CLB Minutes 11/20/2002 RNovember 20, 2002
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
CONTRACTORS' LICENSING BOARD
Naples, Florida
November 20, 2002
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Contractors' Licensing
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:
LES DICKSON
WALTER CRAWFORD, IV
RICHARD JOSLIN
ANN KELLER
KENNETH LLOYD
MARGARET RODGERS
ALSO PRESENT:
Thomas Bartoe, Licensing Compliance Officer
Robert Zachary, County Attorney
Patrick Neale, Counsel to the Board
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~OOl
COLLIER COUNTY CONTRACTORS' LICENSING BOARi~
DATE: November 20, 2002 TIME.: 9;00 A,M,
W, HARMON TURNER BUILDING
(ADMINISTRATION BUll_DING7
_COURTHOUSE COMPLEX
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISlQN 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 THAT TESTIMONY AND
EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO BE BASED.
I. ROLL CALL
II. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS;
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
DATE: August 21, 2002
V. DISCUSSION:
VI. NEW BUSINESS; i
Adolfo A. Carta - Request to qualify a secorrct company,
Dorethea Schmitz - Request to qualify a second company.
Michael T. Geary - Review of credit report.
Paul M, Bichler- Review of credit report,
Mi, lan Kamientcky - Second request to waive exam for Painting license.
Brenda A. Denton - Request to waive exam for Masonry license.
Antonio C. Rojas - Request to waive exam for Tile & Mamte license.
VII. OLD BUSINESS:
VIII. PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Michael R. Finley - Contesting Citati~ #~,77g [ss~ed for wor~tncj with no license or permits.
,N3tomo J. EcheT. a~reta - Contesting Citation #1784 issued for Working with no license.
iX. REPORTS:
X. NEXT MEETING DATE: DECEMBER 18. 2002
November 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Good morning. I'd like to call to
order the meeting of the Collier County Contractor Licensing Board,
November 20th, 2002, at 9:02 a.m.
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 that testimony and evidence upon which
the appeal is to be based.
We do have two new board members this morning. I would --
just for a minute, if you'll give me your name again, Ann? MS. KELLER: Ann Keller.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Ann, welcome, good to have you.
And Margaret?
MS. RODGERS: Margaret Rodgers.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Margaret Rodgers, good to have you.
I'd like to have roll call, starting at my right, please.
MR. CRAWFORD: Walter Crawford.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Les Dickson.
MR. JOSLIN: Richard Joslin.
MR. LLOYD: Ken Lloyd.
MS. KELLER: Ann Keller.
MS. RODGERS: Margaret Rodgers.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any additions or deletions to the
agenda, Mr. Bartoe?
MR. BARTOE: Good morning, Mr. Chairman, board members.
For the record, I'm Tom Bartoe, Collier County licensing
compliance officer. And I at this time would also like to introduce a
new person in our department, Jim Hoopingarner, a licensing
compliance officer.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Hi, Jim.
MR. BARTOE: Staff has two deletions, and they're both under
public hearings. Both those public hearings we wish to delete.
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November 20, 2002
Those cases have been settled. And staff has no other additions or
deletions.
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Bartoe, our two new members, they
are consumer representatives, or --
MR. BARTOE: Yes, they are.
And did Mr. Dickson tell them how great the pay is on this job?
MR. CRAWFORD: I hope not.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Your check's in the mail.
I need a motion to approve the agenda as amended.
MR. JOSLIN: So moved, Joslin.
MR. CRAWFORD: Second, Crawford.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All those in favor?
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So approved.
Also, you have in your packet the minutes of the meeting of
August 21 st, 2002. I need a motion to approve those, or amend them,
whatever.
MR. JOSLIN: So moved.
MR. CRAWFORD: Second, Crawford.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All those in favor?
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
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November 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: They are approved.
In discussion, we have nothing. So with that, let's jump into
new business.
First case is Mr. Carta. Are you present? Mr. Carta is not here.
By the way, Jim, welcome aboard. We're thrilled to have you.
MR. HOOPINGARNER: Thank you, I'm glad to be here.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: There's not a lack of work, is there?
MR. HOOPINGARNER: No, sir, there isn't.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We'll come back, see if Mr. Carta
comes in.
Mr. (sic) Schmitz, are you present? Dorethea Schmitz, am I
saying it right? Okay, if you would come forward, I need you to
come over to this podium up here.
And Ms. Schmitz, I need to have you sworn in by the court
reporter, please.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And you're here to request to qualify
a second company, correct?
MS. SCHMITZ: Correct.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Give me the who, what, why, when
and wheres.
MS. SCHMITZ: Pardon me?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What are you wanting to qualify and
your purpose for qualifying.
MS. SCHMITZ: Well, I would like to have some more
businesses succeeding the trade, and I'm qualifying only one
business, and I would like to expand my own activity and give the
second company a chance to do so.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You are presently qualifying what
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November 20, 2002
MR.
MS.
MR.
way?
company?
MS. SCHMITZ: The Fuesenleger, Inc.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What type of business is that?
MS. SCHMITZ: We are in the tile and marble trade.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Marble?
MS. SCHMITZ: Tile and marble installations.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Tile and marble?
MS. SCHMITZ: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And you're wanting to qualify what
company?
MS. SCHMITZ: The Sauerland Corporation.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
Ladies and gentlemen, any questions?
MR. CRAWFORD: What will the Sauerland Corporation do?
MS. SCHMITZ: Same, tile and marble installations, yes.
CRAWFORD: And how are the two companies different?
SCHMITZ: Pardon me?
CRAWFORD: Are the two companies different in any
MS. SCHMITZ: Well, the difference is going to be actually
that the Sauerland Corporation is going to be like more with builders,
with commercial installations, and we keep The Fuesenleger with
more residential.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Is there a form in here for financial
responsibility?
MR. NEALE: Yeah, in here, all those -- they're in the -- No. 6,
financial responsibility explains all that. And No. 7, there's a credit
report.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's a good credit report.
Mr. Bartoe, any complaints on this company that's already
qualified?
MR. BARTOE: No, sir.
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November 20, 2002
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Chairman, I've reviewed the
application, and I move to approve for a second NC license to Mrs.
Schmitz for the new company.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I need a second.
MR. JOSLIN: I second the motion.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Motion is that she be approved for
the second license.
All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Any discussion?
I just want to say, Mrs. Schmitz, just as a point of reference, I
see that you're not an officer of the new company and that you're
only a 10 percent owner, which is acceptable to this board, but I just
want to caution you that it's your license that's on the line and they'll
be acting on your behalf.
MS. SCHMITZ: Actually, I am an officer. Just that Tallahassee
needs a little bit longer to put the --
MR. CRAWFORD: Oh, good, okay.
MS. SCHMITZ: So if you want to --
MR. CRAWFORD: We don't need it, but that makes it even
better.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay, we heard the vote, but let's say
it again.
All those in favor?
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
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November 20, 2002
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON:
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON:
approved.
Opposed?
We wish you well. You have been
For you and everyone that's in this room that's wanting a second
entity -- or a second qualification, your paperwork is here. Don't go
to the county today because they'll have nothing. Do that tomorrow,
contractor licensing, and they'll get you taken care of.
MS. SCHMITZ: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Best of luck to you.
Mr. Geary. Michael Geary, are you present?
I need to have you sworn in, Mr. Geary.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And you are here to get a license
from Mike Geary Cabinets, Incorporated, correct?
MR. GEARY: No, that's wrong. I used to own that business.
That business went bankrupt.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. GEARY: I just want -- I've scaled everything back. I just
want to go out on my own right now as a cabinet installer.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Under the name of Michael Geary?
MR. GEARY: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. And since your credit report
is what we're reviewing, because you've passed everything else, if
you would, explain the bankruptcy and when it happened.
MR. GEARY: Well, the bankruptcy happened within the last
year, I think it was. I can't remember. But anyway, the bankruptcy
happened because I just ran into trouble. I had 30 employees, it was
three people in the corporation. One of the major people of the
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November 20, 2002
corporation died. Her children didn't want anything to do with it, and
we were kind of floundering, and we didn't make it.
So -- and I've been in this business -- well, when I moved down
here in 1972, I pretty much got right into the construction business.
Been a mechanic, you know, a builder, cabinet -- I've mainly been in
the cabinet side of it, and been in the field most of my life. And the
venture into the cabinet shop didn't work, because it's hard to manage
30 people. It's really hard to keep 30 talented people. And there
wasn't -- up in Fort Myers where the corporation's located, in three
years we went through 230 employees to keep 30. And it was just a
nightmare. Just didn't work. And that's why we went down.
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Geary, your credit report shows three
judgments against you. Are those still outstanding, or have those
been resolved?
MR. GEARY: They're still outstanding right now.
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Neale, can we issue a license to
prospects that have judgments against them?
MR. NEALE: I mean, the board does have the ability to do that,
but one of the grounds under the Florida Administrative Code rules
that govern financial responsibility is the financial responsibility
grounds on which the board shall refuse to qualify an entity shall
include the existence within the past five years preceding application
of an unsatisfied court judgment rendered against the applicant,
based upon the failure of the applicant to pay its just obligations to
parties with whom the applicant conducted business as a contractor.
So it would be my interpretation of that that if these are
contracting-related debts and those obligations are unsatisfied, that
the Florida Administrative Code would say that you can't grant him a
license.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yet we've had those before where we
had judgments and we could not issue them till the judgments were
satisfied.
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November 20, 2002
Your bankruptcy was February of this year.
MR. GEARY: Okay. I was in the manufacturing business then.
It wasn't anything to do with contracting.
MR. CRAWFORD: Understood. But I don't think there's -- I
don't think that matters.
MR. GEARY: Well, okay. So the--
MR. CRAWFORD: And that was my understanding, too, Mr.
Neale. I think we've been pretty black-and-white on that in the past
in that if there's judgments against -- those need to be satisfied.
MR. NEALE: If it's -- if it was a judgment related to the
business, to the contracting business, then it's pretty clear.
MR. GEARY: The bankruptcy was for Mike Geary Cabinets,
Inc. Unfortunately my name got dragged into it because of-- which
of course this was the first time I was ever part of a corporation. I
guess not knowing or whatever. But then of course they used me. I
had my name on some of the financial responsibility, I guess, when I
probably shouldn't have had. I mean, that's why you have a
corporation that is a separate entity, and that's how you protect
yourself personally, but that didn't happen in my case.
Of course, I'm asking the board here because I'm a good
mechanic, all of my customers that I've worked with in the past are
100 percent satisfied, and I've probably got thousands of customers
that I've worked for. And, you know, I would like to get my license
so I can continue to pay my bills and make an honest living.
MR. CRAWFORD: I sympathize and understand. I think our
hands are tied. I don't think we have an ability to grant you a license
until these judgments are taken care of.
MR. GEARY: So if I personally went bankrupt, would that take
care of that?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No.
MR. CRAWFORD: That's not the issue.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What you're dealing with, first of all,
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November 20, 2002
you've got some personal guarantees out there which are going to
haunt you. And we are -- I mean, it's black-and-white for us. What
he's reading is from the Florida Administrative Code, which is State
of Florida. We can't issue a license as long as there's a judgment
against you. And we are bound by Florida Administrative Code and
Collier County codified code, so there's two of them.
And it's not a matter that we don't want to do it, it's a flat matter
we can't do it. The only way we can consider it is if you get rid of
these judgments. We have had that come before this board several
times in the past, and once people got the judgment satisfied and had
a clean record, then we have found ways to get them approved. But
with those judgments, we can't do a thing for you.
MR. GEARY: Well, I'll have to work on that.
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Chairman, do we need -- does he need
to come back before the board, if these judgments are cleared up, or
through staff?.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I would -- I think we should make a
motion -- Mr. Neale, if you agree, I think we should make a motion
to deny the license, and when those judgments are cleared up, then an
application be made again and we review it at that time.
MR. NEALE: I think that would be appropriate.
MR. CRAWFORD: I'll make that motion.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We need a second.
MR. JOSLIN: Joslin, second.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Motion's been made and seconded
that we deny the application.
All those in favor?
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
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November 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I wish you the best of luck. I wish
we could have done more for you. MR. GEARY: Thanks a lot.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Paul Bichler, are you present? Come
forward, please. I need to have you swom in, sir. (Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And we're reviewing your credit
report; is that correct, sir?
MR. BICHLER: I believe that's the case, yes.
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Chairman, I see this one a little bit
differently. This one I don't see any judgments or bankruptcies, but
it's a pretty rough credit report, quite frankly.
Maybe you could enlighten us on what some of the issues are.
MR. BICHLER: I had submitted a letter with the credit report,
which I don't know if you got it or not. It's a addendum to
application form.
MR. CRAWFORD: But what does that say?
MR. BICHLER: Okay, well, what that says is the negative
credit occurred in a time period which is related to activities in my
life, which is my marriage broke up. She went to another state. I
continued to support her and the kids. The -- she abused her credit
cards. She had her vehicle repossessed. I sent money to her, she had
the ability to use it as she -- at her discretion. Well, she didn't do
very well. My name's on these things, so I get dragged into it.
I had an addition to that. This is within a four-year period till --
to present. The -- in the last year, my -- one of my daughters got
cancer, and I -- it's hard for me to talk about. I did the best I could. I
couldn't keep up with the bills. Now I'm trying to get things going
again. I was -- I left the state for about 10 months. I came back a
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November 20, 2002
couple months ago. I took the test for a license here. I did, I passed
the test.
The process I'm doing is being here today to discuss this, the
credit problem.
MR. CRAWFORD: I understand completely.
MR. BICHLER: I had solid, very good credit prior to this
occurrence, so --
MR. CRAWFORD: Just to put yourself in my shoes, we're
tasked with issuing licenses to people that can run a business that
have the financial stability to do so, and we're looking at what I see
to be over $100,000 of bills that you have to -- if I'm adding these
numbers up correctly.
MR. BICHLER: I don't think it's --
MR. CRAWFORD: No? I see Bank of America, 29,000, Bank
of America, 21,000, Bank of America, 17,000.
MR. BICHLER: You've got to read the--
MR. CRAWFORD: Help me understand.
MR. BICHLER: -- across all the way to the other side. That's
paid. Those are good credits. That's a mortgage that was paid off.
MR. CRAWFORD: Okay.
MR. BICHLER: What you need to focus on --
MR. CRAWFORD: What is your outstanding balance on your
MR. BICHLER: I didn't make a total here.
MR. CRAWFORD: What do you think it should be?
MR. BICHLER: I would say 10,000.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: When did the divorce take place?
How long ago?
MR. BICHLER: She left in '98.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: She left in '98, but I see Tri-County
Marine, which you qualified, took a Chapter 11 bankruptcy on
January 11 th of '96.
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November 20, 2002
MR. BICHLER: Right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So you were having trouble before
the divorce took place.
MR. BICHLER: The upside of that is that's a reorganization.
The process went through and was accepted. It's a -- from what I'm
told, there's a low percentage rate of companies that survive the
reorganization Chapter 11. This company made it through there and
kept going. It was --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So the bankruptcy was dismissed in
'98?
MR. BICHLER: Sure. And that's a-- that end of it is a plus.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Right.
MR. BICHLER: Now, it doesn't have direct bearing on what
we're looking at here. This is credit cards and --
MR. CRAWFORD: And I do stand corrected. Looks like the
past due amounts are closer to the $20,000.
MR. LLOYD: I would like to just ask about one item on this
credit report. And I'm just looking at the Sears. You have two
different account numbers, which means there are two different
cards. One I assume is your wife's and the other's is yours?
MR. BICHLER: No, Sears has a system that they have a
standard card and they have a Sears Plus card.
MR. LLOYD: And your wife had both of these?
MR. BICHLER: Yes. Yes, it's a-- it's like if you're with them
for a while, they offer you this extension. You can -- it raises your
credit limit. It's the -- they both say the same thing, but one says
Sears Plus.
MR. LLOYD: Okay, you have 10 -- on those two cards alone,
there are 10 over 90-day past dues, just on those two cards. But
that's all attributable to your wife; is that correct? Do you not have
an opportunity to sever your ownership in these cards? Could you
have not contacted Sears?
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November 20, 2002
MR. BICHLER: I don't know that. I didn't, but I don't know
the answer there.
MS. KELLER: When you went through the bankruptcy
process, was debt forgiven in that process?
MR. BICHLER: Is there any residual debt from that? There's
no debt from that.
MS. KELLER: No, but when you went through the
organization, was debt forgiven?
MR. BICHLER: On a reorganization, debt is reduced. You pay
the debt at a lower rate, and that was done. MS. KELLER: That's my question.
MR. BICHLER: Yeah, and that-- it came out fine. In two -- it
took twO years, but everything was paid off.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You've been working in Broward and
Dade County?
MR. BICHLER: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Your license is still active there?
MR. BICHLER: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Why are you coming to Collier
County?
MR. BICHLER: There's a number of reasons. One of them
being it's a better place to be. The quality of life here is, in my
opinion, is what I'm looking for. The -- it's kind of like I feel like I
paid my dues being over there.
I've been in the trades for 20 years. This is something that -- I
used to .come here on the weekends to get away from there. I've been
back from Wisconsin is where I was for a couple of months now.
And I -- this is where I'd like to do business, so -- I've applied as an
individual at this time. The -- part of the package they gave me was
to, you know, come in with your business name, your business
address, occupational license, all the things, insurances, and I said
can I get through the process to see if I can be certified, don't give me
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November 20, 2002
the license, but then I'll bring in the other stuff. It's a major expense
if you've gotta go sign a lease on a business location, sign up
insurances, that is always a big down-stroke. And then you come to
this point in the trail and they say, oh, we can't give you a license
because whatever, your credit report.
So there's another letter in your package where I've said that,
where I've described the activities I've done so far: I passed the test,
I filed the application, I've given the references, the affidavits. The
things that I haven't done yet are things that are going to incur
money: Signing a lease, bringing in the insurance policies; which I'm
very willing to do, I just need to know that I can be accepted. If I'm
accepted, you guys just hold the license until I comply with
everything, that's fine. But it's a monetary reason that I'm saying this.
And another issue is that I'm applying as an individual. Well,
once I'm established, I will turn it into a business. I've got an
investment partner who's going to come in and jump-start the whole
thing. Well, that's -- that will happen as soon as I get through the
licensing part.
And that is a -- maybe shed some light onto how am I going to
run a business when I've come through a bad economic period. So
that is part of my plan.
MR. LLOYD: Are you still vulnerable with regards to your
wife and childrens' financial woes?
MR. BICHLER: I would say certainly on the credit card issues,
yeah. But that's the kind of thing, it's not a sinking the ship situation,
you know, it's a payment plan situation.
I know what kind of money I can make in the trades. I've been
doing it a long time. I know I can handle that stuff.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You say you're going to have a
financial partner?
MR. BICHLER: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Bartoe, have you checked out
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November 20, 2002
Broward or Dade County licenses? MR. BARTOE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We can do that, can't we?
MR. BARTOE: Yes, we can.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Find out if there's any complaints
and the status of those licenses at the present time? MR. BARTOE: Yes, we can.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I can pretty well feel this board and
where we're going. And as long as I've served on this board, which
has been longer than I want to mention -- you have to understand
why this board was established. This board is here only for the sole
purpose of protecting the citizens of Collier County. That's our only
function. And we serve at the will of the county commissioners.
Given your credit report and its present volatile state, I don't
think you're ever going to get approved by this board with your
present credit report. I know I wouldn't vote for it.
One way you might accomplish your goal is to get your
financial partner to submit a credit report, and it might fly on his
credit report. Yours isn't going to go. I don't know if-- I'm not
speaking for everyone else, but I'm telling you, I wouldn't approve it,
nor could I approve it.
I do want Mr. Bartoe to, between now and the next time you
come before this board, to check out your license in Dade and
Broward County, see if there's any complaints or problems over
there. But we have to -- we have to be careful, not only once you get
approved and you're working successfully in Collier County, you
would want us to do that for any future people as well.
MR. BARTOE: I would suggest that Mr. Bichler provide us
with copies of these licenses, because I see nothing in the packet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: In the packet he's given you the
numbers on the second page. He's given you the license numbers.
MR. CRAWFORD: Yeah, Mr. Chairman, I would agree, the
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November 20, 2002
precedent of this board has been in this situation to ask the applicant
to go back, clean up his credit report and reapply. And based on that,
I would make the motion that we deny this application, based on an
unsatisfactory credit report.
MR. LLOYD: I second. Second, Lloyd.
MR. BICHLER: Can I speak before you do that?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Go ahead.
MR. BICHLER: This is how I feel about it. My opinion is you
may have certain laws or rules you have to follow, and then there's
certain things that are discretionary. But the -- I think that the
ultimate answer here is someone's ability to perform the trade and
their business ability. That's something that happened to me
personally. To me it doesn't seem fair that that's the reason I can't do
my trade. And it's something that happened beyond my control.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And what you're saying is correct.
And what's happened to you could happen to any of us on this board.
And I fully sympathize, especially a child having cancer. I can't
imagine the pain.
And it's not anything personally against you. It's just that -- nor
your ability to perform your work. That's not what's at issue here.
It's only the financial situation that you're in. And if you look at
what yOu've got here, and new contractor coming in, if we turned you
loose and these problems continue, could you imagine what (sic) the
residents of this county would react towards this board? Not saying
that they would continue.
MR. BICHLER: What problems are going to continue, my
credit card problems or--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Your inability to pay for your
materials and jobs, that there's not liens or unpaid bills. That's what
we're looking at.
MR. BICHLER: Well, I understand that. And part of my
business plan is to get qualified and then establish the business and
Page 17
November 20, 2002
establish it with financial support, not come in with myself and my
empty wallet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's all well and good. But once
we approve this credit report, you're out of our purview and control.
So, in other words, this credit report has to be resolved first, and the
only way I think you're going to do that is with a financial partner.
MR. LLOYD: What we're trying to -- excuse me for
interrupting. What we're trying to do is give you an opportunity to
get into business. Your skills are there; you've told us that your skills
are there. The other component that's required for business is
financial stability. You personally don't have that, but you have a
financier coming in.
MR. BICHLER: Right.
MR. LLOYD: Just have that person bring his or her financial
report to us. Then we'll review it at that point in time. Then it's
financial for that person and your skills, and you have an opportunity
to be successful.
MR. BICHLER: That would work, yes. I had the feeling this
was the end of the trail.
MR. LLOYD: No, that's not what he said at all. That's why I
wanted to clarify, because I had a feeling you thought that, too.
We're trying to provide you with an opportunity to be successful.
MR. BICHLER: Sure.
MR. LLOYD: But the component of finances with regards to
you personally aren't there. So if we can get that corrected through
another individual, then let's move forward.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: In fact, if--
MR. NEALE: If I can suggest something to the board, too.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Neale?
MR. NEALE: I don't know how he's been operating his
business in the past in Broward and Dade, but if he has a business
credit report, that's certainly something that the board would have to
Page 18
November 20, 2002
look at, because it's primarily the business credit that the board is
concerned with.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Exactly. And with that financial
responsibility officer or financial partner, it may be so clean, and if
your business credit report is clean, it's possible that you may not
have to come back before this board. But what we have in front of us
here today is just your credit report. And know this -- well, there's
been a motion for it not to be approved. MR. LLOYD: And a second.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: There is a motion on the floor.
MR. LLOYD: And a second. We just haven't voted.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And a second that we deny this
application.
All those in favor?
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So you know which route you need
to go. Get with your business partner. We need a full credit report
from him, full credit report on the business. And as far as your
question on insurance, get all the credit reports done; yeah, we'll look
at it without certificates of insurance.
MR. BICHLER: The clerk said get a letter from an insurance
company saying that they will give you the insurance coverage when
you're ready for it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's good.
MR. LLOYD: Letter of commitment.
Page 19
November 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Hope you can put it together.
MR. BICHLER: Yeah, I've got the licenses for Dade and
Broward County right here, if you want to copy them.
MR. BARTOE: I would appreciate it. I don't believe we have a
copy machine in here, though. Next door outside they might be able
to make you copies for me.
MR. BICHLER: I'll get that.
MR. BARTOE: Yes, I'd appreciate that.
MR. BICHLER: Okay, thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Next on the agenda, we've got Mi --
boy, this is a tough one. Milan, are you here?
MR. BARTOE: Mr. Chairman, to refresh your memory, he was
here in August before you, and I believe if you'd look at the minutes
of the August meeting on the bottom of Page 7, top of Page 8, he was
advised to -- he was unable to pass either the business and law test or
the painting test, either one. And I believe the board told him if he
could at least pass one of them, you know, possibly he would be able
to come back before them.
And in his packet today you'll see that on October 5th he did
pass the business and law with a 78, and I believe at that time also he
got higher on painting than he has ever before. And I believe he's
scheduled to take the test again in December; is that correct? MR. KAMIENICKY: Yes, that's right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: If you would, state your name.
MR. KAMIENICKY: Excuse me?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: State your name, please.
MR. KAMIENICKY: Milan Kamienicky.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Say it again?
MR. KAMIENICKY: Milan Kamienicky.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mila (sic) Kamienicky?
MR. KAMIENICKY: Milan, M-I-L-A-N.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I need to have you sworn in, please.
Page 20
November 20, 2002
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So the only thing we had with you
was your test scores.
MR. KAMIENICKY: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And I do remember you now.
Remember the face more than the name.
MR. JOSLIN: That's because you couldn't pronounce the name.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Is it Russian?
MR. KAMIENICKY: I'm actually originally from Poland. I'm
bom in the Czech Republic in Poland. CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I see.
MR. BARTOE: I believe, Mr. Dickson, we had the entire
packet the last time.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, we did. And I may have kept
his from last meeting. Okay, from the last meeting, those -- it's not
on this one, is it?
MR. CRAWFORD: That was with this package.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, it is? Okay.
So you've been taking this test for how long?
MR. KAMIENICKY: It's been almost a year now.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah. Well, over a year. First time
you took it was in November of 2001.
MR. CRAWFORD: Mr. Chairman, I remember this case. And
everything about this gentleman seemed just right, with the exception
of the ability to pass his test. He's taken it a dozen or more times, I
believe.
And I don't want to make light of the fact that this board makes
exceptions for not meeting the minimum requirements, but I'm
perfectly okay with moving forward with the license to Mr.
Kamienicky, based on his desire and tenacity and almost getting
there.
MR. KAMIENICKY: I don't know if you guys have the last
Page 21
November 20, 2002
few. Actually, I have 68.3 under the painting. And I complain last
time. It's a couple questions on Experior test. It's kind of-- what I
feel like, it's against the painting, if somebody ask you how many
bricks you need for build a fireplace. So I complain that and they
told me, this is just fill-in question for the exam, because they don't
know what else should ask. So I feel like that's not right. MR. LLOYD: Especially when you're wrong.
MR. KAMIENICKY: I'm not building fireplaces, I'm painting.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Bartoe, you took that painting
license (sic), didn't you?
MR. BARTOE: Those questions weren't there back in '87.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But you told some questions that
were outrageous that were on the test. MR. BARTOE: There were.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And we've heard nothing but
complaints about the painting license, that they throw weird things
in.
For my edification, you were having trouble with the language
also?
MR. KAMIENICKY: Yes, a little bit, yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What did Experior do to help you
with that?
MR. KAMIENICKY: Nothing at all. They say they have
English language trans -- English, or they can have translate into
Spanish, which is nice, but nothing I can do with my language,
because no one can translate my language. That's what -- they say
they don't have the person or anybody who can help me with that. So
I try best I can.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So how did you do it?
MR. KAMIENICKY: How I did?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How did you do it?
MR. KAMIENICKY: I sit down every night in front of the
Page 22
November 20, 2002
book and I said to myself, I'm not going out to down 78 (phonetic).
But now the painting, like I said, some questions, it's kind of
against to the painting. And I just guess, because it don't make sense
spend three, four minutes thinking about it and do some math. And
you say to yourself, I'm painter, I'm not builder. So I just let it go.
MR. NEALE: If I can refer the board to Pages 7 and 8 of the
minutes that you have with you that were in your packet. MR. CRAWFORD: The August 21 st?
MR. NEALE: The August 21st minutes. There's some
commentary by Mr. Dickson regarding Mr. Kamienicky's last
appearance here. And there's an indication then that the board would
look favorably if he passed the business and law portion, because I
think that was the board's biggest concern was his ability to manage
the business aspects of it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Which he has done with a 78.
I need a motion.
MR. JOSLIN: Mr. Chairman, in light of what Mr. Crawford
said regarding this gentleman, I'd make the motion that we grant this
gentleman his license.
MR. LLOYD: Second, Lloyd.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Before we vote, I need to make a
statement. This man has taken this test 14 times. You're scheduled
to take it again?
MR. KAMIENICKY: Yes, I do.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: He has come from-- and this
statement is for anyone else who may be looking at these minutes or
watching. He came from a 43 on busi -- or a 38 on business and law
up to a 78. And in his trade test, he -- what's the low, 46 points, 47?
MR. NEALE: 43.3.
MR. LLOYD: 43.3.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: 43.3 up to a 68 point--
MR. KAMIENICKY: Three.
Page 23
November 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- 68.3. And he's still going to take it
again. It is a painting license, which we know they have problems
with questions that don't pertain to painting.
The reason I'm saying this is in the last year we have been
lambasted with people asking us to make exceptions from people that
haven't passed the business and law or the trade, and we've been
seeing scores of 38 and 43. And I just want it to be known that this
board is not going to approve licenses like that. He is the exception.
The only way we have to test an individual that we haven't --
that we don't know is by the testing. So if anybody thinks this is
going to open the door for others to ask for exceptions, you need to
meet this criteria.
I have a motion on the board. All those in favor?
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You got your license.
MR. KAMIENICKY: Thank you very much, Board. I
appreciate it.
MR. BARTOE: Mr. Kamienicky, as Mr. Dickson stated earlier,
you will not be able to come into our building until tomorrow to
finish everything up.
MR. KAMIENICKY: Okay, thank you.
MR. CRAWFORD: Just one more point of clarification. I don't
think this board or the county needs for you to take that test again.
You may want to do it for your own personal reasons, but we don't
need it, do we--
Page 24
November 20, 2002
MR. BARTOE: I believe you probably have already paid the
fee for that next test.
MR. KAMIENICKY: Not yet.
MR. BARTOE: Not yet?
MR. CRAWFORD: So it's entirely up to you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's up to you, but I mean, I'm proud
of you.
MR. KAMIENICKY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I think you'll be an asset to this
county. We're thrilled to have you.
MR. JOSLIN: Just one more point of advice. Don't build any
fireplaces.
MR. KAMIENICKY: I won't. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I hope you do well.
MR. KAMIENICKY: Thanks.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Brenda Denton, are you here?
Would you come forward?
I need to have you sworn in, please.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And you're requesting that we waive
the exam for a masonry license? MS. DENTON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Would you tell us why.
MS. DENTON: Well, I already -- I have my certificate of
competency in Lee County. I have my Lee County occupational
license. I also have my City of Cape Coral occupational license and
Sanibel.occupational license. And I would like to do some work in
Collier County also. So actually what I'm requesting is a Collier
County occupational license.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON:
MS. DENTON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON:
You have occupational licenses?
My granddaughters can get
Page 25
November 20, 2002
occupational licenses.
MS. DENTON: No, I have my certificate of competency --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, okay.
MS. DENTON: -- from Lee County. That's where I took the
test.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Where is that? I'm not seeing it.
Fire away, guys.
MR. NEALE: She does show a currently valid Lee County
masonry license, certificate of competency. MR. BARTOE: If I may?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes, Mr. Bartoe?
MR. BARTOE: I think what office staff was looking at here is
that she took the masonry exam and scored an 80 and got licensed in
Lee County and -- correct me if I'm wrong, Ma'am. And if you look
at the page after that, the business and law was included in the exam,
where we require a separate business and law test.
And I think office staff was looking at this that she has not taken
the business and law test, therefore, they are unable to license her.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But that's the way they did it in 1991.
MR. LLOYD: Well, isn't -- isn't the business and law then
accepted because of the score of 80? It's included in the exam-- if
it's inclusive at that point in time, she's grandfathered in, isn't she?
MR. NEALE: I'd have to say from my reading of this, I can
understand staff's query, but I would think that she's already passed
an exam that is greater than the exam Collier County requires.
Because it was a masonry exam that she passed, which we don't even
-- Collier County doesn't even require a masonry exam, we just
require a business and law and experience.
MR. CRAWFORD: And what are our rules on reciprocity with
Lee County, outside of that?
MR. NEALE: The board has typically not in the past -- there is
no direct reciprocity; however, typically the board has recognized
Page 26
November 20, 2002
other licenses, if they were valid, current, and the person had taken
the appropriate exams.
MR. BARTOE: I agree with you, Mr. Neale. I think what the
office staff was looking at is our ordinance reads you must pass the
three-hour test and a two-hour business and law. But I feel that staff
should be able to come up with a ruling that we wouldn't have to
have this person before this board if we feel they're fine with a valid
license already in Lee County. And I'd like the board's opinion on
that so that I can take it back to office staff.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let's do a motion first.
MR. CRAWFORD: Well, on this case specifically, I think
we're all in agreement that we can move forward with this license. I
would make that motion.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I have a motion that the license
would be approved.
MR. JOSLIN: I second it, Joslin.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Second.
All those in favor?
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And you are approved, by the way.
! understand why county was having a problem. They were
following the letter of the law. But I would say to Maggie and the
ladies there, who do a wonderful job, that in cases like this where the
business and law was incorporatdd, and especially a score like hers,
and she has Lee County, she has Vero Beach and all of the others,
and her credit report is wonderful, I think in the future that they can
go ahead and approve these.
Page 27
November 20, 2002
Do you all agree?
MR. BARTOE: At least let the supervisor make a decision.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, give it to the supervisor and
take it from there.
MR. BARTOE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Sorry you had to go through the
trouble with a little technicality, but we wish you well in Collier.
You know tomorrow you can get this done.
MS. DENTON: Okay. Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Antonio Rojas, come forward,
please.
I need to have you sworn in.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Hablo English?
MR. ROJAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And you're here for a request to
waive exam for tile and marble license? MR. ROJAS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. And tell us why.
MR. ROJAS: Because I not pass the test. I tried three times. I
have English problems, that's my problem. I tried to pass the test
three times and I can't. That's why.
I know the job, I did for 35 years, but I can't pass it.
MR. CRAWFORD: Spanish is your primary language?
MR. ROJAS: Yes.
MR. CRAWFORD: I think we just learned today that Experior
offers Spanish translators. And this board can't approve test scores as
low as yours. And I think the issue may be the language barrier.
My recommendation is that Mr. Rojas get with staff and
coordinate a Spanish translation exam.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Comprenda?
MR. ROJAS: I guess I didn't--
Page 28
November 20, 2002
CHAIRMAN DICKSON:
MR. ROJAS: No? Why?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON:
MR. ROJAS' I'm too old?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No, no. Bajo. Too low.
MR. ROJAS: I know. And I don't think I pass the test, but --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Spanish --
MR. ROJAS' Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON:
MR. ROJAS: Oh, really?
These test scores, no approve.
Too low.
-- interpreters are available.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes. You need to get a request for
the Spanish interpreter to take the test again.
MR. ROJAS: Okay. So where? I cannot--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Experior.
MR. ROJAS: Experior.
MS. RODGERS: Excuse me, I have a question to Mr. Rojas.
You did not use an interpreter to --
MR. ROJAS: I never use.
MS. RODGERS: Would you feel an interpreter would make the
difference in your ability to pass this, or is it more of--
MR. ROJAS: A conversation with -- what I see in the books, I
don't see nothing to relate that. You know, that's why I'm here. Just
checking out my report, pay everything, and I think it's okay, but to
understand the books, find the questions.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But your highest score is 36.
MR. ROJAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No way. No way.
MS. KELLER: (At which time, Ms. Keller began speaking in
Spanish.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Excuse me, I can't write in
Spanish.
MS. KELLER: I was just going to tell him that they want him
Page 29
November 20, 2002
to use a translator, to try the test again with a translator.
(At which time, Ms. Keller translated the preceding sentence in
Spanish.)
MS. KF, LLER: He said he understood in English.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I need a motion on this request.
MR. JOSLIN: I make the motion that we at this time deny the
license to Mr. Rojas, due to the circumstances of the test scores being
too low, and that we recommend that he retake the test again, using
an interpreter that can help him possibly go forward and pass the test.
MR. CRAWFORD: Second, Crawford.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any discussion?
All those in favor?
MS. KELLER: Aye.
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Rojas, you have to get better
scores.
MR. ROJAS: Okay. Thanks.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay? Four times.
MR. ROJAS: Four times?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, ocho (sic) mas. Okay? Good
scores.
MR. LLOYD: This is related to that for a moment. He took it
in 2000, he took it again two years later. Nothing happened in 2001.
No attempt was made in 2001 -- CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Right.
MR. LLOYD: -- to take the test, which bothered me a little bit.
Page 30
November 20, 2002
Not to the point where I was going to bring it up.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Well, I noticed here in one of the last
test scores, it's in parentheses special. I got the impression -- I've
never seen that before.
MR. JOSLIN: Maybe he did already.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I think he may have had an
interpreter.
MS. KELLER: Maybe he did worse.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But he did fit the case of what we
were talking about, a 36 and a 30 and a 28 on business and law is not
going to get approved by this board.
MR. NEALE: Right. I mean, the board does have the ability to
-- this is more for the new members than anything else. The board
does have the ability under the ordinance that if it determines, from
the evidence presented, that testing would be superfluous for an
applicant because they've had a lot of experience on the trade or have
practiced it elsewhere, then the board can grant a license on that
basis. But this board has been very reluctant to do so, and has only
done it in cases where there's been a very significant body of
evidence presented that this person has been doing this trade in an
efficient and businesslike manner for a number of years. And I've
been representing the board for what, five or six years now, and I can
only remember maybe four or five instances where this board has
seen fit to do that.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And having -- for your benefit,
especially since you're consumers' representatives, I've been on this
board I think 13 or 14 years -- well, you're only supposed to serve
two terms, but when my first two terms were up, my replacement
unfortunately passed away, and I was asked to re-serve, and I'm still
on my second term.
But what they have to give us is credit reports and letters of
experience, and then three references.
Page 31
November 20, 2002
In the past -- those references, you don't know who they're
coming from. In the past we've had situations where we have called
the people that supposedly wrote those letters to find out that they
didn't write them. Some we found out weren't even in the
construction industry. So we have no viable way of knowing that
they know what they're doing without the test.
MR. NEALE: There actually was a change made in the past
few years. It is now if they're going to put forth that they have had
past construction experience, it's actually now an affidavit that's
signed in front of a notary. So at least it's a notarized statement that
certifies that that person signed it and did take an oath to the
information that they put forth. So -- but theoretically they could be
charged with perjury if they made a false statement.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And I always -- to consumers, do
you want someone that has a 30 and a 28 out operating in the public?
I don't think so. So that's the attitude we've always taken.
You saw the exception before him. That gentleman's going to
be great for this county. And that's why we're here, is to protect the
citizens of Collier County. And we take it very seriously.
MS. RODGERS: But you can take the test as many times as
you choose to. I mean, he wasn't the exception at the end of the day
because he actually did pass the test, he met the qualifications. But
he was an exception to keep taking the test, sure. You can take it as
many times as you need to to bring your scores to acceptable level to
get the license.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Exactly.
MS. KELLER: But he did pass one of them, the painting.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, we have a higher standard than
other counties. Most counties require a passing grade of 70. Collier
County requires 75.
Now, we made an exception in July, a roofing contractor from
Miami who had a business and law score of like 85 and had his
Page 32
November 20, 2002
technical trade test of 73. He had been in the business for 20 years in
Miami, impeccable credit report. He came over here and asked for
an exception. We granted the exception. We're not hardline, but we
have -- we still just have to be careful. Okay.
Mr. Carter never showed up, so old -- old business? Is there
any?
MR. NEALE: Just I think we all ought to congratulate Mr.
Crawford, who is the new president of the Collier Building Industry
Association.
MR. CRAWFORD: Thank you very much.
MR. JOSLIN: Oh, no.
MR. CRAWFORD: We'll get Dickson Roofing to sign up one
day yet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I knew that was coming.
Congratulations, you have a busy year in front of you. I hope you
financially survive the time you have to give. MR. CRAWFORD: Me, too.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Of course WCI should do well.
They're a little bit solid.
Public hearings have been canceled. Any reports?
MR. BARTOE: Staff has none.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I thought we were going to be here
all day. This is wonderful. And when we get public hearings, those
take a long time.
MS. KELLER:
MR. BARTOE:
two public hearings.
I read about it.
You can thank Mr. Ossorio. He handled the
And unfortunately, if he wasn't able to, we
wouldn't be able to have the hearings today; he had to leave town
today due to a death in the family.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Ossorio does a wonderful job.
Two items that I do have for discussion. Number one, Mr.
Carter, a roofing contractor that we had before this board in -- was
Page 33
November 20, 2002
July or August?
MR. NEALE: August.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON:
ago.
MR. LLOYD:
Mr. Carter died about four weeks
The gentleman that -- oh, wow.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And the fine was never paid. I have
talked numerous times to the homeowners and what recourse they
can do, and of course the only thing we can advise them is to hire an
attorney and see if they can make a claim against the estate. But
obviously there will be no more monitoring.
We did do a little investigation on Mr. Carter afterwards and
found numerous jobs that had not been done with a permit; jobs that
did have permits that didn't have inspections. So obviously it's not
necessary to bring up before this board again.
Secondly, the tile contractor from Miami, what was Marla's last
name?
MR. NEALE: Hottensteimer (phonetic).
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Hottensteimer.
MR. LLOYD: Where they kept popping up --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Right, we issued a $3,000 judgment
on him and gave him 60 days to pay it. That has not been paid yet.
In fact, it's over 90 days. It was the ruling of this board, if I'm not
mistaken, that if he didn't pay the fine, his permit privileges and
working privileges in Collier County would be revoked.
MR. BARTOE: I believe that's correct.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Would you make sure that that
happens?
MR. BARTOE: Yes, sir. I think Mr. Nonnenmacher's already
taken care of that. I will double check.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And I've talked to her and again
advised her that she may want to take that to small claims court or
something of that nature. But I don't believe that gentleman lives in
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November 20, 2002
Collier County.
MR. BARTOE: I don't believe he did.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So enforcing a judgment may be
quite difficult.
Besides that, our next meeting is Wednesday, the Wednesday
before Christmas, which would be the 18th. And we've instructed
Mr. Bartoe that unless we have pressing business or a hearing that
needs to take place, that that meeting may be canceled, being that it's
the week before Christmas. If it's just a couple of second entities,
we'll postpone them into January. But that remains to be seen. It
will be your decision.
MR. BARTOE: Okay. And I'll have -- a week before I'll have
office staff telephone everyone and advise them.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, still go ahead and calendar it,
but be flexible.
Anybody else have anything?
MR. BARTOE: Let me quickly pass this list around. And if
there's any corrections after the meetings, someone let me know.
MR. NEALE: If I may, to the board, I'm just looking at the
order on Mr. Popa, who is the one that -- the Ottenstein case. And
his license was to be immediately suspended 90 days after, should he
not pay.
And the other thing that was in the order is that he was to be
summoned before the board at its next regularly scheduled meeting.
And the board at that time was going to see if-- that was going to
take evidence to see if he was going to have additional sanctions
imposed against him. So I would say that it would be appropriate for
the board to direct staff to call Mr. Popa back in front of this board.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I agree, Mr. Bartoe. Would you serve
notice to have him here before this board again? My attitude is if
he's not going to pay a fine, as issued by this board, or restitution, as
it was in her case,-then I want to make sure he doesn't work in Collier
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November 20, 2002
County 'again.
MR. BARTOE: That will be done.
MR. NEALE: That was case 2002-04.
MR. BARTOE: I'm sorry?
MR. NEALE: 2002-04.
MR. CRAWFORD: While we're chatting here, I had just a
quick question. Ms. Keller is our consumer rep, and on our chart it
says City of Naples representative. I was just curious, is that a
requirement?
MR. BARTOE: It's part of the interlocal agreement between the
county and the city.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's been there before, but in the past,
City of Naples hasn't chosen to send a representative. And this year
they did, which we're thrilled.
MS. KELLER: I had to go through the interview.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Well, this board also handles City of
Naples cases, and our investigators handle the cases, so no, it's nice
to have you.
MR. BARTOE: And it also should be noted that we have a very
similar local agreement with the City of Marco Island, and Mr.
Baril's on this board from Marco Island. And I understand that we
got a phone call in the office after I got here, and I was informed that
he couldn't make it today because he had a break-in at one of his
construction sites.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Anything further? I will keep
Mr. Carta's packet in case we hear it next month. I think that's the
only thing we need to hang onto.
Barring anything else, do I hear the last motion?
MR. JOSLIN: Motion to adjourn.
MR. CRAWFORD: Second.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All those in favor?
MR. JOSLIN: Aye.
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November 20, 2002
MR. LLOYD: Aye.
MR. CRAWFORD: Aye.
MS. RODGERS: Aye.
MS. KELLER: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Aye.
Merry Christmas and happy Thanksgiving to you.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 10:07 a.m.
COLLIER COUNTY CONTRACTORS
LICENSING BOARD
LES DICKSON, CHAIRMAN
Transcript prepared on behalf of Gregory Court Reporting Service,
Inc., by Cherie' R. Nottingham.
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