costing us money to
have these folks run around and do their job.
And I don't think it's fair that other people who come in
compliance after one notice or two notices are treated the same as
someone who has eight or nine --
MR. MARINO: I have a question. When did you purchase the
property?
MR. TANNASSEE: In 2014, May 2014.
MR. MARINO: 2014. So the extensions that were given before,
starting in 2011, really have nothing to do with this gentleman, do
they?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: These -- they're all part of the case.
What's happened -- what happened is -- let me scoot you back a
second.
Originally this case was BQ Concrete, if I'm not mistaken, and
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May 26, 2016
they came before us. They were in violation.
MR. MARINO: You're right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They said we'd take care of it. They
didn't. We give them a year. They came back after a year. We gave
them another year. And what they did to get out of it is they eventually
sold the property.
The respondent purchasing the property had to know about these
problems with the property. It was all over the newspaper. So this is
not a surprise that this thing was in violation at the time of purchase.
And I don't bring this up knowing anything, but I'm sure that if I
was purchasing a property and there were multiple issues with that
property, I would expect some consideration from the seller as to what
I'm paying for the property. That was even brought up earlier today in
a different case.
MR. MARINO: Were you aware of these violations when you
bought the property?
MR. TANNASSEE: Yes, we were. We came before the Board
prior to purchasing the property during our due diligence phase, and
we asked if-- you know, we didn't want to purchase the property if we
knew we weren't going to be granted the time to build the house.
We asked, and you agreed in a year. I think it was written in the
minutes that we asked for a year, and we were granted a year to build
it.
We worked within that year's time, ran out of a little bit of time,
came and asked for some additional time, I think three months, and
were granted the time to get it done.
It's -- and it's -- we built -- I mean, it improves the property. All
the surrounding areas are horrible. Some of the houses down Pine
Ridge are not very nice homes. This raises the value for the entire
community, so everyone benefits from this house being done. It's a
beautiful home. So, I mean --
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May 26, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think that's why --
MS. CURLEY: There's not a second on that motion, right?
MR. MARINO: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'll second the motion.
What we're talking about is dropping the fine from 82,000 to
72,000, abating $72,000 after all of this time.
MR. LAVINSKI: Right.
MR. TANNASSEE: Yeah, but we're being penalized for the time
prior to purchasing it.
MS. CURLEY: And before that the property was a larger parcel
where that original structure that was -- it became a violation structure
was part of a bigger parcel. It had a house and then a garage in the
back. So that property, until it was split, didn't become a problem.
Before 2011 it was a legal property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any other comments from
the Board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all in favor of the
motion?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: (Abstains).
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. MARINO: I'm opposed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Passes 3-2 (sic); is that's correct --
MR. LAVINSKI: 5-2.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: 5-2. Gerald's out. One, two -- you?
MS. CURLEY: I don't vote.
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May 26, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Three, four.
MR. ASHTON: It's 4-2.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, 4-2.
Okay. You have the ability to go before the County Commission
and request additional abatement if-- that's up to them.
MR. TANNASSEE: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 3, Tab 16, Case
CESD20150011591, Jose G. Cuevas.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Kerry, what was that tab again?
MS. ADAMS: Tab 16.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. SHORT: Good morning. For the record, Senior
Investigator Eric Short, Collier County Code Enforcement.
I believe Mr. Cuevas would like to speak before we get started.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. CUEVAS: Okay. I'm here because I already got the CO,
and I know I have fees on this case, and I want to know if you guys
can void out the fees.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you're asking for an abatement of
the --
MR. CUEVAS: Void out the fees I have on this case, because
when they give me an extension, and I'm not finished on the very first
time because of LCEC, and I put the power in there, and they gave me
another 30 days. But I'm finished it now in 30 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Comments from the Board?
MR. LAVINSKI: What's the county's position on this?
MR. SHORT: We have no objection to the abatement of the
costs. The biggest holdup in this case was he is the last house on the
street. Lee County Electric -- there was a little holdup in time to install
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May 26, 2016
the power pole to supply power to that home. Once that was done, he
was able to get his final inspections done and obtain the certificate of
occupancy for the home.
MR. LAVINSKI: Which he has now?
MR. SHORT: He does have. He is in compliance.
MR. LAVINSKI: And it's occupiable?
MR. SHORT: Absolutely.
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make a motion we abate the fine.
MR. MARINO: 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. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay.
MR. SHORT: Thank you.
MR. CUEVAS: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 5, Tab 18, Case
CESD20140000965, Maricela Perez.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Good morning. You have --
you're here for a peculiar reason, to request something?
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May 26, 2016
MS. PEREZ: Correct. I need a little bit more time due to I just
got my final response letter from my engineer, and the Alimar
(phonetic), the Code Enforcement already has all my other papers. All
he needed is my response letter from him so they can submit it in. So
she can submit it in.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. This was an addition with
electric.
MS. PEREZ: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: A carport with a wooden deck, et
cetera, et cetera.
MS. PEREZ: A deck, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It has not been abated yet, so what
you're looking for is an extension of time or a continuance?
MS. PEREZ: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Joe?
MR. MUCHA: For the record, Joe Mucha, Supervisor Collier
County Code Enforcement. The county would not have an objection
to a continuance or --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And how much time do you think
you'd need to get this all resolved?
MS. PEREZ: If she gets -- when she gets it in today, and it takes
a week for -- they'd approve it or -- and then I'll know, and then we
could start doing the repairs that we need to do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So you think 30 days, maybe,
or 60 days?
MS. PEREZ: Sixty would be more reasonable.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. PEREZ: We can attack the problem.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Comments or motions from the
Board?
MR. LAVINSKI: I'll make a motion for a continuance of 60
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May 26, 2016
days.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
Discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MS. PEREZ: Thank you.
MS. ADAMS: The next case is No. 7, Tab 20, Case
CESD20150013679, Lin Lin Wang.
(The speakers were duly sworn and indicated in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MS. WANG: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Your name, for the mike.
MS. WANG: Lin Lin Wang.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And you have a request of the
Board.
MS. WANG: We all -- my job's almost done. Just wait for the
building department to finish, the inspector.
But they asked me to more paperwork for not under my control.
We need to find a different company to do the survey papers. So we're
asking little bit more time.
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May 26, 2016
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. County?
MR. ODOM: Good morning. For the record, Michael Odom,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
The county has no objection to that at this point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And how much time do you
think you would need to get everything done?
MS. WANG: For my job, I complete that already. So for much I
try to call the county to get a schedule, but they asked me more time --
they asked me more paperwork. It's not under my control.
I try to find the company to do the floor plan for me, and they
help me to find someone to do what's called a survey papers,
something. It's been -- already take me four week. I just get a paper
for last -- this is Sunday. This last -- this Monday.
So the county tell me they already have the paperwork, and so I
can call that schedule, try to get a schedule on Monday.
I just talked to the gentleman. He told me I have two more
paperwork will need to provide, but that's not under my control.
So I don't know what kind of paperwork -- who can help me out
with that. I say couple more months or just waiting for the building
permit finish, I guess building expires September.
MR. ODOM: Yes, ma'am.
If I may interject just to kind of clarify. The per -- the last hearing
was in January. There were 11 pending activities. There are now four.
It is moving forward. The permit was slated to expire in June. It is
now slated to expire in September.
It needs four more inspections and an elevation certificate, so
we're getting there. And last activity was actually last Friday, which
was a spot survey that was accepted.
So we're moving forward, just not as fast as the order had said.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: An elevation certificate, that's a
telephone call. Somebody comes out; boom, boom, boom, done.
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May 26, 2016
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. That's that.
MR. ODOM: We need that as well.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The other things that are required are
what, specifically?
MR. ODOM: Specifically, final electrical, final building, final
plumbing, and final footings.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So the final on those, will
they issue a CO?
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir. And, moving forward, in early March,
footings were inspected. It failed. So that's what's taking time. Some
of the work needed to be redone.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is there a GC that's doing this?
MR. ODOM: No. It's owner/builder.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So are you the one that's
doing this, or you're having somebody --
MS. WANG: Most of the thing, I do it myself. But when the
county reject, I have problem, so I need to find and pay for someone
help me with that.
If the thing under my -- do myself is no problem. I can do that.
And this only thing not under my control. It's not from my knowledge.
So I need find the people to help me; that be not under my control. I
need the time can find the right person. I'm not even understand what
they're for. So I want to -- need to find someone can help me.
I try to get more information for that, what footing for, what the
certificate element for. I try to fix -- get right person to help me out.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: My concern is that the -- I guess the
September 2016, when the permit expires -- I thought they expire after
-- if you do an inspection, doesn't that --
MR. ODOM: You're supposed to get six months, I think.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah.
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May 26, 2016
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir. That doesn't quite mesh. I see what you're
saying. But the new date, as of yesterday when I checked, was 9/7. So
she may actually have more time. It might just not be recorded yet.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. DOINO: Plenty of time, plenty of things moving forward.
There's just some -- maybe some communication problem, and -- but I
think we're getting there, really.
MR. LAVINSKI: So the work has been done?
MR. ODOM: Yes, the work has been done. Now we're working
on corrections.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Final inspections.
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir. "Inspections commenced" status. That's
the status.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion to continue for 90 days.
MR. LAVINSKI: Second.
MR. MARINO: Second it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All those in favor?
MR. MARINO: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ASHTON: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
You have 90 days --
MS. WANG: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- three months. Hopefully you get it
all done and we won't see you.
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May 26, 2016
MS. WANG: Me too. Same for you. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Are we getting close to the end,
Kerry?
MS. ADAMS: There's nothing else on the agenda.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let's see.
MR. DOINO: That's the end?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Nothing is the end. Let me just get
to the last page.
Okay. Next meeting date is June 23rd. For those of you who got
the email about the class --
MR. MARINO: I'm going to be in Orlando.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. The class we will be
attending will be next year. The class this year is the same information
that we got when we went last year.
MR. MARINO: Oh. Thank you for that information.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All right. Hearing nothing else.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Make a motion to adjourn.
MR. ASHTON: Second.
MR. MARINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We are adjourned.
*****
Page 97
May 26, 2016
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 11 :46 a.m.
•D ENFOR EMENT BOARD
"ow"
4_
O ER 0,A 1 MAN, CHAIRMAN
ATTEST
DWIGHT E. BROCK, CLERK
These minutes approved by the Board on r e 2_5, 2 o \ co ,
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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