CEB Minutes 04/21/2003 RApril 21, 2003
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Naples, Florida
April 21, 2003
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the 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:
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN: Roberta Dusek
Sheri Barnett
Albert Doria, Jr.
Gerald Lefebvre
George Ponte
G. Christopher Ramsey
Rhona Saunders
ALSO PRESENT: Jean Rawson, Attorney for the Board;
Michelle Arnold, Code Enforcement Director; Jennifer Belpedio,
Assistant County Attorney; and Shanelle Hilton, Code Enforcement
Coordinator.
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CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY~ FLORIDA
AGENDA
Date: April 21, 2003 at 9:00 o'clock a.m.
Location: 3301 E. Tamiami Tr., Naples, Florida, Collier County Government Center,
Administrative Bldg, 3rd Floor
NOTE: 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 tS
TO BE BASED. NEITHER COLLIER COUNTY NOR THE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD SHALL BE RESPONSIBLE FOR
PROVIDING THIS RECORD.
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - March 27 2003
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS
A. MOTIONS
a. Motion to Continue
1. BCC vs. Shirwin Inc and Edwin C. Skafca as its
Registered Agent and President
CEB NO. 2003-018
B. HEARINGS
BCC vs. Shirwin Inc and Edwin C. Skafca as its
Registered Agent and President
Location: East Toll Plaza RV Resort
Alleged Violation: prohibited exotics and failure to submit
Exotics Maintenance Plan.
BCC vs. Wilma J. Britton and Gordon E. Schultz and
Kay M. Schultz
Location: Holiday Manor Cooperative, Inc.
Alleged Violation: On 3/22/02 and 2/13/03, did witness a survey of
Henderson Creek Drive conducted by Wilson Miller, requested by
Collier County Public Utilities, and it was determined that the
shed~utility building portion of the mobile home, portion of the
carport are m the County right of way.
BCC vs. Wilma J. Britton and Gordon E. Schultz and
Kay M. Schultz
Location: Holiday Manor Cooperative, Inc.
Alleged Violation: On 3/22/02 and 2/10/03, did wimess three
enclosed additions erected without first obtaining authorization of
required permits, inspections and certificate of occupancy After
research it was determined that one of these additions at the rear
comer of the mobile home, was permitted for a roof over existing
slab and was later enclosed without proper Collier County permits.
CEB NO. 2003-018
CEB NO. 2003-015
CEB NO. 2003-014
4. BCC vs. Lorraine Burgess and Lindell McFadden
Location: Singletary Drive, Copeland Florida
CEB NO. 2003-016
Alleged Violation: On August 27, 2002 and again on November 25,
2002, confirmed the existence of three mobile home structures and
one occupied travel trailer, all placed on village residential zoned
parcels. Same parcels previously improved with a principal use
reference Collier County building permit No. 910004809 (2 bedroom
frame residence). No Collier County building permits for all
additional structures and related improvements.
BCC vs. Lorraine Burgess
Location: Copeland Florida
Alleged Violation: Repeat Violation; On July 16, 2002 and on August
27, 2002, did observe the existence of one occupied mobile home structure
on an unimproved lot. A search of the official records of Collier County,
revealed that this structure had been erected, moved, added to, altered and
utilized without first obtaining authorization of the required permits,
inspections and certificate of occupancy. In addition, the order of the Code
Enforcement Board filed in the Official Records of Collier County at OR
Book 2704, Page 0840, revealed that on 09/23/99, Ms. Burgess was found
to have violated Ordinance No. 91-102, as amended Section 2.7.6.1 and
2.7.6.5, the same provisions as cited in the Notice of Violation dated
February 7, 2003 and is therefore a repeat violator.
CEB NO. 2003-017
NEW BUSINESS
A. Request for Imposition of Fines/Liens
1. BCC vs. Daniel Goldman
2. BCC vs. Walter Crawford
CEB NO. 2003-013
CEB NO. 2003-004
B. Request for Reduction/Abatement of Fines
C. Request for Foreclosure
OLD BUSINESS
A. Affidavits of Compliance
1. BCC vs. Daniel Goldman
B. Affidavits of Non-Compliance
1. BCC vs. Walter Crawford
CEB NO. 2003-013
CEB NO. 2003-004
7. REPORTS
8. COMMENTS
e
10.
NEXT MEETING DATE
May 22, 2003
ADJOURN
April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I'd like to call the Code
Enforcement Board meeting to order.
Note, 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.
Before we do the roll call, I just wanted to let everyone know
that our chairman, Cliff Flegal, had a medical emergency last week.
He is doing very well. I am sure he is watching us this morning, and
we look forward to your return, Cliff. Roll call.
MS. HILTON: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. For the
record, my name is Shanelle Hilton, CEB coordinator.
Cliff Flegal and Catherine Godfrey both have an excused
absence.
Roberta Dusek?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Here.
MS. HILTON: George Ponte?
MR. PONTE: Here.
MS. HILTON: Rhona Saunders?
MS. SAUNDERS: Here.
MS. HILTON: Gerald Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Here.
MS. HILTON: Sheri Barnett?
MS. BARNETT: Here.
MS. HILTON: Albert Doria?
MR. DORIA: Here.
MS. HILTON: Christopher Ramsey?
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April21,2003
MR. RAMSEY: Here.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any changes to
the agenda? No changes.
Do I hear a motion that we accept the agenda?
MR. PONTE: So moved.
MS. SAUNDERS: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
I believe it was Rhona who was second. All in favor?
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
Approval of minutes. Are there any changes to the minutes for
March 27th?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
motion that we accept the minutes?
MR. PONTE: So moved.
MS. BARNETT: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion was by
George Ponte and Sheri Barnett was the second.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
The public hearings.
MS. ARNOLD: For the record, Michelle Arnold, Code
Enforcement Director.
We are trying to coordinate with the information technology
A motion by George, and
No changes? Do I hear a
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April 21, 2003
department to conference in our first respondent, so if we want to go
and do our-- we can go through and do some of our kind of--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Reports?
MS. ARNOLD: Yeah, administrative actions.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right, why don't we
do that.
MS. ARNOLD: And hopefully it will be ready by then.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Then you want to move
to new business?
MS. ARNOLD: Yes, if we could do that.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right. If that's
acceptable to the board. Do I hear any objection that we go to new
business, which is number five on the agenda? MR. PONTE: No problem.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, go ahead,
Michelle.
MS. ARNOLD: Okay, the first item on your agenda is Code
Enforcement Board Case 2003-004, which is Board of County
Commissioners versus Crawford-- Walter Crawford.
This case was heard by the board on January 23rd. At that date,
the board found a violation did exist, and requested that the
respondent obtain all necessary permits within 60 days and certificate
of occupancy within 30 days after the issuance of that building
permit, or remove structure within 60 days.
The respondent was also ordered that if they did not comply
with that first request, that fines would be imposed at the rate of $25
per day, commencing on March 23rd, 2003. The respondent was
also ordered to pay operational costs incurred for the prosecution of
the case.
Staff is at this time requesting the board issue imposition of
fines in the amount of $650 for the period of March 21st through
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April 21, 2003
April 15th, and $1,304.10 for operational costs.
The respondent has applied for a permit but has not yet
scheduled the required inspections, and thusly not attained a
certificate of occupancy. Once they obtain a certificate of
occupancy, then the fines will stop accruing. So staff is requesting
that you impose those fines today.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Is there any comment
from the board?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I hear a motion that
we go ahead with the county imposing the fines? MR. PONTE: So moved.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Is there a second?
MS. SAUNDERS: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion was by
George and the second was Rhona.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
MS. ARNOLD: We have a second request for imposition of
fines. That is Code Enforcement Board Case 2003-013, Board of
County Commissioners versus Daniel Goldman. This case was heard
by the board on March 23rd. At that time the board found a violation
did exist and ordered the respondent to obtain all required inspections
and certificate of occupancy within 15 days, or fines of $100 per day
would be imposed each day the violation continued past April 11 th.
The respondent was also ordered to pay operational costs.
Staff is at this time requesting that the board impose a fine in the
amount of $985 for operational costs only, as the violation has been
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April21,2003
abated as ordered by the board.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
we go ahead with the imposition of fines?
MS. BARNETT: I'll make a motion.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
second?
MR. PONTE: I'll second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
Sheri, the second by George.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
(No response.)
Do I hear a motion that
Second? Is there a
The motion was made by
Any opposed?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
MS. ARNOLD: And the other items that we have are under old
business. We do have -- and just to report for the board, we have
filed an affidavit of compliance for the Daniel Goldman case, and
staff has also filed an affidavit of noncompliance for the Walter
Crawford case. And the board needs take no action on either of those.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay. Are we ready with
the first case, or are they still in the process?
MS. ARNOLD: I think they're still in the process, as they
haven't come back.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do you want to move to
reports -- do you have any other reports?
MS. ARNOLD: We have no other reports. So we could --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do we want to go ahead
with the first case before we do the motion to continue?
MS. ARNOLD: Well, the first case is related to the motion to
continue.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I meant beyond that one,
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Apdl21,2003
case number two. Although I don't know how quickly they're going
to get the conference call.
MS. ARNOLD: If we could take a two-minute break so that I
can check with IT?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
MS. ARNOLD: And then if it's going to take some time, then
we can go ahead and do that.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: We can take case number
tWO.
MS. ARNOLD: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right, why don't we
do that, we'll take a quick break, just a few minutes. (Brief recess.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The code enforcement
meeting is now called back to order.
MS. ARNOLD: The first item on your agenda is Board of
County Commissioners versus Shirwin, Inc. and Edwin C. Skufca, as
its agent and president. And we are awaiting Mr. Skufca's phone
call. When he calls in, it should click, as the administrative assistant
indicated.
MR. PONTE: Michelle, just while we're waiting for that call,
there is a misspelling in his surname, that he has signed it Skufca,
S-K-U, but in our documents we refer to him as Skafca, S-K-A.
MS. ARNOLD: The spelling is in the property appraiser's
records that way, so we didn't change it. MR. PONTE: Okay.
MS. ARNOLD: We didn't alter it. So they've entered it into the
official records incorrectly, so we couldn't alter that. We can note
that for the record, that the spelling is incorrect in the record.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Just to inform everybody
that the first part of this is going to be a motion to continue. If we
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April 21, 2003
decide to continue the motion, then the case -- then we will not hear
the case. So we're waiting for Mr. Skufca to speak to us on why he
wants to continue the case.
MS. SAUNDERS: Okay.
MS. ARNOLD: Okay, just to note that everyone would vote
today, since we do have two permanent members out. Right?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Good point.
Michelle, do you understand what's going on, or are we --
MS. ARNOLD: I think he might be having trouble calling the
number, so we're checking the phone number that he dials in here.
MS. SAUNDERS: The more high tech we get. Bobbie, can't we
just go ahead and approve it? That's what we're going to do.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I might remind everyone
that the meeting is in order and so any comments made will be heard.
MS. SAUNDERS: Sorry. Okay.
MS. ARNOLD: Technology at its best.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Jean, I have a question.
If for any reason they're not able to connect and he's not able to be
heard, can we just go ahead with this continuance?
MS. RAWSON: You can certainly consider the motion. I think
it's in the front of your packet. And I see there's a Delta Airline
ticket, so I assume that that's the reason. So I think you could act on
the motion, if he can't call in, as i~fhe had filed it, which he has.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes.
MS. ARNOLD: Could we try -- could we -- I mean, because
he's -- his reason for continuance is merely he can't be present. Could
we go ahead and hear the motion and then try to conference him in
for the case, if it's not continued? MS. RAWSON: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I think that would be a
good avenue to follow.
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MS. ARNOLD: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Each of us has in front of
us the motion to continue. I assume that everyone has read this, his
travel arrangements. He's not able to be here today so he has asked
that we postpone it till next month.
Are there any comments from the county?
MS. ARNOLD: I've checked with the investigator for this case,
and we would object to the request, because Mr. Skufca has been in
communication with the investigator for some time and we are
concemed that if we postpone it any longer, that we will be in rainy
season, and it would be more difficult for compliance to occur, so it
would push out the compliance time.
The investigator has also spoken with the contractor that Mr.
Skufca is I guess making arrangements with, and he's indicated that
he would be able to complete the removal within two weeks. So
postponing it for another month may mean postponing it for another
season, another rainy season.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I understand you to
say that Mr. Skufca has a contractor who could complete this within
two weeks?
MS. ARNOLD: I'm going to have you talk to --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And Susan, since you are
going to give us some information, I would like to have you sworn
in.
MS. MASON: Okay.
(Speaker was duly. sworn.)
MS. MASON: For the record, I'm Susan Mason, environmental
specialist with code enforcement, Collier County Code Enforcement.
And I did just speak this moming with a contractor. He does
not have a signed contract at this point, but Mr. Skufca had contacted
him and asked him to go out and evaluate the property and give a
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bid.
In the course of our conversation, I asked him if he started
today, how long would it take to complete the work, because that was
one thing that was key to try to see if we could get this finished
before the rainy season started. And he did say it would be about
two weeks that -- from the time he was able to get out there and start
working.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: In this letter that Mr.
Skufca has written to Shanelle, it says that you've had a meeting with
him, it was rescheduled to April 4th. Is this an information meeting?
MS. MASON: I'm not real sure exactly what he's referring to in
this. I've never met with Mr. Skufca in person. We've always talked
only over the phone and with various parties he's attempted to
contract to have this removal done that were all too small to do it.
Because it is a larger natural area and they don't do that type of work.
And so honestly, I'm confused. The only thing I thought he might
have been talking about was a CEB warning letter that was sent out,
but even those dates were incorrect versus the warning letter, so -- ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Did you have a
conversation --
THE COURT REPORTER: I'm sorry, your microphones have
shut off.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are we back on?
MS. MASON: I'm not sure ifI -- I don't have my telephone log
with me. I don't know if we had a phone conversation. I've had
numerous conversations with him since June, 2002, but I'm not sure
if there were conversations on those exact dates or not. I don't really
understand his -- that section of his request.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I have any comments
from the board?
MR. PONTE: Yes. I think my inclination is to side with the
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county's recommendation and to deny the motion for continuance.
Mr. Skufca has been dragging his feet since June of last year, has had
dealings with other contractors that haven't worked out, and if we
delay this at all to next month, then we're facing the rainy season and
it makes it more difficult to do the job.
So I would like to make a motion right now that we deny the
continuance.
MS. BARNETT: George, seeing that I agree with you, I will
second it.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: There's been a motion
made to deny the motion to continue this case. The motion was
made by George, second by Sheri. Are there any other comments.9
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All in favor of the
motion, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion is denied.
We will start with the case.
MS. ARNOLD: While Shanelle enters the information and
reads into the record the pertinent information, I'll check with IT to
find out what their progress is.
MS. HILTON: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen. Our first
case is Board of County Commissioners versus Shirwin, Inc. That's
S-H-I-R-W-I-N, and Edwin C. Skufca -- it's S-K-U-F-C-A-- as its
registered agent and its president, CEB Case No. 2003-018.
I would like to ask if the respondent is present in the courtroom.
(No response.)
MS. HILTON: We know he is not, of course.
We have previously provided the board and the respondent with
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a packet of information we would like entered as Exhibit A at this
time.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I hear a motion that
we enter the county's Exhibit A?
MS. BARNETT: So moved.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: A motion is made by
Sheri. Is there a second?
MR. PONTE: I'll second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Second by George.
Any comments?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All in favor, signify by
saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
MS. HILTON: The respondent was served with the notice of
hearing by certified mail, which he did receive, I got the green card
back, and the property and the courthouse was posted as well.
The alleged violation is of Section 5.7, paragraph C of
Ordinance No. 85-57, as amended, a PUD or a planned unit
development for the property known as East Toll Plaza RV Resort.
The description of the violation: Accumulation of prohibited
exotics, including but not limited to Brazilian pepper, melaleuca,
carrotwood and air potato on approved PUD zoned property.
Also, no maintenance plan filed with Collier County as
described in the PUD Ordinance 85-57, as amended.
Location where violation exists: 3050 Beck Boulevard, Naples,
Florida, more particularly described as Folio No. 00396360001.
Name and address of owner in charge of location where
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April 21, 2003
violation exists: Shirwin, Inc., care of Edwin C. Skufca as its
registered agent and president, 30449 Shaker Boulevard, Cleveland,
Ohio.
Date violation first observed: May 22, 2002.
Date owner given notice of violation: June 4, 2002.
Date on which violation was to be corrected: June 26th, 2002.
Date of reinspection: March 19th, 2003.
And I believe the investigator went out again on Friday, which
was April 18th.
Results of the reinspection is the violation remains.
And at this time, I would like to turn the case over to the code
investigator, Susan Mason, to present the case to the board. MS. MASON: Good morning again.
This case originated as a complaint about road access. There is
a road that exists on the west side of this parcel here, which is
actually now called -- it's Panther's Walk RV Park. And this physical
road and the maintenance of the exotics on that was the original
complaint.
After doing further research and outlining the actual property
boundaries, you can see on -- in your packet, I believe it's Page 22 of
the zoning map, actually shows where the Lebuff Road is. The
actual physically existing road is only on the section of the other
PUD, the Toll Plaza RV Park. The part of the road easement that's
actually on East Toll Plaza, or Panther's Walk, is not developed. It's
got a swale in it and it's not part of the physical road itself.
But while I was out there investigating that initial complaint
about the road access, I observed all the prohibited exotics in the
natural area, as well as some of the developed area of Panther's Walk.
And I issued the NOV last June, required removal where possible to
take place then. There were some areas that were dryer that removal
could have started. As far as the maintenance -- that they could start
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April 21, 2003
some removal in the dryer areas.
MS. ARNOLD: Okay, I think he's on.
MR. SKUFCA: I'm on? Do I hang up with you?
MS. ARNOLD: You are on, Mr. Skufca. This is Michelle
Arnold. Can you hear me?
MR. SKUFCA: I can hear you.
MS. ARNOLD: What's going on in the meeting right now is
Investigator Susan Mason is providing the board testimony. And if
you could just sit and listen. What the board has already done is
taken action on your continuance, so they've decided to hear the
hearing today.
MR. SKUFCA:
And no continuance?
MS. ARNOLD: No continuance.
MR. SKUFCA: Okay.
MS. ARNOLD: Okay, go ahead, Susan. Sorry.
MS. MASON: Okay. In the interim of when I wrote my NOV,
I requested that exotic removal begin where possible in the areas that
were dry, because it hadn't really started raining at the beginning of
June of 2002, and to submit a plan for maintenance and then also to
have the remaining exotics that couldn't have been removed at that
time completed, starting in December, or as soon as it had dried out.
There was no action on exotic removal at all in any of the areas.
At all, even up till this day. And the -- no plan has been submitted
either.
There were some contacts with a couple of different contractors.
I sent Mr. Skufca a list of our contractors, and also, because it's not a
complete list, it's just contractors that we use for bid-out purposes, to
use other contractors available in the telephone book to get some bids
and to get somebody out there to work.
The first contractor I believe works alone, he doesn't have any
crew at all, and it was just too large a job for him to do. And I
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April 21, 2003
explained that to Mr. Skufca. And also apparently Mr. Skufca had
asked that contractor to use mechanical methods to take out the
exotics, and this area is -- largely all the preserve is a wetlands and
you'd have to get state authorization for that. I explained that to both
the contractor and Mr. Skufca, that it would have to be hand removal,
unless other permits were obtained.
There was some litter issue with some dumping on part of the
property. That has been resolved. Mr. Skufca did obtain a contractor
and all that debris has been removed. That area has been blocked off
to prevent further dumping.
Until this morning I hadn't really had any contact with any
contractors out there since, I believe it was, March that I last talked
with a contractor, but this morning I did speak with another
contractor. At this point he does not have a signed contract with Mr.
Skufca, but he is capable of doing this type of work. We discussed
details about how the removal could take place, and also disposal
methods that would be applicable.
And in the course of that conversation, I asked that contractor
from start date how long it would take him to complete the work. He
did say two weeks for the -- about two weeks for the removal. And
that would allow -- if work was started soon, that would allow
removal to take place before the rainy season started.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Susan, do I understand
that the exotics are blocking the roadway?
MS. MASON: Not really. And those exotics are actually on
another parcel, but they were being trimmed by one of the property
owners to the south, and they were seeking to have the property -- the
property owner where the exotics are at remove the exotics and
vegetation that was growing out into the roadway. And that really
doesn't have anything to do with this parcel. That's on a separate
parcel. That was the nature of the initial complaint, though, when I
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April 21, 2003
was investigating the property lines out there.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: How difficult is this?
You say it can only be done by hand unless there's state approval. Is
this a gargantuan task to do this by hand?
MS. MASON: Not really. The county removal techniques do
allow what's called killing in place, where they'll often girdle the
trunk of the larger trees and poison that tree, and it's left there
standing. These trees are all located for the most part well away --
the larger trees are located well away from any trailers or developed
properties, so it wouldn't cause a problem with damage.
And the other areas, they would just have to drag the debris off.
It's a large parcel, but it's not unusual for these companies to handle
pieces like this, and they get the work done amazingly fast.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I just have one more
question. The contractor you spoke to this morning, had he had a
conversation at all with Mr. Skufca?
MS. MASON: I know he had already been out to the property,
and I had gathered -- you'd have to check with Mr. Skufca after this,
but after I talked with the contractor, a few minutes later Mr. Skufca
did call me. So I think they've talked in the interim from when I
talked with the contractor. Because Mr. Skufca's -- in the course of
the contractor's talk, I said we were going to be going to the code
enforcement today and hopefully hearing the case, and that's when
Mr. Skufca called. It seemed that he already knew that part of my
conversation.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
MR. PONTE: Just a couple of questions. How many acres are
involved here?
MS. MASON: There's about -- it's this section here. I believe
the preserve is only about five acres.
MR. PONTE: And when -- if you use the technique of drilling
Page 16
April21,2003
into the trees or poisoning of the trees and leaving them standing,
then what about taking them away after they're dead? I mean, should
that not be part of-- if we're reaching a point where we're making an
order, that at some future date the trees have to be removed, or just
leave them standing?
MS. MASON: Normally.they just stay standing for a very long
period of time. This is a large natural area and if, you know, a tree or
two falls down, we don't -- those areas aren't treated for like litter and
debris removal. It wouldn't be acceptable for them to cut trees and
leave large piles of debris. That would be a problem.
But just like in any wooded area, when a tree dies and it
eventually falls over, it decays and rots and, you know, returns to the
MR. PONTE: I guess my thought is we have five acres or so of
dead trees, we have a fire hazard, don't we?
MS. MASON: Well, they're not-- it's not-- this area here is
mostly native vegetation. There are some large exotics in there, but
there's a really good amount of native vegetation in there. So the
vast majority of vegetation would be intact and green. And fire risk
in this wet of an area is pretty low, even with some dead trees in
there.
MR. PONTE: My last questions is, what is the reason that we
can't do this operation in the rainy season?
MS. MASON: Because herbicides are used and they'll -- you'll
have rain wash off the herbicide, it will hit non-target vegetation, kill
off native plants, and it won't do what it's intended -- it won't kill the
mature exotics that are there.
MR. PONTE: Thank you.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
questions from the board?
MS. BARNETT: Just one technical question, and it's do we
Page 17
April21,2003
have to, if he speaks, have him sworn in, even though he's --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes, we will.
MS. BARNETT: Okay. I just was curious.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Thank you, Susan.
From Mr. Skufca. Now, we can swear him in over the phone?
MS. RAWSON: Actually, he should have a notary there with
him to swear him in there. Because I don't know that any of you can
recognize his voice. Perhaps Susan Mason can recognize his voice,
and if she says she can recognize his voice and she knows that's his
voice, then we can have our court reporter swear him in.
MS. ARNOLD: Mr. Skufca, can you hear us?
MR. SKUFCA: I can hear you.
MS. MASON: It does -- it did sound like Mr. Skufca to me. It
sounds like the same voice I heard on the phone --
MR. SKUFCA: Is that Susan Mason?
MS. MASON: Yes.
MR. SKUFCA: Yeah. I have a little trouble speaking. I had a
great amount of oral surgery done here several weeks ago, and I'm
still recovering from that, so I speak with a lisp and it's a little painful
to talk.
MS. MASON: That sounds to me like Mr. Skufca.
MR. SKUFCA: Well, it is me.
We have talked this morning about, you know, about Jim
Jesella.
MS. MASON: Yes.
MR. SKUFCA: Yeah, and he's agreed to start the job, you
know, in the next few days.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MR. SKUFCA: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
acting chairman today.
Excuse me, Mr. Skufca.
This is Bobbie Dusek, I'm
Page 18
April21,2003
Just a question.
MR. SKUFCA:
of daughters in Atlanta, Georgia.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
are going to swear you in over the phone.
going to ask you a question.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
may begin.
Do you have a notary there?
No. I'm at a private residence visiting a couple
All right, Mr. Skufca, we
So the court reporter is
All right, Mr. Skufca, you
MR. SKUFCA: Well, I am just responding to Ms. Mason's
demand to get this job done that I don't see, you know, what the big
problem is here. We have -- a lot of Southwest Florida is covered
with all kinds of exotics, and on this parcel over here, according to
the original documentation, the permit from the Army Corps of
Engineers, the property had to be maintained for three years to
remove the melaleuca, and that has been done. That action started in
about 1988 when the permit was given. Now this is 2003, it's 15
years later, and yes, the exotics do come back but, you know, this
isn't the only area in Florida where we have exotics. So, you know, in
-- it's a 12-acre parcel of land, not five acres.
This is presenting a real financial hardship on me. Our business
at this point in time cannot afford to lay out the kind of money that's
necessary to do this job the way Susan wants it done, and that's the
main problem.
There's a secondary problem, I should say. We're trying to be
good neighbors and we take care of our park and so forth. We had a
dumping problem there on our property which, as she stated, has
been cleaned up. But, you know, I don't see the -- you know, the
immediacy of this having to be done right now versus next
December. We are in the process of attempting to remove the
environmental easements on this property and to develop the acreage
Page 19
April 21, 2003
into the full PUD of 240 RV lots on the parcel. And we're working
with Vanasse and Daylor on this project at the present time. We
started that about two months ago. At which -- you know, and they
kind of lead us to believe that the environmental easement can be
relocated to a mitigation bank and that we could go in there and take
out all -- at one time take out all the exotics and start with the
construction. And they figure that they would be able to start that
work probably December of this year, January next year, you know,
on the expansion of the park to 240 RV lots.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Mr. Skufca, in addressing
one of your first comments, there is a code that all people, all
properties that have the exotics on them are to be removed. Yours is
not the only one. This has been going on since last May, and that's
why you're before the board today. Do you understand that?
MR. SKUFCA: I understand that. But, you know, we can't do
it, haven't been able to do it because of money, finances. We've been
negotiating with our bank, which is now First National Bank, used to
be Citizens Community, and we've been working with David Klein
for probably about a month to refinance our property so that we can
work this into the program. We've asked them for $140,000 more
mortgage on our property, and as of Friday -- or Thursday, there has
-- the action hasn't been positive for to us raise the money to do the
job.
We also have a business in Cleveland, Ohio, I own and operate
a bowling alley there, and this past year, since the beginning of the
great war in Iraq, our business has suffered tremendously. And our
business has suffered really since 9-11. So, you know, we're under
financial hardship over there and we've had other problems at our RV
park that are, you know, causing us some financial stress.
So it's not an idea of not wanting to do it, it's the idea of having
the wherewithal to do it--
Page 20
April21,2003
MR. PONTE: Is the only --
MR. SKUFCA: -- which is very important.
MR. PONTE: Mr. Skufca, is the only reason that you haven't
taken action on this before is because of financial considerations?
MR. SKUFCA: That's a major part of it. Every contractor we've
talked to has been in the 25 to $30,000 price range to remove the
exotics, and, you know, that's just not within our financial
capabilities at the present time.
Our next positive cash flow comes in the first of August from
our RV park where, you know, we'll have -- we'll collect our annual
dues from approximately 60 residents in the park. See, our park is a
snowbirds park; they come down, spend the winter there. It's all by
contract. We don't do day camping. And our cash flow -- our cash
comes in the first of August and the first of January for basically the
whole year.
MR. PONTE: But that first of August happened last year as
well.
MR. SKUFCA: Yes. And we just started this project, I'm not
sure when in May, I guess a year ago. But we haven't -- you know,
we have other obligations in just maintenance and running of the
park.
We don't take a living out of that park. We try to take a living
out of our Social Security income and our bowling alley in
Cleveland, and that's hindered us also, you know, that's hurt us. We
just -- dollars are tight.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
comments from the board?
MS. SAUNDERS: Yes. Mr. Skufca, Rhona Saunders from the
Code Enforcement Board.
I'm just looking at your airline ticket which was submitted
earlier, and indicated that you were leaving Akron on April 21st. But
Page 21
April 21, 2003
you just testified that you're in Atlanta. I wonder if you changed that
ticket, or am I reading it wrong?
MR. SKUFCA: No, I did not change that ticket. The reason --
what I did there is we have a daughter that just moved to Atlanta
about a month ago, and my wife came up from Florida to visit. And
what I did was I came into Atlanta Friday night to spend a couple of
days with two of my daughters that are living here. And then our
airline ticket has been-- reservation to Southwest Florida I believe
was made in early March. So, you know, we're going to be flying
out of Atlanta at I guess 4:05 today, and we'll arrive around 5:45 or
something like that. I don't have the itinerary right in front of me.
But those reservations, this time of the year you have to make
your reservations well in advance in order to be able to, you know,
get on a plane.
MS. SAUNDERS: But you're not flying from Akron to Atlanta
today?
MR. SKUFCA: No, I flew from Akron to Atlanta Friday
afternoon.
MS. SAUNDERS: Okay, thank you.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
questions or comments from the board? Thank you, Mr. Skufca.
I will now close the public hearing and we will have a
discussion among the members of the board.
MR. SKUFCA: Now, do I stay on here with this conference
call?
MS. SAUNDERS: Sure.
MS. ARNOLD: I would recommend that you do so you can
hear what the board's findings are and what their decision is. MR. SKUFCA: Thank you.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: If there is no discussion
Page 22
April21,2003
from the board, then I'll ask for a findings of fact and conclusion of
law.
MR. PONTE: I'll make a motion that a violation does exist in
the case of Shirwin, Incorporated, Edwin Skufca, CEB Case No.
2003-0 ! 8, and that the violation is of section :5.7(C) of Ordinance
8:5-:57, as amended, a PUD, planned unit developed, for the property
known as the East Toll Plaza RV Resort.
And the description of the violation is the accumulation of
prohibited exotics that include Brazilian peppers, melaleuca,
carrotwood and air potato and others on the improved PUD zoned
property.
Also, there has not been a maintenance plan filed with Collier
County, as described in the PUD Ordinance 85-57, as amended.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I hear a second to the
motion?
MS. BARNETT: I'll second it.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion has been
made by George and seconded by Sheri.
Is there any other discussion?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All in favor of the
motion, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion carries.
And now we need to do the order of the board.
MS. SAUNDERS: I will move that the respondent be ordered
to pay all operational costs incurred in the prosecution of this case,
submit an exotics maintenance plan within 1:5 days, by May 6th, or a
fine of $2:5 per day be assessed and imposed each day the violation
Page 23
April 21, 2003
continues. And remove all prohibited exotics from the parcel by
June 1st, 2003, or a fine orS100 per day will be assessed and
imposed each day the violation continues.
MR. SKUFCA: Would you be so kind as to repeat that, please?
MS. SAUNDERS: The whole thing?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: We will repeat it to you,
Mr. Skufca. We're still in the process of discussing it.
Under the circumstances of his financial situation, I would
recommend that we do a $75 per day, instead of a $100, which I
think would still be in order.
And Rhona, I don't know if you are agreeable to amending the
motion or if you want to keep it as you stated.
MR. PONTE: I think that the $100 puts a little fire under the
seat here. It's been dragging for a year. MS. SAUNDERS: Yeah.
MR. PONTE: The financial situation that Mr. Skufca has
described and said oh, money comes in in August, well, it came in in
August last year, too. We're just repeating the whole thing. I think if
money's tight, a possibility of a fine of $100 is better than the
possibility of a fine of $75 in terms of our accomplishing what we
want to accomplish here.
MS. SAUNDERS: I agree. He does also -- did also say that
money comes in in January as well, so there was money to do it now
rather than in August. I'd like to stay with my $100 per day.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
comments?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I'll repeat the motion, Mr.
Skufca.
The board is recommending -- making a motion that you pay all
operational costs incurred in the prosecution of this case, submit an
Page 24
April 21, 2003
MS.
MR.
MS.
MR.
MS.
MR.
to be?
exotics maintenance plan within 15 days, which would be May 6th,
or a fine of $25 per day will be assessed and imposed each day the
violation continues.
We also are recommending that you remove all prohibited
exotics from the parcel by June 1st or a fine of $100 per day will be
assessed and imposed each day the violation continues.
All in favor of the motion, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion carries.
Do you understand, Mr. Skufca?
MR. SKUFCA: I believe I do.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, thank you.
MR. SKUFCA: Are we finished?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: We're finished.
MS. ARNOLD: Who seconded the motion? Rhona made the
motion. I don't believe we got a second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I'm sorry, I thought that
there was a second to the motion.
SAUNDERS: Does somebody want to --
PONTE: I'll second the motion.
SAUNDERS: -- second it?
SKUFCA:
ARNOLD:
SKUFCA:
Hello?
We're still here.
Can anybody tell me what the costs are going
MS. ARNOLD: Mr. Skuf-- if you can call our office at
403-2440, we -- and ask for Shanelle Hilton, she can give you the
costs. We don't have it today at the hearing.
Did you hear me?
Page 25
April 21, 2003
MR. SKUFCA:
MS. ARNOLD:
MR. SKUFCA:
MS. ARNOLD:
MR. SKUFCA:
costs?
MS. ARNOLD:
MR. SKUFCA:
MS. ARNOLD:
MR. SKUFCA:
MS. ARNOLD:
I hear you.
Okay.
Can we arrange payments to pay that off?.
I didn't hear the question.
I said can we arrange payments to pay the court
Yes, you can.
Okay, thank you.
All righty. Thank you.
Are we all done here now?
Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes.
MR. SKUFCA: Thank you very much.
MS. ARNOLD: Thank you. Bye-bye.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, we'll move on to
the next case.
MS. HILTON: We're going to do our second and our third case,
as they go hand-in-hand at the same time.
MS. ARNOLD: What we'll do is have Shanelle read into the
record information for both cases, but rather than have the
investigator repeat themselves, because some of the evidence is
similar for both cases, we're just going to have one testimony. And
we've done that in the past. But once you make a decision, you will
have to find for both -- two separate cases, okay?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
So the first case we're hearing is 2000-015?
MS. HILTON: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
MS. HILTON: That's Board of County Commissioners versus
Wilma Britton, Gordon Schultz and Kay Schultz. CEB Case No.
2003-015.
Page 26
Apd121,2003
I would like to ask if the respondent is present in the courtroom.
Yes, she is.
We have previously provided the board and the respondent with
a packet of information we would like entered as Exhibit A at this
time. And also, I had provided you some supplemental information
as well that we would like to be included as all the same, so we only
have to do the evidence once.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I hear a motion that
we accept the county's Exhibit A?
MR. PONTE: So moved.
MS. BARNETT: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: There's been a first and a
second by George and Sheri.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
MS. HILTON: The respondent was served the notice of hearing
by certified mail and personal hand delivery, and also posting at the
courthouse.
The alleged violation is of Section 1.5.6 of Ordinance No.
91-102, as amended, of the Collier County Land Development Code,
and Section 4 of Ordinance No. 93-64, as amended.
The description of the violation: On 3-22-02 and 2-13-03, did
witness a survey of Henderson Creek Drive, conducted by
Wilson-Miller, requested by Collier County public utilities, and it
was determined that the shed/utility building, portion -- shed/utility
building, a portion of the mobile home and a portion of the carport
are in the county right-of-way.
Location where violation exists: 109 Duncan Lane, Naples,
Page 27
April 21, 2003
Florida, more particularly described as Folio No. 50880004661,
Holiday Manor Co-op.
Name of owner in charge of location where violation exists is
Wilma J. Britton, a single woman, and Gordon E. Schultz and Kay
Schultz, husband and wife, 109 Duncan Lane, #A, Naples, Florida,
34114.
Date violation first observed: April 1, 2002.
Date owner given notice of violation: April 3, 2002. And
amended notice of violation was provided on February 13, 2003.
Date on which violation was to be corrected was March 13th,
2003.
Date of reinspection: February 27th, 2003. And I believe the
investigator also went out on Friday, that was April 18th, 2003. And
the results of the reinspection is the violation remains.
Our third case is Board of County Commissioners versus Wilma
Britton, Gordon Schultz and Kay Schultz, CEB Case No. 2003-014.
The respondent is present in the courtroom.
And we have previously provided the board and the respondent
with a packet of information we would like entered as Exhibit A at
this time.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I hear a motion that
we accept the county's Exhibit A on the second case?
MS. BARNETT: So moved.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MR. PONTE: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
seconded by George.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
(No response.)
Is there a second?
Motion made by Sheri,
Any opposed?
Page 28
April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
MS. HILTON: The respondent was served the notice of hearing
by certified mail and personal delivery, and also posting at the
courthouse.
The alleged violation is of Section 2.7.6.1, and 2.7.6.5 of
Ordinance No. 91-102, as amended, of the Collier County Land
Development Code.
The description of the violation: Three enclosed additions
erected without first obtaining authorization of required permits,
inspections and certificate of occupancy.
After research, it was determined that one of these additions at
the rear comer of the mobile home was permitted for a roof over
existing slab and was later enclosed without proper Collier County
permits.
Location where violation exists: 109 Duncan Lane, Naples,
Florida, more particularly described as Folio No. 50880004661,
Holiday Manor Co-op.
Name and address of owner in charge of location where
violation exists: Wilma J. Britton, a single woman, and Jordan (sic)
E. Schultz and Kay M. Schultz, husband and wife, 109 Duncan Lane,
#A, Naples, Florida, 34114.
Date violation first observed: April 1, 2002.
Date owner given notice of violation: April 3, 2002. And
amended notice of violation on February 13, 2003.
Date on which violation was to be corrected was March 13th,
2003.
Date of reinspection: February 27th, 2003, and April 18th,
2003.
Results of the reinspection is the violation remains.
And at this time I would like to mm the two cases over to the
code enforcement investigator, Carol Sykora, and that's
Page 29
April 21, 2003
S-Y-K-O-R-A, to present the case to the -- cases to the Code
Enforcement Board.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Before you begin, is Ms.
Britton here?
MS. HILTON: Yes, she is.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right. And Mr. and
Mrs. Schultz? No.
Would you stand at your seat and just be sworn in? So if you'll
swear them both in, Cherie'.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. SYKORA: Good morning. My name is Carol Sykora,
Collier County Code Enforcement investigator.
I received a complaint from -- a citizen complaint on March
22nd, 2002 at the property located at 109-A Duncan Lane.
I responded to the complaint and investigated and found that a
survey had been conducted by Wilson-Miller at the request of Collier
County public utilities for the sewer that's going to go in on
Henderson Creek Drive, which is off of 951.
After inspecting, I noticed that there was a wood walkway, a
shed, portion of the trailer and carport.
I did further investigation and obtained the survey from
Wilson-Miller, which is on the board up here, showing in the yellow
where everything's in the right-of-way.
On April 3rd, 2002, I took pictures, and also a notice of
violation was served and signed by Wilma Britton. The notice of
violation was 93-64, Section 4 -- the ordinance on the violation was
93-64, Section 4, which is the right-of-way violation. And 91-102,
amended, 1.5.6, which would be illegal land use.
I spoke also with Ms. Britton to advise her of all the violations
when I served the notice of violation.
On May 1st, 2002, I reinspected and found that the wood
Page 30
April 21, 2003
walkway over the ditch was removed, the shed was also moved. But
I had advised Ms. Britton that she needed to get a permit to relocate
the shed out of the right-of-way, which was not done. She just
moved it without a relocation permit.
The shed was originally permitted and CO'd, but then she didn't
-- she needed to get one to relocate it, which was not done.
We had several meetings over this, and Ms. Britton went in
front of the commissioners as to try to resolve this situation, and they
decided that they needed to think about it. And I believe Joe Schmitt,
the director, he was going to compile the information and present it
himself to the commissioners, but then at a later date it was decided
that I go forth to the Code Enforcement Board with this.
And to involve the other case through the investigations of this,
I -- it was found -- at first I found that there was two unpermitted
additions to the original mobile home, and then further on down
investigating, it was discovered there was a third unpermitted
addition to the rear, one of which is in the right-of-way. It's a rear
addition to the mobile home that happens to be part of the
right-of-way violation.
Ms. Britton came to the office, and I went up with her to see
about requesting for a variance, but it was decided, I believe by Ms.
Britton, not to go forth with that. And also, she has stated she didn't
want to go forth with permitting the unpermitted structures, due to
the fact she really didn't know what was going to happen with the
right-of-way violations.
Do you have any questions?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes. Do I understand
that there is only one area that is in the right-of-way now and that's
on the third mobile home, the addition, that the original shed has
been removed out of the right-of-way, and it's only that it needs to be
permitted now?
Page 31
April 21, 2003
MS. SYKORA: Correct. But there is two violations at the
moment. Part of the carport ended up in the right-of-way, and part of
the mobile home, the addition that was put on which did not have a
permit. Originally there was a permit for a roof over an existing slab,
but this was later on enclosed. The shed was moved, but it needs to
have a permit to relocate it.
MS. BARNETT: I have a question, ifI can.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Sure.
MS. BARNETT: Maybe Michelle can answer this. But if the
county's permitting a shed in the right-of-way and they permitted a
roof to go over an existing garage in the right-of-way, how is the
person supposed to be responsible of knowing that it's in the
right-of-way? If it seemed permitted--
MS. SYKORA: They also approved the carport. But on several
drawings that were submitted with Ms. Britton requesting for
permits, there was different measurements on every drawing. They
all varied. And I don't know if you--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: They probably never had
their CO; is that correct?
MS. SYKORA: They did have a CO.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: They had a CO?
MS. SYKORA: The shed and the carport had a CO. But
unfortunately the drawings had different measurements. Distances
from the street, distances between structures, they all were different.
MS. BARNETT: Shouldn't the county have caught that at that
point before giving CO's?
MS. ARNOLD: In -- for the record, Michelle Arnold. In this
particular case, in your packet you do have like the location map
showing the property. It's one parcel, one large lot with mobile
homes and travel trailers on them. And in this particular case,
because there's no individual lots indicating for each separate parcel,
Page 32
April 21, 2003
there is no requirement for a spot survey, which would normally -- if
somebody were to construct a single-family home on their
single-family lot, the building department requires a spot survey to
make sure that there aren't any encroachments.
In this particular case, we're dealing with one large lot. There's
no encroachment of the large -- the overall boundary, but there is an
encroachment of this right-of-way. It's the property owner's
responsibility to find out where those dimensions are.
And what Carol is indicating is that the building department is
trusting the information that is submitted with their building permit is
valid. And they're not questioning the validity of that information.
The owner or the building -- the contractor submitting for the
building permit signs that the information that's attached is accurate.
MS. BARNETT: Don't they usually require a survey?
MS. ARNOLD: Only in the cases where it's an individual lot.
In this particular case, because it's one large lot, there is no boundary,
per se, indicating where the northern boundary of her parcel is.
There's only one large parcel and then there's right-of-way. There's
survey markings, and that's what the county was doing when they
were trying to locate the sewer line.
MS. SYKORA: Yes, the public utilities requested a survey
down Henderson Creek Drive for a sewer line, and there were stakes
put out at the cul-de-sac where 109-A is located. It's a 60-degree --
60-foot right-of-way down there and, therefore, the stakes were up by
her shed, by her carport, behind this other addition in the back, and
that's what prompted the complaint by a citizen.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So I want to understand,
if this utility survey had never been done, we wouldn't be hearing this
case right now, because --
MS. ARNOLD: Possible.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- it was permitted and
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April 21, 2003
CO'd.
MS. SYKORA: Possibility.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right. And I have
another question.
On the case, let's see, 15, you cited her for having a shed in the
public right-of-way. This has been moved. So that's all she's being
cited for, it's not for permits in Case No. 015. And if this has already
been accomplished, the shed has been moved from the right-of-way
-- you weren't citing her in Case No. 15 for permits.
MS. SYKORA: My motion of violation that I amended on the
13th day of February, 2003, my corrective action is must obtain
proper Collier County permits to move and relocate shed/utility
building. So that she needs to get, because of the setbacks as it
stands now are not correct, then that has to be reinspected.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I understand what you're
saying. I'm just looking at the description of the violation for Case
No. 015 which says did witness a survey of Henderson Creek by the
Collier County Public Utilities. It was determined that the
shed/utility building, portion of the mobile home, portion of the
carport are in the county right-of-way.
MS. ARNOLD: The carport is also noted.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Is it still on that particular
mobile home, that one is -- MS. ARNOLD: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- still in -- okay.
MS. SYKORA: Portion of the carport is and portion of--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: But the shed is no longer
part of that, it's just the carport?
MS. SYKORA: The shed is no longer a part of the right-of-way
violation, but a permit must be obtained to relocate that to a different
location. It's not as extensive a process as if you're getting a permit
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April 21, 2003
from scratch, because she already had obtained a permit. It's just to
relocate it. They would go out and inspect it to make sure the
setbacks were okay from the home.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Jean, I have a question
for you. Since it's not in the description of the violation that it be
permitted, it's only that the carport and shed are in the right-of-way,
and the shed has been removed but the carport hasn't, so all we can
really cite her for is the fact that that carport is still in the
right-of-way; is that correct?
MS. RAWSON: Well, look at Section 1.5.6 of the land
development code, see if it says anything about permit, then look at
Ordinance No. 93-64, Section 4, before you determine. I know the
description of the violation is shed/utility building, portion of the
mobile home, portion of the carport in the right-of-way.
MS. ARNOLD: Also, the description of the violation is the
encroachment, but also, part of the notice of violation is the
corrective action. And the corrective action would describe for the
respondent or the public how they would fix the violations noted.
And I believe in the corrective NOV, Ms. Sykora indicated that
they needed to obtain permits for that shed. What page is that? 12.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I see that you did the
amended notice of violation on February 13th. It just didn't explain
what that amendment is, as far as we're concerned. And so what
we're -- what I'm looking at is the actual description of the violation,
what she's cited for. I just want to make sure that we're --
MS. RAWSON: Well, Section 4, permits, is in 93-64. And
they did cite them with Section 4, and Section 4 is called permits.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So it's in your opinion
that we're okay with this, with the --
MS. RAWSON: I think so. Because it clearly says in there
without first obtaining a permit.
Page 35
April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
MS. BARNETT: Michelle, one other question. Where are we
on resolving I guess the right-of-way case? Is that -- I'm assuming
it's still up in the air with the county as far as what they want to take
action for, for that utility?
MS. SYKORA: Pardon me? The --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I think what Sheri is
referring to is the non-use alteration variance that --
MS. ARNOLD: The decision to obtain a variance is the
property owner's, not the county's. And what --
MS. BARNETT: I guess because it was --
MS. ARNOLD: We believe there still is an encroachment. And
what's encroaching is the carport-- a portion of the carport, and then
there was also an addition to the rear of the original mobile home
that's also encroaching into the right-of-way.
MR. PONTE: I have some questions that -- I don't know who
will answer them-- about ownership here. We're dealing with the
Holiday Manor Cooperative. That means that the respondent owns
shares in the cooperative. Does she own the land? ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: No.
MR. PONTE: Does she own what is on the land? And if she
does, what was there originally when she bought the shares in the
cooperative?
MS. SYKORA: Well, originally on this parcel of land was a
mobile home, period. Everything else has been--
MR. PONTE: The mobile home that she's currently in?
MS. SYKORA: Yes. 'I have a picture that I took Friday, on the
18th.
That was originally there. I believe if that had been left
standing alone, nothing would be in the right-of-way. This is a
frontal view of the property. The carport to the right, the original
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April 21, 2003
mobile home is this right here next to it. This is an unpermitted
addition, enclosed with electrical, and this end addition is
unpermitted, enclosed with electrical.
MS. ARNOLD: To answer your question about what was there,
I believe Ms. Britton can answer that. She does have her paperwork
that she submitted on the facts and the history of the property, and
she'd indicated that when she purchased it, it was a trailer, just the
trailer on the property.
MR. PONTE: My other question is on Pages 23, 24 and 25, and
you mentioned them, you have put some stakes down. And they're in
the photos. I just don't understand what you're referring to with those
stakes.
MS. SYKORA: The survey stakes.
MR. PONTE: Yes.
MS. SYKORA: Wilson-Miller surveyed it and applied stakes,
but they were removed by someone eventually. MR. PONTE: What did they indicate?
MS. SYKORA: They indicated where the right-of-way was.
They staked out the street, they went with a pin in the center of the
cul-de-sac, and it was 60-degrees there after that. And Wilson-Miller
actually put this on their survey where everything was in the
right-of-way there. That center square depicts the property at 109-A
Duncan with the items that were in the right-of-way.
MR. PONTE: So is it that the structures are not in the
right-of-way, because the stakes aren't in the house, that the -- it's just
too close to the right-of-way?
MS. SYKORA: Well, they staked it off where the -- one stake
would be right at the back of the home. And then they proceeded to
bring the stakes around where you could tell that the items were in
the right-of-way.
MR. PONTE: I see. Okay, thank you.
Page 37
April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Michelle, in the second
case, I think that's 14, you have written a letter to the Board of
County Commissioners and in there you state that the Henderson
Creek Cooperative is currently working with the planning staff
toward the completion of a non-use alteration variance? MS. ARNOLD: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And that if this petition is
approved by the Board of County Commissioners, the distance
between structure violation that Ms. Britton currently has will be
resolved, meaning the distance between her shed and the mobile
home.
MS. ARNOLD: Correct.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: How does this affect-- if
this is approved, how does this affect what the violation is today?
MS. ARNOLD: It doesn't affect it at all.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: It doesn't.
MS. ARNOLD: No, because --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Because she's still in the
right-of-way.
MS. ARNOLD: Correct. What that nonconforming use
alteration request is going to address is simply those accessory
structures in relation to the permanent structures, meaning the sheds
that have been placed all throughout the park and their distance
between their mobile homes or their travel trailers.
The code requires that there's a 1 O-foot separation between the
primary structures and the accessory structures. And throughout the
park they're -- that particular setback is in violation.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Because they don't have
any lot lines there?
MS. ARNOLD: No, because the lots are so small, and they
were originally developed probably for just one travel trailer. Years
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April 21, 2003
have gone by, travel trailers have gotten bigger and the lots haven't
increased, and they put these sheds on their lots to accommodate
some of their equipment when they're gone or whatever, and so now
there's an encroachment between the accessory structure or sheds, in
the most part, and the primary structure, the mobile homes or the
travel trailers.
So that's not going to address the case that is before you with
respect to the right-of-way, because it's not a question of two
structures that are too close, that have been placed too close, it's more
of a question of her carport was built within the county's property.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, so just so we all
understand it, and let's see if I understand it, the first case is that the
carport is in the right-of-way, and the shed has been moved to
another part of the property and needs to be permitted; is that
correct?
MS. SYKORA: And an additional right-of-way violation is the
back comer of the mobile home, which was an unpermitted addition.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: That's all in the first case,
157
MS. SYKORA: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Then the other case is
there are three other additions that are also in the right-of-way and
were not permitted?
MS. SYKORA: No, they're not in the right-of-way but one.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: One is in the
right-of-way?
MS. SYKORA: The one at the rear of the mobile home is in the
right-of-way. These two in the front side of the original mobile
home were not permitted. They are enclosed with electrical.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right. Without
permits.
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April 21, 2003
MS. SYKORA: Without permits.
I've researched thoroughly back on microfilm, I could not locate
any permits for anything. Once there was a carport that was applied
for, but it was canceled, and I believe that could have resulted in one
of the unpermitted additions in the end.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Sheri, did you have
another question? Earlier you had --
MS. BARNETT: You actually asked it better than I was --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
questions for Carol?
MS. ARNOLD: This -- I don't know if you're going to be able
to see it very well, but these photographs here show you where the
stakes that was referenced by the investigator. This is a survey stake
and this is the addition -- or the carport when we originally started
the case, location of the carport.
This is another stake in relation to the rear of the property.
MR. PONTE: Thank you.
MS. SYKORA: This is the unpermitted--
MS. ARNOLD: Right.
MS. SYKORA: -- addition.
MS. ARNOLD: And let me just show you another photo.
Again, here's the stakes. They're indicated here in yellow. And this
is the roadway. And this is a part of the encroachment right here. So
this -- everything to the south of those stakes is the right-of-way,
everything to the north is the property.
MR. PONTE: Thank you for pointing that out.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
questions?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Thank you, Carol.
Ms. Britton?
Page 40
April 21, 2003
MS. BRITTON: I would like to ask Carol, part of the trailer is
still within the right-of-way, correct?
The addition on the back--
I'm not talking about the addition, I'm talking
MS. SYKORA:
MS. BRITTON:
about the --
MS. SYKORA:
MS. BRITTON:
MS. SYKORA:
No.
-- back end of the original trailer.
But that could be in question. It's hard to
determine that because of this rear addition. Basically this original
trailer is surrounded on two sides by additions. And it was very
difficult to determine at first, or for me to investigate it, it was very
difficult to determine where their original trailer was ending and
where the permit started, where the addition started.
Right there is where it's beginning and
MS. BRITTON:
starting.
MS. SYKORA:
MS. BRITTON:
Right. There's the -- Now, move back to the line where the original
survey was done. It's back by -- it should be back by the gas tank.
MS. SYKORA: This is the first stake that's behind. This is the
unpermitted addition in the back.
MS. BRITTON: No, the stake behind the carport, Carol.
MS. SYKORA: Right, I'm going to describe that next.
This comes around and then this would be the next one. So
right in here is where the other addition is. And it isn't. Right there
is a little raised up portion. So it could be a possibility that if that
was removed the original trailer would not be in the right-of-way.
MS. BRITTON: Yes, it would.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Ms. Britton, are you --
MS. SYKORA: It's fine if it is, because I said remove a portion
of the trailer that was in the --
MS. BRITTON: Can I make my statement and I'll let you --
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Apd121,2003
MS. SYKORA: Sure.
MS. BRITTON: In March of 1993, I purchased my trailer,
which was setting (sic) on the original land that it is presently on
today, but it was a rented lot at that time. It was owned by Cavin and
Cavin (phonetic). And the trailer is located on the north side of the
ditch on Henderson Creek Road, similar to other trailers along this
road. The side ditch is the only physical evidence of a right-of-way.
There are no markers to indicate the limits of the right-of-way.
In June of'93, after I purchased in March, I hired a licensed
contractor to make an addition of 12 by 33, which was listed
originally as a screen room.
Several times within the next three or four months -- and I have
the paperwork and you all have it in your copy -- it was enclosed
with vinyl and windows and so forth. So that was all sitting there. In
1996 we converted the trailer park into a Co-op. At that time, I
signed a 99-year lease with the Co-op. I do not own the land, the
Co-op owns the land.
My trailer and 12 by 33 was there at that time. You all have a
copy of everything I have put on there, and you have a copy of
everything I turned in to you.
Upon receiving the notices of all the violations, I removed the
bridge, the shed, the plants from the right-of-way.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Ms. Britton, I'm going to
interrupt you for just a --
MS. BRITTON: Sure.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- second.
Jean, do we need to --
MS. RAWSON: She's -- and Mr. and Mrs. Schultz are
proprietary leaseholders. But if you look in the county records, they
are considered to be the owner of record, because it's a 99-year
leasehold. And I believe she also qualified for the Homestead
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Apd121,2003
exemption. So what we usually say is we have to hold the alleged
violator; that is, the owner of record, and she and Mr. and Mrs.
Schultz are the owner of record. Although the order will indicate
that it's a proprietary lease.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Actually, that wasn't my
question, but thank you for explaining it. MS. RAWSON: Okay.
MS. BRITTON: I'm glad to know, too.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any evidence that she's
presented to us, should we enter that?
MS. ARNOLD: We did. We did already.
MS. RAWSON: Yes. The answer to your question is yes.
I was just responding to her comment that she does not -- she is
not the owner.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes, I understand. Okay,
thank you.
MS. BRITTON: I'm not the owner of the land, per se.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes, go ahead.
MS. BRITTON: Okay, I guess I was way back here.
I removed the plants, the bridge, the shed, I moved it out,
everything from destroying my home.
I'm willing to purchase any permits that you guys deem
necessary after the county right-of-way issue is settled. I feel it is the
Co-op's responsibility to obtain the variance. My trailer was sitting
on the county right-of-way when I signed my lease with the Co-op.
I'm here today to plead my case. This is my home. I was never
aware that my trailer was encroached or sitting on the right-of-way
until the survey was done in 2002. If I had known this at the time, I
would never have added and spent all my money and bought a share
in the Co-op.
I'm a retired citizen, senior citizen that is, on a fixed income. I
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April 21, 2003
cannot afford the expense to do all this, and I cannot afford to lose
my home. I would hope that you'd take some of this under
consideration on your opinion. Okay, thank you.
MR. PONTE: Ms. Britton, I have a question for you, please.
When you purchased the shares in the Co-op, were you provided
with any kind of drawings or anything that would indicate or show
the land that your trailer was on as drawn up by that Co-op board?
MS. BRITTON: We have, in the back of the proprietary lease
as to markings, but nothing as to what was sitting on it.
MR. PONTE: So there's no indication--
MS. BRITTON: No, sir.
MR. PONTE: It just looks like a clear piece of property just
like all the others.
MS. BRITTON: Yes. They're just squares on a map. I can
show you a copy.
MR. PONTE: That's okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any questions
to--
MS. SAUNDERS: Yeah.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- Ms. Britton?
MS. SAUNDERS: Yes, Ms. Britton, what has been the attitude
or the opinion of the Co-op board? Has any -- have they discussed
this, and what have they --
MS. BRITTON: Not too favorably, I'm sorry to say.
MS. SAUNDERS: Are they planning --
MS. BRITTON: There is several members here today, you can
ask them.
MS. SAUNDERS: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Is the Co-op planning to
go before the County Commissioners? I mean, I notice that the
Henderson Creek--
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April21,2003
MS. BRITTON: They have asked for a variance. I have asked
to be included in that variance. But since it's a right-of-way issue, I
was told that I -- you know, I didn't know whether I could be
included in the variance.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: As an individual.
MS. BRITTON: As an individual. Because, you know, it's a
case against Collier County.
You all have a copy of what I have drawn out what I would
lose, which is going to be quite a bit. You want to see the copy of
what our plot plan was when we --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I don't think that's
necessary. It doesn't show any mobile homes -- MS. BRITTON: No, sir-- no, ma'am.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- it's just land.
MS. SAUNDERS: So the variance that the Co-op board is
asking for relates strictly to the sheds that are on the other properties?
I think it's against all the encroachments
MS. BRITTON:
everywhere, right?
MS. ARNOLD:
MS. BRITTON:
MS. ARNOLD:
MS. BRITTON:
MS. ARNOLD:
No, it's simply--
But not on the right-of-way.
Right.
It's all the encroachments --
Internal.
MS. SAUNDERS: Within.
MS. BRITTON: Yes, within the park.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Mobile home to mobile
home.
MS. BRITTON: Um-hum.
MR. PONTE: The permits that you've applied for in the past,
have any of them been denied by the county?
MS. BRITTON: No, sir. You have copies of them in my
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April 21, 2003
packet that I tumed in to you.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And they've all been
CO'd?
MS. BRITTON: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any other questions?
MS. BRITTON: Anybody else have a question?
MS. BARNETT: When did you add the electricity into the --
MS. BRITTON: The one in the rear was just added probably
about a year ago, because I put a washer and dryer in there. MS. BARNETT: Did you obtain a permit for that?
MS. BRITTON: No, ma'am. I had a local person help me do it.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
comments from the board for Ms. Britton?
Thank you, Ms. Britton.
MS. BRITTON: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Does the board have any
more comments to either side, county, before I close the public
hearing?
MS. SAUNDERS: Is there anybody else that wants to speak?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Would you like to speak,
sir? You need to be sworn in. Come up and state your name.
MR. FIORILLO: My name is Robert Fiorillo.
F-I-O-R-I-L-L-O.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
MR. FIORILLO: Well, approximately four years ago I also
bought a share, and it's right behind Mrs. Britton's property. When I
bought the property, I was told where my line was. My line is
practically to the comer ofWilma Britton's trailer. She is now
encroaching on my property about 13 feet, including her shed that
we've all been discussing.
She moved her shed, but she moved it on my property. I
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April 21, 2003
retained an attorney at the cost of approximately $2,000, and finally
the Co-op, with the president and a vote from the people in the park,
unanimously voted 180 to 6 that she remove her property, her shed,
her trees and so on off my property and move it back to her property.
She's been defiant right till today.
The Co-op now has hired an attorney and sent her several letters
-- well, I don't know about several letters, but letters, demanding that
she remove that shed and that property, whatever is on my property,
back to the line. And she has never done it. I understand that the
attorney is now in the process of taking her to court to remove that
shed from my property and for her to abide by the line.
So we've been talking about a shed here encroaching on county
property, and it was moved without a permit onto my property, and
so actually that shed has nothing to do with this case. The case is
that that shed is on my property and should be removed, with other
stuff that is on my property.
The ex-president of the Co-op is here today to verify everything
I'm saying, if you'd like to talk to him or whatever. But that's the
way that back property stands. She's been very defiant to this day.
Thank you.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I have one question for
you. Is that the only issue that the Co-op is addressing is the shed on
your property? Or is it with the other mobile homes that she has that
MR. FIORILLO: Ma'am, I really couldn't tell you that.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, that's fine.
MR. FIORILLO: I only know about--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: That's fine.
MR. FIORILLO: -- my particular case, and that's the line.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, thank you.
MR. FIORILLO: Thank you.
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April21,2003
MS. SYKORA: This is an overhead of the property at 109-A on
the GIS maps, and the invisible property line, even though they are
not lotted, plotted lots here, pretty much they go by invisible
property line, which is this little black line there. And you can see
right on there the shed is infringing upon the parcel of land behind.
There's really not any room, because there's too many structures
on this small lot, and there's no room left.
MS. BARNETT: I was going to say, it doesn't look like --
because of the right-of-way encroachment and everything else, there
isn't any available space --
MS. SYKORA: Right.
MS. BARNETT: -- for her to put the shed.
MS. BRITTON: Could I make another statement?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes.
MS. BRITTON: I bought my share in '96. The gentleman that
was just here bought his in 2000. This question has came up several
times. In our prospectus, and the attorney who did our transfer work,
the boundaries between the units on the side and to the rear shall be
the boundaries currently maintained on the date of the recording of
the proprietary lease. And that's what I have been going by, and they
have been arguing with me about the rear line.
Now, if you'll look at the map in the back of our prospectus,
there is no one behind 233.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
comments, any other questions from the board?
MS. SYKORA: I'd just like to present, three of the permits that
Ms. Britton had applied for, I had spoke earlier about the different
dimensions that she gave as measurements for -- this would be --
MS. ARNOLD: What she's referring to is what was handed to
you this morning.
MS. SYKORA: This would be one that was applied for in 1999
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April 21, 2003
for a carport. And then the following one in the year 2000, as you
can see, the dimensions are changing with every application. This
has four feet over here, 16 feet on the other side of the carport, 19
feet to the street. Now this one goes 10 feet to the street, 24 feet to
the street and 16 at the rear, 10 feet between the homes. In actuality,
there's four feet to the property line, 10 feet at the rear. Well, if
there's 10 feet to the rear existing home, how would she get a carport
-- I mean, excuse me, a shed in that little space?
But then following a shed application, now it's changed. There's
20 feet back here. It's 14 feet here, 5 feet over here. Every one is
different as to her application for permits.
And basically that's what they relied upon, due to the fact this
wasn't a plotted piece of land.
MS. BRITTON: Can I ask a question about the carport permits?
There was two, one in '99, which was done by -- asked for by a
company out of Fort Myers, if I'm not mistaken. It was canceled.
MS. SYKORA: Correct.
MS. BRITTON: Okay, the reason it was canceled is because
the guy ran off with my money. And I finally traced him down. So
that's why there was a new one applied for by White Aluminum, and
they're the ones that obtained the permit and did the measurements,
not I.
MS. SYKORA: And the one that was applied for with a carport
for a roof over an existing slab is a portion of the trailer that was
illegally enclosed.
This is a picture that I obtained of it being enclosed. Originally
the permit was for a roof over an existing slab, but it was being
enclosed at a later date in the year 2000. And this is the portion --
right where this ladder is approximately is where the one stake for
the survey was put. So it would cut right up into that.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Gerald, did you have a
. Page 49
April 21, 2003
question?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yes, I do, for Mrs. Britton.
The question I had, you originally -- you just stated one of your
last comments was regarding the -- when you took ownership, or
when you signed that 99-year lease, you stated that your property
boundaries were as maintained upon taking, signing that lease. But
the shed has been moved. So really, that shed has not been
maintained in that same location.
MS. BRITTON: Well, when I originally signed my lease -- this
is a long story, sir -- I had two sheds at the back, one on one comer
and one on the other. I asked to have one redone and they turned me
down, so then I destroyed it because I didn't like the looks of it
because it was going to be right alongside the road. So then I moved
my other one over to that location, which has started this whole
problem.
And then we had an argument between me and Mr. Fiorillo. I
voluntarily gave up three foot to the rear, so my line is not
maintained to this day as it was to the day I signed my lease. I
should have had another three foot back there. I'm not the only one
that can testify to that. I have paperwork signed by then President
Bob Reed, Secretary Jack Grintau (phonetic), and myself and Mr.
Fiorillo signed the agreement in 2000. Anything else?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any other comments?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right, I will close the
public hearing. Any discussion among the board?
Let's start with the first case. And the first case is the carport is
in the right-of-way, the shed has been moved without the proper
permits.
MR. RAMSEY: Well, I think it's the carport and a portion of
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April21,2003
the mobile home are ostensibly in the right-of-way. ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The back.
MS. BARNETT: I'm wrangling with a couple of things in that
she didn't get the proper permit to move the shed, but she did
originally have a permit and a CO where the existing shed was. She
also had obtained a permit to I guess cover the carport with the roof
and that was CO'd, but she didn't have the right to enclose some of
the things she's enclosed. But the county I think is a little bit, well,
almost to a fault almost, because they've given the CO's. I'm having a
little bit of trouble with that.
And I realize Michelle was explaining to me there's a difference
because there's no lot line. But I think as an individual, if I am
adding to my home or putting structures on my home and I submit a
permit, I kind of rely on the county to help me in some cases if I miss
something. I don't know if I'm wrong in that feeling.
MR. RAMSEY: I have a little difference. My take on it is this
way: You know, if you have -- if you've done what I think are
tantamount to unauthorized additions to your home, you have
non-permitted structures and you have a somewhat unusual
ownership situation, you know, it's incumbent upon the homeowner
to make certain that whatever they're doing is compliant with what
the rules and regulations are. Just because they've been able to skirt
the issues or obtain what is seemingly tacit approval from the
community by virtue of the CO, I don't think obviates her, you know,
culpability in being in a position where she is responsible for the
home.
I think there is a violation, I think it's in the right-of-way and
she got caught, plain and simple. I think when they had the survey,
when Wilson-Miller did the survey, she got caught.
MS. BARNETT: Does any of the auspice fall on the individuals
that she's hired to do the work that pulled the permits?
Page 51
April 21, 2003
MR. RAMSEY:
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MR. RAMSEY: -- not against --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
them --
MR. RAMSEY: -- here at this court.
But then her remedy is against those people --
That would be -- yes.
That would be against
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- personally.
Christopher, since you spoke so clearly, would you like to make
a motion? Or do we have any other comments from the board before
a motion is made, or a findings of fact and conclusion of law?
MS. SAUNDERS: I have one comment, and I'm really not sure
where I stand on this. I'm very uncomfortable with the fact that --
with the easement part of it. Because it's -- the buildings have been
there for quite a while, especially the existing trailer and the addition.
The person has signed a lease.
It seems to me that the Co-op, even though it's not divided up,
this is a violation of a Co-op easement, as well as an individual
easement. This is -- the Co-op owns the land and should be -- is
responsible for maintaining all that land. If somebody builds
something on it and the Co-op does not argue it, then they've in
effect given permission to do it, in my mind.
And it looks to me also like the way the existing trailer and
addition are is going to be virtually impossible to correct the
easement without a variance.
I almost -- and I'm not trying to take anybody's home. I think
the shed is a completely different matter. That's disposable, that can
be moved.
I don't see a solution for this. If the sewer pipes need to go in,
then they obviously have to go in. If they don't, why are we
destroying this home? That's where I'm uncomfortable.
MR. PONTE: I understand your sensitivities here, because I
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April 21, 2003
feel very much the same way. However, Ms. Rawson pointed out to
us earlier that because the lease is one of 99 years in length, the
assumption is made that the person holding that lease is the
landowner. So it just doesn't go to the Co-op board in this instance.
MS. SAUNDERS: And yet when you buy a home, you get title
insurance to prevent exactly this type of a thing. I guess with a
Co-op you don't get--
MR. PONTE: You're just buying shares.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: You're buying shares.
MS. SAUNDERS: You're buying shares. Therefore, I may not
be understanding it correctly.
MR. RAMSEY: Similarly, if you're buying a home, I mean,
you know, one of the things that when you buy a home, I mean,
you'd be certain that what you're buying is what's represented --
MS. SAUNDERS: Yes.
MR. RAMSEY: -- through either representation by legal
counsel or something to that effect. I mean, if you're buying a
99-year lease, that's tantamount to buying a home. You know, caveat
emptor certainly applies. I mean, you know, you should be certain
that what you were conceivably buying is what you're receiving.
And if you're not then you have a remedy. But it doesn't exist here.
MS. SAUNDERS: Good point.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any other comments?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All the comments are
very well taken.
MS. BARNETT: Okay, in that case, I'll take the auspice off of
you. You've said it better than I did, but I will make a motion that
there is a violation that has occurred. And I guess this is -- we're
doing the 2003 --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: 015.
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April 21, 2003
MS. BARNETT: -- 015. And let's see ifI can find that page.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Page 7.
MS. BARNETT: And that violation, Collier County versus
William -- Wilma J. Britton, Gordon E. Schultz and Kay M. Schultz,
pursuant to Section 162.06 and 162.12, Florida Statutes, and Collier
County Ordinance No. 92-80 have been violated. And I guess that
violation was an encroachment on the right-of-way in regards to a
carport shed, which has been removed -- or moved but improperly
moved and needs to be permitted properly, and the rear structure.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And if you will just look
at No. 1, violation of section and just on that same page. MR. PONTE: Cite those sections.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And just cite those
sections where it says -- the one you were just -- Page 7. Here you
go, Sheri. Just read No. 1, violation is of--
MS. BARNETT: Violation of section 1.5.6 of Ordinance No.
91-102, as amended, of the Collier County Land Development Code,
and Section 4 of Ordinance No. 93-64, as amended. Thank you.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, thank you.
Do I hear a second?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
made by Sheri and a second by Gerald.
Is there any discussion?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
There's been a motion
All those in favor, signify
Any opposed?
The motion carries.
Page 54
April 21, 2003
Now for the order of the board.
MR. PONTE: Let me just discuss this for a second before we
try and craft anything here. Because the recommendation from the
county includes obtaining a variance from the Board of County
Commissioners. Board of County Commissioners, as I understand it,
have said they don't really want to hear this, go see code
enforcement.
MR. RAMSEY: No, I think that the -- as I recall, Michelle,
what she said was that Ms. Britton elected not to get the variance, if
I'm not mistaken, Michelle.
MR. PONTE: I thought the county --
MR. RAMSEY: Did they not want to hear it?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The county also I think
wanted to refer it back to the Code Enforcement Board.
MS. ARNOLD: What essentially was occurring at the Board of
County Commission meeting was a hearing of the case, so they
referred the case back for a decision to the Code Enforcement Board.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: They hadn't really asked
for a variance.
MS. ARNOLD: No, there was no request at that point for a
variance.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
MR. PONTE: Then that's a bit of a conundrum. If we then, as
we have, found that a violation exists, how does that color the
reading by the county commissioners? They'll say well, a violation
exists, there's no reason for us to share that.
MS. ARNOLD: No, no, no, they would -- what they would be
considering is whether or not to allow Ms. Britton to maintain her
structures within the right-of-way.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And that would be
through the variance.
Page 55
April 21, 2003
MS. ARNOLD: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So I might suggest that
we look at it perhaps in four parts. And one would be to pay the
operational costs. The other would be to obtain a variance within 90
days from the date of this hearing. The third part would be a
variance; if it is obtained, to get all permits, inspections and CO's
within 60 days from the granting of the variance. Number four
would be if the variance is denied, remove or demolish structure with
the appropriate permits within 30 days, or a fine of-- I put $75.
But just looking at it in those parts, because one reacts to the
other. So for your consideration.
MR. RAMSEY: Are we better off saying she must make
application for variance or actually obtain the variance? Once she
makes application, it's kind of out of our hands.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Is the 90 days a
reasonable time frame?
MS. ARNOLD: Well, it should be. But, you know, I'm not
really -- it depends on the workload of the planning department. If
you all do decide on keeping that 90 days and we verify that the
application has been submitted well within that time frame and the
delay is on the part of the county, we will bring that back to you all
and say we don't believe she should be fined for those days, because
it was outside of her ability to do anything.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Are we able to speak?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. I agree with everything except for the
proposed $75 a day. I think 50 might be better. I mean, I think all
things considering, I would be more inclined to go towards 50.
MS. SAUNDERS: In actuality, I don't think it's going to make
the least bit of difference, because what we're basically saying is if
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April21,2003
the woman doesn't get the variance, she's got to tear down her house.
You know, no amount of fine is going to make a difference in that
case. She's not going to be able to, you know, do that.
I'm very comfortable with the first part, paying all the
operational costs and obtaining a variance.
MR. PONTE: I think Christopher is right, I think it should be
applying rather than obtaining, because we don't know how fast the
commission is going to move.
MS. SAUNDERS: I like the applying part. The other part I'm
not so comfortable with as well is obtaining approval -- is obtaining
all the required permits and CO's and all the rest of that. That just
seems like it's putting such an undue burden on somebody who's
basically gone through most of the permitting. You know, everything
has been pretty well per -- yes, the shed is not, but the rest of it she's
gotten permits for.
MS. BARNETT: For parts of it.
MS. SAUNDERS: For parts of it.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: My understanding from
Michelle is it wouldn't be difficult to get the permits if she gets the
variance for the shed that's been moved, because it's like an
after-the-fact permit.
MS. SAUNDERS: Well, leaving out the shed, I'm concerned
with the home and the addition. Forget the shed, because that can be
torn down or whatever. What's involved.9 What kind of permitting is
involved after you get a variance for the --
MS. ARNOLD: A standard building permit.
What she should have done when she added the addition, go
through the permitting process and inspections will be done, you
know, once the work was done. Since we're dealing with something
that's already existing, once the permit is obtained, all she merely
needs to do is request an inspection and it's CO'd.
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April 21, 2003
MS. BARNETT: Michelle, does this bring -- we had a similar
case where we had an existing structure and the gentleman had a real
hard time getting drawings done because it was an existing structure.
MS. ARNOLD: Right.
MS. BARNETT: Can we run into that?
MS. ARNOLD: In the case of the addition, yes. I don't think
it's going to be a big problem with the carport, because she had
already applied for the carport and kind of showed what was going to
be installed.
MS. BARNETT: All she did was enclose it?
MS. ARNOLD: But then she -- then it got canceled.
MS. BARNETT: Oh, okay.
MS. ARNOLD: And -- but the addition, I don't believe there
was any permits applied for for that addition to the rear, so that's
going to be difficult.
MR. PONTE: I think--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Excuse me, would you
say that if she does get the variance, that a 60-day time frame for
getting the permits and the inspections and the CO is reasonable, or is
that unreasonable? Should we extend this? Should we make perhaps
just the 120-day time frame here?
MS. ARNOLD: I don't know if Ms. Britton knows if the
contractor that did her additions and her carport -- not the rest of it,
we're just dealing with the addition to your existing structure. MS. BRITTON: White Aluminum did the carport.
MS. ARNOLD: Okay. And they're still in business, so they
should have all that information on file and they should be able to
pull a permit really quickly.
And who did your rear addition?
MS. BRITTON: It was done in stages. An individual --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Mrs. Britton, would you
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April 21, 2003
come to the microphone, please. MS. BRITTON: I'm sorry.
It was done in stages. The cement slab was poured at the cost of
probably a couple hundred dollars at that time. Anything under $500
you did not need a permit for that cement. Then when I got the
carport put on, I just had the roof extended out over. And I
personally did the sidewalls, okay?
MS. ARNOLD: The rear addition is what I'm asking.
That's what I'm talking about. Behind the
MS. BRITTON:
trailer.
MS. ARNOLD:
MS. BRITTON:
So you did the work yourself?.
Some of it. I mean, I had help. But I did it in
sequences where it wasn't enough money to get a permit.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Going back to the second
part where I've said obtain, and I hear the word application,
application for a variance, time frame for that, Michelle?
MS. ARNOLD: For obtaining -- or to submit it, it's plenty of
time. 90 days would be plenty of time to submit.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I mean, what is -- does it
take two days, does it take a week?
MS. ARNOLD: For a variance?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: No, just for the
application, applying for the variance.
MS. ARNOLD: It's a matter of her completing the paperwork
and submitting it to the county. What takes the time is that becomes
then a review process that the planning department has to review for
completeness and then putting it on a public hearing for the planning
commission and the Board of County Commissioners to make a
decision.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So perhaps if we change
-- if we do application and obtain -- I'm trying to condense this so we
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April 21, 2003
don't have a lot of days here and a lot of days there for various
things.
MR. PONTE: Let me -- if you want to condense it, I'm going to
try something here that might make us all more comfortable.
There is the phrase here in the recommendation, or remove
and/or demolish the structure after obtaining a demolition permit for
variances not granted. I think there are some of us on this board who
feel uncomfortable with putting that in. If that were to be deleted and
we're taking it -- if you're looking at that recommendation, take it
into occupancy, so it reads occupancy within 30 days after obtaining
the required permits or a fine of $100 per day will be imposed for
each day the violation continues, and we don't write in this threat of
having to demolish the home.
MR. LEFEBVRE: What's the recourse after that?
MR. PONTE: I think what we're trying to do here is provide the
remedy, and that's not what our responsibility is. The responsibility
here is to find in fact whether or not a violation exists. It does. A
violation exists. Okay, what's the fine? And that's what we do. We
don't have to provide the remedy.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: You have to give some
guidance --
MR. PONTE: We do.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- so that they know what
they have to do. And I think if you say after-- if it's denied, if the
variance is denied and then you go through the process of getting a
CO, she's not going to get a CO. So do we just say okay, well, you
can leave it?
MR. PONTE: No.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I mean, you just can't --
you have to give some guidance.
MR. PONTE: We're not saying that. We're saying if you don't
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April 21, 2003
get that and you leave it that way, you're going to be fined $100 a
day.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And she leaves it and just
pays the 100 --
MR. PONTE: Pays $100 a day? I don't think so.
MR. RAMSEY: Prior to this, as I recall, when we had a
structure that was -- you know, I was just thinking of another case, a
structure that was constructed without a permit and the homeowner
was required, by virtue of our order, to obtain the necessary permits,
if they didn't do so, then they were required to remove the structures.
I think that's pretty much standard issue, so I don't really see any
reason to remove that at this point. I mean, because we don't know
whether it's demolishing the whole house. Is it demolishing the
house or just the portion she was required to move before that was
built illegally?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: If we take out demolish
and just have removed, maybe that softens it a little bit.
All right, does someone want to make a motion? I think we've
had a discussion and I think all points of views have been heard,
unless there's something that we haven't heard that wants to be
brought forward, someone wants to bring forward.
And so if someone would put the recommendation --
MR. PONTE: Well, if we're going to do that, then what we're --
all right, here's the recommendation: That the CEB order the
respondent to pay all operational costs incurred in the prosecution of
this case, and abate all violations through applying for a variance
from the Board of County Commissioners within 90 days from the
date of this hearing, and obtain any and all permits required for the
described structure improvements within 60 days of the approval of
said variance.
Additionally, respondent must request -- cause required
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April21,2003
inspections to be performed and obtain a certificate of occupancy
within 30 days after obtaining the required permits, or remove or
demolish the structure after obtaining a demolition permit, if the
variance is not granted, or a fine of $100 per day will be imposed for
each day the violation continues.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I liked the first maybe
three or four lines, but then when you got into the getting the permits
and the inspections and putting another time frame in there. Let me
just review and see if I understood what you said, George. The pay
operational costs, apply and obtain a variance within 90 days. MR. PONTE: Right. Apply, not--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Just apply. Okay, we're
going to apply for a variance within 90 days.
Then what was your time frame for getting a variance?
MR. PONTE: Within 60 days of approval of a variance.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: But are you giving -- so
we're not giving a time frame for-- MR. PONTE: No.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- approval of the
variance?
MR. PONTE: No, because we can't. We don't know when the
commission's going to make a decision.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So within 60 days from
the approval of a variance, then she must get all permits and
inspections and CO's;' is that correct?
MR. PONTE: After-- within 30 days after getting the permits.
MS. BARNETT: If we're --
MR. PONTE: And what we're giving her is 90 days --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: To get the -- to apply.
MR. PONTE: Right, giving her three months to comply after
such time as she obtains a variance.
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April 2 l, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: First she's applying for
the variance within 90 days. MR. PONTE: Right.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Assuming she gets the
variance, then are you giving her 60 days to get all the permits and
inspections and CO's?
MR. PONTE: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: If she doesn't get the
variance, then it's remove or demolish structure?
MR. PONTE: That's correct.
MS. BARNETT: George?
MR. PONTE: What we might do, I mean, I don't know why
we've got 90 days to apply for the variance. I think that should be
shortened to 30 or 60 days. Because after all, it's the homework that
Ms. Britton's going to have to do herself. No reason to have it be 90
days.
MS. BARNETT: George, I don't know if you'll agree to this,
but I also have a -- I agree with you that it needs to be shortened as
far as -- because we are now applying, not trying to obtain.
I also would like to see the fine of $100 per day possibly be
reduced, because we are putting the auspice of getting the variance --
which is rather expensive in this county right now -- on this lady, as
well as paying for the permitting that she hasn't done. So I would
think that if we could reduce the fine to, say, $50 a day rather than
100, because she's going to have some rather large bills on top of
that.
MR. PONTE: Yes, I think that the fine realistically in this case
-- immediately if it started to run at $100 a day, you'd exceed the
value of the property in relatively short time, I would expect. So I
think a fine of $50 a day is adequate.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So you're amending that?
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April21,2003
MR. PONTE: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So are you going to
shorten the days from 90 days to, say, 30 days, 45 days? MR. PONTE: Forty-five days.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Forty-five. Okay, that's
applying for a variance within 45 days. After the variance has been
approved, then we're giving her 60 days to get all the permits,
inspections and CO's.
MR. PONTE: Correct.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: If the variance is denied,
then she has 30 days from that time frame to remove or demolish.
MR. PONTE: After obtaining the --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: After obtaining the
correct permits.
MR. PONTE: Right, the removal permits.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Otherwise, there will be a
fine of $50 a day.
MR. PONTE: Right.
MS. BARNETT: With that, I'll second it.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MS. RAWSON: I think so.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
George, seconded by Sheri.
Is there any other discussion?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
Jean, did you understand?
The motion was made by
All those in favor, signify
Any. opposed?
Motion carries.
Page 64
April 21, 2003
MS. ARNOLD:
MS. BRITTON:
MS. ARNOLD:
have another motion.
Mrs. Britton, do you understand what we've done?
MS. BRITTON: I'm afraid so.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: You're afraid so? Okay.
I'll be glad to repeat it to you if you're not sure.
MS. BRITTON: Where do I go to get a demolish permit?
Same place you get a building permit.
Okay.
And that was just for the first case. You do
MR. PONTE: That's correct.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: That's right, that's right.
Now we move on to Case 2000-14. And this was the three
enclosed additions without permits, and the violation of at least one
of these structures in the county right-of-way.
MR. PONTE: Okay, you want me to make a motion?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I sure do.
MR. PONTE: All right, I will make a motion that a violation
does exist in the case of Wilma Britton, Gordon Schultz and Kay
Schultz. Board of County Commissioners -- that's CEB Case No.
2003-014, and that the violation is of 2.7.6 1 and 2.7.6.5 of
Ordinance 91-102, as amended. That is the Collier County Land
Development Code.
The description of a violation is that there are three enclosed
additions which have been erected without first obtaining
authorization of the required permits, inspections and certificate of
occupancy; and that one of these additions at the rear comer of the
mobile home was permitted for a roof but was later enclosed without
obtaining Collier County permits.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And you might want to
add and located in county right-of-way.
MR. PONTE: And located in county right-of-way.
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April21,2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
George, it was seconded by Gerald.
discussion?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
(No response.)
Do I hear a second to the
The motion was made by
Are there any comments,
All those in favor, signify
Any opposed?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
And now to the recommendation of the board, which in a way
will be similar to what we just did.
Well, the first part of it we all know will be pay operational
costs. And then this is -- I'm just opening this up for discussion. I'd
like for someone to make a motion that the violations must be
obtained --
MS. ARNOLD: Can I interrupt just for a minute?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes, go right ahead.
MS. ARNOLD: Since we heard this as one case, do you want
two separate operational costs, or do you want to just combine one
operational cost for two -- for both cases?
MS. BARNETT: Michelle, do we run into the problem like we
just had recently where because we kind of combined a couple of
cases --
MS. ARNOLD: That's true. Thank you. Never mind.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay. That the violations
-- so we are going to include operational costs.
The second part would be something to this effect: That
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April21,2003
violations must be obtained -- abated, excuse me, by obtaining the
required permits, inspections and CO for the described structure
within however many days, 90 days.
Third part -- this is if a variance approval --
MR. PONTE: Why did you change it from 60 to 90?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Well, I said -- I threw that
in in the beginning.
MR. PONTE: Oh, creativity.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: This is kind of a
discussion right now, just to get everybody started.
And that if the variance is not granted, respondent must remove
or demolish with the correct permits within 30 days. Again, if the
respondent does not adhere to the amount of days if the variance is
approved, or the 30 days if variance is denied, then a fine of $50 per
day will be imposed each day violation continues.
That's to get you started with some suggestions.
MR. PONTE: Well, I think you've just done it.
MS. BARNETT: I have one thought, and it's because of what
Michelle had started to bring up, because we are already hitting this
individual for a very similar case on operational costs. Has there
ever been a precedent where we did not charge operational costs,
Jean?
MS. RAWSON: Rarely, but yes. You know, in answer to
Michelle's suggestion, which she then withdrew, if their operational
costs are the same for both cases, then why don't we leave it up to the
county to split them between the two cases.
MS. ARNOLD: That's what we're going to do.
And that would be the same thing as what
MS. RAWSON:
you're thinking of?.
MS. BARNETT:
Yeah, I was just going to say, let's just forego
charging the operational costs on this one and then get it all on the
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April 21, 2003
one.
MS. ARNOLD: Yeah, we're going to do that. Where visits and
things occur to address both, we're not going to charge twice. MS. BARNETT: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: That's very good.
MS. BARNETT: I just wanted to get that covered, because I
didn't think that was quite fair.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, do we have a
motion? Recommendation? You all have been doing so well.
MR. PONTE: Well, I think we're -- unless there's something we
should -- what we're doing here is following the staff
recommendation, isn't it?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Except for the per diem.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Except for the amount.
MR. LEFEBVRE: The 60 days --
MS. BARNETT: I'll make a motion that the respondent pay all
operational costs incurred in the prosecution of this case and abate all
violations through obtaining any and all permits required for the
described structures and improvements within 60 days of approval of
said variance as required in the CEB Case No. 2003-015; that they
require all inspections to be performed and obtain a certificate of
occupancy within 30 days after obtaining the required permits or
remove and/or demolish the structure after obtaining demolition
permit if variance is not granted, or a fine of $50 per day will be
imposed for each day the violation continues.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MR. DORIA: Second.
MR. PONTE: I will second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MS. SAUNDERS: Yes, you did.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
Is there a second?
Did I hear Albert second?
I'm going to take his
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April 21, 2003
second.
Sheri made the motion, Albert seconded the motion. Is there
any discussion?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All those in favor of the
motion, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
Mrs. Britton, do you understand?
MS. BRITTON: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Would you like to have a
break?
THE COURT REPORTER: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, let's take a
1 O-minute break. (Brief recess.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
case. This will be Case 2003-016.
MS. HILTON: Yes, our fourth case is Board of County
Commissioners versus Lorraine Burgess, B-U-R-G-E-S-S, and
Lindell, L-I-N-D-E-L-L, McFadden, M-C-F-A-D-D-E-N. CEB Case
No. 2003-016.
I would like to ask if the respondent is present in the courtroom.
(No response.)
MS. HILTON: The respondent is not present.
We have previously provided the board and the respondent with
a packet of information we would like entered as Exhibit A at this
time.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I hear a motion that
We'll move on to the next
Page 69
April 21, 2003
we accept the county's Exhibit A?
MS. BARNETT: So moved.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MS. SAUNDERS: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
Sheri, seconded by Rhona.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
(No response.)
Do I hear a second?
The motion was made by
Any opposed?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
MS. HILTON: The respondent was served with a notice of
hearing by certified mail and personal hand delivery of the notice of
hearing and also posting at the courthouse.
The alleged violation is of Section 2.7.6.1, 2.7.6.5, and 1.5.6 of
Ordinance No. 91-102, as amended, of the Collier County Land
Development Code.
The description of the violation: On August 27, 2002, and again
on November 25, 2002, confirmed the existence of three mobile
home structures and one occupied travel trailer, all placed on village
residential zoned parcel; same parcel previously improved with a
principal use being Collier County building permit No. 91-0004809,
a two-bedroom framed residence. No Collier County building
permits for all additional structures and related improvements.
Location where violation exists: 246 Singletary Street,
Copeland, Florida, more particularly described as Folio No.
001134800201.
Name and address of owner in charge of location where
violation exists: Lorraine Burgess, Lindell McFadden, P.O. Box 431,
Copeland, Florida, 34137.
Date violation first observed: August 27th, 2002 and November
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April 21, 2003
25th, 2002.
Date owner given notice of violation: August 27th, 2002.
Date which violation was to be corrected: January 3, 2003.
Date of reinspection: February 24th, 2003 and April 18th, 2003.
Result of reinspection: Violation remains.
And at this time I would like to mm the case over to the code
enforcement investigator, Carol Sykora, to present the case to the
board.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Carol, you'll be sworn in
again.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Proceed.
MS. SYKORA: Again, my name is Carol Sykora, Collier
County Code Enforcement investigator. I'm really making a bang on
my first time here.
MR. PONTE: Carol Sykora day.
MS. SYKORA: On August 27th, 2002, I had been advised that
a mobile home had been moved from Plantation Island, which is near
the Copeland/Lee/Cypress area, over to that area.
Upon investigating, I arrived and found that the mobile home in
question was placed on the parcel of land located at 246 Singletary
Street, which is in village residential area.
I had also observed at that time there was a total of four mobile
homes and one occupied travel trailer on the parcel of land.
I issued an NOV and took pictures. Upon further investigation,
I determined that one of these mobile homes had a permit, the main
home that was on the land. It's two parcels of land and basically the
permitted home is across both parcels, which is one folio number.
But there is one on each side unpermitted mobile home of this
permitted structure, one to the rear, and also a travel trailer, bringing
it three mobile homes -- beside the permitted one, there's also three
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April21,2003
mobile homes and one occupied travel trailer, which will not be
permitted by the county.
After discovering that the one mobile home was permitted, I
amended my notice of violation to disclude (sic) that.
It was very difficult for me to go to this property, due to the fact
I needed a sheriff's officer to accompany me, due to the total family
coming out and making a lot of disruptions and -- as far as threats,
and so the sheriffs office usually accompanied me to this property.
I had talked to Lorraine and advised her that all the other mobile
homes would not be able to be permitted because of the fact this is
one parcel, one is permitted, the rest of them are illegal. But she
claimed that where is her family going to live. And it's as you see by
her not coming here today, this is what I always go through with
Lorraine, as far as not paying attention to what's asked. I tried to
help her, but to no avail.
Do you have any questions?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The fact that you have
two parcels, and I know that the one permitted parcel is on both
properties now.
MS. SYKORA: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Let's assume that that
permitted piece is not there. How many could be put on each parcel?
How many mobile homes could be put on each parcel?
MS. SYKORA: If the parcel was divided into the two separate
folio numbers, there could be two.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Two on each parcel?
MS. SYKORA: One on each parcel.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Oh, one on each parcel.
MS. SYKORA: Right.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Now, the fact that this has
been built, this permitted structure is on both properties, does that
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April 21, 2003
automatically make it one property?
MS. SYKORA: Well, it is one property of property appraiser's.
It's one folio number. Even though it's two parcels, but it's one folio
number, meaning one permitted stTucture.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And so that's all that's
allowed, so --
MS. SYKORA: Yes.
MR. PONTE: Or are the three mobile home structures
occupied?
MS. SYKORA: Two are occupied. The one in the rear,
Lorraine intended -- she got a demolition permit of a mobile home.
Her intention was to replace one of the mobile homes, demolish it
and replace it with the one that was brought in from Plantation
Island, because it was a better mobile home. Without permits,
probably.
MR.
MS.
MR.
MS.
MR.
PONTE: So they are occupied --
SYKORA: Yes.
PONTE: -- two of them are occupied?
SYKORA: And a travel trailer that's occupied.
PONTE: Are they suitable for occupancy?
MS. SYKORA: The one -- I really don't believe they are
suitable. I have -- the pictures in the packet show --
MR. PONTE: That's what prompts my question, and I'll tell you
where I'm going: Is she using these, do you think, for migrant worker
housing?
MS. SYKORA: I believe it's her family, extended family living
in them.
This is the main home I believe the mother lives in.
MR. PONTE: Are there other trailers around the area like this
in the vicinity of this lot?
MS. SYKORA: Yes. Yes, there -- the street has other homes
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April21,2003
on it.
MR. PONTE: In this condition?
MS. SYKORA: The main home that's permitted is very nice, as
you can see.
MR. PONTE: Right.
MS. SYKORA: And this is the illegal one on the left-hand side
of the permitted one. And behind it.
MR. PONTE: My concern is for the safety and well-being of
the people living in this, whether it be family or not.
MS. SYKORA: Well, nothing has been permitted or inspected,
and I have no idea how they're hooked up to any sewer system,
electrically. Nothing's been permitted.
Behind this home here is the travel trailer, which is occupied. It
has an antenna up in the air off of it.
To the right of the permitted structure is this mobile home,
which is the one I believe she wanted to demolish because it leaked.
And she wanted to replace it with this one that's shown in the rear of
it from Plantation Island. And that's what initiated this case.
MR. PONTE: Do you know whether or not she's collecting
rents from her family who are living in the other units? MS. SYKORA: I do not know that.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I think probably the
direction you were going was a health and safety issue. But it
probably is not in Carol's realm of expertise to tell us whether that is
or is not.
It seems pretty clear-cut to me that these are definitely in
violation, since only one structure is permitted on the property, and
here we have three plus a trailer. And I just think it's very clear that
there is a violation.
Are there any other questions for Carol?
(No response.)
Page 74
April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MS. SYKORA: Thank you.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
fact.
MS. BARNETT:
and make a motion.
Okay, thank you, Carol.
Now we need a finding of
I'll make a motion that this -- I'm going to try
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: You're doing very well.
MS. BARNETT: In the case of Board of County
Commissioners against Lorraine Burgess and Lindell McFadden,
CEB No. 2003-016, that there is a violation, it's pursuant to Sections
162.06 and 162.02 of Florida Statutes and Collier County Ordinance
No. 92-80.
Violations of Sections 2.7.6.1, 2.7.6.5, 1.5.6 of Ordinance No.
91-102, as amended, of the Collier County Land Development Code.
And the description of the violation is that there is confirmed
existence of three mobile home structures and one occupied travel
trailer, all placed on a village residential zoned parcel. MS. SAUNDERS: I'll second that.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Well, without -- you just
might want to say without building permits for any of these
structures, or addition --
MS. BARNETT: Without any -- without proper permitting or
actually allowing of those structures being --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: You did fine.
Do I hear a second?
MS. SAUNDERS: Second.
MR. PONTE: I'll second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion was made by
Sheri, the second by Rhona. Is there any other discussion? (No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All those in favor of the
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April 21, 2003
motion, signify by saying aye. (Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
Now the recommendation of the board.
MS. SAUNDERS: I need to ask a question, actually. I'm not
certain I understand the difference between the two cases. One is a
repeat violation; we're not hearing that right now.
MR. PONTE: Different location.
MS. ARNOLD: Different location.
MS. SAUNDERS: Oh, different location. Thank you, I didn't
pick that up. Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: ' All right.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I'll make a recommendation.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Good, Gerald.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And I'm just going to make one change.
First of all, order respondent to pay all operational costs incurred in
the prosecution of this case. Two, remove all unpermitted structures
within 30 days from the date of this hearing by obtaining any and all
permits required for demolition within 60 days of this hearing-- let
me see -- what's that?
MS. ARNOLD: Thirty or 60.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Within 30.
Must request -- cause required inspections to be performed and
obtain a certificate of completion within 30 days after obtaining
required permits, or a fine of $100 per day will be imposed for each
day the violation continues.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I'm sorry, what was your
fine, 1007
MR. LEFEBVRE: $100 a day.
Page 76
April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Remove all permitted
structures within 30 days, you said?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. Do you see that to be possible?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I think that -- I'd feel
more comfortable in giving a little bit more time, since we've got
three structures that have to be moved. And-- MS. ARNOLD: And they are occupied.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And they're occupied.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So I think staying with
the 60 days is reasonable.
MR. LEFEBVRE: All right, I'll amend it to --
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: If you would amend that.
And by obtaining any and all permits required for removal? You
said demolition. Would you not want to change that to removal?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Demolition or removal. How does that
sound?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, does everyone
understand the motion?
MS. SAUNDERS: Couldn't we make it simpler by saying
remove or demolish all unpermitted structures within 60 days?
MS. ARNOLD: That would make sense.
MS. SAUNDERS: Would that work? It was getting too
confusing.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Gerald, do you mind if
we--
MR. LEFEBVRE: Not at all.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- amend your motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Not at all.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right, we're at paying
all operational costs, remove or demolish all unpermitted structures
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April21,2003
within 60 days or a fine of $100 per day; is that correct, Rhona?
MS. SAUNDERS: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay. Do you agree,
Gerald? Is that all right?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yes, I do.
MS. BARNETT: You did leave out the obtain the certificate of
completion within 30 days after obtaining the -- MR. LEFEBVRE: I amend it.
MS. BARNETT: You said it, but she left it out.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I didn't -- I think it pretty
well states itself, within the 60-day period.
Repeating that again, the way we've structured it is they have to
do everything within 60 days or a fine of $100 per day will be
imposed.
Everyone understands the motion, which was made by Gerald,
got changed a little bit by Rhona, but is acceptable.
So is there a second?
MR. RAMSEY: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Christopher seconds. The
motion was made by Gerald, seconded by Christopher. Any more
discussion?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All those in favor of the
motion, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
We'll move on to the next case, Case No. 2003-17.
MS. HILTON: Our final case of the day is Board of County
Commissioners versus Lorraine Burgess, CEB Case No. 2003-017.
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April21,2003
I would like to ask if the respondent is present in the courtroom.
(No response.)
MS. HILTON: She is not.
We have previously provided the board and the respondent with
a packet of information we would like entered as Exhibit A at this
time.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Do I hear a motion that
we accept the county's Exhibit A? MR. PONTE: So moved.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Is there a second?
MS. BARNETT: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion was made by
George and seconded by Sheri.
All those in favor, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
MS. HILTON: The respondent was served the notice of hearing
by certified mail and personal service and posting at the courthouse.
The alleged violation is of Section 2.7.6.1 and 2.7.6.5 of
Ordinance No. 91-102, as amended, of the Collier County Land
Development Code.
The description of the violation: On July 16th, 2002, and on
August 27th, 2002, did observe the existence of one occupied mobile
home structure on an unimproved lot.
A search of the official records of Collier County revealed that
this structure had been erected, moved, added to, altered and utilized
without first obtaining authorization of the required permits,
inspections and certificate of occupancy.
Repeat violation information: On September 23, 1999, public
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April 21, 2003
hearing, the Code Enforcement Board issued a findings of fact for
CEB Case No. ! 999-055 as recorded at OR Book 2704, Page 0840.
The Code Enforcement Board found that a violation existed, a mobile
home structure on an unimproved lot, without first obtaining
authorization of the required permits, inspections and certificate of
occupancy.
Ms. Burgess was found to have violated Ordinance 92-101 as
amended, Section 2.7.6.1 and 2.7.6.5, the same provisions as cited in
the notice of violation, dated February 7th, 2003, and is therefore a
repeat violator.
The Code Enforcement Board further ordered that if the
respondent does not abate the violations on or before November 23,
1999, a fine of $50 per day would be imposed, plus all the
operational costs.
On or about December 29, 1999, the Code Enforcement Board
imposed fines, as recorded at OR Book 2626, Page 3141.
The original violation has never been abated, and the fines of
$50 per day continue to accrue. The Code Enforcement Board
authorized the case to be forwarded to the county attorney's office for
collection or foreclosure in July, 2001, and a motion for summary
judgment has been scheduled for May 5th, 2003.
Location where violation exists is 249 Brockington,
B-R-O-C-K-I-N-G-T-O-N, Drive, Copeland, Florida, more
particularly described as Folio No. 1133560005.
Name and address of the owner in charge of location where
violation exists: Lorraine Burgess, P.O. Box 431, Copeland, Florida,
34137.
Date violation first observed: July 16th, 2002.
Date owner given notice of violation: July 16th, 2002, and
amended February 7th, 2003.
Date on which violation was to be corrected: February 17th,
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April21,2003
2003.
Date of reinspection: February 24th, 2003, and April 18th,
2003.
Results of the reinspection: The violation remains.
At this time I would like to turn the case over to the code
investigator, Carol Sykora, to present the case to the Code
Enforcement Board.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Carol, you'll be sworn in
again for this case.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
MS. SYKORA: I don't think I need to introduce myself after
this day.
But on July 16th, 2002 1 had been going down at this location
several times throughout the year, due to the fact of the prior
violation where the Code Enforcement Board had the fines accruing,
to see if anything has changed, if she'd been in compliance. And on
this particular visit I noticed a mobile home placed on the property
where no permits were obtained.
Also, on August 1st I went to the property appraiser's office to
obtain tax cards on this and the parent property. What occurred on
the prior violation in '99, it was one parcel, they subsequently had it
divided into two parcels so they could have the two mobile homes.
There was a travel trailer existing on this, which still existed, even
though the new mobile home was put there.
This is the mobile home that -- this was taken on Friday, the
18th of April. That is the mobile home that they put there. And in
my case, I show where they've actually put their own PVC pipe in
the ground and attached it to the sewer line out there. At that time,
when I noticed that, I placed a stop work order on the property.
This shows the other mobile home that was existing at the prior
1999 case. And then this was the one that was put in. And on -- at
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April21,2003
that time the travel trailer, which they were supposed to remove to
come into compliance, was still on site.
A check on October 2nd, 2002, they did remove and demolish
the travel trailer, but the mobile home remained unpermitted. And at
that time I spoke to Jennifer, the county attorney, as to repeat
violator, due to the fact there is an existing violation on this property.
That's when I amended the notice to be a repeat violation.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Carol, the violation, the
first violation, was an unpermitted mobile home? MS. SYKORA: Correct.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And then a travel trailer
came on. That has since been demolished?
MS. SYKORA: The travel trailer was in the original violation
from 1999, which was not my case, it was another investigator's case.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And then that's been
demolished --
MS. SYKORA: Yes--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- or taken away,
whatever?
MS. SYKORA: -- on October 2nd on my visit, it was removed.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Now they've moved
another trailer on the property; is that correct?
MS. SYKORA: Before the travel trailer was removed, this one
right here was put on the property.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Unpermitted?
MS. SYKORA: Unpermitted.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: If they were both -- if she
went to get her permits, would they be allowed -- would two trailers
-- so we're talking about two properties?
MS. SYKORA: Yes, now. It was divided through the --
because of the first violation, they wanted to put two there, so they
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April 21, 2003
had the property divided into two parcels. ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
MS. SYKORA: Which could be done, but they're not in
compliance with the first case yet.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Did they stop the work
when you put the stop work order there?
MS. SYKORA: I don't believe they did. It's -- they just
continue -- they live in it. It is occupied by another relative of
Lorraine.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I don't know whether this
-- Michelle, whether you can answer this or not. If they've hooked in
by themselves into the sewer line, and I don't know how they're
getting water, could this potentially be a health issue?
MS. ARNOLD: It definitely is a health issue.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay.
MS. BARNETT: Carol, I have a question for you. It looks like
it's your Page No. 35, looks like the pipe is actually not even
connected. It looks like it's flowing into like a ditch. Is that part of
the sewer?
MS. SYKORA: That's the PVC pipe that they were laying
when I placed the stop work order.
MS. BARNETT: So I'm trying to get the sequence then of all of
these pictures of piping that you have. You've got one that has like
an elbow joint in it that there's quite a bit of water around.
MS. SYKORA: Right. They were all taken at the same time.
MS. BARNETT: Okay. So it looks like the pipe then is just not
finished? It's--
MS. SYKORA: Right.
MS. BARNETT: -- just running?
MS. SYKORA: They were hooking it into the sewer line.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Also, I have another
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April 21, 2003
question, Michelle. If the county is now pursuing the first violation,
which would include the entire property, both parcels, where are we
at this stage; do you know.9
MS. ARNOLD: Shanelle had indicated there's a motion for
summary judgment.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: For summary judgment?
MS. ARNOLD: Yeah.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
And that's just where it is
MS. ARNOLD: Yeah.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- it's just that motion
stage.
MS. HILTON: Yeah, I checked with Ellen Friday on the status,
or her assistant anyways, and he said that the motion's set. They
have to present their motion to the judge and the judge has to say yes
or no. If he says yes, they're going to set it for foreclosure and
auction within 60 days. But it's not a guarantee that that could
happen, because the judge has to agree to their motion first.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So that's why we're
hearing the case now, okay.
MR. PONTE: Question. Somewhere in reading here I read that
the notice of violation was served on Ms. Burgess at Everglades City
School. Is she a school teacher?
MS. SYKORA: No, she works at the school. Not a teacher. I'm
not sure of the capacity, cleaning or -- I'm not quite sure. But in
actuality, that is pretty much the best way to get ahold of her; she's a
little more civil acting. When I go down to the property, everybody
comes running out and it gets into a very difficult situation.
MR. PONTE: And she maintains that this is family as well with
bringing in these other trailers?
MS. SYKORA: Yes. I think Lindell McFadden lives in the
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April 21, 2003
right-hand trailer over here, and another relative lives in the -- he
used to live in the travel trailer, but when -- that's why they put this
one in there and then finally removed the travel trailer.
This one, actually, it was abandoned down the street and they
just pretty much moved it down to this parcel of land.
MR. PONTE: We assume that there were no permits ever done.
I mean --
MS. SYKORA: No.
MR. PONTE: -- they're hooked up to electricity that came from
who knows where?
MS. SYKORA: Right. Sewer, pretty much they laid their own
pipeline.
MR. PONTE: They're obviously not anchored.
MS. SYKORA: No.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I might just remind the
board that on a repeat violation, we don't need to give any time frame
in which things have to be done, and also the fine can go up to $500.
MR. PONTE: I have a question. Well, no, we're not discussing
that, but I do have a question when we get to the discussion stage.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any more
questions for Carol?
MS. BARNETT: I don't have one for Carol, but I have one for
Jean. I'm a little bit concerned about the sewer just being there and
possibly flowing. Especially because if this is anywhere near the
original parcels that we just did the case, which I'm kind of getting
that feeling, there's a lot of children around in that area, and animals.
If this is a potential health hazard, do we have the right to just
have the county go in and clean it up? MS. RAWSON: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Are there any other
questions before we close the public hearing?
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April21,2003
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: All right, thank you,
Carol.
MS. SYKORA: Thank you.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The public hearing is
closed and now discussion among the board.
MR. PONTE: My -- it's a question, really, prompted by your
pointing out that this is a repeat violation. And this is for Jean, I
guess.
Is there anything that we can do that makes any sense here?
Because we have a case where the respondent absolutely ignored
what was done before. I have no idea what this $50 a day fine has
accrued to that's been running since 1999, and we're going to level
against the same respondent, if found in violation, another fine. It's
meaningless.
MS. RAWSON: It is. Because pretty soon it's going to be
worth more than the value of the property.
MR. PONTE: It has to be worth more than it is now.
MS. RAWSON: But as she told you, there's foreclosure action
in existence, and if they don't object to the motion for summary
judgment, my guess is it will get granted and in 60 days it will be up
for sale on a foreclosure sale.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: We do have to -- even
though this may very well happen, this is a repeat violation, and to go
on record, we have to make a motion that there is -- I mean, I would
say that we make a motion that there is a repeat violation and follow
through with it so it will be on record.
MS. BARNETT: I have just a personal feeling, going along
with the fact that this individual has ignored what we've done, what
we have ordered, the potential that it is going to be foreclosed, but
we're not positive of that, the fact that there is a health hazard here
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April 21, 2003
that could be a pretty serious one. I kind of am inclined to ask the
county to move to clean it up and get it over with.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Let's find a violation first,
and then we'll --
MS. BARNETT: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: -- go to the
recommendation, and then you can make that recommendation.
MS. BARNETT: I jumped ahead.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: That's all right. You can
make that recommendation at that time, but first we need to find a
finding of fact and conclusion of law, which would be whether there
is a violation.
And so do I hear from the board members, one person to make a
motion.9 Again, yOu all have done such a good job today with
making these motions.
MR. PONTE: Okay, let's do it. I'll make a motion that a
violation does exist in the case of the Board of County
Commissioners versus Lorraine Burgess, CEB Case No. 2003-017,
and that the violation is of Section 2.7.6.1 and 2.7.6.5 of Ordinance
91-102, as amended, of the Collier County Land Development Code.
And the description of the violation is the existence of one
occupied mobile home structure on an unimproved lot and that this
structure has been erected, moved, added to, altered and utilized
without first obtaining authorization of the required permits,
inspections and/or certificate of occupancy.
In addition, the order of the Code Enforcement Board filed in
the official records of Collier County at OR Book 2704, Page 0840,
reveal that on September 23, 1999, Ms. Burgess was found to have
violated Ordinance 91-102, as amended, Section 2.7.6.1 and 2.7.6.5,
the same provisions as cited in the notice of violation dated February
7, 2003 and is therefore a repeat violator.
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April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
MS. BARNETT: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
made by George, seconded by Sheri.
Is there any discussion?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
(No response.)
Do I hear a second?
The motion has been
All in favor, signify by
Any opposed?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: The motion carries.
And now we go to the recommendation of the board.
MS. BARNETT: I think I've already stated what I felt earlier. I
don't see this lady's going to rectify this problem. I think we're going
to have to take action if we're going to get it fixed.
MS. SAUNDERS: I wonder what actions we're allowed to take.
We can't condemn a property, can we? It doesn't seem to make a lot
of sense to have the county go in, and how do they clean it up? They
can't lay sewer pipes and stuff. So what can we do?
MS. RAWSON: You can charge her $500 a day.
MS. SAUNDERS: Yeah.
MS. RAWSON: You can have her demolish the structure and
remove or demolish the structure. And if she fails to do so, you can
have the county go in and remove or demolish the structure. MS. SAUNDERS: So we can -- okay.
MS. RAWSON: Because if you find that there's a health
violation --
MS. SAUNDERS: Can we do that in a very short period of
time?
MS. RAWSON: Well, I don't know how long it would take the
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April21,2003
county. They have to put it out for bids, I think.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Well, hearing that,
knowing that first we have to go through the process of asking the
homeowner to take care of it and we can give a very short period of
time, according to what Michelle feels the county can get out and do
MR. PONTE: Yeah, but we really don't want the county out
there going through the expense of clearing up, and how do they
connect to sewage and all that?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: No, I think what we
would do would be have them remove or demolish, and then they
would not be connected. Then it would not -- MS. BARNETT: Gone.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes. And so I think again
on a repeat violation, there's no time frame. We can say that they
must go out and do this -- not the county, but the homeowner must do
this immediately, like within a week. If they don't do it, then the
county can go out.
I just want you all to be aware of that, that we don't have to give
time frames.
MS. BARNETT: Michelle, do you have something to --
MS. ARNOLD: I guess my reservations is the fact that we're
dealing with occupied structures again, and the fact that there are
people in it. I don't know what our-- what authority we have to evict
them, essentially, because it's not county property. So we would
have to look into that. And I think that's what's going to postpone
anything -- we have, in other cases, removed structures that have
been placed on property without valid permits, especially ones where
the condition of the structure is such that it was uninhabitable. I'm
not sure whether we're dealing with the -- you know, that in this
particular case.
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April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
of us is that health issue.
MS. ARNOLD: Yes.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
people.
MS. ARNOLD: Right.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
these trailers.
I think what concems all
And affecting other
Not just the people in
MS. ARNOLD: I think that I would have to consult with the
county attorney's office further to see what we would be allowed to
do with those health/safety issues, the fact that we do have exposed
pipes and sewer lines that may have been installed and flowing into,
you know--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Jean, how can we respond
to this repeat violation.9 Since it is inhabited, we could still -- I guess
we could give a time frame that they have to remove the trailer or
demolish it, which means the people would have to move out.
MS. RAWSON: Well, I think that you can only tell the
landowners that they have -- that they are in violation, and then they
have to either obtain the permits or they have to remove the
structures or they're going to pay $500 a day.
I don't think that the county probably has the authority to evict
these people, and it would be very difficult to remove the structures
with them in it.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: So how do we address --
MR. PONTE: Or demolish them.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Right, I understand all of
that. I guess I keep reflecting back on the health issue and how it's
affecting other people.
We can't -- obviously we know that this lady doesn't care about
the fines. We could put 500, we could put a dollar and it doesn't
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April21,2003
make any difference to her. So that means this would be continuing.
It's been going on, something similar--
MS. RAWSON: Well, if the summary judgment is granted and
the property is sold in 60 days, then someone else is going to have
the authority to evict these people.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: In the meantime, how do
we address this violation? I think what you're saying is we have
found the violation, we can ask her to get permits or remove, and if
she doesn't, then we fine her. And that's about as far as we can go.
MS. RAWSON: I think so. You can ask the county to look into
or make their best efforts to correct the health hazard, but I don't
think you can ask the county to evict them.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Well, do I hear a motion?
I think we all pretty well understand it. I think that we can only
hope that the summary judgment is accepted.
But right now what we can do is ask her to get the permits. If
not, remove the structure. And if not, then there will be a fine of--
and we can go up to $500 a day.
MS. SAUNDERS: Well, since this is a repeat violation, we're
just repeating ourselves by asking them to get the permits. Can't we
just go from we order the respondent to pay all operational costs and
we impose a fine of $500 for repeat violation and a fine of $250 per
day for each day the violations continue?
MR. PONTE: I don't think you can do that. Now you've got two
fines. You do the $500, or you do 250, but you can't do two fines.
MS. SA UNDERS: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: And I think you have to
describe what her violation is.
MS. RAWSON: And you have to give her time to comply.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes, even though it may
sound as a repeat. It is a repeat.
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April 21, 2003
MS. ARNOLD: I thought we didn't really have to give the time
additional.
MS. RAWSON: You don't. But you've got to -- if you say
immediately, immediately upon her getting notice of what we did
with this order. So let's assume she doesn't get a copy of this order
until by the end of the week. So she's -- if you say immediately,
that's probably pretty good. But it's still when she gets this order.
MR. PONTE: Well, say within 15 days of receipt of this order,
10 days?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: We can say whatever we
wish. Because again, we don't need to give her any time. But I think
that we would all like to give some reasonable --
MR. PONTE: Yes, I think it has to look reasonable, too, just in
the event it comes back in another forum so that we are saying okay,
you have 15 days to demolish. Take some time.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Would you like to make a
motion?
MR. PONTE: I haven't thought it through yet.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Or is someone prepared
to make a motion?
MS. SAUNDERS: Okay, I'll go ahead.
Recommend -- well, we find that a repeat violation exists. We
order the respondent to pay all operational costs incurred in the
prosecution of this case; obtain any and all permits required or-- any
and all permits required for -- okay, required for the described
structures or improvements, or demolition -- can I do that? I can't
combine them. Never mind. Any and all permits required for
improvements within 15 days of this hearing, or demolition permits
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I think you could
combine the two, could you not, Jean?
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April 21, 2003
MS. RAWSON: I think you can.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: I think you -- I would
combine the two as you started out to, Rhona.
MS. SAUNDERS: Well, then somebody take a crack at it.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: If you obtain any and all
permits required for the described structure --
MS. BARNETT: Improvements or demolition.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
days of this hearing.
MS. SAUNDERS: Okay.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Otherwise, a fine of
whatever we choose will be imposed. MS. SAUNDERS: Okay.
MR. PONTE: Can you say obtain any and all permits -- not as
required, but if we're going to give them 15 days, and one of the
reasons that we're giving it a short amount of time is because of the
health considerations. Is there such a thing as an emergency permit
or something that puts her at the head of the line; that is, if in the
event she were to go to the county and say okay, I need a permit for
it, but I need it on an emergency basis, so I'm not Case No. 12, I'm
Case No. 1, how can we word that?
MS. ARNOLD: I don't think any such a policy exists, but we
could --
MR. PONTE: But maybe the 15 days is not real.
MS. ARNOLD: But we could probably -- you know, or I could
probably go to the -- if Mrs. Burgess is inclined to come in for an
application and obtain a permit, try to give it some priority in terms
of a review.
MR. RAMSEY: I think, George, the only real remedy here is
going to be a health inspection and maybe condemnation of the
properties or something of that nature. She's not going to respond.
-- or demolition within 15
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April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: No, she's not.
MR. PONTE: I don't think she is either. Sorry.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, Rhona, do you
want-- are you--
MS. SAUNDERS: No, somebody else--
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: You want to restructure
or --
MS. BARNETT: I'll try it.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Go ahead, Sheri.
MR. PONTE: Rhona, you're a writer, an editor.
MS. SAUNDERS: I know.
MS. BARNETT: I make a motion that we find that a repeat
violation exists, and we order the respondent to pay all operational
costs incurred in the prosecution of this case; that they obtain any
and all permits required for the described structure improvements
and/or demolition within 15 days of this hearing. And I would like to
impose a $250 a day fine.
MR. PONTE: No, we had $500, did we not?
MS. BARNETT: Well, you said we can do both.
MR. PONTE: We can't do both.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: We can do one or the
other.
MR. PONTE: One or the other.
MS. BARNETT: Okay, so I can go up to $500 a day?
MR. PONTE: Yes.
MS. BARNETT: All right, if she does not obtain the required
permits, that we impose a fine of $500 per day to continue from that
date.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Each day the violation
continues.
MS. BARNETT: Each day the violation exists.
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April 21, 2003
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
motion?
MS. SAUNDERS: Second.
MR. PONTE: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
Sheri and seconded by Rhona.
Do I hear a second to the
The motion was made by
Is there any discussion? Do all board members understand the
motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: One question. Is it 15 days from the hearing
or 15 days from notice? That was one question we had.
MS. RAWSON: It's usually 15 days from the hearing.
MS. BARNETT: That's what I said.
MS. RAWSON: Because I usually put in parentheses the actual
date every time. When I say 15 days from today, I actually count 15
days from today.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Very good.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Okay, all in favor of the
motion, signify by saying aye.
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Any opposed?
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Motion carries.
And we've already done our new business, we've done our old
business, and there are no reports.
MS. BARNETT: May I make a motion that we adjourn?
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: Yes, you may. Is there a
second?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK: There was a first and
second to adjourn.
All in favor, signify by saying aye.
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April 21, 2003
(Unanimous votes of ayes.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
(No response.)
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN DUSEK:
Any opposed?
The meeting is adjourned.
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 12:20 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
ROBERTA DUSEK,
ACTING CHAIRWOMAN
Transcript prepared on behalf of Gregory Court Reporting
Service, Inc., by Cherie' R. Nottingham.
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