CLB Minutes 05/17/2006 R
May 17,2006
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING
OF THE COLLIER COUNTY
CONTRACTORS LICENSING BOARD
Naples, Florida, May 17, 2006
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County
Contractors' Licensing Board in and for the County of Collier, having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m., in
REGULAR SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex,
East Naples, Florida, with the following members
present:
CHAIRMAN: Les Dickson
William Lewis
Sydney Blum
Ann Keller
Richard Joslin
Lee Horn
Eric Guite
ALSO PRESENT: Michael Ossorio
Tom Bartoe
Patrick Neale, Esq.
Robert Zachary, Esq.
Page 1
AGENDA
COLLIER COUNTY CONTRACTORS' LICENSING BOARD
DATE: MAY 17, 2006
TIME: 9:00 A.M.
W. HARMON TURNER BUILDING
(ADMINISTRATION BUILDING)
COURTHOUSE COMPLEX
ANY PERSON WHO DECIDES TO APPEAL A DECISION OF THIS BOARD WILL NEED A
RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS PERTAINING THERETO, AND THEREFORE MAY NEED
TO ENSURE THAT A VERBATIM RECORD OF THE PROCEEDINGS IS MADE, WHICH
RECORD INCLUDES THAT TESTIMONY AND EVIDENCE UPON WHICH THE APPEAL IS TO
BE BASED.
I. ROLL CALL
II. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS:
III. APPROVAL OF AGENDA:
IV. APPROVAL OF MINUTES:
DATE: APRIL 19,2006
V. DISCUSSION:
VI. NEW BUSINESS:
Michael J. Varney
Request to qualify a 2nd entity.
Workshop (if time permits) on amendments to Ordinance 2002-21.
VII. OLD BUSINESS:
VIII PUBLIC HEARINGS:
Case # 2006-07 Collier County vs Paul Bowersox
D/B/A Trojan Pools, Inc.
Case # 2006-08 Collier County vs Paul Bowersox
D/B/A Trojan Pools, Inc.
IX. REPORTS:
X. NEXT MEETING DATE: Wednesday July 19, 2006
May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'd like to call to order the meeting of
the Collier County Contractors' Licensing Board on May 17th, 2006.
Anybody that would like to appeal a decision of this board will
need a verbatim record which is being taken.
I'd like to start with the roll call to my right.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: William Lewis.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Sid Blum.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Ann Keller.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Les Dickson.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Richard Joslin.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Lee Horn.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Michael Boyd.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Eric Guite.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Good morning, everyone.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Good morning.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Bartoe, any additions or
deletions?
MR. BARTOE: Good morning, board members, Mr. Chairman.
For the record, I'm Tom Bartoe, Collier County Licensing
Compliance Officer.
Staff has one addition that I do not see the gentleman here, but he
was in our office bright and early this morning. I think you might
want to put him under discussion.
His name is Tim Payne, P-a-y-n-e, requesting a restricted license,
and I believe Mr. Ossorio will be here later and we'll be able to
explain more.
Under the workshop amendments to our 2002 ordinance, we do
have with us this morning Mr. Jay Bowermeister, president of
Gainesville Independent Testing Services.
I believe he'll want to talk to you about a new test for the tree
trimming license.
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May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Is that it?
MR. BARTOE: And staff has no other additions.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I have one addition I'll bring up in
discussion, occupational licenses changes that just got voted through.
Anybody else have anything?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I have one also for the last month I
mentioned about this pool industry license for the subcontractor
license. I've brought some information to the board to look at.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Anybody else?
Do I hear approval of the agenda as amended.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So moved. Blum.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Second. Joslin.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Also need approval of last month's
minutes if you all have had time to review those.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So moved. Blum.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Second?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Second. Joslin.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. We got all that out of the
work.
Mr. Payne is not here yet.
I have wonderful news. Remember that we have fought all our
lives with occupational licenses and the fact that people show
homeowners occupational licenses.
Let me read this to you. The legislature is changing the name of
the occupational license to local business tax, and what you will
receive as a receipt is a business tax receipt.
It was a bill that was introduced by Joyce Kuzak of Deland, and
the House bill and the Senate bill was AL Lawson from Tallahassee.
It did make it through all committees. It was passed by both --
by the entire legislature. It's now on Governor Bush's desk to be
signed because they just finished up the legislative calendar last week,
and he is going to sign it, being that Governor Bush is a general
contractor and a developer for Miami. He is aware of it.
So, I have this, Michael and Tom, if you all want to pass it on.
It's got the bill numbers and everything.
I did confirm yesterday that it did pass. It is going to go into
effect and it's supposedly going into effect July 1. So, I know we're
getting ready to send out letters on renewal of all of these and we will
not use the words occupational license any longer.
MR. BAR TOE: I believe I can speak for the entire department
when I'm glad to hear that. And you can't believe how many times we
hear out in the field, well, he showed me a license, and it's not a
license.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Now, he will show them a business
tax receipt and that's what will be printed on the receipts.
So, I'll leave this up here for you. You might want to make the
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May 17,2006
staff --
MR. BARTOE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- aware of that.
MR. OSSORIO: Good morning, Mr. Chairman.
F or the record, Michael Ossorio, Collier County Contractor
Licensing.
Two things: One, sorry I'm late. Traffic was terrible.
Two, is that the clothe which is we belong to, the licensing
certification board, we actually pushed this. We've been doing this for
two years, trying to push this through the -- up there in Tallahassee
and it finally paid off.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Exactly. And every -- every county
has been trying to get this changed. It's a problem statewide. So, I
couldn't be any happier.
You wanted to say something about the pool license?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Real quick.
I had the executive chairman for the Florida SPON Pool Institute
fax me over a -- a -- let's see. It's about a 17 -page transmittal on pool
licenses and have been approved by CLIB, which involve five
different categories.
And, I'm sorry. Seven different categories. And I didn't have
time to make copies of this. This came in last night or though I would
have.
But those licenses are a swimming pool specialty subcontractor
categories. It's seven subcontractor licensing categories, which one
includes layout, structural, excavation, trim, decking, piping and
finishes.
So, these are independent little, so to speak, occupational licenses
that will be -- I've already been approved through the Contractor
Licensing Board in Tallahassee.
So, just so you're aware of this. These are only to be used by a
licensed pool contractor, either a residential or a commercial
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May 17,2006
contractor. They cannot use these licenses for any other reason except
to do this particular type of work that they are licensed for, for
individual contractors.
They cannot go to homeowners, they cannot go to general
contractors.
There are severe tests -- testing's right now that are coming out.
They haven't got the testing's all put together yet, so right now it's in
effect, but it really hasn't -- no one has the license as of yet because
there's testing requirements that we have to go through. There's
proctors that are going to give the test.
It's pretty involved, so I'd be more than willing to leave this here
and we can make copies of it or something. That way the board
members can all see what's on it. And then probably staff may want
to use it, too, because this has been -- it's been approved.
So, I don't know what we're going to do about it or how we're
going to handle it, but I just wanted you to know.
MR. OSSORIO: Mr. -- Mr. Joslin?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
MR. OSSORIO: What we'll probably do, we'll get -- we'll take
that information and we'll -- we'll proceed to the Fort Myers office
through DPR.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
MR. OSSORIO: And there is a new person in charge there. I
think he's out of Miami. And we're going to sit down in our office,
have a workshop and find out what this actually means to us and how
it affects our local board and how we're going to conduct business.
And then, hopefully, in the next coming meetings; July or June --
I mean, June, July or August we'll have something for you.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
MR. OSSORIO: Maybe he'll come to the meeting, tell you what
happened, tell you what's going to be going on and how it's going to
be restricted or unrestricted, and we'll come up with something for
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you.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: That's perfect. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Anybody else?
MR. NEALE: Just one point on that.
Mike -- Mr. Ossorio, when you check with him, could you see if
that could become a locally enforced license, specialty license,
because since we're going through an ordinance amendment cycle, if it
-- if it will be, then we could add it to our ordinance amendments.
MR. OSSORIO: I will.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Mr. Payne still isn't here.
We'll come back ifhe shows up.
New business.
Michael Varney, are you present?
I'll have you come to this podium, sir.
If you would, state your name, and I'll have the reporter --
MR. VARNEY: Michael Varney.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'll have the reporter -- recorder swear
you In.
(Michael Varney was placed under oath.)
MR. VARNEY: I do.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: As we're looking through your packet
here, tell us what you now qualify, what you want to qualify and your
reason for doing it.
MR. VARNEY: Okay. What I now qualify is my company,
Hurricane Shutter Installer.
I'm looking to expand and develop new shutters, so I'm working
with these two gentlemen here to -- we're doing a merger between
their company and mine. So, I want to qualify their company as a
second entity.
Ultimately, my company, within the year, will no longer exist. I
will be closing that down and doing business under the name Triton
Shutters.
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May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. So, Triton Shutters presently is
not qualified.
Is that correct?
MR. VARNEY: Correct.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. And you will have an interest
in the new company as well?
MR. VARNEY: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's quite a packet.
Mr. Bartoe, a couple of questions.
Any complaints -- I'm still not -- what's the name of your
company now?
MR. VARNEY: Affordable Hurricane Shutters.
If -- if you remember correctly, sir, I'm the one that qualified --
the reason, I had an aluminum contractor's license and I was going to
qualify the hurricane shutters when we found out at this meeting that
you no longer could do hurricane shutters under the aluminum
contractor's license.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: What percentage ownership will
you have in the new business?
MR. VARNEY: We haven't decided that yet. I -- I'm on a salary
right now.
Like I say, we're -- we're in negotiation. Getting the license is the
first step so we can do advertising.
We're -- we have contracts, but they're at the attorney's right now.
We're going back and forth on discussing that.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any complaints at all against this
individual?
MR.OSSORIO: For the record, Michael Ossorio.
On the contrary, Michael Varney is an outstanding contractor,
does good work in the county and no complaints.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you, sir.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, just run this by me one more
time, if you would.
What's the reason for -- for changing this or--
MR. VARNEY: I'm a --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: You're going to eliminate your
company; right?
MR. VARNEY: Pardon?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: You're going to eliminate your
company out?
MR. VARNEY: Yeah. Over the course of the next year.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right.
MR. VARNEY: And I'm going to take care of the contracts I
have existing outstanding right now.
We're looking at developing some new shutter products. I don't
want to go into too many details on it because it's kind of a company
secret.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
MR. VARNEY: But we're looking to develop some new
company -- new shutter products and some expansion.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: You -- you will have an ownership
stake though.
MR. VARNEY: Yes, sir. Yeah. I realize that's a requirement.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I'm just curious as to why you
would want to change the name from a reputable company to a
company that's brand new.
MR. VARNEY: Well, the advertising we're going to do is the
new company name, formerly Affordable, so we still have my name
recognition.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Oh, I see.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Credit report is good unless you guys
see something I don't.
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May 17, 2006
Mr. Lewis, you've already looked at all of it, haven't you?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: I have. I'm ready to make a motion.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do it.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Motion to approve.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Second. Joslin.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any discussion?
Mr. Ossorio's comment went along ways.
MR. VARNEY: Well, the only complaint I had was from
Michael last week, and that's because I haven't gone out to measure a
gentleman's house yet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Because we -- we get a lot of shutter
complaints, so --
MR. VARNEY: Well, I'm one of the few companies that didn't
have any failures in the last hurricane.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
Anything else?
Call for the vote.
All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Opposed?
You got it, buddy.
MR. VARNEY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: A point for you; your file is here so
don't go to Maggie today.
MR. VARNEY: Okay.
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CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You can go tomorrow though.
MR. VARNEY: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Wish you well.
MR. VARNEY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's it.
Where did Tom go?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Do you want to give this to him
also while you're there? That would give this paper by the way.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I assume all these other people are
here -- Michael, guide me.
Do we want to do the workshop discussion now because that's
what these people are here for?
Do we want to do the cases now? You tell me.
MR. OSSORIO: We're going to proceed with the cases due to
the fact that Bill Hammond or the -- Bill and Fischel wants to be here.
And he probably won't be here until at least ten.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. OSSORIO: And he wants to talk to you about the
amendment process and -- and why he's here and go through the
process since this is his first time.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Got you.
Tim Payne has not come in.
MR.OSSORIO: Tim Payne is not here. I told him to be here at
ten. I did say that if time permitting, we -- he can discuss his -- his
information to you, and that's something that's up to the board, if you
want to hear it or not hear it.
So, that's not on my agenda. It's really not on my priority list
right now.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Another question for you.
This applies also to you, Mr. Neale.
MR. NEALE: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: The two public hearings that are
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coming up, Case Number 2006-07 and 08, can I hear those together,
or do I have to hear them separately?
MR. NEALE: I discussed that a little bit with Mr. Zachary, and
it -- certainly, the cases could be consolidated. It's been done in the
past.
If you remember a number of years ago, the electric man case
where we had over a hundred different complaints and they were all
consolidated, so I think it would be possible and appropriate if -- if the
board so moves to -- to consolidate the cases.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: These are two individual parties
though; right?
MR. NEALE: Two individual parties, but it can be viewed by
the board as one -- one case.
MR. OSSORIO: And I believe there's similar cases.
MR. NEALE: Yeah. Because there's similar type cases and it's
one contractor, so, you know, the evidence can be brought and the
board can reach one decision on both cases.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Any objections from the
county .
MR. OSSORIO: None.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: What about disciplinary actions
and/or fines and levies.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Why don't we break them down?
MR. NEALE: Well, what -- what you can do is you can break--
you know, if you're finding restitution, find restitution separately for
the two parties, the fines and so forth.
Because of the factors that the board considers in determining
penalties, you would have to look at the two cases anyhow as part of
determining other penalties other than restitution.
So, you know, both factor -- both would have to be weighed in
any case.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: So, we can separate those out to the
-- to the --
MR. NEALE: You can separate out the restitution and -- and the
penalties. Basically, you would consolidate the penalties other than
restitution.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Mr. Bowersox, are you
present?
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: If you would, come over here and sit
on this front row right there.
Are you represented by counsel?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All right, sir.
Let me explain to you how this happens.
Do you have any objection to us doing both these cases at the
same time?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All right, sir. He did signify no.
MR. NEALE: Yeah. Right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: The way this is handled, it is quasi
judicial. What we will start with is the county will make an opening
statement, not go into details.
You'll be allowed to make an opening statement, again not go
into details.
And then the county will present their case. If they have
witnesses, they call them. When they are finished with the witness,
you can ask that witness questions at the time or you can wait until
you present your case.
Once the county rests, then you'll be allowed to come up and give
-- say whatever you want to say, call witnesses or recall witnesses that
the county had.
Are you with me?
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May 17,2006
MR. HAMMOND: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Once that's all done, then there
will be a closing statement by the county, a closing statement by you.
After that's all done, you will hear us make a motion for a closing
of the public hearing, which basically is, we're finished with you
unless we want to ask a question.
Then we become the jury, except you listen to us deliberate.
Okay?
MR. HAMMOND: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And the board will come up with a
ruling.
Any questions?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. With that, Mr. Bartoe, Case
Number 2006-07, Collier County versus Paul Bowersox, doing
business as Trojan Pools, Incorporated.
Case Number 2006-08, Collier County versus Paul Bowersox,
d/b/a Trojan Pools, Incorporated.
What I'd first like to -- both -- all the board members, we do have
two files. I'd like one motion to introduce both of these files into
evidence before we start.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So moved. Joslin.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Second. Blum.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
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May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Neale.
MR. NEALE: Mr. Dickson, what you also probably ought to do
is make a motion and have a vote on the consolidation of the cases.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
Do I have such a motion.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So moved.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: To consolidate?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes, to consolidate both the cases
together.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Second?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Second. Blum.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Second?
Discussion?
I'll just note there was no objection by any parties.
All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Hold on.
Mr. Zachary, are you going to do it or Tom?
Tom?
MR. ZACHARY: Mr. Bartoe.
MR. BARTOE: I will present the first case, '07, and licensing
investigator, Allen Kennette, will present the second case, '08, because
we investigated them.
And we did get them admitted; is that correct?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
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May 17,2006
MR. KENNETTE: Yes.
MR. BARTOE: In Case Number '07, the county is prepared to
show you where on April 12th, 2005, that Mr. Bowersox from Trojan
Pools, Incorporated did contract with Steven and Sandra Llorca,
correct spelling of their last name is L-I-o-r-c-a.
They have a pool and screen and enclosure built, total price of
$59,900. And they to date they paid Trojan Pools, $47,920 and the
job is not finished. He has abandoned the job. There are three liens
on the property totaling $8,498.88.
And the Llorcas have received bids of $6,438.50 to finish pool
equipment and labor, $14,250 for a pool cage, and $1,225 for a baby
fence, which was also in the original contract.
With these liens and bids to finish the job, the total cost to the
Llorcas will be $18,432.38 above the contracted price.
And with that, I would like to call Mrs. Sandra Llorca to the
stand over here.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Are we in opening statements?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Huh?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Are we going to do the opening in
the first couple --
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Tom, can I just ask a question --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah, because they both--
COMMISSIONER KELLER: -- on the case summary? The total
amount was seventeen thousand seven thirty-two, and you just said
that it was eighteen thousand four thirty-two.
MR. BARTOE: I did.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Okay.
MR. BARTOE: I'll be able to correct that.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Okay.
MR. NEALE: Mr. Dickson--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah.
MR. NEALE: -- just normally the procedure is two opening
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May 17,2006
statements and --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah.
MR. NEALE: -- or as some testimony is brought out.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I didn't do that.
If I could get you just to have a seat right there on the comer. I
apologize.
Opening statements. That pretty well it?
MR. BARTOE: That's it -- and to clarify for Ms. Keller, when --
when Mrs. Llorca provided me with the information and the canceled
checks that they have already paid it, she had totaled $47,220, and I
added them to get $47,920.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. I got you.
MR. BARTOE: And that raises the figure to complete.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Bowersox, would you like to
make an opening statement to kind of set a stage?
MR. HAMMOND: Well--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You've got to go to the podium, sir.
I need for you to state your name and I'll have you sworn in,
please.
MR. HAMMOND: Paul Bowersox.
(Paul Bowersox was placed under oath.)
MR. HAMMOND: Yes, I do.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Go ahead.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay. He says I abandoned the job. That's
not true.
Just last week I had the heater put on the job, the new pump. I
wanted to put a new pump on it because I had a temporary pump
running the pool for quite sometime. It was a new pump, but I wanted
to give him a new one.
I had all the Aqualink in it, everything out there delivered. The
electrician and me were supposed to be there yesterday, but due to the
rain, he didn't show up. He said he -- we'd do it some other day. The
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May 17,2006
pool's been running.
The -- the screen -- the reason the screen isn't up because my
screen guy wouldn't call me back, you know. The screen is out there
now from Tommy Crane, but he's dealing with the owners directly.
But I did not abandon the job. It's -- I've been -- this year for me
has been a little -- I -- I just got a two-month old baby boy, my first
child, from my girlfriend, and who also has cancer, so she's been
going through cancer treatments and that's just been taking up a lot of
time.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Very good.
Anything else on opening?
Okay. Let's go back to the case then.
Mr. Bartoe?
MR. BARTOE: Mrs. Llorca, would you take the stand, please?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I need for you, if you would, state
your name and I'll have you sworn in, please.
MRS. LLORCA: Sandra Llorca.
(Sandra Llorca was placed under oath.)
MRS. LLORCA: I do.
MR. BARTOE: Mrs. Llorca, as I stated in my opening
statement, you and your husband contracted in April of 2005 with
Trojan Pools to have a pool and screen enclosure built for a total of
$59,900.
Is that correct?
MRS. LLORCA: That's correct.
MR. BARTOE: And to date you have supplied me, and I think
board members can see it in your packet, Pages E-6, E- 7 and E-8 with
three checks from the Llorcas payable to Trojan Pools, and the first
check was for $11,980, the next two checks were for 17,970.
And if I'm wrong, someone correct me because I came up with
$47,920 for those three checks, where earlier I believe Mrs. Llorca
gave me a figure of 700 less than that.
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May 17, 2006
In the packet on Page E-9 is a Claim of Lien from Gorman
Company for a total of -- total value of $897.98 of which the total
amount of that remained unpaid in November, around the middle of
November when this lien was filed.
Mrs. Llorca, what's the last time you checked in regards to this
lien from Gorman Company, checked with them to see if it had been
taken care of?
MRS. LLORCA: Yesterday.
MR. BARTOE: And at this--
MRS. LLORCA: It was still outstanding.
MR. BARTOE: It has not?
MRS. LLORCA: Been paid.
MR. BARTOE: Page E-I0 is another Claim of Lien on that same
property as a re -- being filed by Coastal Concrete Products, and a
total value of$5,928, of which the total amount remains unpaid. This
lien was filed in mid November also.
Mrs. Llorca, what is the last time you checked the status of this
lien with Coastal Products?
MRS. LLORCA: Yesterday. And it has not been paid.
MR. BARTOE: Thank you.
And Page 11 is a Claim of Lien from Krehling Industries.
I'm looking for the amount. It's small writing.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: A thousand--
MR. BARTOE: On Page 7 of$1,672.90. This lien was filed in
mid November also.
And, Mrs. Llorca, what type -- what is the last time you checked
the status of this lien and what's the results?
MRS. LLORCA: Yesterday and it has not been paid.
MR. BARTOE: Thank you.
You heard Mr. Bowersox testify he was out to your house last
week and did you see him there?
MRS. LLORCA: No, I didn't. I was at work.
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May 17,2006
The pool equipment was delivered to the house.
MR. BARTOE: You did see pool equipment there.
MRS. LLORCA: Yes.
MR. BARTOE: What is the last time that you know of that
approximately as close as can you come to a date that he was at your
property before that?
MRS. LLORCA: Last October.
MR. BARTOE: October?
MRS. LLORCA: Uh-huh.
MR. BARTOE: You provided me with a -- a letter dated April
17th for the board members. That -- our copy is on Page E-14.
And in her letter she's telling what it cost -- what she has bids for
to finish pool equipment and labor for the pool cage and for a baby
fence.
And she mentioned the liens on the house, as she testified to
today, that appear to still be active.
And the page after that is a bid for the finishing of the equipment.
Page E-16 is a -- is a bid from Crane Screening and Aluminum to
the Llorcas to build this screen enclosure.
I believe you heard Mr. Bowersox say Krehling Screening and
Aluminum would not call him back.
They called me back and said they're not going to build it until
they get a deposit.
So, this proposal between Mr. and Mrs. Llorca and Krehling
Screening and Aluminum for $14,250, I see it is signed by your
husband, Stephen.
MRS. LLORCA: Yes.
MR. BARTOE: Is that the contract that you're under now to
have the screen put up?
MRS. LLORCA: Yes, it is.
MR. BARTOE: And it has nothing to do with Mr. Bowersox.
MRS. LLORCA: No.
Page 20
May 17, 2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Has this been contracted already,
that portion of it?
MR. BARTOE: That was the contractor that Mr. Bowersox was
going to use.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right.
MR. BARTOE: And I can advise you there was -- when I first
got the complaint the end of January, there was a permit ready to be
picked up for the screen enclosure, and Krehling Aluminum and
Screening told me they would not pick it up until they received some
money from Mr. Bowersox.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Got you. Okay.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Is -- is this 14,000 part of the 59,000
originally contracted?
MR. BARTOE: Yes, sir. The screen was in there. Page--
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, the reality is that the original
contract now has become 45,000, in essence. Is that right? Round
numbers?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: You have to take out the part that
was already included.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Mike, am I on the right track here or
not?
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yes.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Now, was the original contract of
fifty-nine included 14,000 and change for the -- for the screen. Is that
right?
MR. BARTOE: I don't know what the amount was for the
screen.
That contract would be between the pool contractor and the
screen contractor.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Well, I -- I see a date here of
February 24th for 14,250.
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May 17,2006
Was that 14,250 and the fifty-nine nine of the original contract?
MR. BARTOE: I'm assuming it was. We could ask Mrs. Llorca.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Okay. So, in reality then at this
point in time since Mr. -- Mr. -- this gentleman is out of the equation
with the cage, so the original contract price is now, in essence, about
45,000 then and not fifty-nine.
Is that --
MR. BARTOE: The original contract price in my mind was
fifty-nine nine as written and it included a cage.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I'm with you. But the --
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Right. We don't know what--
COMMISSIONER BLUM: -- cage didn't get done --
COMMISSIONER KELLER: -- the component of that was.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: -- the guy didn't pick up the permit,
so that part of the dollar amount really isn't there anymore or -- or --
MR. BARTOE: We know what price Krehling contracted with
the Llorcas for. I have no idea what price he contracted with Mr.
Bowersox for.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: I -- I can almost guarantee you that
it's a lot more than what they contract with Mr. Bowersox because
after the hurricane the screen prices went through the roof.
MR. BARTOE: I would have to agree with you, Mr. Guite.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: So, we have to take that into
account.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: But what I'm -- what I'm trying to
get at if the screen is now out of the equation and $47,000 has already
been paid to -- to the contractor, in essence, she has paid way over and
above, yet the screen is not part of this and it was a lower amount.
Am I making sense here?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Can I jump in for a minute?
First of all, the screen enclosure was included under special work
of the contract, Item Number 7. That contract was dated April 25th,
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May 17,2006
'05.
Now, all of us are pretty well aware how long it takes to build a
pool. We have a pool contractor as a vice chairman on this board.
All of this could have been done before Hurricane Wilma. So,
what happened in prices after Hurricane Wilma are totally irrelevant.
This is a contract with no escalation clause. If you read it, there
is no escalation clause in there.
So, that discussion is out the window.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: What's an escalation clause?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Escalation clause for price increases.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: If something happens and prices go
up drastically, you have the option to increase those prices.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, yes, in answer to the question, in
answer to the question, this 14,000, whatever it is, was part of the
original contract.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Which now is not part of it since -- I
don't want to hold -- I can't hold this gentleman liable for something
that's not a part of the contract is where I'm going.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It is part of the contract. Special--
special work, Item Number 7. It was part of the contract.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: But they both agreed she's going to
do this separately now.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: She's done it because it hasn't been
done.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Right. Exactly.
I'm not saying it's right. I'm just trying to get it straight here,
that's all.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah, but it's an issue of how
much of that part of the contract has -- is a different price because
she's done it --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah.
Page 23
May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER KELLER: -- and she's, you know, sort of
held hostage to the people that were originally contracted with.
So, if we had an original contract with the contractor and the
screen provider, then it might change.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How is that relevant when he had a
permit that could have been picked up and the work done if the job
had been done in a timely manner? It's not relevant.
The escalation and the fact that she's dealing directly with him by
herself now is because of a lack of performance.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay. 1'11-- I'll interject.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I think you're getting sidetracked here.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I want to interject one other thing
here just while we're on the subject, so as far as the dollars, I see Mr.
Blum is trying to -- tried to account for.
I'm seeing these -- proposals from the Krehling Screen enclosures
where he's more or less asking for a 50 percent deposit on a brand new
screen enclosure for a construction job, which --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- I think the ten percent is -- was
normal and fitting and proper.
So, I would think on a $14,250 contract for the screen enclosure,
ifit were that, that Mr. Bowersox should have came up with $1425,
which should have started that ten percent rolling and it would have
started that permit happening.
But for him -- for Mr. Krehling or whoever, to beat him up for
$7200, that's just a bit over and above the ten percent mark, I believe.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But again what it is --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, I wouldn't have paid it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We're getting --losing sight of the
point here. Oh, you're -- but this isn't the original contract that he had
on the pool.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I understand that.
Page 24
May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: This is with the owners.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: But we're talking about an owner
contract now. Well, his price would have been a lot less yet, I'm sure.
As a contractor's pricing I get my screen enclosures or most
contractors buy their screen enclosures for less and the retail price
that's sold is this $14,000 number.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's still irrelevant.
Mr. Neale, help me. What is the reason that all these prices have
gone up? What's the reason that they're having to deal directly with
the screen enclosure contract?
It's because of a lack of performance and a completion of an
initial contract.
Don't get -- we're going off on side roads.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I understand that.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Bowersox is the issue here.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I understand what you're saying,
Mr. -- Mr. Dickson.
But under the circumstances I can see where -- if Mr. Bowersox
got to a certain point and he called for the screen enclosure to be put
up and that screen enclosure person asked him for a 50 percent deposit
on a $14,000 screen enclosure, that over exceeds the ten percent
deposit that would be normally required.
And what would happen is that maybe he didn't at that point have
the money to give him $7200 --
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah, but--
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- which would start that screen
enclosure being put up.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: This is the new contract. The old
contract probably was different.
MR. NEALE: If I could, I mean, what the board's looking at is
not the facts in evidence at this point and it's a lot of conjecture that
the board's undergoing.
Page 25
May 17,2006
I would suggest that, you know, this case is to be decided on the
facts in front of you, not what might have happened, what could have
happened.
So, if there's testimony offered to that then, you know, the facts
in evidence are the facts in evidence and that's what the board is to
decide on.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Let's continue, Mr. Bartoe.
MR. BARTOE: I'm sorry, sir?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Continue.
MR. BARTOE: I don't know where to continue other than I have
no more questions at this time of this witness. I do not know now
whether Mr. Bowersox does or not.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, you're presented your evidence.
MR. ZACHARY: Mr. Chairman, I'd like to ask one question of
Mrs. Llorca.
To date, have you paid all of the draws that you were supposed to
pay under the contract?
MRS. LLORCA: Yes, I have.
MR. ZACHARY: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Mr. Bowersox, do you want to
ask Miss Llorca any questions at this time?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Do you have any further
witnesses?
MR. BARTOE: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All right. Mrs. Llorca, thank you.
Mr. Neale, at this point -- well, let's -- now that they've rested
their case, Mr. Bowersox, it's your turn.
Give us your rebuttal. You're allowed to call any witnesses,
introduce any evidence, anything you want to do to defense yourself.
MR. HAMMOND: Well, just on that case, the screen guy told
me that he was going to honor the original contract price to the
Page 26
May 17,2006
Llorcas.
So, the $14,000, I believe -- I'm not sure without the bid sheet in
my hand, but that may be the right price.
And also the reason it took so long, if you remember back, we
had a concrete shortage and it took weeks to get concrete after you
ordered it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How big is the screen enclosure
because 14,000 on current prices doesn't sound that outrageous. It
sounds like a pretty good price.
MR. HAMMOND: It's a large cage. It's like 65 by 40. It's -- it's
kind of chopped up, you know. The screen is not that big but -- but
it's -- it's a good cage.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Lewis.
MR. HAMMOND: Very large.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It sounds like a great price, doesn't it?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: It -- it is a fair price, especially if --
MR. BARTOE: Yeah. I can add to that. I've seen prices lately,
and this, as he said, it is a large enclosure and it does sound like a
decent price to me.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Anything else? Is that all
you're going to present?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, that's the reason it took so long is the
money, big -- you know, big crunch in money. I had a lot contracts
that they didn't pay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let me ask you some pointed
questions then.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You know as a contractor the number
one rule and the biggest infraction that you can possibly bring upon
yourself is allowing a lien to be put on a piece of property.
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You've got three of them.
Page 27
May 17,2006
MR. HAMMOND: I know.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How do you answer to that?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, the guy that's -- the gentleman that
sold the job was also my general manager in the office, paying the
bills, stuff like that. How this happened, I'm not sure.
He's no longer with me but, you know, I'm -- I'm working, trying
to get everything paid.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's not a good answer.
MR. HAMMOND: I know, but it's the only one I got.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I know in my business, and I'm sure
every other contractor up here, just for your information, three people
up on -- well, two on this board are consumers. All the rest of us are
contractors.
If a customer in my business were to get a lien on them, it's like
an atom bomb going off. Why did you not react and why did you not
get these liens paid off and removed because some of these are
ridiculously cheap?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, I've -- I can't believe they're not,
because I have a payment plan with Gorman. I'm paying them 2500
bucks a month to get them paid off, and a couple other ones, Coastal
Concrete with the pavers.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: $2500 a month to Gorman. How
much was the original lien ?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, the original-- what I owe them and
what I'm in arrears of is 40,000.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Well, I'm talking this one job though.
This is the one that has a lien on it.
What you're basically telling me is you got other liens out there I
don't know about.
MR. HAMMOND: Well, I don't know that there's -- that's what I
owe Gorman. There is a --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Because--
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May 17,2006
MR. HAMMOND: There is a few other liens out there, yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Because these liens were filed in
September and November and they're still not paid off and one was for
only -- was less than $1,000 and one was 1600.
And what -- you know what happens at the end of the year. That
lien expires unless they foreclose or renew the lien. So, everything's
about ready to come down on this homeowner.
MR. HAMMOND: Well--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do you not have the money to get
these liens removed?
MR. HAMMOND: Yes, I do. Now I do.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Because they've been on there for
anywhere from six to nine months.
MR. HAMMOND: I know.
I'm just -- I'm just starting to turn around now. I'm doing a lot of
labor, sub-laboring work to get the cash flow back up so I can payoff
these loans.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do you know how great it would have
been if you got these liens removed before you came before this
board?
MR. HAMMOND: Yep.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Any other questions from the
board?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah. Do you -- do you intend to
finish this pool?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Come back up, Mr. Bowersox.
MR. HAMMOND: I'm sorry.
Oh, yes.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: What -- how -- how -- how close to
being done is this pool other than the cage?
MR. HAMMOND: Two, three hours. Just hook up the
equipment, the filter and the -- everything's running. I just got to
Page 29
May 17,2006
install the heater and then work with the electrician and wiring it all.
That's it.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: And then --
MR. HAMMOND: And then put up the baby fence after the
screen's up.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, basically, you've been paid in
full when this thing is running other than the cage.
Is that right?
MR. HAMMOND: No. I would say so. Since we backed out
the screen, yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: In fact, you've been overpaid, I
believe.
MR. HAMMOND: I don't know. I -- that I don't know. I'll have
to look at my bid sheet, see what the actual screen price was.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Well, again, I'm going back to -- if
you picked 14,000 out, you got 45,000 that the job is worth to you.
You've been paid 47,920. So, you've been overpaid two grand and
you still got 8,000, almost $9,000 worth of liens.
So, in reality, in my mind, I see you owing these people with the
bare minimum two thousand and some odd dollars on the contract plus
removing all the liens, and then they get their own cage.
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: How close are you if you could
make something like that happen? I mean, is that doable for you?
MR. HAMMOND: Oh, yeah. Yes.
Yes. By the end of this month, I should have everything cleared
up with them.
MR. BARTOE: May I add something?
Since I've started this investigation, I haven't seen anything done
at that job site up until a couple weekends ago.
Right after that, this pallet showed up with a pool heater, pool
pump, I believe the Aqualink equipment.
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May 17, 2006
And the next time I go back, the Aqualink equipment is screwed
onto the stucco wall. That's all. How long does that take?
Between Monday and Tuesday, somebody showed up there, I'm
assuming it's Mr. Bowersox, and took the pool heater and pool pump
out of their boxes, set them on the cement pad.
If he calls that working, I could do that in two minutes and leave.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: When did you start working on this?
What kind of time frame are you talking about?
MR. BARTOE: When did he start working?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No. When did you start being
involved in this case?
MR. BARTOE: Oh, I'm sorry. Me? January 24th.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: January 24th. And you just saw
activity in the last two weeks?
MR. BARTOE: I saw nothing done up until that pallet was
delivered.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And, Mr. Neale, legal definition of
abandonment is six --
MR. BARTOE: I -- I did not charge him with abandonment, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. But I'm --
MR. BARTOE: It is part of the money related, one charge, yes,
sIr.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'm asking the question. Abandonment
is 60 or 90?
MR. NEALE: I'll check the ordinance.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Anybody else have any other
questions?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Can I ask Mr. Joslin?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Sure.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I mean, I had a pool built and I had a
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Can we do this?
Page 31
May 17, 2006
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Oh, okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'm just wondering -- I'm not trying to
MR. NEALE: It's it 90 days by the way.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Huh?
MR. NEALE: Ninety days.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Ninety days constitutes abandonment.
Do we want to do this in discussion or now because it leads to
questions that will --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: It could wait, sure. No problem.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Do you have any questions?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No. I pretty much answered
everything, I think, that I was thinking about.
As far as the conditional phase of how far along you are on the
job right now, what's been done; what's been completed and what's
left?
I would only have one question, is why have not you been back
to this pool since what, November?
MR. BARTOE: I believe Mrs. Llorca testified October.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: October?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, because I got put on, you know, COD
on everybody and I had to come up with this $6,000 to buy the heater,
the Aqualink, everything to get the job done.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay. Well, that's a good answer, I
suppose, but that tells me that there must be some more -- some more
situations out there, where if you have that much indebted to Gorman
and to Krehling and to Coastal Concretes, that there are some other
jobs out there, too, that are either not paid for yet or your accounts are
closed off so that you cannot purchase anything there anymore except
if you walk in and pay cash for it, which that doesn't set well with me
because now I know there's more problems out there.
MR. HAMMOND: No, there's -- there's actually not. There's--
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May 17, 2006
I've got three jobs that I'm finaling out, and that's all that's out there.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Well--
MR. BARTOE: To contradict his last statement, I'd like to
recall, when I get a chance, Mrs. Llorca.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any other questions ofMr.
Bowersox?
Okay. Thank you.
Mrs. Llorca, would you come back up, please?
MRS. LLORCA: Uh-huh.
MR. BARTOE: Thank you.
Mrs. Llorca, do you remember advising me that your
brother-in-law had some renovation work done by Mr. Bowersox,
Trojan Pools?
MRS. LLORCA: Yes.
MR. BARTOE: And you told me you had felt that there might
be a lien or two on his property, and I asked you yesterday if you
would please double check with him and did you do so?
MRS. LLORCA: Yes, I did.
MR. BARTOE: And could you advise me of what those results
of that check were?
MRS. LLORCA: They had a lien with Gorman for $5,471 and
Coastal Concrete for four hundred four hundred -- I'm sorry -- $4,433.
MR. BARTOE: Thank you. I have no more questions.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Stay there if you will.
Just for everyone's knowledge, we do accept hearsay in here.
Question for you. Tell me the condition of your pool right now
and can it be finished in a couple of hours? I want to hear about it.
MRS. LLORCA: The pool is actually great. It's good work.
We're very happy with, you know, the look of it and everything like
that.
The only thing is it's been running 24 hours a day on an outlet
pump, so we have to unplug it because it's not running off the outlet
Page 33
May 17, 2006
the right way.
And -- but there's no heater, and then there's no -- the baby fence
isn't up, nor is the cage, or the blowers in the spa. None of that has
been connected.
The only equipment that had been connected was the actual
pump to keep the pool running.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Are you -- are you aware of the
inspections from the permit? Is everything -- it hadn't been finaled
yet?
MRS. LLORCA: No, it has not been -- it has not been finaled
yet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Because I'm wondering if -- when did
he actually start the pool?
MRS. LLORCA: He actually started it the weekend of July 4th.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Because he's coming up -- that
permit's going to expire here --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: July.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- in July. They're good for one year
only.
So, what you're telling me is you like the pool.
MRS. LLORCA: Oh, I love the pool. The pool is great. I'd just
like it finished. That's what I paid for.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And paid for.
MRS. LLORCA: Yeah. And paid for.
My -- my only question was, is that with the Gorman lien? We
got noticed yesterday that they were starting foreclosure proceedings
if they don't get -- paid it by May 22nd.
Should I pay that or --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You need to contact legal counsel, but
I will tell you a lot of -- a lot of us never wait for a year to happen
because that's how things get lost.
It does automatically expire at the end of 12 months.
Page 34
May 17,2006
MRS. LLORCA: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You can renew a lien, but I'd -- like
every other contractor, I want my money.
MRS. LLORCA: Right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, a foreclosure usually gets your
money.
MRS. LLORCA: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But I think I would seek legal counsel
on that one.
MRS. LLORCA: Okay. Will do.
MR.OSSORIO: Mr. Dickson, I got one question--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes, sir.
MR. OSSORIO: -- for Mr. Bartoe.
Mr. Bartoe, would you say that Mr. Bowersox has -- has
forthright come to the office and provided all the information that you
needed as to telephone numbers, where the address, where he's living,
or would you say it was actually pretty difficult to canvas Marco
Island to actually try to find him to serve him to get him here today?
MR. BARTOE: It was difficult to find him and serve him, which
I'd never was able to. Mr. Kennette did.
Allen Kennette and I found the office closed. It appears to be
abandoned, phone numbers disconnected.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Anyone have any other questions of
Mrs. Llorca?
Thank you. Go ahead.
That all, Michael?
MR.OSSORIO: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Closing statements unless you
guys have any more questions for anyone.
MR. NEALE: Well, what I would -- I would suggest is instead
of having closing statements on this case --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Sir?
Page 35
May 17, 2006
MR. NEALE: -- is have the evidence presented on the second
case and then consider them both at the same time.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you.
The suits rule.
Okay. Mr. Bartoe, let's look at the next case.
MR. BARTOE: I will let Mr. Kennette present the next case, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: This is Case Number 2006-08, Board
of Collier County Commissioners, Collier County, Florida, Contractor
Licensing Board versus Paul Bowersox, d/b/a Trojan Pools,
Incorporated.
We've already had opening statements. Let's proceed right on to
the presentation of the case.
MR. KENNETTE: Do you want me -- I've got to be sworn in.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes.
MR. KENNETTE: Allen Kennette, Collier County Contractor
Licensing Compliance Officer.
(Allen Kennette was placed under oath.)
MR. KENNETTE: Yes, I do.
This is a case also with Mr. Paul Bowersox doing business as
Trojan Pools. A contract was taken with Mr. Eduardo Hoyo of
Lamplighter Court on Marco Island on March 11 th, 2005 to install a
pool, complete pool, for $43,000.
On February 1st of2006, Mr. Hoyo made a complaint to us that
nothing has been done after the pool has been finished.
The cage has not been done along with several other items that
have not been finished.
Mr. Bowersox would not return his call. Several attempts were
made to contact Mr. Bowersox in -- by phone and in person, which
were unable to.
There was a lien placed on the property by Gorman also, for
$2,835 for lack of payment. Mr. Hoyo has been up to date on all his
payments as -- as spelled out in the contract. He had made a five
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May 17,2006
percent deposit.
The 45 percent and the 30 percent when the shell was -- are
completed. Checks were $2,150 for the contract deposit.
The other check for the shell was the 8,600 and then a check for
19,350 was paid. These are on Exhibits 6, 5 and 6 and 7.
He is up to date on payments, holding back the final completion
payment of $12,900 that is owed to Mr. Bowersox on completion of
the pool, which was not completed.
Mr. Bowersox stated that he would not go out there and complete
it in February when I contacted him finally on his -- on his cell phone,
but that he would finish the sidewalk that was damaged through a
rainstorm after they poured the cement, and he did go back out in the
first weeks of February and took one day to complete that job, which
puts him in the abandonment because he's over 90 days for not
completing anything else.
He had no intentions of completing it, and also the lien has not
been removed as of two weeks from now.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'm just looking. This sidewalk is part
of the contract?
Yes.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
MR. KENNETTE: Yes. It was -- it is in there.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: He writes good contracts.
MR. KENNETTE: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I mean everything is spelled out in
there.
MR. KENNETTE: Yes. Everything is there that it was supposed
to be finished, and as you can see on the -- on the summary, there was
lacking a few items that he did not complete on the pool.
Item 14 was not done, which is the pool cage. Item 15, the baby
fence, was not done. Also the survey, Number 19, was not completed,
and also he was going to refinish the deck after the cage was installed,
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May 17,2006
Number 20. And, of course, the lien has not been removed.
And on 5/5, there was an inspection of the pool, which failed,
from Marco Island by Brusa Yakola, Y-a-k-o-I-a, for the pump and
heater not being properly grounded, and the wall light not within the
five feet of pool edge --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. ZACHARY: -- which I just got this today.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Neale, is there any reason to
introduce that? I don't think we need it. Do you?
MR. NEALE: Probably a good idea. It's being presented.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. I need a motion for someone to
introduce that and we could use a copy, but at least that rejection from
Marco Island Permitting Department, that would be Exhibit A on Case
Number 08. Is that the one we're on?
MR. NEALE: Actually B, because -- Exhibit A? Exhibit A is the
composite exhibit.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Exhibit -- it would be B?
MR. NEALE: Uh-huh.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So moved, that that stop work
order -- shall introduced as evidence as Exhibit A -- B.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Second, somebody?
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Second. Keller.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Would you give that to the reporter
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May 17,2006
and let her mark that?
And then after she does that, if you'd pass it -- bring it up here so
we can pass it through.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Before you do, could you read it
more time, just right here -- because I know if I saw it --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You've got to go to the microphone.
MR. KENNETTE: It was rejected for the -- the rejection was for
the pool, pump and heater not properly bonded.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. KENNETTE: A removal of the wall light within five feet
of pool ledge.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. His permit is expired, isn't it?
MR. KENNETTE: Yes, it has. The permit has expired. It was --
it was issued and it -- that did expire -- where is it? I was just looking
at that myself.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: 4/21/05.
MR. KENNETTE: Yes, it is.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, 4/20 -- 4/20/06 it expired.
Surprised they did an inspection in May.
MR. KENNETTE: Yes. Well, it's up and running. I guess the
owner probably called it in to have that final inspection done on it.
MR. NEALE: Mr. Dickson, are we in opening -- opening
statement now on Mr. Kennette or not?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I skipped that. We've already done it.
MR. NEALE: Well, you probably -- you probably want to do
opening statements on this case, too. I mean, even though they're
consolidated, you probably want to.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Do you have an opening
statement, Mr. Bowersox, that you want to make?
MR. HAMMOND: No, not yet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Signified no.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: When you inspected this pool also,
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May 17, 2006
what percentage of this pool was completed?
MR. KENNETTE: Everything but those items that I listed under
the -- the pool cage, the baby -- the pool cage, the baby fence, the final
survey and the refinishing of the deck along with the lien that was
placed on the property and now the re-inspection for the two items
that I read.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Do you know who the licensed
electrician was on the -- on the job?
MR. KENNETTE: No, I don't. It was not listed.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Is there a way to find out, because
that would have something to do with the wall lines for the electrical
lines that are too close and not grounded.
MR. KENNETTE: Uh-huh. I can check the card, sign off card
on the -- the proj ect.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aren't both of these items to do with
the electrician?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN : Yes. Yes and no.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: The -- the five-foot thing, I'm a little
-- I don't quite know what that means.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It's a wall -- it's a wall socket that's
within five foot of the water's edge.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Oh, okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It would be there. It has to be a
minimum ten.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: And this would have been a socket
that had been added?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It probably was on the -- on the
home possibly.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Originally.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Then he put the pool in, maybe
three foot off the house, and that wall socket would be within five feet.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, that has to be moved or capped
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May 17,2006
off.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Or capped off, right.
COMMISSIONER HORN: I've got a question about that
contract on Page E-3 between the homeowner and the contractor here.
There's a handwritten note, Number 21, which I assume was part
of the original contract where it says, failure to complete within ten
weeks carries a penalty of 75 per day.
I assume that's for the contractor to pay if not completed on time?
MR. KENNETTE: I'm not sure of that. I did not see that part of
it, but the homeowner is here to testify to that. He can probably clear
that up --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Neale --
MR. KENNETTE: -- what that means.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I saw that, too, and totally ignored it.
Would you look at E-3? From what I know from law that's not
legal. I see no initials or dates by either -- either party on it.
Would you be a judge and rule?
MR. NEALE: That's hard to tell whether it was written on the
original contract or -- because it trails off the edge of the page. I
mean, it's sort of hard to figure out what it --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Assuming they have the original,
would it still be liable? It's something that could have been written
after he signed the contract with the contractor without --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Sure.
MR. NEALE: Potentially.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: There has to be -- am I not correct, it
has to be initialed and dated?
MR. NEALE: It certainly should be unless the contractor--
unless the contractor admits that that was put on there and accepts it
subsequently.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. ZACHARY: And the homeowner can be asked, too,
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May 17,2006
whether that was on there when the contract was originally signed.
MR. NEALE: So, I mean, you can take testimony from both
sides.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Reason being, I see it listed on his
actual contract. It spells it out, contract excludes, Number 1, sod and
landscape, and, Number 2, paint.
And another notation to the right of that says, contract is turnkey
except for sod and landscape and paint. The same terms were actually
listed there, but not on this contract.
This -- the second thing was, Number Two was added in,
penciled in.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: The other thing is Number 15 on
the second contract has written in, child fence, but it's not listed as an
option above as it was in the first contract --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: -- so, I'm wondering about that.
We should get testimony.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Are you going to call witnesses?
MR. KENNETTE: Yes. I'd like to call the homeowner, Mr.
Eduardo Y oko -- Hoyo, I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Good morning, sir.
MR. HOYO: Good morning to you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: If you would state your name and
then I need to have you sworn in.
MR. HOYO: Eduardo Hoyo.
(Eduardo Hoyo was placed under oath.)
MR. HOYO: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Go ahead.
MR. KENNETTE: Mr. Hoyo, the contract between you and Mr.
Bowersox of Trojan Pools, is that something that you -- that the date
that you signed that on?
MR. HOYO: The date on the contract?
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May 17,2006
MR. KENNETTE: On the contract, was that the date you
originally signed that on March 11th?
MR. HOYO: That's correct.
MR. KENNETTE: And that was for completion of the whole
poo I?
MR. HOYO: That's correct. All the items that are listed on the
contract?
MR. KENNETTE: Yes.
When was the last time that he was on the property?
MR. HOYO: About February.
MR. KENNETTE: When he finished the --
MR. HOYO: He had to redo the sidewalk.
MR. KENNETTE: Okay. And you did check on the lien and it
was still on two weeks past?
MR. HOYO: I'm in contact with Lori at Gorman and she would
notify me if the lien was paid off.
MR. KENNETTE: Okay. Has Mr. Bowersox ever contacted
you after the sidewalk was completed?
MR. HOYO: No.
MR. KENNETTE: The bids that you have for the completion of
the pool to make the contract full is a total-- total and cure of
additional cost of $7,027.68 --
MR. HOYO: That's correct.
MR. KENNETTE: -- minus the two failures for the electrician,
which we didn't have.
MR. HOYO: That's correct.
MR. KENNETTE: That's all I have.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Would you go back to E-3 and look at
the contract, Mr. Hoyo?
Item Number 15, 18, 19 and 20 and 21, were those on the
original contract?
MR. HOYO: I have here a fax copy from Trojan Pools that I
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May 17, 2006
asked the secretary to fax to me. It has the Troj an Pools identifier on
top, which will show you that those items were on there and in
possession of Paul.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. I don't.
So, is that your handwriting?
MR. HOYO: Yes, it is. That was added to the contract and was
on there when this contract was signed at his office and the deposit
was gIven.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'm going to ask you the same
question I asked the other person. What's the condition of your pool
right now?
MR. HOYO: The pool right now is -- is running. The items that
are missing are what Allen has stated.
I've since then hired a contractor to do the pool cage and it's
about 90 percent complete right now.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What's the quality of the pool?
MR. HOYO: The pool, in my opinion, poor. The finish in the
inside, if you look under water, there are pits, which I asked Mr.
Bowersox to correct when I noticed them, and nothing was done to
correct that problem.
There's -- I have a pebble finish and, you know, it's supposed to
be smooth and it -- have the rock finish.
Well, there are holes, pits, in different parts of the pool.
Unfortunately it's under water and I don't have an underwater camera
or else I would have brought pictures to show you that.
He had to refinish the -- the deck twice. He spray creted the deck
and he had to come back and spray crete it again because it was a
really shoddy job. It looks horrible. And he came and redid it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do you have any discussion?
Did you see the inspector out there?
MR. HOYO: Yes, I did.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Did he say anything about this permit
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May 17,2006
being expired?
MR. HOYO: No, he didn't. He came to do a final on the pool
because I wanted to know prior to this meeting what else besides the
obvious was missing on the pool.
Something like a bonding wire I would not have noticed.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: This -- are these pits that you're
talking about in the pool finish, are these like little, tiny, round pits or
like --
MR. HOYO: They're about, I would say, probably the biggest
one a quarter size or indents, probably a quarter inch, eighth of an
inch. Different.
I mean, I don't -- I don't have it exact, but they're noticeable.
You're -- you're supposed to have a smooth, pebble finish and it's not.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: What percentage of the pool would
you say is like that?
MR. HOYO: I would have to guess, but there's probably six to
seven spots that are like that.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay. Sometimes in that pebble
finish aggregate, sometimes you do have a break down of materials
where sometimes you will get a little imperfection, which with a rock
finish, it's kind of a normal thing.
MR. HOYO: Uh-huh.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Depending on how severe it is
now. I'm not saying it's right or wrong, but in my -- my business that's
sometimes a little tiny -- little, tiny spots of four, five, six of them may
not be out of the question.
MR. HOYO: Yeah, there were, you know, but there were some a
quarter size. I mean, they're -- you would be able to see them.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Could you tell if the aggregate is
actually falling out or it's rougher or --
MR. HOYO: No. I think it --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- smooth, but it's just
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May 17,2006
impressioned?
MR. HOYO: In my opinion, I'm not a -- I don't do this kind of
work, but in my opinion it was just -- it was not applied. It didn't fall
out. It was just that it was applied smoothly in some spots.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any other questions of him? The
board have any questions of him?
Do you have any -- Mr. Bowersox, do you have any questions of
this witness?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, one.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. I need for you to go to this
podium over here.
MR. HAMMOND: The mention of the sidewalk, you're saying
that the sidewalks are in the contract?
MR. HOYO: Everything that we have agreed on was in this
contract. If you have another paper stating anything else, I'd like you
demonstrate it.
MR. HAMMOND: You mean pouring three-quarters around
your house, sidewalks is in that contract.
MR. HOYO: I had a diagram that was faxed to your manager
when the contract was done.
MR. HAMMOND: No. That was several months after the
contract of what you wanted. And you asked me --
MR. HOYO: You have another document that shows that I have
extra work done --
MR. HAMMOND: Are you saying all those sidewalks that I
poured at your house is in the original contract?
MR. HOYO: Part of the contract. No, not stated in here, but
they were agreed on by the drawing.
MR. HAMMOND: You're telling me that when I gave you a
price of $1800 to pour that back sidewalk, you don't remember that.
No, you don't remember that.
Page 46
May 17,2006
MR. HOYO: No, sir.
The only thing I know is my pool was contracted on March 11 th
and was supposed to be finished by July, and we're now in May of '06
and my pool is not finished.
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
MR. HOYO: And I paid you up to my draws.
MR. HAMMOND: Except for --
MR. HOYO: And you had not completed my pool.
MR. HAMMOND: Except for all the extras, $4,000 worth of
extras and you won't pay me. That's why there's a lien on your job.
MR. HOYO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any other questions?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I see nothing in the -- in the
contracts, both of your sakes, that says anything about sidewalks.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No. And I was incorrect when I said
that. It's not in the contract.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, is there a separate contract?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, verbally. When I was working on the
job, he asked me if I could pour sidewalks all the way around and
down this one side of his house, around the back, along the seawall,
back up to his garage.
And I said, yes, I would do that. And he said, give me a price
and -- and the original price was 1800 and then he kept adding and
adding and adding.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You don't have any signed change
orders?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Why?
MR. HAMMOND: I know.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: But you did the work?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, because at then we had a good
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May 17,2006
relationship, I thought. And then when he said he wasn't going to pay
me then--
,
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I would get a signed change order
from my father.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yeah. Really.
MR. HOYO: I'd like to add something.
I called the electrician that did the work on the job to see if he
can come correct the bonding wire and he said he would not come out
because he had not been paid on the job.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any other questions of him?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Anybody else have any
question of Hoyo?
Thank you, sir.
MR. HOYO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any more evidence? County?
MR. KENNETTE: I have received three other calls this week
also of high liens placed on properties, but I don't have anything to
back that up yet. They were -- they were waiting for -- to see what
happened to that -- at today's meeting.
I also have another contract here from Trojan Pools from another
client to have done --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Not part of this case though, is it?
MR. KENNETTE: No, not part of this case.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. KENNETTE: And there's other -- there's over 20 open
cases on Marco Island that have not had final pool inspections by
Troj an.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Twenty?
MR. KENNETTE: Twenty.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: How far do they date back?
MR. KENNETTE: They don't list it that way. They give it an
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May 17,2006
AP number.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I see.
MR. KENNETTE: And it doesn't show any dates on -- on open
contracts from any pools that were -- were out there. These were all
for Bowersox that were done on Marco Island still left open.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Over what period of time?
MR. KENNETTE: This was over a year back, way back the last
year.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, it's like the year, the year and a
half, these -- all these 20 things are about a year -- within a year or so?
MR. KENNETTE: I would say within the year or so.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Anything further?
MR. KENNETTE: No, nothing.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Your case. Do you want to present
your defense?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, the 20 cases that's open on Marco, I'm
not sure what that's about; could be builders that I'm doing work for.
I'm not sure. The city has not been on me about it, so I don't know
what that's about.
On the Hoyo job now, I guess, like I said, the sidewalks were
extras. There's quite a few extras on that job that I did without--
without the proper change orders.
And when I told Eddie, he said he wanted his -- he wanted
release of liens. And, I said, Eddie, you got to pay me first.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Is that Mr. -- is that Hoyo?
MR. HAMMOND: Yes. Mr. Hoyo.
I said, Eddie, you got to pay me first and then I'll get you
releases.
He says, no, you give me releases and then I'll pay you.
Well, I know that's not right because I've done that before and
then you don't ever get paid.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Did you ever pay him after giving
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May 17,2006
him a contract, say, you sign this contract to say I did the work and
then I'll go ahead and pay the lien or I'll pay the material and then you
pay me? That way you have something in writing.
MR. HAMMOND: No. We never did that. No.
And then on the deck, he says it was poor.
Well, the first time I did it, I painted it the color that he had
asked. He came, he looked at it, he loved it.
And then after a couple of days, he was saying it was too light.
So, to -- he picked out another color, which I told him that was
going to cost him extra to change color. He said, okay, just make it
this color.
So, whether we -- we restained it again, that color. Then he come
back and he says, now, you've restained it, all the texture is gone.
So, then, we resprayed it and did it yet a different color, because
he didn't like the second color either.
So, we did it twice -- painted it three times, sprayed it twice. So,
he was happy.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Wow!
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Question for you.
Do you have a copy of that -- the contract we're looking at?
MR. HAMMOND: Not with me, no. But I do and --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Neale, do you have one sitting
there he can look at?
I'm looking at E-3. Would you look at that? And, in particular,
would you look at Item Number 15 and then all the writing on the
side?
Was that done at the time the contract was signed?
MR. HAMMOND: No. This was done -- he faxed this back to
me like this, because my contract doesn't say anything about child
fence.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Who has the original contract?
MR. HAMMOND: I do.
Page 50
May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. You don't have it with you
though?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Why would you come to both of these
cases today and not have any of your documents with you?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, I wasn't sure what this was all about.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It was pretty clear.
Do you ever sign a contract when people put all those little notes
and writing in there?
MR. HAMMOND: No. This wasn't -- no.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: If someone did that to me on one of
my contracts, we would shake hands and say goodbye.
Are you about the same way?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, yeah. This contract, I sign when I
write them.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. HAMMOND: This was --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's very unusual. I would never allow
anyone to do this on one of my contracts.
MR. HAMMOND: No. Neither would I.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Well, this contract isn't even
complete. It doesn't have a total contract price, it doesn't list the
options separately like you did on the first one, so --
MR. HAMMOND: This was just faxed back to me from his
office in Miami, I believe, because my contracts are much larger than
this, the originals.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But that is your signature on the
contract; correct?
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. HAMMOND: But the -- all the notes weren't there when I
signed it.
Page 51
May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: One other question of the contract
itself.
The one that I have in front of me shows that you have a total
base -- base contract price of $43,000. Is that right?
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: And you have an option section
which is blank.
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: But on your -- in the nomenclature
or the break down of your optional items, it shows your heat pump, it
shows Aqualink, it shows you inflow of pitting system, and it shows
salt generator prep. Additional prices?
MR. HAMMOND: Correct.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Was these -- were these added to
the $43,000?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Or was that covered in the 43,000?
MR. HAMMOND: What's that?
The $43,000, there was no options. He didn't -- no. He supplied
his own heater, which I hooked up.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, all of these optional items that
are listed here are not part of the contractor or you were not supposed
to do?
MR. HAMMOND: No, no. They're not part of the contract.
In this case, he -- if he would choose an option like one --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right.
MR. HAMMOND: -- next to the options, we would write in
there option number one.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Anything else you want to present?
MR. HAMMOND: No. That's basically it.
The reason I pulled off the job because he never paid me. And I
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May 17,2006
told him as soon as he paid me, I would release the lien and --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Well, unfortunately, Mr.
Bowersox, you don't have anything in writing to -- to demand
payment from him except for your conversations as a one-on-one
relationship, so --
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- therefore, that -- that reasoning
for not going back and finishing the job isn't going to fly.
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: If you had something in writing
that you could show us that says that he did not pay that portion of the
contract and that's why you didn't go back, that's a different story.
But right now, we have nothing in writing that says that you
contracted with him to do those sidewalks other than what you may
have agreed to do for him for free for all we know.
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, that's not a reason why you
don't go back.
MR. HAMMOND: I understand.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Was the pool cage part of this price
also?
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, in the 43,000 --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Come back. Come back up, Mr.
Bowersox.
Was the pool cage part of the contract?
MR. HAMMOND: Not -- well, sort of. He did -- he wanted
some changes done, so the price that he got on his cage is not what's in
my contract.
My contract states just a regular cage. Well, he wanted ten-foot
walls. Well, his soffit height is at eight foot, so that's what normally
we would do.
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May 17,2006
He said he wanted ten-foot walls. And I said, well, Eddie, that's
going to cost extra because you got to go -- you can't put ten-foot
walls on an eight-foot house, unless, of course, you put a knee wall on
the house.
And that's what he said he wanted. So, the cage that he had got
put up has ten-foot walls on it, so that's not -- that's not a correct bid
price through my contract.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: All right. So, you didn't -- you
didn't have anything to do with the cage then.
MR. HAMMOND: No.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: And what -- what part of this 43,000
included dollars for a cage?
MR. HAMMOND: I'm not sure. I'd have to look at the bid
sheet, but I think it was around 8,000.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay. One more time, Mr.
Bowersox.
Your contract -- and, again, number one, said you put out a pretty
good contract; however, what you're telling me now and what's
actually been done or what you're saying that Mr. Hoyo wanted, on
your contract it says, Number 14, under special work, Mansard screen
enclosure with two doors and structure gutters.
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Nothing about wall heights.
MR. HAMMOND: No. But--
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: He picks a 12-foot high screen
enclosure, it's not in your contract.
MR. HAMMOND: Well, yes, I understand but--
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Unless there's a change order that
says differently or you have another, quote, bid to him.
So, again, it doesn't apply. It's your job to put it in that enclosure,
whether it's a ten-foot wall or--
MR. HAMMOND: Well, I was going to put up the enclosure
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May 17,2006
with eight-foot walls, just like, you know, every pool builder that I
know that go out and measures -- when they're doing their bids, they
measure the soffit height to the deck. That's your wall heights.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: True. So, what made a ten-foot
wall? Drop the deck down?
MR. HAMMOND: No, no. He wanted to put a knee wall up on
the gutter. He wanted to go higher up, from the gutter up two feet.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Did you get a quote from the
screen person giving you a price on putting that knee wall up there,
additional height?
MR. HAMMOND: The screen guy dealt with him directly on
that.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay. So--
MR. HAMMOND: I--
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- I'm confused then.
MR. HAMMOND: Well, when --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: How are you going to break it
down then? How are you going to know what you bid to him under
your contract versus what he wants on the actual job?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, I have a bid sheet that's got everything
on it. So, it tells me what -- and then -- you know, the job was well
underway. It was well underway when he said he wanted ten-foot
walls like the neighbors. He says, now my cage is going to look like
the neighbors.
I said, yeah, it's going to be a Mansard roof but he's got 14-foot
walls because his soffit was 14 foot high.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay. One more time though.
You should have gotten the change order at that time, would have
alleviated a lot of the problems.
MR. HAMMOND: Well, see, I didn't agree to put the 10-foot
walls up. I said, if you want 10- foot walls, then you'll have to go
through my screen guy and ask him to do that for you and pay him
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May 17, 2006
direct! y.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I understand.
Okay. That's all I have.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Anybody else?
Anything else?
Let's do it this way. You tell me, Mr. Neale? Closing statements
by Mr. Bartoe and then Mr. Kennette?
MR. NEALE: Yeah. I think that would be a good idea and then
what you may want to do is, because we're an hour and a half in, do
you want to take a break now or after opening -- closing statements or
-- do you want to do that?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'd like to close the public hearing
before we take a break.
Mr. Bartoe, would you come up and make your closing statement
on Case Number 07?
MR. BARTOE: In closing, I believe that the county has shown
the -- the two counts that had been filed in this case.
You heard testimony on -- on the valid liens that still exist. I also
believe on the second charge, Count II, that he -- he did abandon the
job, which in any opinion, is over 90 days and percentage of
completion, according to percentage of what the customer's paid, I
believe Mr. Blum has been sharpening his pencil on that one and he'll
probably let you know in your deliberations what he feels there.
And my only other thing in my closing statement, if I was Mr.
and Mrs. Llorca, I'd be worried that the heat pump that just got
delivered might get a lien put on it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Bartoe, come back.
Recommendation of county.
MR. NEALE: I would -- I would suggest that that wait until --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Common penalty? Okay.
MR. NEALE: -- the penalty phase.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you.
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May 17,2006
Mr. Bowersox--
MR. HAMMOND: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- closing statement on the case
against you with the Llorcas? No?
MR. HAMMOND: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Mr. Kennette, closing
statement on, I guess, Mr. Hoyo.
MR. KENNETTE: I also agree that the county has shown that
the -- Mr. Bowersox' Trojan Pools has abandoned the job, not taking
care of the liens, incurring additional costs to the homeowner to get
the job completed.
And that's about all.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Bowersox, closing statement on
that case?
MR. NEALE: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Signified no.
Therefore, I need a motion to close the public hearing.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So moved. Joslin.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Second. Blum.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What we will do before we go into
our deliberations, let's take a -- an eight-minute break. We'll be back
in here at 10:35?
10:35 on that clock, we'll start again.
Page 57
May 17,2006
(A recess was had.)
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'd like to call to order back the
meeting, Collier County Contractor Licensing Board.
Just to remind you what we're going to do, we have closed the
public hearing, so now you're going to hear us talk about each case
individually.
It will be in two phases; one will be to determine guilt or no guilt,
and then there will be a second phase for penalty.
Mr. Neale, you want to start off first?
MR. NEALE: Sure.
In these -- these type of matters, the board shall ascertain in its
deliberations that fundamental fairness and due process have been
afforded the respondent.
However, pursuant to Section 22-202,G,5 of the Collier County
Ordinance, the formal rules of evidence as set out in Florida Statutes
shall not apply.
The board shall consider solely evidence presented at the hearing
in consideration of this matter. The board shall exclude from its
deliberations irrelevant, immaterial and cumulative testimony.
It shall admit and consider all other evidence of a type commonly
relied upon by a reasonably prudent person in the conduct of their
affairs.
This is whether or not the evidence so admitted will be
admissible in a court of law or equity.
The hearsay may be used to explain or supplement any other
evidence in this type of matter; however, hearsay by itself is not
sufficient to support a finding in this or in any other case unless it
would be admissible over objection in a civil court.
The standard of proof in this type of case wherein the respondent
may lose his privileges to practice his profession is that the evidence
presented by the complainant must prove the complainant's case in a
clear and convincing manner.
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May 17,2006
This burden of proof on the complainant is a larger burden in the
preponderance of evidence standard set for civil cases.
The standard established for sanctions other than those affecting
the respondent's license is a that of a preponderance of evidence,
however.
The standard of an evidence are to be weighed solely as to the
charges set out in the complaint as ordinance -- in the two complaints,
consolidated as one case, as Ordinance 90-105, Sections 1.4 -- 4.1.3
and 4.1.8,a and b of the Collier County Code of Ordinances.
In order to support a finding that the respondent is in violation of
the ordinance, the board must find facts to show that the violations
were actually committed by the respondent.
The facts must also show to a clear and convincing standard the
legal conclusion that the respondent was in violation of the relevant
sections of 90-105 as amended.
The charges are specific and are set out in the two administrative
complaints in Case 2006-07, Count I, 4.1.8.1, that the contractor fails
to fulfill his contractual obligations to a customer because of inability,
refusal or a neglect to pay all creditors for material furnished or work
or services performed in the operation of the business for which he is
licensed under any of the following circumstances: A, valid liens
have been recorded against the property of a contractor's customers for
supplies or services ordered by the contractor for the customer's job.
The contractor has received funds from the customer to pay for
the supplies or services and the contractor has not had the liens
removed from the property by payment or by bond within 30 days
after the date of such liens.
Count II in 2006-07, 4.8.1, the contractor fails to fulfill his
contractual obligations to a customer's inability, refusal or neglect to
pay all creditors for material furnished or work -- or services
performed in the operation of the business for which he is licensed
under any of the following circumstances:
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May 17,2006
B, the contractor has abandoned a customer's job and the
percentage of completion is less than the percentage of total contract
price paid to the contractor as of the time of abandonment unless the
contractor is entitled to retain such funds under the terms of the
contract or refunds the excess funds within 30 days after the date the
job is abandoned.
Under case 2006-08, the Count I is under 4.1.3, abandoning a
construction proj ect in which he or she is engaged or under contract as
a contractor.
A proj ect may be presumed abandoned if the contractor
terminates the project without just cause or fails to notify the owner in
writing of the termination of the contract and basis her -- for same or
fails to perform work for 90 consecutive days without just cause and
no said notice to the owner.
In Count II under 2006-08, 4.1.8.1, contractor fails to fulfill his
or her contractual obligations to a customer because of inability,
refusal or neglect to pay all creditors for material furnished or work or
services performed in the operation of the business for which he or she
is license under any of the following circumstances:
A, valid liens have been recorded against the property of a
contractor's customer, or supplies or services ordered by the contractor
for the customer's job, the contractor has received funds from the
customer to pay for the supplies or services and the contractor has not
had the liens removed from the property by pavement or by bond
within 30 days at the date of such liens.
B, the contractor has abandoned the customer's job and the
percentage of completion is less than the percentage of the total
contract price paid to the contractor as of the time of the abandonment
unless the contractor is entitled to retain such funds under the terms of
contract or refunds the excess funds within 30 days after the date the
job is abandoned.
These charges are the only one that the board may decide upon as
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May 17,2006
these are the only ones to which the respondent has had the
opportunity to prepare a defense.
The damages must be directly related to these charges and may
not be for matters not related.
The decision made by this board shall be stated orally at this
hearing and is effective upon being read by the board.
The respondent, if found in violation, has certain appeal rights to
this board, the courts of this state and the state construction industry
licensing board as set out in the ordinance and in Florida Statutes and
rules.
If the board is unable to issue a decision immediately upon --
following the hearing because of the questions of law or other matters
to such a nature that a decision may not be made at this hearing, the
board may withhold its decision until a subsequent hearing.
The board shall vote based upon the evidence presented on all
areas and finds the respondent in violation adopt the administrative
complaints.
The board shall also make findings of fact and conclusions of law
in support of the charges set out.
And the board now can -- may deliberate on the charges itself.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I have two questions for you before I
get started.
Number one, you do want an order and a findings of fact for each
case.
MR. NEALE: We can -- well, we can -- the board can
consolidate in the way of drafting the order at this point is a
consolidated order on both cases.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, I just name both of them.
MR. NEALE: Right. And the -- the finding of fact paragraph
that I drafted, and I'll bring it up to you to review, is -- includes all of
the charges in both of the -- both of the --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's why I won't use mine.
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May 17,2006
MR. NEALE: Yeah. I'll bring it up.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And then another question -- well, we
can do that when I get there.
On Case Number 07, just a clarification and then I have
testimony to this. The way the charge is written up on the first two
pages, it's Count I and Count II.
There is no Count II because he didn't charge him with 4.1.3.
And I have testimony to the fact that he was not charging him with
abandonment, but yet it's written up as two counts and there isn't two
counts.
MR. NEALE: Well, the -- what the -- the county did in this one
is split the 4.1.8.1 into two separate counts, A and B, so they -- they
were proving up 4.1.8.1 as to separate sections.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes.
MR. NEALE: In the other case, they took 4.1.3, separated it out
and then consolidated 4.8.1 in the second count.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, 07 I really don't need to treat it as
two counts.
MR. NEALE: You can because it does have two different
elements --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. NEALE: -- both the recording of liens.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Got the A and the B; right?
MR. NEALE: Yeah, so--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. With that we are open to board
discussion.
What are your feelings?
Oh, come on.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It's pretty much obvious. I mean,
unfortunately, I have to say these things, but accounts that they have
him cited for, the failure to fulfill his contract or obligations, that's
definitely found guilty for that. He didn't do it.
Page 62
May 17, 2006
There are liens and there are creditors that haven't been paid by a
proof of evidence.
It hurts my feelings in a way. I have to think about this now, just
because I do know the gentleman; however, what's right is what's
right.
What do you think?
I did find out, Mr. Blum, also though that he is licensed. He has
a license.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: He is the licensed holder for Trojan.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes, he is.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Is he the sole owner by the way? Is
he the sole owner?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: That I don't know.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's a corporation.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It's a corporation.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: He's one of the directors.
I agree as well. It's like -- it's like catching the burglar with the
stolen goods, walking out the front door, because the liens are there
and the liens are self-evident and it can't be tolerated.
From testimony I heard, he does a good pool. Mr. Bowersox is
not a good business manager, but in his trade he probably does just
fine from you're telling me.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: One of the things that really
bothered me in his testimony is when he said that that's why he has the
liens against Mr. Hoyo, because he wasn't paying him.
And a lien should never be used as a way to get someone to pay
you because it only hurts you in the end, so --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: At the same time as a homeowner,
and I'm a contractor, quite often -- especially if there's a lien. If I were
a homeowner and a contractor had a lien on my property, he wouldn't
get a dime until I got lien releases, and you all wouldn't change it any
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May 17,2006
other way. So, that was a purely valid request to the homeowner.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Sure.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No question about it.
Now, do you want me to take a vote on both cases individually or
collectively?
Are you talking to Russia?
MR. NEALE: Pardon me? I apologize.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do you want me to take a vote
collectively or individually?
MR. NEALE: Take a vote on each count, if you would. In each
case, take a vote on each count.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, we do have 4.1.8.1, a, valid liens,
and the second part of that same charge is the abandonment of the
customer's job, which again in testimony we heard that and the
percentage of completion is less than the percentage of total contract
price to the contractor at time of abandonment unless the contractor is
entitled to retain such funds under the term of the contract or refunds
the excess funds within 30 days after the date that the job is
abandoned and that didn't happen.
So, what are your wishes?
I need a motion.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: In accordance with the rules that we
are governed by, I propose a motion that on Case 2006-07 against
License Number 22764 regarding Count 1,4.1.8.1, Items A, that the
defendant be found guilty, and of Count 11,4.1.8.1, Item B, to be
found guilty also due to the testimony given and the findings of fact.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Is that a motion?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Second.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do I hear a second? I have a second.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Joslin. Second.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Discussion.
All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Opposed?
Now, address.
Case Number 2006-08, there are two distinct counts here. One is
4.1.3, abandoning a construction project, which is 90 days with
nothing taking place on the project, which we have testimony that that
did happen.
And Count Number II is the one we just had on the other case,
4.1.1 -- .8.1, valid liens on the project and the abandonment as part of
that as well.
How do you all feel on that case?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I think according to the same rules
that were just mentioned in regards to Case Number 2006-08, against
the license holder, Paul Bowersox, License Number 22764, Trojan
Pools, Inc., be found guilty of charge 4.1.3 down in construction
projects, which is Count I, and found guilty of Count 11,4.1.8.1, Items
A and B.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Second. Lewis.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Second, Lewis.
Discussion.
All those in favor? Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
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May 17, 2006
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Opposed?
Mr. Neale, you may read it into the record.
MR. NEALE: I shall.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Or do you want to read it for me?
MR. NEALE: I can read it and you can have -- the board can
then affirm it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. NEALE: This cause came on for public hearing before the
Contractors' Licensing Board, hereafter the board on May 17, 2006 for
consideration of the administrative complaints filed against Paul
Bowersox.
Service of the complaint was made by certified mail in
accordance with Collier County Ordinance 90-105.
The board having heard testimony under oath, received evidence
and heard arguments respective to all appropriate matters, hear upon
issues, its findings of fact, conclusions of law, and order of the board
or findings of fact and conclusions of law at this point as follows:
Findings of fact, that Paul Bowersox is the holder of record a
Certificate of Competency Number 22764; two, that the Board of
Collier County Commissioners of Collier County, Florida is the
complainant in this matter; three, that the board has jurisdiction of the
person of the respondent and that Paul Bowersox was present at the
public hearing and was not represented by counsel at the hearing on
May 17, 2006; number four, all notices required by Collier County
Ordinance 90-105, as amended, have been properly issued; number
five, the allegations of fact as set forth in the administrative complaint
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May 17,2006
as to Count I in Case 2006-07, to wit, the contractor fails to fulfill his
or her contractual obligations to a customer because of inability,
refusal or neglect to pay all creditors for material furnished or work or
services performed in the operation of the business for which he or she
is licensed under the following circumstances.
A, valid liens have been recorded against the property of the
contractor's customer where supplies or services ordered by the
contractor for the customer's job, the contractor has received funds
from the customer to pay for the supplies or services and the
contractor has not had the liens removed from the property by
payment or by bond within 30 days after the date of such liens in
violation of Section 4.1.8.1,a of Collier County Ordinance 90-105, as
amended or approved, adopted and incorporated by reference as
findings of fact.
The allegations set forth in the administrative complaint as to
Count II in Case 2006-07, and I will pass on reading -- rereading those
because they've already been read into the record, in violation of
Section 4.1.8. 1, b of Collier County Ordinance 90-105 as amended or
approved, adopted and incorporated herein by reference as findings of
fact.
The allegations of fact as set forth in the administrative complaint
as to Count I in Case 2006-08 in violation of Section 4.1.3 of Collier
County Ordinance 90-105, as amended, are approved, adopted and
incorporated herein by reference as findings of fact.
The allegations of fact as set forth in the administrative complaint
as to Count II in Case 2006-08 in violation of Section 4.1.8.1, a and be
of Collier County Ordinance 90-105, as amended, are approved,
adopted and incorporated herein by reference as finding of the fact.
Go ahead.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I, Les Dickson, as chairman, do affirm
that that's what I would have read. I had Mr. Neale read, who is our
legal representative for this board due to the complexities of the
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May 17,2006
consolidated cases.
Okay. Now comes the bad part.
Mr. Neale, give us a guideline.
MR. NEALE: All right. As the respondent has been found in
violation of the ordinance, the board shall consider and order sanctions
under the follow parameters as set out in Collier County Ordinance
90-105 as amended.
The board must decide on these sanctions to be imposed and the
sections are set out in the codified ordinance in Section 22-203 and
then in the revised ordinance in Section 4.3.5.
Sanctions which may be imposed include one revocation of the
Certificate of Competency, two, suspension of the Certificate of
Competency, three, denial of issuance or renewal of the Certificate of
Competency, four, probation of a reasonable length, not to exceed two
years during which the contractor's contracting license -- activities
shall be under the supervision of the Contractor Licensing Board
and/or participation in a duly accredited program of continuing
education.
Probation may be revoked for cause by the board at a hearing
noticed to consider said purpose.
Five, restitution, six, a fine not to exceed $5,000 per incident,
seven, a public reprimand, eight, a re-examination requirement, nine,
denial of the issuance of permits or requiring issuance of permits with
conditions, and ten, reasonable legal investigative costs.
In deciding upon these sanctions, the Contractor Licensing Board
shall consider, number one, the gravity of the violation, number two,
the impact of the violation on the homeowner in the community,
number three, any actions taken by the violator to correct the
violation, number four, any previous violations committed by the
violator, number five, any other evidence presented at the hearing by
the parties relevant as to the sanction that is appropriate for the case
given the nature of the case.
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May 17,2006
The board shall also issue a recommended penalty for the State
Construction Industry Licensing Board, the state penalties that may be
recommended are recommendation no further action or a
recommendation of suspension, revocation or restriction of the
registration of the respondent's license or a fine to be levied by the
State Construction Industry Licensing Board.
The board may at this time take testimony as to the sanctions.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Bartoe, you don't need to go to
the podium because the public hearing is closed.
What is the county's recommendation on your case?
MR. BARTOE: On my Case Number 07, I'm recommending
restitution to -- we have liens to tear care of in the amount of
$8,498.88, and after total moneys already spent by the Llorcas, pool
equipment and labor, the bid they have, the screen enclosure bid, the
baby fence bid, total for the liens, and these bids they have, came up
to an extra $18,432.38.
However, at this time, the pool heater's been delivered, the pool
pump's been delivered, some Aqualink equipment.
Mr. Joslin might have an idea what that is worth to substract from
the figures I just gave you.
If not taken care of within 60 days, we recommend his permit
pulling privileges also be suspended, and if this is not taken care of
within 60 days, a revocation of his license.
As far as a fine, I'm not concerned about that and the
investigative fees. We can let that slip by in this case.
That covers my case.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Kennette, I need for you to come
to the podium. He's got a microphone there, you don't.
MR. KENNETTE: Yes. And I also recommend that a fine of
2500 for each count, his license put on hold for 60 days for payment
of the lien on the property with a notarized letter sent to the
homeowner stating that that lien has been paid off of $2,835.55,
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May 17,2006
reimburse the homeowner the additional cost for the added items that
were on the contract of$7,027.68.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Say that number again.
MR. KENNETTE: $7,027.68 and county costs of 150 for
preparation. And also license on hold, no permitting privileges, and if
not done within 60 days, a revocation of his license.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you.
Board members, what are your wishes?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Ifwe don't revoke his license,
there's an additional part that bothers me that I think is at the heart of a
lot of his trouble, is his lack of understanding about contract and legal
Issues.
I'd like to see him take the business law test over again.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah. I don't have a problem with
that either.
I didn't hear any testimony, except what maybe resulted from
frustration after a long, over a year of dealing with him, that he does
bad work. I haven't heard any complaints about bad work.
And if we shut him down, all of these people and relatives and
others that are out there get nothing; whereas, if we can save him and
he comes out of this, like he says he's doing better, I would not be
happy with just a 60-day suspension.
I would like to see about a two-year probation, that we watch
him, which falls back on the county, I know, but you have other cases
coming. And I'd rather save a contractor than bury one.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: 60 days suspension of his license?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Sixty days suspension of any new
permits --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Any new permits, okay. I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- until he satisfies both of these
problems, but then a two-year probation after that, which ifhe doesn't
have any problem in that two-year period --
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER KELLER: I'm a little bit concerned about the
other liens that we know are out there and this --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Can't do that.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No, can't do that. The concern,
yes, we can.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: It was hearsay. Can I--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, we can--
MR. NEALE: You can -- you can consider the hearsay . You
know, it obviously did not have any relevance in the decision of the
case, but you can consider it for, you know, limited purposes.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Well, we're looking at the
magnitude of the problem.
MR. NEALE: And, certainly, the gravity of the problem is
something that the board can look at.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: If this is just the beginning, then
we need to take that under consideration in how we handle it.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Suspension of his license, if we do
that, which I don't -- don't know that it's good or bad at the moment,
but if we fall into the suspension of the license, suspending his license
privileges, if he's this far in debt with suppliers, number one, with the
liens, number two, now possibly the fines, number three, ifhe's
already in this trouble at the moment and he's digging himself out, so
he says, taking away his permit privileges is going to pretty well shut
down the new work business, which if the profits are already spent on
the old work, then there's not going to be a way to recover profits to
help pay back some of what he owes.
So, I don't know that suspending his license and stopping his
work -- work force from working is going to be a way to -- to help him
at the moment.
Maybe I'm missing something here, but I'm trying to save the -- if
we're going to try to help him, safe the contractor, then we're going to
have to put him on a tight -- a tight rein no doubt.
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May 17,2006
But I'm not sure if suspending the privileges right now is going to
work.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Well, I mean, you're in this
situation and you go out and sign and get down payments from more
people to payoff other liens, then where does the money go to pay to
do the other projects?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I understand.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: So, that's what I'm very worried
about.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I understand totally what you're
saying because that really shouldn't be happening anyway.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah. He's going to be on a cash
basis.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: He's using somebody else's money
to payout, which is over -- which is what he spent, that's true.
Now, he did say he had money and that he can pay these liens off
now, as of now. He did say that, I believe the testimony was, so --
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Well, yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I -- I agree with the suspension
because it's new permits. It is not existing permits. He can still work
on those jobs.
Suspension of new permits for 60 days until this is -- these two
cases are resolved so that he doesn't go out and sign contracts and take
draws away from people, and then all of a sudden we've got those
people in here.
The probation -- I'm speaking to you as well at this point.
Probation means that these guys call, you answer the phone, you
return the message, you respond, the cases that you have out there,
where you have some problems that you know about, boy, you better
get those cleaned up, because if a contractor comes back before this
board on a new case under a probation license, they're not going to
walk out with the license.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: This is dead serious.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I -- I totally agree with you on the
suspension for a limited time; however, I'm -- I raised the idea that the
biggest thing in my mind is these liens.
Now, ifhe's able to take care of the liens, I would say bring us
proof in two weeks that every one of these liens are satisfied, two
weeks, clean up the liens, and then back off a little bit on the
suspension possibly to show us that he's going to take -- he's going to
make these people well as far as the liens against their homes, which
to me is just a blatant display of bad business.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Can we -- can we --let's see. Can
we reopen the hearing just as far as to ask him that question to see if it
possible that he can pay these off, then if he can --
MR. NEALE: That's not even reopening the hearing. That's
taking testimony as to -- as to the penalty phase.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: What about the other liens that
we've been told about with the brother-in-law?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Again, it's not here. We can't do
that.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: We're looking at what we can look
out -- and I would ask that Mr. Bowersox, is it possible for you to pay
off those -- I'm not really certain of the total amount.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: He has to come to the podium.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: But there is a good sizeable amount
of dollars and cents right now that are liened as far as this property
goes.
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I do -- these -- both these
properties, and I do know that if you have other bills, indebtsments
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May 17,2006
that you have to Gorman or to Krehling that are -- that are for other
jobs per se, I know Gorman and Krehling both can break those down
and you can payoff that --
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- portion for that particular
problem --
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- and get a release.
Is there something that can be done?
MR. HAMMOND: Yes, sir.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: And can it be done within a
two-week span --
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- that Mr. -- it can be done.
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Wonderful.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay. That's all I wanted to know.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, then I'm going -- I'm going to
propose along with the staffs recommendation that we see proof
within two weeks of this date that any and all liens on these two
properties that we're having --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Are you making a motion?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Start it.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Which case?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Well, we're taking them together, so
I want to -- I'd like to joint the two cases as far as the liens.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do you want to put them together?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah.
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May 17,2006
MR. NEALE: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: As you go through your motion
though, the restitution, the -- I mean, let's -- let's nail everything down
before we go into the motion.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Good idea.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I want to address the restitution phase
on both cases before we do the motion.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Go ahead.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Particularly the eighteen thousand
four thirty-two on the first case, but now he's delivered a heater,
Aqualink, those other items which I assume are paid for.
And I get the impression Mr. Bowersox does not want to lose his
license, so I don't think that's going to be a problem.
What are the -- what are those worth?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Dollars and cents to me, a second
hearing will give you a number. We've got Aqualink, we've got --
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Mr. Chairman?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- the heat pump.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: While Mr. Joslin's adding some
stuff up, let me throw something out at you here.
Do we know if Mr. Bowersox, number one, is -- is willing to go
back and complete the job that we're talking about at the -- at the
Llorcas?
And, number two, do the Llorcas want him back there? I mean,
they've -- they've troubled through this for a long, long time.
Frankly, my opinion of this is that they'd just as soon hire the
person they got the estimate from and have them do the job and finish
it up.
And I would suggest that Mr. Bowersox just his material back
and get his money back.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: It's almost done. The job's basically
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May 17,2006
done except for the gate.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mrs. Llorca, would you come up to
the podium, please?
It's kind of complex. We usually don't to the two at one time.
MRS. LLORCA: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Would you rather just end it now and
go your way and get it finished up or do you want -- what's your
desire?
MRS. LLORCA: Actually, I would say that my desire would
probably be for Mr. Bowersox to finish it due to self-preservation. I
know that if I finish it, I probably won't see that money again.
I have had no complaints with his work. So, the best bet for me
and the cheapest alternative for me is if Mr. Bowersox would finish
the work.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. And part of your contract is
also there's a warranty period in there and a service period?
MRS. LLORCA: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I would venture to say Mr. Bowersox
probably is going to become one of finest contractors around for the
next few months.
MRS. LLORCA: Absolutely. I haven't had any complaints with
the work that he's done because he did do good work. He just didn't
finish it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Thank you.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Makes sense.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Just thought I had. What about the
screen enclosure?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Well, she could still -- he could still
contract the screen enclosure but she could pay the bill. That -- that
money is still out there in the open, I think. Is that what we figured
out?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's part of the restitution period.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: I figured that's the dollars for
restitution.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah. I see what you're saying. Ifhe
goes ahead --
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah. Because they're going to
pay the delivery amount that's paid.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But he's going to pay off the lien, then
the screen enclosure people would do the work.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right. And then --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Correct?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- there's then enough money left,
we hope, for the screen to be paid.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: She's contracted --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: She's contracted for it.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, the -- the screen has got to be
backed out of the original contract and the difference in dollars be
refunded.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: See, he's already been paid more
than what --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: -- it will add up to.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: That's why I come up with the --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: By $2,000? Is that what it is, that
we came to?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: One at a time, please. This lady will
go crazy.
Someone nail a figure for me.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: The original contract was fifty-nine
nine. If you back out the $14,250 for the screen, the original contract's
value, to my mind, would be 35,650.
She's paid a total of 47,920. To me that shows that Mr.
Bowersox owes this lady $13,270.
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May 17, 2006
He still has to install the baby fence, he still has --
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Just 1,200.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Well, no. That's in the -- that's--
that's -- ifhe does the baby fence and refunds 13,270, he's okay with
that.
The job has to be finished and final permit inspection.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: So, what you're saying is -- is
Trojan finish the job minus the screen cage and pays the Llorcas how
much?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: 13,270.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: 13,270.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: If someone wants to double check
my math.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That would be if they pay for the
screen enclosure.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Right. If the Llorcas finish the
screen enclosure.
MR. HAMMOND: Right. But those numbers --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I got -- you have to come up here.
MR. HAMMOND: Right. But those numbers aren't -- that can't
be correct.
The total price is what; 59?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Fifty-nine nine was your contract
pnce.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay. And then minus --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: And you had a -- you had a screen
built into that price.
MR. HAMMOND: Right. That was minus 14,000 from 59?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Sure, because that's what it's going
to cost her to put the screen up that you're not doing, that you aren't
going to do, I'm assuming.
Do you want to take on the burden of the screen?
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May 17, 2006
MR. HAMMOND: No, no, no. I'm just saying what -- what was
the numbers you just -- it seemed like their math is off, well, wrong.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Well, okay. That's why I'm asking.
To my mind, she's paid 47,920. That's how much money you've
got so far, according to Mr. Bartoe.
MR. HAMMOND: Right.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: That testimony.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: But if you back the 14,599 total--
COMMISSIONER KELLER: It's 45.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- that's only a $45,000 contract
now.
MR. HAMMOND: You said 35.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Oh, I'm sorry. See, that's -- I told
you to check me.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right. So, that leaves about $2,000
difference between the two.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Right.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: 3,000.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: If they -- if Mrs. Llorca pays the--
pays the screen --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- enclosure.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Right, right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: He owes them -- he owes the
Llorcas -- I'm sorry.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Excuse me. Forty-four six fifty.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: 2900.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: $2900?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah, $2900. Excuse me. Yeah.
No. No. Yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mrs. Llorca is agreeing with all that
we're saying.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: She probably knows to the dime.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes, she does.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Twenty-two seventy.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Have a seat, Mr. Bowersox.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Twenty-two seventy --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mrs. Llorca, come up here.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: -- is the number.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Take out the screen enclosure, you
contract directly with him and get it done, how much are you out?
MRS. LLORCA: I would be out -- let me tell you. It was -- it
was about $2900 --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right.
MRS. LLORCA: -- that we would be paying extra, not including
the liens.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right. In other words, what --
MRS. LLORCA: Not including --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: We've overpaid him at this
moment.
MRS. LLORCA: I have overpaid him.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
MRS. LLORCA: And that's ifhe takes care of the baby fence as
well.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes. And he takes care of the baby
fence.
MRS. LLORCA: Right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And he should get finals, make
everything perfect, $2900, and you do the screen enclosure.
MRS. LLORCA: That's fine with me.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Are we happy?
MRS. LLORCA: We're happy.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Do you have a bid on the baby
fence?
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May 17,2006
MRS. LLORCA: I got a bid for $1,225.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: He's going to get that done though.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No. He's got to get that. Let's take
it all out. Let them handle that.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How much?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: $1,225.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: You got to add that to what he pays.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, we're going to add that to the
29.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah.
MRS. LLORCA: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thirty-one twenty-five -- forty-one
twenty- five.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Right?
MRS. LLORCA: That's right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, you payoff the liens.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Now, the other--
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Pays the Llorcas forty-one
twenty- five?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Now go to the other case.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: No, wait. Let's -- until we get this
nailed down.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Actually that isn't right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, I thought we did.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Well, let's reiterate it until we got it
right.
MR. NEALE: I'm going to have to write this order and I wasn't
sure I've got it right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We're just getting it ready to present
an order. We're not there yet.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yeah. We haven't done it.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: We're talking forty-one twenty-five
reimbursement to Mrs. --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Restitution.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Restitution, right.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: We're talking she will then do her
own baby fence and pool cage.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: And that ends it as far as except --
excuse me -- final -- final inspection and approval.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes. That which still falls on him
because the permit would still be --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: He's got to get that --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It's still open. Now, is the permit
still open? Is the permit still active?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: That permit is still good, I think.
MR. BARTOE: I cannot tell you for sure.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: He's got -- he's got until July 3rd.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: That one's okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: July 3rd.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Can we ask Mr. Bowersox ifhe can
get this done before this permit is finished?
MR. HAMMOND: Yes. Yes, I can.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: For sure.
MR. HAMMOND: I -- I also --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: The answer was yes.
MR. HAMMOND: -- have the child fence in stock so --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: The answer was yes.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: You do.
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: What's the time frame for the
restitution?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: And who puts it in? Who installs
it?
MR. HAMMOND: I do.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Wait. Ifhe's going to make
testimony, you've got to get him up here.
Come back up.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's a procedure we've got to follow.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay. The child fence I have in stock if she
wants me to put it up. We are certified through the child fence
company to put it up.
MRS. LLORCA: That's fine with me.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. 2900.
Don't leave. Come back here.
2900 . You'll payoff all of the liens and you'll finish this pool
and make it perfect.
MR. HAMMOND: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. That takes care of Mrs. Llorca.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: The liens we want paid off within
two weeks.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Two weeks. We've already got that.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: We already got that.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We got that.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: And then this will be done,
complete, and she'll have her 2900, and we'll have a final inspection
and approval before the permit runs out in July.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Right.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Okay.
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May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Now, go to the next case.
And we've had a request of a fine of 2500 times two counts, so
that's a $5,000 fine.
Personally, my opinion on that, if he survives all this, he'll be
Houdini.
I don't care about a fine.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I don't either.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: I don't either.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: I don't either.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Forget the fine.
Do you all agree?
On, come on.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: We're not done yet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I want the people taken care of.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Wait, wait, wait. We heard from
Mr. Allen -- let me -- Mr. Bartoe, Mr. Ossorio, are you -- what are
your feelings on the fine and administrative costs on both cases? Give
us an aggregate.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You didn't ask for either one. It was
Mr. Kennette.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I know. But I'm asking --
MR. BARTOE: Correct. I agree with -- with Mr. Dickson.
You know, the gentleman has plenty of promises he's made
money wise. I can't see hurting him any more. Let's get the people
taken care of, if we can.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: The other -- the other thing that I
stated on the second case is that we have testimony that -- rebuttal
testimony that says that someone got some free concrete so far on the
sidewalk. There was no contract, there was no -- but there was a
verbal -- maybe a verbal agreement, so I think Mr. Hoyo has gotten
the $2500 paid back in a sense, if there's no contract and he's not
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May 17,2006
going to get paid for it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Mr. Hoyo, come to that
microphone right there.
I feel like Judge Judy up here.
Did you get anything for free? Be honest with me.
MR. HOYO: No, I did not, sir. And I have not gotten anything
for free. All my payments are documented, plus per the contract.
Mr. Kennette, I've been working with him very closely on this.
I'm so exhausted with this pool project. I just want it done.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, we aren't putting you two back
to gether.
MR. HOYO: No. There's no question about it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It won't happen.
MR. HOYO: I've been very, very, very, very, very patient and
got me nowhere.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, there was never any mention of
any other concrete work or sidewalk or cement work --
MR. HOYO: No, sir.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- to be done other than up and
above that was on this contract written.
MR. HOYO: My contract is here. I have presented all my
evidence. Mr. Bowersox knows well off what we spoke about. He is
incorrect (sic) about the knee wall situation with the screen. I told him
that whatever that cost would be, I would pay for it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Is that in this restitution figure?
MR. HOYO: No, it is not, because the restitution -- the knee
wall is on me.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. So, you have liens of
twenty-eight thirty-five fifty-five.
MR. HOYO: I have to look at the numbers.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I want you to.
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May 17,2006
MR. HOYO: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We're not -- we're -- I agree. We
don't go back to this house. We're going to try to make you whole and
you go on.
And I want you to --
MR. HOYO: There -- I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And then check the restitution figure,
too, seven thousand twenty-seven sixty-eight.
MR. HOYO: Okay. I'll take a look at that.
The -- the lien from Gorman is two thousand eight hundred and
thirty- five fifty-five.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. HOYO: That's what's on my home.
You wanted me to check what?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: The restitution figure.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Wait a minute. Is he going to
contract the baby fence and a pool cage on his own now?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah. He's on his own.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, that has to be removed, that cost
from the initial contract then if he's going to do that.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's why I'm checking the
restitution figure.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: On the proposal from Graham
screen rooms, it says the outside walls would be ten feet in height. So,
apparently this proposal does include the entire wall.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Is that the written in area?
MR. HOYO: That's correct.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: No. This is on -- on the proposal
from Graham, E-l1.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Graham--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, that's the one he made.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: That's the one he made though.
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May 17,2006
MR. HOYO: That's correct, yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's the one he kept in.
MR. HOYO: That is correct.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: That was the original one from
Bowersox.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: No. This is the Graham proposal
for the screen room is ten foot long. But his was eight foot.
So, there is a price difference in the $18,200 screen. How much
it is? I don't know.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Talk to me.
MR. HOYO: The difference?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Uh-huh.
MR. HOYO: I would not -- it would have to be calculated in
square footage. But, yeah, that included the knee wall at that price, so
that has to be adjusted for that extra because obviously it wasn't stated
in Trojan Pools' contract.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Where am I getting to this $7,000?
Tell me.
MR. HOYO: You're getting it -- if you look on page -- what
page was it?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, just tell me.
MR. HOYO: It's in the case summary that was given to me by
Mr. Kennette.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Did Mr. Bowersox' proposal for the
screen room also include the handrails and the railing on the steps and
-- and the three-by-six area of Florida glass, does -- did his include
that?
MR. HOYO: His proposal did conclude handrails that had to be
code.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: To your knowledge, what was the
amount of your original contract? How much of that was the screen
enclosure that you originally agreed to?
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May 17,2006
Do you have any idea of that value?
MR. HOYO: He did not break it down. It was a 43,000 total
cost.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Go back to my original
question. Justify the 7,000.
What page am I looking at? Either you or Mr. Kennette. One of
you answer my question.
MR. HOYO: The third page.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Huh?
MR. HOYO: The third page.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Tell me.
MR. KENNETTE: Let me tell him.
MR. HOYO: Yeah.
MR. KENNETTE: Okay. The total contract was for 43,000. He
paid him $30,100 per checks.
The pool cage wasn't completed, which left a balance of 12,009
that he -- that he owed them for final payment on completion of the
contract --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes, sir.
MR. KENNETTE: -- which he hadn't paid him.
He contracted to do with the pool cage for $18,200. He has a bid
to do the baby fence for $877.68.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: One more time on that.
MR. KENNETTE: The baby fence.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: How much?
MR. KENNETTE: $877.68.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
MR. KENNETTE: A final survey of $250.
Refinish the pool deck after the cage was installed, $600. And
the lien, of course, was $2,835.55.
With the minus of all of that, it gives a total of additional costs of
seven thousand twenty-seven sixty-eight.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER BLUM: That's -- that's skewed because it's --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's skewed.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: -- the complete 18,000 and we don't
know --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: What, the difference in the wall
height?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah. Well, the wall-- yeah, and
the original -- I mean, if Mr. Bowersox needs to tell us --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Someone's got to know the difference
in the wall height, one of you two. Which one?
MR. HAMMOND: Well--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Come up to the podium. I want to get
this thing done.
MR. HAMMOND: What do you want to know?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What's the difference for this two-foot
wall height?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, the cost.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Cost.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Ten-foot walls, there a new
two- foot kneehole.
Well, how are we getting to ten foot?
MR. HAMMOND: Well, now you've got to go by square
footage and it's probably around nine bucks a square foot, so I don't
know the square footage right offhand of what he would have there.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: He said it was --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do you want me to pick a number?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: -- 40 by 60.
MR. HAMMOND: No. That's the other one. His is probably --
probably 20 by -- probably 20 by 55 or so.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, a thousand square feet times
900?
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Isn't that 20 --
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May 17,2006
MR. HAMMOND: But that's -- you're going to do two foot by --
you've got, say, 110 and then 40, so you've got 150 times two is 300
times nine is 2700 bucks.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I'm going to -- I was going to say
probably you're looking at $3500 ball park --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah. That's what I thought.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- to upgrade to 10-foot walls.
MR. HOYO: I have no knowledge of that.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Mr. Bowersox, when I was --
mentioned railings and the three by six Florida glass you were kind of
shaking your head.
MR. HAMMOND: Right. The railings was -- he -- he wanted
those afterwards. He says, can you get your screen guy to put railings
up?
And I said, well, when they're here, just ask them to put them up.
They're not to code. They don't have to be there because he's only got
three risers.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Right.
MR. HAMMOND: Anything over three, you have to have them.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: So, what's the dollar value of that?
MR. HAMMOND: Oh, probably about 200 bucks a piece.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Thank you.
Now, so, Mr. Hoyo, get your lien taken care of and we get you
$4,000, are you a happy man?
MR. HOYO: I want to be done with this and enjoy my pool.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you.
Did you guys hear that?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Done.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: 4,000.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: 4,000.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Take care of the lien, $4,000
restitution.
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May 17,2006
Are we ready for amotion?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Does anybody go along with me? I
-- I feel strongly about this retesting on the business law. I really do.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I feel very strongly about that. This
man needs to learn how to do business. I mean, we hear nothing but
good things about his ability, but --
COMMISSIONER GUITE: I think it will only help him in the
long run.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Schooling is wonderful.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: When's the last time -- when did you
take your test? How long ago?
MR. HAMMOND: 2002.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Four years?
Do you agree you might need a refresher on business?
MR. HAMMOND: Sure.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Let's do it, guys. Who's got all
this put together?
I do if you want me to shoot it.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Do it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I move that -- do you want me to
break these out, Mr. Neale, or consolidate them?
MR. NEALE: Consolidate them.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. I move that, first of all, that
there be a 60-day suspension on new permits on this license until the
following has happened: That all liens are removed from both
properties immediately -- within the next two-week period, and those
figures from Mr. Hoyo's property, $2,835.55 will be removed, and that
the three liens --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Eighty-four ninety-eight
eighty -eight.
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May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- on the Llorca property of 8,000 --
$8,498.88, that those be removed within two weeks, that on the Llorca
property that this will be totally complete to include the baby fence.
Mrs. -- Mr. and Mrs. Llorca will contract directly for the screen
enclosure, and we will get final permit and make this custom -- both
these customers happy.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: How long? Have you got a time
there?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You got 60 days to get it down, but I
want it -- really want it done faster.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: These are nice people.
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And they still want you back. Make
friends.
That -- on both cases, that Mr. Bowersox be required within the
next six months to take, and successfully pass with a grade of 75 or
higher, the business and law portion of the contractors' testing.
On Mr. Hoyo's property, that there be a $4,000 restitution. This
will be paid by cashier's check -- it's really better money orders.
Cashier's checks are getting --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Paycheck--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, they're bad. Don't take one.
By money order, $4,000 made out to Mr. and Mrs. Hoyo,
delivered to county.
Correct, Mr. Bartoe or Mr. Kennette?
MR. KENNETTE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Delivered to the county. The county
will in turn deliver it to the homeowners. That happen within two
weeks.
And that this license be under probation for two years. Any
further action will be dealt with harshly and accordingly.
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May 17,2006
At the end of two years, we pray and we hope that Mr. Bowersox
has got it cleaned up and back to running successfully.
Did I forget anything?
MR. BARTOE: Did you -- did you mention the Llorcas' 2900
restitution?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, thank you.
Yeah, $2900 restitution to the Llorcas.
What else, guys and lady?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Just for the general principals of
the case, both cases, and how it happened, I'd like to see about a $2500
fine.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No. No fines.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No fines?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's my motion. No fines, no
administrative costs.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Ifhe -- ifhe takes care of all of this
within two weeks, can he go ahead and start pulling new permits?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: He satisfies all liens and makes
restitutions on both of these properties, as soon as that's done, the
suspension of new permits will be lifted.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: And there are no further
complaints filed.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Well, then he's under probation and
we deal with those accordingly. Okay?
MR. HAMMOND: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's my motion.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Second. Joslin.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Discussion?
MR. NEALE: Just one question.
Ifhe -- you've got a two-week lien removal provision. Ifhe's not
-- ifhe does not accomplish that, does that -- would you consider him
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May 17,2006
in violation of probation and bring him back in? Is that the --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That would be -- to reiterate, yeah.
Any of these things not happening would be -- constitute a
violation of probation. You would come back immediately before this
board at our very next meeting.
Discussion?
All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Opposed?
Unanimous.
Would you read the order, Mr. Neale? Good luck.
MR. NEALE: Sure.
Based upon the findings of fact and conclusions of law, pursuant
to the order, authority granted in Chapter 489 in Collier County
Ordinance 90-105 as amended by a vote of eight in favor and zero
opposed, majority vote of the board members present, the respondent
was found in violation as set out on the vote.
Further, it is hereby ordered by a vote of eight in favor and zero
opposed, the majority vote of the board members present, that the
following disciplinary sanctions and related order are hereby imposed
on the holder of Collier County Contractors' Certificate of
Competency, Number 22764, one that a 60-day suspension on the
pulling of permits in Collier County, and I would suggest that you add
the City of Marco Island as well and the City of Naples --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes.
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May 17,2006
MR. NEALE: -- will be suspended for 60 days while pulling of
all permits is suspended until the following items are accomplished:
First, all liens are removed from both properties within two weeks in
the amounts of $8,498.88 on the Llorca property, and 2,000 -- what's
the number on the Hoyo property?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: 4,000.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: $4,000. Restitution?
MR. NEALE: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: 4,000.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: We're not doing liens, just
restitution.
MR. NEALE: Liens right now. No. Removal of liens.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Yeah. 2,000--
MR. NEALE: Yeah, but it's got to be in the order.
MR. KENNETTE: The lien is two thousand eight thirty-five
fifty-five.
MR. NEALE: Okay. And on the Hoyo property of$2,835.55.
If the removal of these liens is not done, then he is deemed to be
in violation of probation and will return at the next board meeting for
appropriate resolution.
On the Llorca property, the contractor is to complete the
contracted job except for the screen cage and get final inspections
within 60 days.
He is also to pay $2900 in restitution to the Llorcas in money
orders.
Restitution on the Hoyo case, he will pay $4,000 in money order,
delivered to licensing staff within two weeks. All restitutions take
place within two weeks.
He is to take and pass a business and law test within 60 days, and
his license will be under probation for a period of two years.
Should he complete all of the required items at any time during
the 60-day period, the suspension on the license is lifted; however, the
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May 17,2006
probation will continue for the period of two years.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: The only thing I would change is
complete all items except for the six-month passing of the business
law.
MR. NEALE: Oh, it's six months for business law? I thought it
was 60 days.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah. Six months. Gives him time to
study and also find appropriate testing.
Do you agree?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: If I could address Mr. Neale?
The way that you read that, is that Mr. Bowersox is going to be
responsible for both the $4,000 restitution and the release of the $2835
lien?
MR. NEALE: Right.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: It's not what we said up here.
MR. NEALE: I thought that was what was said.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Yeah, it is.
MR. NEALE: Yeah, it is.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, it is.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Uh-uh. Look at your packet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Which one?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: On -- on the Hoyo.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Hoyo is twenty-eight thirty-five
fifty-five and $4,000 restitution.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Well, the $4,000 restitution also
includes $2800 lien fee in there. So, you're banging him twice. So,
you're right back to what you originally had in there.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No, because we didn't put the lien fee
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May 17,2006
in when he did the calculation back through again.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: It's right here. Just look at your
third page of your packet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Kennette?
MR. KENNETTE: It's included.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Case Number 08.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What, sir?
MR. KENNETTE: The lien was included.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: In that 7,000 fee.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, then we are banging him twice.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Yes, we are.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you, Mr. Lewis.
That's not our intention. We want to make everybody whole.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: All we have to do is change it to
where the owner takes care of his own lien. That way he knows it's
paid. Done deal. And we'll just give him the $4,000 restitution.
MR. NEALE: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Talk to me. Mr. Hoyo --
MR. KENNETTE: Well, we want to make sure the lien is paid
but we also have the -- the overrun of the cage and other items that are
not --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah. In the overrun, we ended up
being 7,000 which that didn't have the $2800 lien in it.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Didn't have the deduct for the
two- foot walls or the railings either --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Exactly.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: -- which is where we came up with
that.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And we came down to four.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: 4,000, which included the $2800.
MR. HOYO: That would not --
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah, but 4,000.
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May 17, 2006
MR. HOYO: I would still going to be getting hurt because I have
to pay for the -- the difference in amount of the screen cage to what I
owed less than the contract. It's going to be a lot more.
Even if you deduct, if you calculate -- and, by the way, I didn't
pay $9 a square foot for my screen. I paid $7 and change for my
screen.
So, I mean, if we're going to do that exact calculation, then I
think it's only fair to me that I don't get hurt with what I would have to
pay. I mean, I -- I have no problem --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I want you to pay for the extra on the
screen enclosure.
MR. HOYO: It's a bite, but I'm not going to take the whole bite.
I'm sorry?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I thought we were there. What
happened?
MR. HOYO: I thought we were, too. I thought it was 4,000
restitution and he pays the lien.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No.
MR. HOYO: That still doesn't cover all my costs.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Did the seven -- the $7,000 didn't
include the lien involved, what was owed yet, the 2835? That was
part of the 7,000?
MR. KENNETTE: That was part of the 7,000.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: "Don't bring me two cases at the same
time again.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: And it also included $600 for the
refinish of the deck after the cage is installed, which I don't think
should be even part of Mr. Bowersox' deal if -- if the owner is taking
care of installing the cage.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Exactly.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: So, you know. I mean, but -- I
mean, he needs to work out -- why you would have to refinish the
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May 17,2006
deck, I don't know, but that's beyond the point.
But the -- the figures add up to seven thousand twenty-seven
sixty-eight, including the twenty-eight thirty-five fifty-five in and for
the removal of the lien.
That also includes $18,200 for the new pool cage, which is the
cost to put the cage up now, including the two-foot high wall
extension, which we determined to be approximately $2700, and the
two railings, which were not per code and not included in the contract
at $200 each.
So, if you take the 2700 and the 400 and add them together,
you've got $3100.
If you take $3100 off the 7,027, that's where Mr. Dickson came
up with four grand. And the owner removes his lien and finishes the
job.
That's what I thought we were doing.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And that's correct.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Is that clear, Mr. Hoyo? Did I -- did
I lose you there?
If you look at the third page of the -- of the packet, composite
packet?
MR. HOYO: Could I have a minute to do a calculation?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Sure.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We'll get it right here in a minute.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Why would --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Missed a couple other things.
No. Let's just let him look at this map. I want this thing in bed.
Mr. Neale, put Richard Joslin on there to sign the order--
MR. NEALE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- when you type that up and send it
to Maggie. You'll need to go over and do it.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'll be gone.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: How long are you going for?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Three weeks.
MR. HOYO: It's not in there. The screen is not in there. The
screen is not in that calculation.
It gets -- it comes within nine thousand eight sixty-three
twenty-three.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I didn't think it was in there either.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: I'm just going by what it says. It
says it's in there.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah. Not that. Our recalculation.
MR. HOYO: If you add up eighteen two?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Are you happy with that?
MR. KENNETTE: Yes. He is right. That wasn't in there.
MR. HAMMOND: I don't know. I don't know how he can walk
all the way around his house on brand new concrete.
MR. KENNETTE: That's right. It wasn't -- it was not in there. I
think -- I'm looking at it.
MR. HOYO: I would like to address something because I don't
like being called a liar.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. I don't need that.
MR. HOYO: I know. No. I know but why would he come redo
my concrete in February ifhe said I hadn't paid him for it? That's just
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you. The case is over with. I
don't need this.
Okay. The case -- the thing's been read. It stands. It was passed
and approved. That is the order of the board.
Are you clear on everything, Mr. Bowersox?
MR. HAMMOND: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Please make these people happy.
Please don't come back in here. You're a good contractor.
MR. HAMMOND: I don't want to be here.
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May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You're a good contractor. Treat them
right. Okay?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Do you -- do you seriously feel --
can I ask you in good conscience -- you -- I didn't see you taking
notes, but, I mean, do you have an idea of what your -- what your
dollars are here and --
MR. HAMMOND: Yeah.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: You can deal with this.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You will get a copy of this in the
mail. He'll have it typed up. It will be signed and it's sent.
MR. NEALE: Within -- within two weeks.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Within two weeks, you'll have it all in
the mail, so just start doing it now.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: As long as I have often seen how
this board -- I've been on this board for several years, quite a few
years. And you are today one of the luckiest men in the pool business.
I know.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: In any business.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: You are lucky that you're walking
out of here with a license.
MR. HAMMOND: Thank you.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: They will tell you what my -- what I
would normally do, and I hope you can do this.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: And if there are others out there,
deal with them. Don't come back.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You're a good contractor. I want you
to treat them right.
Let's go. That one's over with.
Going back -- no breaks.
MR. NEALE: And, Mr. Dickson, Ijust want to make sure that
I'm clear. It's $4,000 he satisfies his own liens?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No. Exactly the way you read it.
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May 17,2006
MR. NEALE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: He satisfies the lien. The order did not
change.
MR. HAMMOND: One thing.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Come to the podium.
Rose, this is okay . You don't need to take it.
MR. HAMMOND: He mentioned that once the liens are paid off
and restitutions are paid, then I'm allowed to permit --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
MR. HAMMOND: -- within two weeks. Okay. And then what
about the permits that are in there now? I have some already applied
for.
MR. BARTOE: I believe you said the suspension was on new
permits.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yep.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It has not come out yet.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It's immediate.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: They're on hold.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: They can't come out. You could get
this resolved in two days.
MR. HAMMOND: If I get it -- right. In, Say, tomorrow, then
I'll be able -- okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Exactly.
MR. HAMMOND: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Want everybody paid.
MR. OSSORIO: Mr. Dickson, before we get into the workshop
that might take, you know, 30, 40 minutes, there is someone here
that's on the agenda -- not on the agenda but wants to get on the
agenda, Charles T. Payne.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Charles who?
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May 17,2006
MR. OSSORIO: Charles T. Payne.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, Tim Payne?
MR. BARTOE: Tim Payne, and just add him to the agenda.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's who I was going to.
MR. BARTOE: Add him to the agenda.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's who I was going to back under
discussion.
MR. OSSORIO: This is an unusual case. I tend not to bring
these up to the licensing board until we have a full application and
credit report and we can look at this in a -- in a -- in an investigative
manner, so we could get some good decisions.
But, unfortunately, this is time -- time is the essence due to the
fact that I don't think that we might not meet in June, so it would be
sometime in July.
We've issued a stop work order at 1600 Fleischmann Boulevard,
which is located in the City of Naples, which is the City of Naples
property .
And it appears that the City of Naples has entered into a binding
contract with an unlicensed contractor out of Winter Springs, Florida
called Team Pain Enterprises, Incorporated.
And Mr. Payne is here today to talk to you about what his
business is and how it relates to not being a contractor and -- and
maybe he can persuade the licensing board to waive the testing -- I
know that's an uphill battle and I know that he's been -- he's aware of
that.
But with that said, he's still here to present his -- his case to show
you his experience in concrete form in place and he has some
photographs and documentation to back that up.
And right now we'll introduce to you Mr. Charles Payne.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Tell me what work he's doing.
MR. OSSORIO: The job was shut down. I'll give you some
information.
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May 17,2006
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Right over here, Mr. Payne.
MR. OSSORIO: The job was shut down due to the fact that he --
there was a -- a skate park and with that, I want to give you some
information so you can look at it, the photographs I've taken
yesterday, so can you make a -- either affirm the stop work order or
tell him to get a license for concrete form in place of which you can
look at Page 15 on our ordinance to refresh your memory.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And it does require inspections?
MR. OSSORIO: If it requires inspections, yes, it does.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Is it structural?
MR. OSSORIO: Yes. But who's doing the inspection, that's up
to the city and the city is here to discuss that if you need to discuss
that at length.
I did not issue a stop work order for no building permit. I'm
going to let the builder official with the city handle that.
But if you were in the county, you bet you, we would require a
building permit.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: This -- this is something through
the City of Naples that has a contract for?
MR. OSSORIO: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And we govern -- we handle their
cases.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: This is going to get involved.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do you need to go?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Soon. Real soon.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR. OSSORIO: Mr. Payne could probably walk you through
the photographs I have and maybe --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Payne, yeah, go ahead, do -- first
of all, state your name, and I'll have you sworn in and then you just
take the lead, buddy.
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May 17,2006
MR. PAYNE: Yes. My name is Charles Timothy Payne and I
live at 864 Gazelle Trail in Winter Springs, Florida.
(Mr. Charles Payne was placed under oath.)
MR. PAYNE: I do.
I'd really like to take the time to thank you guys for taking me on
on such short notice.
I got notified yesterday at 3 :00 o'clock that we had this option to
do this.
To give you just a brief history of who I am, you know, I was
born and raised in Orlando. My grandfather ran for mayor in Orlando.
I grew up in the construction industry.
At the age of 12, I started skateboarding and building tree houses
all over the place. And because I knew how to build tree houses, I
started building skateboard ramps.
I started having local competitions in my backyard. I started
building ramps at other people's houses by the time I was 17.
My backyard started getting regional interest in magazines, local
magazines, and people would come from Atlanta, North Carolina,
Tahoe in my backyard to compete.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Cut -- cut to the chase.
MR. PAYNE: Well, I'll cut to the chase.
My company, Team Pain Enterprises performs services all over
the world; China, Japan. We built the X-Games that you see on
television. My company was on the Monster House Discovery
channel. We're on the field channel like all the time.
Basically, we perform a specialty service of building skate parks
only. We have special rules in our company that only skaters are
allowed to work in our company because you have to understand what
you're building and the only way to do that is to actually test it.
We're a design build company where we design the product and
we skate it and we build it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How long -- how long have you been
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in business?
MR. PAYNE: I've been in business as a corporation for ten
years.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Where have you built skate parks?
Let me start asking questions.
MR. PAYNE: Can I approach the bench and give you some
literature? I -- I spent hours last night at Kinko's developing -- like I __
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, but we're not going to spend
hours today looking.
MR. PAYNE: Oh, no. No, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let me ask you some -- listen to me.
MR. PAYNE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let me ask you some questions.
Where have you built these things?
MR. PAYNE: Lancing, Michigan, Brackenridge, Colorado,
Aspen, Colorado, California.
We just recently finished a project in Belgium where the -- the
country pulled our visas and pulled our work permits and they're real
strict --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Have you built any in Florida?
MR. PAYNE: Yes. Built ten parks in the same manner.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Where?
MR. PAYNE: Ten. Lake Vista in Tampa, Satellite Beach, St.
Augustine, North Port right up the road, Sarasota 30,000 square foot
park.
MR. NEALE: And I think -- Mr. Payne, eXcuse me, if I may.
Mr. Payne appears to have a fairly extensive presentation here
that would probably answer a number of these questions, so --
MR. PAYNE: Yeah. I'm on the Ed Stan Committee --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I just don't know that we're going to
do an extensive presentation today, Mr. Neale.
MR. NEALE: Well, it's just he's got it written here and it may be
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quicker just to refer to it, for the board to refer to it.
MR. PAYNE: Yeah, and it's just ten minutes. I mean, it's not like
a 45-minute presentation.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Listen, I've got people that have been
waiting now for three hours.
This is new business that was put on. That's why I'm trying to
limit this, as to whether we're going to proceed.
Go ahead and --
MR. PAYNE: Well, it's been a standard practice for the city to
pull our permits and allow us to work in their government entity since
we work all over the United States.
We're so frantically working back and forth. We have two wood
crews and two concrete crews that are doing work everywhere.
You know, and like I said, we're working for the X -Games, we
built all their features. You see them on TV. That's who we are.
We built the stuff on Jack Oss. You watch that program on MTV
and -- MTV Sports and Music Festival, if you guys have seen that,
you know who we are.
I mean, we don't owe anybody any money. We have a $370,000
bond on the project. We have an A-7 with our insurance company.
You know, we're licensed as far as the fact that I have a
contractor's license in Colorado. Colorado granted me a specialty
contracting license.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Only talk Florida to me.
MR. PAYNE: Oh, only talk Florida?
Well, we started building skate parks, the first skate park was in
Satellite Beach in 1989.
And the city made provisions for us to build it because of our
specialty service.
As skaters and builders, we're sought out across the nation. Like
I've been worldwide because of who I am, you know. That's--
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Could I interject for one minute?
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MR. PAYNE: I don't do any advertising.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Are there any codes on skate parks?
MR. PAYNE: No. I'm currently on the --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Wait just a minute.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Staff, are there any codes on skate
parks?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I want to hear from the city.
Would you come up and introduce yourself?
MR. HAMMOND: Actually, I -- for the record my name is Bill
Hammond. I'm director of the building department for Collier
County.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I need to have -- I don't need to have
him sworn in.
MR. NEALE: Unless he's -- ifhe's going to testify.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, I'll have you sworn in.
(Mr. Bill Hammond was placed under oath.)
MR. HAMMOND: Yes, ma'am, I do.
Just I was trying to put -- at least put the staff -- the staff
perspective for Contractor Licensing for Collier County in this in that
-- in that in the staffs -- in the staffs position, regardless of whether or
not the city required a permit for this, Florida Statute 489 requires
contractor license -- licensed contractors perform construction.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Exactly.
MR. HAMMOND: That is normally -- that is normally
performed by the issuance of permits.
Now, the -- the Florida Building Code does allow a building
official to determine whether or not some types of work require a
permit. It's a very narrow, very limited range of options.
What -- whatever mechanism the city used to decide that a permit
may not have been required in this; that is, that -- that's the city
purvIew.
The contracting licensing's purview and the county's provision is
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that construction was performed under Florida Statute 49 requires a
licensed contractor to do that.
The items that -- that Mr. Payne builds are engineered, they are
structures, they are for public accommodation and that they're -_
they're -- there is a specific requirement that that type of work be
performed by licensed contractors under Florida Statute 489, thereby
that's why Mr. Ossorio issued a stop work order.
Whether or not a permit or any inspections may be of -- you
know, the City of Naples is going to be performing those is -- is that--
going to be their responsibility to enforce the requirement __
requirements of the Florida Building Code.
Our responsibility was to enforce the requirements of Florida
Statute 489.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Why is there not a general contractor
on this job?
MR. HAMMOND: That, sir, we'll have to get the city to
determine why they chose not to do this.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Because what I'm looking at here is
very similar to one that's built -- that was build out in Golden Gate that
was done under a general contractor license.
MR. HAMMOND: Yes, sir. I believe there may be a
representatives from the city here to discuss that for you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let me see the city come up.
MR. WALLACE: I'm Ron Wallace. I'm the director of
Construction Management for the City of Naples.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yes, sir. I need to have you sworn in
in the front.
(Ron Wallace was placed under oath.)
MR. WALLACE: I do.
Maybe I can give you a little bit of history. Fleischmann Park,
there's general contractor on Fleischmann Park. It's a $4 million
improvement project. Part of that was to build a very unique upgraded
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skate park facility.
We had gone out through the states, CC and a process to design
build through an RFQ selection of -- to try to find a -- a skate park
contractor that specialized in this type of work.
Team Pain was selected based on their qualifications, upon their
experience, upon the fact that they could provide engineered structural
drawings and certifications for construction.
We did not put together a design and go out and bid this project.
We bid -- we went out and selected a contractor based on
qualifications.
They had provided a structural engineered submittal to us. We
brought it to our building development. The building department
building official reviewed it and said, this does not fall under the
Florida Building Code, does not cover skate parks.
You've -- they reviewed the plans. We in turn had the contractor,
Team Pain, perform -- they were going to perform soil testing,
geotechnical testing, concrete testing and have the same design
engineer certify construction.
The reason that we're here before you today is because they are
not licensed to do what the county is asking for, which is form in place
concrete work.
We understand that there -- this is a venue to -- for you to look at
this to see if it is -- fall under some exempt category or some specialty
type work.
We're not here to ask for anything -- anything different than
anybody else would or wouldn't. It's strictly at your judgment. It is a
unique proj ect.
I know Mr. Payne put together a brochure for you all and there's
-- there is quite -- excuse me -- quite an extensive work that they have
done.
They have been in business for ten years. They have done quite a
bit of work in -- in Florida. We've had this conversation with the
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county, why this issue hasn't come up before in other municipalities.
We have contacted the other municipalities and it is kind of a
gray area. And I think what they have done is tried to work with them
through different -- either different contractors or through their own
licensing procedure internally to -- to recognize the type of work and
-- and to get it done.
But, again, we're -- we're here only to ask your indulgence in --
in reviewing this and, you know, obviously we will abide by whatever
-- whatever the -- you decide.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I want to hear from Mr. Neale. These
are the guys that keep us out of trouble.
Are we out of our realm?
MR. NEALE: Well, if the staff has determined that -- that it
requires some sort of license in order for them to operate, the appeal
process is to this board.
And I'll ask Mr. Zachary to weigh in on this as well, but --
because he has to interpret it on behalf of the county. I'm interpreting
it on your behalf.
There is -- and I -- having just looked at this, I have no idea what
appropriate license would be other than potentially a general
contractor's license because of all the various elements of this.
There is one potential option under the code that I can see and it's
in Section 22-189, which addresses restricted Certificates of
Competency in that this board does have the pour to issue a restricted
Certificate of Competency to a applicant for a certificate in a
particular trade, which certificate is restricted to certain aspects of that
trade where the applicant has satisfactorily demonstrated that he or she
is qualified under this article in certain aspects of that trade but lacks
the required experience in other aspects of that trade.
We -- we do not have a category for a state skate park
contractors, nor does the state, nor does anybody else that I know of.
So, that is the area where there could be a license issued. It
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would still require Mr. Payne to submit an application and pay the
licensing fee for some category of license. Mr. Ossorio and Mr.
Zachary can probably come up with something there, then he would
be subject to discipline and control by this board and so the board
would have oversight.
Because of the -- the issue of not having a meeting next month,
and it would be 60 days before he could come back before the board
could find that he could issue -- they could issue a restricted
certificate, staff could review the application for sufficiency under that
and under the guidelines set forth by this board.
And then they could issue a Certificate of Competency on a
limited basis to him. That's the only --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Why are we -- the only reason we're
not -- we're saying we're not having a meeting next month is because
this room is going to have construction in it, is it not?
MR. OSSORIO: I have no idea other than we're just not going to
have this room. And we will discuss that in our workshop.
MR. NEALE: But -- yeah, I'm just -- whether -- whether or not
-- I mean, the delay issue, I'm sure, is significant to the city.
MR. PAYNE: It's significant. And that's one thing that Mike
didn't tell you is we've already got $100,000 into the project.
And we've got specialists on site from Oregon and Colorado here
working on the proj ect.
So, what -- what you guys aren't aware of is that there's only one
specialist on the east coast that's recognized as a -- you know, a
specialty construction worker by the Skate Parks of America and
ISKA Association. They're the International Skate Park Association.
And we're recommended worldwide by those company. The
other three companies, two of them are in Oregon and one's in
California. So, we're the only people on the east coast that can do this
service. It's back up by people.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I -- I understand and you have a very
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impressive brochure and --
MR. PAYNE: And plus the fact --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let me --
MR. PAYNE: Oh, I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Very impressive brochure and lots of
documents. I don't care about stuff anywhere except the State of
Florida --
MR. PAYNE: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- because I held a general contractor's
license in Indiana and could build a 50-story building although I've
never even built a shed.
So, what happens in other states doesn't matter. What happens in
other counties in the State of Florida makes no difference to us in
Collier County whatsoever.
MR. PAYNE: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We pride ourselves on a lot of things
here.
MR. PAYNE: If we made a --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But I don't -- I don't like--
MR. NEALE: If I may just -- the board may consider experience
in other jurisdictions in making these determinations.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: My problem is, is I'm getting a
structural concrete with drainage crammed down my throat to look at
in ten minutes and I'm supposed to approve it. I don't like this.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Where you're going to have --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I don't appreciate.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- young children and possibly in a
state park, you've going to have kids going in there, they're going to be
playing, but could get hurt.
And we -- we're giving you the power to do it, and that way, sir, I
feel good about that.
MR. WALLACE: One thing I do want to say is I do understand
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the last minute and we apologize for that.
Unfortunately, we just found out we had this avenue yesterday.
Mr. Payne does have crews onsite. He's rented three houses in
town. They've got a 12-week window to build this before they leave
the country.
That is in itself no reason for you obviously to approve, but it is
the reason why we're here at the last minute.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Bill, you're my general contractor.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: First question, Mr. Wallace? You
said there's a general contractor on the job?
MR. WALLACE: Yes.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Is there some way to try to
eliminate this problem, keep you moving?
Is there some way that you can tie this under his general
contractor because then they can higher him as subcontractor. It may
cost you five percent on your GC's but it's going to keep you moving,
because right now I tell you, frankly, the board needs to know this,
too, I'm -- I'm leaning to tell you, you know, you're going to have to
go get a licensed contractor.
MR. WALLACE: Well, and I understand that.
And we tried to look at some different ways to have him either
get on board with -- with another the contract, but what we've found
from the county's position is that since we have a contract directly
with Team Pain, that's where the problem lies.
Because we have to follow the purchasing procedures that you
folks follow as well, we couldn't arbitrarily reassign this contract to
somebody else without going through the process.
That -- the purchasing side of it is probably as difficult for us to
get around, and as the licensing issue is.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: It's probably going to be that way
on both sides. It's hard to say.
Because it's pretty clear that the board would refer to our
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licensing in, I think it's 90-105? License Number 1.6.3.9 is -- I believe
that might be what Mr. Ossorio has conducted here.
It's a concrete forming and placing contractor, which is licensed
by the state and the county -- or, excuse me, the county. Thirty-six
months experience with a passing grade of the three-hour test and a
passing grade of a two-hour business and law test.
It means those who are qualified to patch and mix aggregates,
cement and water to agreed specifications to construct forms and
framework for the casting and shaping of concrete to place
miscellaneous imbedded steel and to pour, place and finish concrete.
This category does not include the plastering of an interior of a
pool.
There's a license available.
MR. OSSORIO: Yeah, but code is not supposed to be specific.
It's supposed to be broad as possible so that you can interpret it.
When you say skate parks, you could build a widget, but the --
but the apparatuses are there.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: That's right.
MR. OSSORIO: And that's exactly what we're seeing. Since the
city said that no permits were required, therefore, a specialty
contractor can do the work and there are exams for him the next
couple weeks.
Matter of fact, we have a Gainesville Independent Testing here
today. He can give him all the information he needs.
But the correlation when the city hired a unlicensed contractor
that's a hurdle. That's a big hurdle to get over.
I don't know how the city wants to work it, how they're going to
reframe it. A general contractor can take over the job. That's pretty
simple, but the general contractor cannot hire a subcontractor who's
not licensed.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: That's right. You'd have to be--
MR. OSSORIO: So, he will still be in violation of that code.
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COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Right.
MR. PAYNE: That was the problem when this project went out
to bid. D. N. Higgins was the general contractor for the whole project
and the city thought it was unfair to allow him to bid on that project,
so that's why the whole process went back out to bid. So, the -- you
know, Naples is actually several months behind in the process because
of all these matters. It was our wishes if that was an option to work
under Higgins, you know, that would be no problem for us to -- to try
and comply with that.
Our testimony is we have built ten other parks in Florida in the
same manner, which have been counter, you know, approved by the
cities' engineers and their permitting department and we've had our
own structure engineer provide paperwork to sign off on the structure.
You know, there's nowhere in the code books that tells you what
a skate park is or how high the coping is supposed to be set or what
the tolerances are.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: How about the concrete or how far
apart --
MR. PAYNE: The thickness of the concrete--
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- the seal is?
MR. PAYNE: Right.
Yeah, well, that's why everybody that's looked at our product has
said it's a waiver bill. We're doing five and five and a half inches of
concrete that's 4,000 PSI with number three rebar on one foot centers
that's tied, you know, every cross-over. We're doing number four ties
to stainless -- not stainless steel coping but galvanized metal that's in
the wall.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let me -- let me just --
MR. HAMMOND: Mr. Chairman, once again for the record, if I
may, Bill Hammond of the -- you know, director of the Collier County
Building Department.
The -- the Collier County Building Department has full
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confidence that -- that the structure under the supervision of -- of -- of
the licensed Florida professional engineer and Mr. Wallace's staff in
the -- in the city building department will be -- will be built in
accordance with its design and specifications and will be a structure
that -- that, you know, that will serve the purpose for which it was
designed and intended.
That's -- that's truly not our issue at all.
But, by Mr. Payne, the fact that he's got designs, that he's got
concrete, that he's got form work, that's he's got steel, he's building a
structure.
And -- and -- and I don't see a way to -- for us to get around the
fact that Mr. -- that Mr. Ossorio legally issued a stop work order for
unlicensed construction activity by an unlicensed -- or construction
activity by an unlicensed contractor.
So -- so, that -- the quality of his work, I don't believe is going to
be in question by anybody. It's just the -- it's to the method in which
it's occurring, you know, under -- under the jurisdiction of Collier
County that -- that, you know, that we're going to -- we're going to
have satisfy there.
But with in regard to Mr. Joslin's concern about the -- the
adequacy of the construction, I -- I truly have full confidence in Mr.
Wallace's staff in the city to make sure that occurs.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Does the city have a licensed
contractor?
MR. HAMMOND: I can't answer that question, ma'am.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: If I may, the--
MR. WALLACE: Has the city a licensed contractor for?
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Does the city have a licensed
contractor?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: In house.
MR. WALLACE: A GC on staff? No, ma'am, not that I'm
aware of.
Page 11 7
May 17,2006
One -- one point I think I should make from the city's standpoint,
too, because we don't anybody to think that we were trying to do
something here that wasn't on the up and up.
When we went ahead and went through this qualification process,
our contract for this work does state that the contractor needs to get all
necessary permits, licenses, that are -- you know, and the rest of that.
But why we're here today is -- the question is that this fell into a
category or an exemption and we're here asking that question.
If it does not, then the contract that the contractor has with the
city requires all the necessary permits and licensing.
So, again, it's unique because it is a skate park. You can see what
the gentleman's building. It does seem to fall out out of the building
code, but we're really simply here asking the question.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: 90.105 is pretty clear about it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, I know. That's the -- that's the
problem we have as a board.
It has nothing to do with this gentleman's company.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Nothing. I mean, I'd seen his
packet -- I'm sorry to interrupt you, Les, but, I mean, it's an amazing --
amazing situation to be accomplished a lot in the years and -- and by
the looks of the pictures that I seen in here of the work in place and
also the work being placed --
MR. PAYNE: Right.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: -- you're doing a wonderful job.
MR. PAYNE: That's an issue that every city goes through.
Usually I deal with the city council on a lot of issues.
Ten years ago I made a video and it was a 20 city documentary
video that covered skate parks and how they were built that spoke
with city managers, city engineers, the city attorneys, risk
management and how they operated and created a facility. And this is
part of the battle.
If you put out a bid, construction bid, to contractors that aren't
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specialized in the service, you're not providing the community with a
skateable surface.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What's the license -- what's the license
he should have, state certified; GC --
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: GC. I don't think there's a --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- or a county form?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: -- county form in placement.
MR. OSSORIO: Mr. Dickson, he could be a building contractor,
he could be a general contractor, he could be a concrete form placing
contractor.
And I tell you, ifhe was a pool contractor, we might say, okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Poured in place or --
MR.OSSORIO: Yeah, but something.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Or he could get state certified as a
residential GC.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: It would be a building.
MR. NEALE: Because it's commercial.
MR. PAYNE: Is it not possible for me to get a specialty license
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Can you not --
MR. PAYNE: -- based on my ability?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Can you not read from this board it
isn't going to happen?
MR. PAYNE: I was granted it before in the State of Colorado
and I was --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I don't care about the State of
Colorado.
MR. PAYNE: And I was -- okay. And I was, you know, given
permission to work in ten other cities in Florida and Tallahassee, our
state capital, which I have letters of reference from all those
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companies that said we provided an invaluable service, and without
our service, they couldn't have built the structure they built and it
brought them nationwide --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And -- and I had -- that's why I say it's
nothing with you, but I've heard from our building department, I've
heard from licensing, I've heard from our legal department, and for
this board to grant a specialty license, there's just no way that you
qualify.
MR. PAYNE: I can't transfer my license from Colorado?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Of course not.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: I'd like to try and find a way to
keep the work going because my kids want to get out there.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I mean, there's no doubt the
children need some place to play.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah. I mean--
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It would be obtain ideal, but under
the circumstances too bad it's an after the fact situation. It's happened,
not while beforehand. If you had come here before --
MR. PAYNE: Well, in all my literature that I provided to the
city, it was straightforward that we did not have a contractor's license
and they were going to take care of these issues for us.
Now, you know, it's gotten to this point where we got the notice
to proceed, we started construction on the site, we got a lot of money
out of pocket.
If this happens, I've got to send people home, you know, to
Colorado, to Oregon, to Jacksonville. You know, we have a lot of
staff onsite. We've got to get rid of the housing, put the machinery
back.
I mean, this is going to devastate me.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: The exam is in two weeks.
MR. PAYNE: And you're going to have extensive damage to the
site. You're going to have washout on the site, you're going to have all
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kinds of -- we did not put the retention wall up, nor the drainage or
bring in the compactable fill D. N. Higgins did that.
So, all of the basic work was already done and that wasn't
permitted. There was no permits on that. And that's a structural
retention wall at six foot tall.
We were brought in for nonstructural, poured in place concrete.
We're not putting parking garages on it. We're not building towers.
We only build skate parks. That's all we do for 25 years.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: I -- I do agree with that statement
that he just made, that I don't think it is a structural concrete driveway
or a footing or something like that. It's only to skate on, with filling it
full of water.
It's a total different ball game with any other type of construction.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Before we go any further,
when he raises his hand, I want to hear him.
MR. NEALE: Under 22-181, Subsection C, 2, exemptions.
Public works. The provision of this division shall not apply to any
construction, alteration, improvement or repair carried on within the
limits of any site, the title to which is in the United States or with
respect to federal law supersedes this article or to an authorized
employee of the United States, this state or any municipality, county
or other political subdivision.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Ooh, why are we listening to this?
MR. OSSORIO: I don't think it's a public works.
MR. NEALE: If it's held by the -- who owns the property?
MR. WALLACE: The City of Naples.
MR. NEALE: It's a public work.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: That ends it. Bye.
MR. HAMMOND: Once again, for the record, if I might say,
there's -- there's many years of precedence that counties and
municipalities pull permits from their building departments to perform
construction unless it's otherwise exempted by the Florida Building
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Code.
Collier County pulls -- pulls permits to build every building that
they build. They pull the permit to do the renovations for this building
and -- and the new courthouse that's coming up.
The City of Naples pulls permits on itself to do work in their own
utilities department and everywhere else, so that definition of public
works in -- in my professional opinion is not applicable here
specifically.
It's -- it's more along the lanes where the Florida Building Code
exempts utilities and roadways and transportations from the Florida
Building Code mostly like -- more along the lines of TECO and FPL.
MR. NEALE: I mean, I'd be -- I'd be willing to research the
issue, but -- you know, I would say that -- and, Mr. Zachary, you may
want to weigh in because you represent the county but, you know,
absent rereading this and doing some research on it, it appears that it
could be deemed by this board a public work or in the alternative the
board could issue the restricted Certificate of Competency.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let me ask you a question.
MR. PAYNE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Someone else did the drainage,
someone else did the fill and the pack.
MR. PAYNE: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And someone else set the engineering,
the rebar, you're just doing the --
MR. PAYNE: No, no, no, sir. No, sir. It was in the provisions
in this proj ect.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Specifically, answer my question.
MR. PAYNE: Specific, we are going to dig the site out, we're
going to set -- the same people, not different crews. It's the same
people from start to finish.
We're going to excavate the hole, we're going to put the forms in,
we're going to install the rebar.
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CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Why did you go through -- what did I
hear before, that someone else did that? What was that all about?
MR.OSSORIO: Well, there's one particular wall, if you look at
the picture, I --
MR. PAYNE: There's a retaining wall.
MR.OSSORIO: There's one six-foot wall there but that was
about it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That had nothing to do with what
we're talking about.
MR. PAYNE: But that's the retaining wall for the skate park.
MR. OSSORIO: Mr. Dickson, there were four bids on this job.
One wasn't licensed and who would that be?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: The low bid.
MR. OSSORIO: And who would that be here today?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: No doubt.
MR. WALLACE: That's the only thing that I'm going to taking
offense to because that was not part of the qualification. It wasn't a
low bid process and it wasn't based on who didn't have a license and
who did.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: I couldn't imagine. I don't know
who the other bid was.
MR. OSSORIO: Nothing personal. It's fully generic. When I
called the person team, they said there was four bids on the project. I
didn't look at the bids or with the -- you know, the clarification, what
was done, but it appears that if on face value that the only person that
wasn't licensed was here today.
Now, I don't know what the bid process was or how you came to
that conclusion. I'm only going on what your staff said.
MR. NEALE: I would suggest that the board disregard that
testimony because it's assuming facts not in evidence.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: At this point I've heard all about I
want to hear. If it's not a public work, we're not going to issue a
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specialty license.
Do you agree? Is that the feelings of the board?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I don't think we have a choice.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do a motion.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Motion to deny.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What do we do, Mr. Neale? We can
spend all day on this.
MR. NEALE: Yeah. You know, Mr. Zachary may want to
comment but, you know, the board's --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Zachary.
MR. ZACHARY: Well, my -- my comment is I'll defer to Mr.
Hammond about as to public work, but I think it could be a broad
definition if it's in a public park.
I could certainly argue that it's a public work if it's some sort of --
some sort of thing being built there.
That's about all I've got to add.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Mr. Lewis.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: I think he needs a license.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: All the way down, all the board.
MR. NEALE: I would suggest that because of the -- this issue --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah.
MR. NEALE: -- that the board because of this should do a full
finding of fact and conclusion of law and take a motion on this matter.
MR. PAYNE: It's only fair to me.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It wasn't even a case. Would not a
motion suffice?
COMMISSIONER KELLER: I don't think we have enough
information.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We didn't really hear a case.
MR. PAYNE: You didn't hear a case? It's something that's been
done before it's tried, proved and tested and--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'm talking to him. It had nothing to
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do with you.
MR. PAYNE: Yes, sir.
MR. NEALE: It certain is something that probably is not going
to end in this room.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Oh, no.
MR. NEALE: And, so, therefore, there needs to be a good record
made.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'll follow your advice, sir.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: There's going to be a lot of
ramifications here.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah, but if it's public works, he can
go to work.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Well, I don't think it would.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: It can come back on us.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Explain to me again. What --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It's going to make -- allow an
unlicensed contractor to work for the City of Naples no matter what
we do.
I said I don't believe that we're going -- we're going to probably
hear more ramifications from this whole testimony of what's going
this morning because I don't think it's going to be in our best interest
to promote a unlicensed contractor to work in this town or it's going to
open the door to many, many more, not unless there is a way for Mr.
Neale to tell us that we can be exempt from this and it can happen.
I know this is going to be a -- I'm sure, going to come back and
haunt us.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Well, the facts -- in fact, Mr. Joslin,
you're correct. You know, the bottom line is the guy -- the guy is
holding himself out for hire. He's not an employee of the public
works, which gives you the exemption to do the work.
So, I mean, basically, it doesn't get any clearer what we have, and
our -- our amendment 90.105 states that -- specifically, that he needs a
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license to do the work that he's doing, whether it's for a skate park or
whether it's for a pool or whether it's for a retaining wall for a pond or
whether it's just for a decoration, it doesn't matter.
And I think according to the public's health and safety, which is
why the board has put -- the county commissioners have put us here,
that we need to consider that extensively even though there are going
to be those that are going to be upset and mad at us, I -- you know, I
agree. I wish there was a quick way that we could revolve the
situation and get it satisfied to all parties, but I don't see it happening
with us.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I think maybe if there was more
time and more information provided to us, if we had more time to
review the information and the facts, possibly we could make a better
decision.
But at this moment, we don't have that.
MR. NEALE: The board does have the ability if they wish to
defer this matter on the basis of requiring -- requesting further
information.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Maybe that would be the better
way to do it.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I -- I got to say I have a lot of faith
in the city's process of hiring this gentleman. We all agree that his
packet is impressive, his testimonies are impressive.
It just seems that there's a real -- just a fine little line here that
we've got to find a way to handle, but I mean if I was just looking at it
logically, I would have to say why not, just based on what I'm hearing.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: But there are no specific codes to
building a skate park.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I know.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: I mean, if we were worried about
the public's health and safety, the city could save a lot of money and
put up a sign saying, no skateboard allowed, because there is danger in
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a skate park.
I remember when I was a little child, I, you know, lost a tooth or
two because of that. But I just -- I think it's just part of the public
works and I think we shouldn't even be hearing this.
If you want to just let the city -- if the city is comfortable with
him doing the skate park, I think that's -- it should fall in the city's
court.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I'm going to totally agree.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: I agree.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: I disagree. Your law states it
clearly and we're governed by law to uphold that law and -- and we
can't just come in here and haphazardly change our -- our -- by our
opinions and just because it's the City of Naples.
What if it was Kraft Construction coming in and asked for the
same thing, what would we tell him?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I agree.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: What ifit was -- what ifit was 16
other contractors from 16 different states coming in here with a
general contractor's license from Indiana or a general contractor's
license from Colorado or somewhere else?
What are we going to tell them? The same thing that I think we
should tell this gentleman is that he needs to be licensed to do the
work.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do I hear a motion?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I'll make the motion. At this
moment in time with the information we have before us, I make a
motion that we deny. The man needs to be licensed.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Deny what, Mr. Joslin?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Deny any further work that goes on
without a licensed contractor on the job.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What do you want, Mr. Neale,
specialty license or exemption?
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MR. NEALE: I think, yeah, that the board basically is -- since
there's not a formal application, is denying a waiver of licensure
requirements, licensure testing requirements and other requirements
for this applicant even though there's not a formal applications.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, what do you do, put that in the
form of amotion?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No. Is that satisfactory?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: That's satisfactory.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Discussion?
COMMISSIONER BLUM: I for one disagree. I disagree with
the process. I disagree for the information. I disagree that -- the
whole process to me is -- is not correct from start to finish.
I know there's a time line, I know there's a rush to judgment for a
lot of reasons; financial and all those things.
In good conscience, I don't think I can put forth any vote the way
it stands.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Well, I don't want this to be an
expense of the city either, so -- taxpayer and the city, I'd like us to
consider the financial ramifications of stopping work. I don't know.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Can I weigh in on some important
facts that might help -- help the board members clear their heads a
little bit?
Get -- get away from the entire picture. Our -- our call up here is
whether we today issue a temporary or a restrictive license without
any testing requirements, without any -- any kind of application,
without any -- anything, so this man can go out and work in Collier
County.
Think of how many times we've had that come before the board.
Think of how many times we've denied it at this board. That's what
we're here today to do.
What happens because of what we do is not our fault. We're here
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to uphold the laws, the statutes and the ordinances that have been
approved in this county by our commissioners.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: But normally when people come
before us like that, ask us that question, they want to -- they want to
set tile or they want to do framing or they want to put on roofs, they
don't come here saying I want to build a skate park that nobody has
any codes for and nobody knows how to do it.
I mean, how many skate park contractors are there in the City of
Naples?
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Which is even more the point. It's
not the skate park that we need to look at. It's the work that he's
performing, which is the placing and the finishing of concrete and
rebar or reinforcing steel.
That's what -- that's what he needs to be licensed for, not to build
a skate park, because you know what, I don't know what all is
involved with a skate park. And I'm sure not going to give this
gentleman or anybody else that I know --
COMMISSIONER GUITE: And I believe ifhe took the test, it
probably wouldn't -- it would be superfluous.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: To what?
COMMISSIONER GUITE: To what he's doing. I mean, I'm
sure that the testing isn't -- has nothing to do with the skate park,
placing concrete in the skate park.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: It's placing concrete not in a skate
park.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Ifhe was placing concrete in a
swimming pool, then it's a different story.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: And by giving him a temporary
license, you're going to allow him in the County of Collier to go place
concrete no matter what he's doing. And that could be a lanai, it could
be slab.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: I really don't believe -- I really don't
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believe that that's what he's going to do. He's--
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: I can't help that.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: -- not in that business. He's --
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: It's all conjuncture.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: -- in the business of skate parks. I
think it's just a --
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: It's all conjuncture.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Well, I think we also have to
consider the -- the City of Naples, the due diligence they did on this
company, and, you know, I imagine if there was extensive background
checks and -- before the contract was signed.
So, you know, probably more work than we do when we consider
an applicant. And I don't know.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Well, there is a motion. Do we have
to vote?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We're in the discussion stage.
MR. NEALE: If I may, Mr. --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'm letting everyone have their say.
Did I get a second?
MR. NEALE: Do you have a second?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yeah.
MR. NEALE: If I may just bring up the one point of the way it
started with the restricted Certificates of Competency, is the board can
issue a Certificate of Competency with significant restrictions on it, so
that's something that --
COMMISSIONER BLUM: We could issue a certificate to do
this job, only this job, and is it possible for us to request that we have a
inspection process even though it's not permitted?
But if we issue the certificate, can we have our people do
inspections?
MR. NEALE: Well, it appears that they're going to have a
certified engineer inspect it already so --
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CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Can I kind of follow up where Bill
did? This is not the Code Enforcement Board. This is not the park's
beautification. It's the licensing board.
What do I say to every licensed contractor that could build this
skateboard park? What do I say if we approve the license? I'm sorry.
It's the city's problem. It's this individual's problem. It's not my
problem because it doesn't meet county ordinance. Black and white,
plain and simple, it's not up to this board.
Take it back to city hall. You guys work it out. I'll never vote
for this.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: It's not because we don't want it.
It's not because we don't want to see the city go ahead. Weare -- we
are bound by this -- this pieces of paper that we are sitting up here
trying to enforce.
And if we do not enforce this, we might as well not be here.
And whether it's the city, whether it's the county, whether it's
anyone else coming before us and wanting special privileges without
some kind of information or something that gives us something to go
on up here, there's no way it's going to happen, not in my mind.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: It has nothing whatsoever to do with
you.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: No, absolutely not. No.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You're not the issue. You can get a
license so quick. You're sharp enough to do it. Stop all this nonsense
forever. Get a state certified license.
I know that doesn't help you now, and I really do feel bad about
that. But I'm governed by what we got to do.
Any more discussion?
Call for a vote. The vote is to deny.
All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
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May 17,2006
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Hands.
All those opposed? Three.
I'm sorry, but it did pass.
Application submitted to the board for review for a special
license came before public hearing, Contractor Licensing Board, on
this date for consideration of the application submitted -- or presented,
not submitted, the board having heard testimony under oral, received
evidence and heard arguments respective to all appropriate matters,
thereupon issues its findings of fact, conclusions of law and order the
board as follows: That Tim Payne did make a request to the
Contractor Licensing Board for a special license ends 843, that
pursuant to Section 22-184,b of the Collier County Contractor
Licensing Ordinance Number 90-105 as amended, application does
not appear to be on its face to comply with the requirements of Section
22.184 for licensure and the contractor Licensing Board has referred
this was -- this was referred to the board for a decision.
The board has jurisdiction over this matter. Mr. Payne was
present. There were no notices because it was heard impromptu.
Number five, the facts of this case are found to be that the
applicant did not meet the criteria for a special licensing as set out in
Rules 61,g,4-15.005 and 61,g,4-15.004 of the Florida Administrative
Code as amended.
The application does not have enough -- that one doesn't apply.
Not reinstatement.
That enough, Mr. Neale?
MR. NEALE: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Based upon the foregoing facts, the
board conclusions that the applicant -- has not met the standard set out
in Ordinance 90-105, and based on a vote of five in favor and 3
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opposed to deny a special license or waiver, that this application was
not granted on this date.
Enough?
Put Richard Joslin on there and get him to sign it.
I am sorry. City hall has got a problem and you got a problem.
You guys have got to find away.
MR. PAYNE: I'm just wondering how it's coming to surface
now because we couldn't have been more direct on our approaching.
We've been working with Naples for three years on this project.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: That's between you and Naples.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I wish we had known about it three
years ago.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: We probably could have fixed it
three years ago.
MR. PAYNE: I've got a folder that I need to get. You guys
didn't have the literature.
MR. NEALE: Mr. Payne, I think most of it is here.
MR. PAYNE: No, sir. That's not it.
MR. NEALE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: The licenses?
MR. PAYNE: No. It's a manila envelope. Yeah, here it is. All
right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Sorry, Mr. Payne.
MR. OSSORIO: Mr. Dickson, let's go ahead and start the
proceedings on the -- amending the -- the ordinance. Hopefully it will
be short and sweet.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: May I be excused?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I've got one that's got to go for a
previous board meeting.
MR. OSSORIO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How long do you think this is going
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to be?
MR.OSSORIO: If the Code Enforcement can wrap it up in a
few minutes, I would say 20 minutes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That was a nasty one, Michael.
MR.OSSORIO: Yeah, it was. That was.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay. Let's go.
MR.OSSORIO: I'd like to call Dave Scribner. Dave Scribner is
a Code Enforcement. I believe he is a managing supervisor for Code
Enforcement and he's going to introduce some environmentalists to
discuss what's been transpiring for the last couple of years on the tree
service contractors and we believe we have one speaker as well.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How are you doing?
MR. SCRIBNER: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. Thank
you for the opportunity to address you today.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I do need to have you state your name
and I'll have you sworn in as well.
MR. SCRIBNER: My name is David Scribner for the record.
(David Scribner was placed under oath.)
MR. SCRIBNER: I do.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Go ahead, sir.
MR. SCRIBNER: I'm the investigative manager for Code
Enforcement, and I'm just here to introduce the process for looking at
licensure for tree trimming.
We've had some ongoing issues with some of the trimming that's
been going on. And this is our way of looking at maybe providing a
educational opportunity for tree trimmers to learn what the codes are
and how to properly trim these trees, because the damage that's being
done in some cases it's irreparable, and the property owners are
ultimately the ones who are suffering from the damages of this.
So, the licensure process will be a way to maybe put an end to
some of the practices that have been going on for some of these.
And I'd like to take the opportunity to introduce Crystal Segora
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who is an environmentalist with the division, and she's worked
extensively on addressing this and has done some research on it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Tell-- tell us, where is this going?
What are you wanting to do in the new licensing? How do you __
what are you wanting to change?
MR. SCRIBNER: To actually license tree trimming and having
a testing process go on, and I think Crystal's got some background __
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We don't have that now, do we?
MR.OSSORIO: Mr. Dickson, we have what you call a two-hour
business and law exam that has no really bite to it as of how you cut
the trees, OSHA requirements, safety, cutting.
And that's been going on for about two years. We had a couple
good workshops with Mr. Bowermeister, who is in charge and
president of the Gainesville Independent Testing.
And he has come up with some testing and some good literature,
and I think that would be something we can amend into the ordinance,
saying that you would need a two-hour exam and this Gainesville
independent 50 question test.
And it tells you how to cut trees, trim trees, landscaping, what the
variety -- and I believe Mr. Bowermeister will give you that -- that
pamphlet on the overhead, so you can take a look at it real quick.
I don't think that we're -- we're not at odds about that particular
item. I think it's a good thing and I think that it shouldn't take very
long for Mr. Bowermeister to go ahead and put that in overhead, take
a look at it say, you know, that's something we need due to the fact we
have so many complaints about licensed tree trimmers not
understanding about trees itself.
So, it's something that Code Enforcement has been dealing with
for two years.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: You answered my question.
MR. SCRIBNER: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Because I knew we had tree trimming,
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May 17,2006
but I didn't know they didn't have a test except business and law.
MR. OSSORIO: And the landscaping. If you -- if you do
anything with tree trimmers, you have to do something with the
landscape as well.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Does it fall under a landscape
license? Is that what it is?
MR. OSSORIO: I'm sorry?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Does it fall under a landscape
license?
MR.OSSORIO: Well, landscape is also a two-hour exam. The
only difference is, is the requirements as of -- of experience.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
MR.OSSORIO: But taking the exam is only one part of many
things of getting a license.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Is there an arborist license?
MR. OSSORIO: That's something you need to talk to Code
Enforcement. I'm not really up on arborists and what they require and
what kind of test there is.
MR. SCRIBNER: I think probably the most expeditious way to
get this -- get you the information that you need is have Ms. Gorp do a
quick presentation. I think she'll answer a lot of the questions that you
have.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How are you doing?
MS. SEGORA: Hanging in there.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I just need to have you state your
name and I'll have you sworn in real quick.
MS. SEGORA: My name is Crystal Segora, Environmental
Specialist for Collier County.
Yes.
I currently hold a certified arborist certification as well.
I spent about two and a half years in the Code Enforcement
Department enforcing the pruning code, which is part of our Land
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Development Code.
I helped to create the tree exam that Mr. Bowermeister is going
to present to you today.
With the assistance of other certified arborists in the county,
we've held several workshops to get their input.
The certified arborists were not only county employees but are --
that hold that certification, but also private tree companies that do
have certified arborists on staff.
Today we have Mr. Ian Orlikoff who is here. He holds a
certification in tree trimming with the county and -- well, a license, a
contractor's license, and he's a certified arborist and he helped create
the -- gave input on the exam as well, and he would like to say a few
words, if you would allow that today.
The exam was based on the pruning code, which follows the
NCA 300 standards for pruning and there was also some questions
added to the exam on safety standards for these contractors who are
doing the work.
The exam was created for several reasons, mainly because the
only thing that's required of these tree trimmers now is to take a
business and law test.
And we feel it's very important that these tree trimmers take
another exam that is relevant to the work that they're being done for
health and safety reasons and also to let them know that there are these
NCA standards that we do enforce here in the county.
It seems that anyone can get a tree trimming license if they take
the business and law test.
Sometimes the wives' will come in and take the business and law
test and become the qualifier.
So, we're hoping that this exam would encourage the actual tree
trimmers to do the work to come and take the exam because they have
all the experience and knowledge about what they're doing.
When I worked in the Code Enforcement Department, our case
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load was very extensive. We also dealt with vegetation removal
violations and exotic vegetation violations, but we had multiple tree
pruning cases in violations in the county and we felt that this exam
may prevent some of those cases from coming in if -- if they could
learn a little bit more about what they're doing.
The -- the county is growing so fast and these landscaped trees
that are being put in need to be maintained in the right way for health
and safety reasons.
And with the increase in hurricanes that are coming through, it's
very important that these trees are structurally sound as they can be.
And also the citizens that hire these tree trimmers, they rely on
them to know what they're doing. And a lot of them out there, we
don't feel, know exactly the proper way to prune trees.
We use Broward County's test with their permission as a -- as a
model, and their procedures as how -- how they enforce codes.
In Broward County, they are a lot more strict. They do require
an exam. They actually require one person per job site to have passed
this exam.
They -- their license is good for two years; however, they require
these tree trimmers to take continuing education units and to prove
that they're taking additional classes to keep them up on -- on the latest
pruning methods and safety -- safety requirements through their
extension office.
They do have an exemption from the exam if there actually is a
certified arborist on staff that can provide an affidavit that they do
have the certification.
So, we would like you to approve this exam requirement and
implement it as a requirement in the ordinance.
And I know we'll talk about this a little bit later, but we also feel
that it's very important that everyone who concurrently holds a license
be required to take this exam, and possibly by giving them a grace
period of one year or so, to come in and -- and take this exam.
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We feel that these tree trimmers are the ones who are going to be
around for the next ten, 15 years, trimming our trees, and they need to
be the ones who -- who pass this exam as well.
Otherwise, requiring just new people who come into the county
to take it isn't going to solve the problems that we're having now with
our -- with our tree pruning and unsafe practices.
So, with that, I guess I'd like to introduce Jay Bowermeister of
the Gainesville Testing Company to talk to you a little bit more about
the exam unless you have any more questions from me.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you. Appreciate it.
Would that have saved all the Melaleucas if they had been
trimmed right?
Not Melaleucas, but the Banyans. Would that have saved them
all if they had been trimmed correctly? Really?
MR. HAMMOND: The majority of them.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What a mess.
Jay, good to have you with us. Before I have you go through the
swearing in, you've been a pleasure to add to the testing here in Collier
County.
MR. BOWERMEISTER: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We had some problems and we've
heard nothing but good things about the group that you work with.
MR. BOWERMEISTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: And we appreciate it. If you would,
state your name and I'll have you sworn in.
MR. BOWERMEISTER: I'm Jay Bowermeister, president of
Gainesville Independent Testing Service. My name is spelled
B-o-w-e- r-m-e- i -s- t-e-r.
(Jay Bowermeister was placed under oath.)
MR. BOWERMEISTER: First off, thank you for allowing me to
come back and speak with you again. It's been awhile since I've been
here.
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As you'll see on your screens, we actually have a sample exam
information sheet up in front of you.
I say it's a sample because we have customized part of it to match
the examination that we've worked with the county and with the
contractors here in the county and the certified arborist here to develop
for you, but since there's nothing in place yet to actually make a hard
line, some of the things in this sample will still need to be changed a
little bit.
Basically what the exam is, is a 50 item, two-hour exam, which if
you go down in the sample that we've put together, I actually have
never changed that to say two hours yet. It still says one, but that we
would do something similar to this, just to change it to make it read
correctly.
We would also make changes to the scope of the exam so that it
covers everything that's actually passed into -- into ordinance or into
the rules here in the county, so the scope of the exam actually matches
the scope of the license.
As an example, for right now this is actually taken from
Hernando County Tree Trimmers test that we administer there for
them.
Some of the items that would be used on the exam here are used
in Hernando County, Sumter County, Volusia County and -- and a few
of our other counties that we do specialty exams in.
As you can see, and as Crystal mentioned, the number of items
on the test are -- are extensive when it comes to the actual operation of
how you work on a tree.
During the development of the program, what we did is we had, I
believe, two or three members from the county came together. There
were four members of the actual companies in the area who already
work that have arborists on staff that came together.
We work through a -- a workshop development process where we
sit down and -- and go from the very beginning process where we do
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what's called a directive job task analysis, figure out what people who
trim trees need to know and how they need to do it.
We then go from that job task analysis into a blueprint
development. A blueprint development is where we came up with the
four subject areas that you see on the sample EIS and with the number
of items that are on that sample EIS.
Underneath this, and I'm going to scroll down just a little bit,
you'll see that there are four approved references for this examination
if I can keep it on the screen.
The first of those is actually the Code of Federal Regulations,
Title 29, Part 1926. From that we get obviously some safety questions
about how to handle equipment, how people need to be tied off
properly if they're going to be in a sling in a tree.
That also comes from the tree climbers guide so those two
references are where the safety items come from.
You see then the ANSI pruning, repairing, maintaining and
removing trees as a reference. There are several items in the bank that
come from that.
I did bring some -- some banks along with me for today for you
all to look at if you choose to. If you that, we have to kind of reverse
things on you a little bit and I have to get you all to agree not to
disclose what you see in the -- in the bank.
And then there's the arborist's certification study guide that's used
as the fourth reference on the exam. They quite extensively gets into
the proper pruning and trimming of the exam.
And I have to just relay a quick, funny occurrence that happened
while we were working on this exam. We actually met at one of the
City of Naples Community Centers to do the development.
The day that we happened to be there, one of the larger free firms
pulled up in the front and immediately began cutting trees.
One of the very first things that I noticed is one of their workers
crawled into their -- into their knuckle lift truck, into their bucket
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truck, and I just knew this was going to happen, and I just had to say.
And I said, watch this, he's going to run this -- this lip all the way
over the knuckle.
And sure enough, the gentleman jumps in the bucket and takes it
and runs it all the way, 180 degrees over the knuckle to the backside
instead of swiveling around like he should have.
They have absolutely no qualms in their operation about that at
all. That was just illustrative of the kind of things that we watched all
day long with the -- the safety precautions that weren't followed, and
the proper practices that are now outlined in the exam through these
four references.
We spent an entire day working on how to write questions, what
the questions needed to do, how not to make them tricky.
We left that day at the end of day with about 35 questions
completed.
Since that time Crystal and some of the other people at the
county and some of the other volunteers who were there who were
actually working in the field as contractors now actually have
submitted to us about another 120 questions that we've added to that
bank, so we now actually have about 150 test questions for this
50- item test strictly for Collier County that would be your version.
We may use it in other places. If anybody ever goes to it, we're
actually negotiating with Dade County to take over their public works
testing now also underneath our contract that we have with them
through their contractor licensing examination board.
But, that's all the information that I could briefly give you on it,
as well as the sample EIS unless there are any questions.
Oh, yeah. Languages and scrambling.
As with all of the other examinations that we provide, this test
would be automatically and -- and translated into Spanish.
We're translating every test question that we have into Spanish
very actively and we're about 90 percent of the way through our test
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banks.
We have about 40,000 active test questions that we use for
contractors here in Florida, and we have about 90 percent of those
translated.
All of the tests that we do that are translated, Spanish is not the
only language. We do actually have six languages right now that
we've translated into, including Albanian, Greek, German, Romanian.
I can never remember what the other one was. We just finished it.
The exams are done in what's called a diaglot (sic) fashion. What
that means is the item shows up as originally written in English, then
immediately underneath that, the item shows up again in the translated
language.
The biggest advantage to that is, is people who read English as a
second language, which as we know in this part of the country, make
up a substantial part of our work force. It does give them the
advantage of being able to read in their first language and then look at
the technical item and its structure in English, so that they can go to
their reference books and know where -- where to go to study.
The other thing that the computer system that we use does and
the -- the translation is actually done manually through a group of
translators, but we then enter it into the computer system and the
computer system individually builds each form per candidate, just as it
does in the contractor licensing for construction trades.
Every exam that's given poles from a selected number of items
for each subject area and loads that subject area randomly so we could
literally take 50 people, put them in the same room sitting side by side
and we wouldn't have to worry about anybody copying off of anyone
else, because nobody's going to have the same exam.
Matter of fact, most of them are not going to have the same items
on their exam, it's scrambled so randomly inside the subject areas.
And what you have to do is expedientiate the number of items on
the test and then expedientiate that by the number of subject areas
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before the same person or before two people would see the same exam
form.
So, for all practical purposes on a 50-item test, it's never going to
happen. The items will be long dead and out of use before the same
form is produced two times.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Interesting.
Any other points? Got it?
Is this our tree trimming contractor?
MS. SEGORA: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's who I want to hear from.
MR. ORLIKOFF: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you. Go ahead.
Just have you state your name and then be sworn in.
MR. ORLIKOFF: Ian Orlikoff, O-r-I-i-k-o-f-f.
(Ian Orlikoff was placed under oath.)
MR. ORLIKOFF: I do.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: How do you feel about this?
MR.ORLIKOFF: Very strongly. It needs to happen. We're
way behind in the game because the industry is changing so fast.
Eventually certified arborists, which used to be topped here of
certification in agriculture is going to be the bottom.
They're coming out with mastered certified arborists, they've
already got consulting arborists, and it's just going to continue on
because we're learning so much in the industry, that the things that we
were doing ten years ago are in a lot of cases obsolete.
So, companies that have been in business for ten years that
started out doing it right are now doing it wrong.
So, a lot of the problems that we had from the hurricane is
because of improper pruning.
Right now, today there's -- there's tree trimming -- trimming --
excuse me -- haven't spoke since high school.
But there's tree trimmers out there right now that are causing
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hazards. You have a contractor come into your house today and
making a cut in the improper place is going to guarantee a failure, and
so that's why I think this test is at least a bottom or a basic education
for people that should even be in the business period.
And getting a certified arborist education is the next step. And
then beyond that, there's more certifications coming down the line.
There's -- I believe right now they're lobbying in Washington for
certified arborists to actually become a profession, just like a plumber
or welders.
So, there's -- there's more things going on in agriculture, that
we're learning so much in the last -- because we have only been
researching for 40 or 50 years on trees.
And now all these -- this information is being complied and we're
coming up with all these things, that, hey, we've been doing things 15,
20 years ago that's completely wrong and causing more problems.
So, now they're -- they're really getting it right. And, so, what
we're doing with this test now is just the beginning. I would like to
one day see a certified arborist on every -- on every job.
Because it's -- for one thing, it's an extremely dangerous
profession. And I'm sure you all can understand that.
I mean, chain saws and hanging around ropes and trees, and then
knowing where to place the cut and being able to recognize hazards
and deformities in trees now to prevent a failure in the future is
probably one of the most important things with how you trim a tree.
And if you could remove that when it's young and when it's a
small limb, it's not going to become a hazard to where it can't bear the
weight and it just fails.
I see tree failures just without a storm just because it won't bear
the weight. And that's just -- there's hundreds of deformities you have
to look for in a tree.
And what they're doing in an exam is just a very basic idea of
how to at least eliminate the most important hazards, because it takes
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-- I know pruners that have been doing it for 20, 30 years and they're
still learning every day.
And, so, I think if we start with this exam, it's going to create a
culture of people that are going to want to educate themselves to put
them in the stop of the industry.
So, I can't agree enough about -- about what's going on.
And even -- even looking in the future, we should even be
thinking about more certifications because it's -- it's only going to
benefit the community, the revenue of the town, the city, the county,
the beautifying the trees is very important.
We've lost a lot of trees on Crayton. Well, there's a lot of things
that could have been recognized beforehand, could have prevented
that a in a lot of ways.
So, if you prune a tree improperly and you're guaranteeing that
it's almost going to fail, there's clean up costs.
How many millions of dollars will be spent on that because of
not recognizing those hazards.
Let's see. I think there's nothing that can be lost here by doing
this. And then--
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Is this going to apply to the guys that
do the trimming for the electrical companies and all them, the ones
that hack the tops of the trees off?
MR. ORLIKOFF: They're changing that. You'll start to notice
they still do it, but in some cases if you drive by Asplin, they're
actually -- there are some crews that do know better and they are
starting to do that.
But that's -- that's a culture that's been going on for a long time
and it's going to take awhile for them to change that.
The way they prune by hacking trees actually creates more
growth. It creates growth that's going to be faster and it's going to
actually cost more in the long run to do it that that way than actually
pruning it the proper way, which reduces the amount of growth and
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reduces the volume of debris that you have to cut out next time you
come back.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Go ahead.
MS. SEGORA: Can I add something?
Also, a lot of it has to do with the wrong tree in the wrong place.
And I -- our codes have changed, our landscape codes have changed,
which no longer allow trees -- oak trees to be planted under power
lines, so hopefully that will solve the problem as well.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But these people, Asplin, and those
others will have to have this test; right?
MR. ORLIKOFF: As far as Asplin goes, they do have tests and
certifications and they do know the proper way to prune.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
MR.ORLIKOFF: But whether that's enforced by their contracts
on the right-of-ways, in some cases it probably is and other cases it's
not.
MR. OSSORIO: There is a -- there is a license holder for that
company. And he's taking the two-hour business law exam.
I don't know if he's going to be required to take an additional
exam, but that's something you guys will talk about today.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Well, basically, I could go down and
pick up my tree trimming license because I already qualify and I'm a
roofing contractor.
MR.OSSORIO: You've taken the -- if you have taken the
two-hour exam?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I'm like, business and law, I'll go get
the license.
MR.OSSORIO: But you have to show experience. One of the
things that people don't realize, taking the exam is only one part of
many things. There's the credit report, the 12-month experience of the
affidavit you sign that you've worked in that business before.
So, taking a test, you're absolutely right. It fits one of many
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things.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I trim my trees at the house. I've been
doing it for 20 years.
MR. BARTOE: You have a lot of references?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Sure. Just about as valid as the ones
we get in all these packets, too.
MR.ORLIKOFF: I also -- I also want to add that I don't feel that
we should grandfather in any existing companies because we as
companies that are here now should be the example to the new ones
that are coming in.
And I think we should start by taking that test.
COMMISSIONER BLUM: Point well made.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Good point.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: And also it helps enforcement as
well.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: How long have you been in
business?
MR. ORLIKOFF: Four years.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Four years.
MR. OSSORIO: Are you a landscaper or a tree -- tree
contractor?
MR.ORLIKOFF: Tree contractor and I'm going to get my
landscaping contractor's license as well.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Any other questions?
Are we going to act on this today? Is that --
MR. NEALE: Well, what you can do is at least direct, you
know, Robert and I, what -- how you want it put into the ordinance
amendments that we're going to propose, so -- and that's sort of the
board's discretion at this point is tell us which one, how you want it --
how you want it put in and what aspects of it you want to put in, and
then we can lawyer it up.
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CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That guy's going to tell me what he
wants.
MR. HAMMOND: Now, if -- for the record, Bill Hammond,
director of the Collier County Building Department.
I'm still under oath, I assume.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Yeah.
MR. HAMMOND: The -- this -- the issue does speak to
something else that -- that may set a precedent and we would -- we
would like for the board to discuss this on a level, and it's the matter of
the -- of the grandfather, on the implementation.
Technologies across many fields are going to be changing, so
there is precedent, you know, under Florida law, even with inspectors
about grandfathering.
However, in this -- in this case, in what may be, and possibly in
other cases, there -- the grandfathering may also foster or endorse
some subpart performance that may be taken care of by an
implementation policy that basically speak to transition more than just
grandfathering, so in the -- in the -- in consideration that in this
instance we might be speaking precedence to situations that may arise
in other, you know, technically, you know, required fields, we thought
some discussion regarding the -- the balance between grandfathering
and implementation and transition was appropriate for the board to
discuss.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let me point -- I've been here too
long, 18 years now.
What we've always done in the past is you have to grandfather,
anybody that has a license right now.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: But when we -- and we would always
grandfather when we come up with new licenses. But when we throw
in continuing education, that grandfather is good, but there's still then
they're under the requirement of continuing education.
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Every two years, boom, there's your test.
You did that with roofing, a lot of GCs. There were a lot of
categories that happened, so it wasn't really that much of an issue.
MR. HAMMOND: Okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Is the arborist test more -- is the
testing -- I don't know how to say this.
Are the questions on the arborist type test more -- more stringent
on what's asked of the test than like on a landscaper's test or--
MR.ORLIKOFF: Yes.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: -- your tree trimming test and all
that?
MR.ORLIKOFF: Yeah, they're pretty involved and you have to
do a lot of -- all the answers are right and you have to really choose
the best one. They're pretty tough.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
MR.ORLIKOFF: The arborists tests used to be pretty basic and
simple for the most part, and then there was just too many people in
the business with the certification that really were making a lot of
wrong decisions.
And then they re -- redid the test and came up with a -- a good
test.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So that the people now that really
are trimming trees now with the landscape license don't really have all
the knowledge that it will take to pass this particular test.
MR.ORLIKOFF: Correct, unless--
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: So, it would be kind of superfluous
to try to grandfather a license.
MR.ORLIKOFF: If -- if they're -- if they have continuing
education, they're going to classes and seminars and things and such,
and if they have a certified arborist on staff, then being under a
landscaper's contractor's license, then they're qualified, I would think.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Right now we're just dealing with tree
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trimming. We're not going into arborists tests.
MR. ORLIKOFF: Right.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Okay.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I figure that's coming next.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Let's go one step at a time. Okay?
Mr. Neale, what do you want?
MR. NEALE: Just some direction on --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do you want a motion, you just want
a --
MR. NEALE: Direction is fine. We don't need a motion.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Does everyone on the board agree we
should have this test?
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Is there a precedent for if we --
continuing education every two years? Should we get feedback from
the other tree trimmers?
I mean, all of us have --
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Follow the --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: No, no. You guys have continuing
education. Everybody has it.
Every two years you have to have -- how long will this -- how
long are these classes going to be that we're going to require so many
hours of continuous education?
MR. OSSORIO: Unless you're a specialty contractor. I don't
think there's any kind of continuing education if you're a specialty, but
for tier one contractors and roofing contractors, sure, even for
registered contractors.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: What kind of -- what kind of hourly
class are we're looking at every two years?
MS. SEGORA: Well, actually, we haven't gotten that far yet.
The extension office does offer some pruning classes, but we haven't
actually included that into what we're asking of you today.
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We're just -- we just want the test to be implemented and we
want some type of a grace period to be issued for the current tree
trimming contractors to come in and take the exam.
Of course, we would want the continuing education classes to be
part of it, but we haven't even gotten that far yet.
We were figuring we would try to ask for at least a start in the
process. Our extension office, they don't have classes on a regular
basis but Doug Caldwell is a certified arborist out there and I'm sure
he would be more than willing to -- to add these classes on a regular
schedule and they do offer classes in Spanish out there too, I believe.
So it's all in a part of the process that we would like to
implement.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Here's my problem though, Mr.
Neale. How do I tell someone that they've got to go take a test to keep
their license when they've had it for 25 or 30 years? Unless I call it
continuing education.
See my problem? You've got a hurdle you got to get over here.
You can't just all of a sudden tell someone his license is no longer
good.
MS. SEGO RA: Right, but if you give them a grace period and if
they have ten years experience, they should have no problem taking
the exam and passing it.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Should and would and could I got to
have in that book over there that he's going through.
MS. SEGORA: Ifwe implement that into the ordinance, would
that be sufficient? I mean, would that be legal?
MR. NEALE: You can probably require current license holders
to take an exam if you change the parameters of the definition of the
category .
That's the only way I can think of it right -- certainly, you know,
there probably -- and I would have to do some research on it -- there
probably is the ability for the board to just impose a testing
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requirement retroactively.
However, I'd certainly want to research that issue. But if you're
changing the -- the parameters, the definition, set forth under there,
then you may. I mean, there --
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, basically, we can tell you we like
it and let you research it --
MR. NEALE: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: -- without taking an action, because
that's something you just don't do is change the parameters of the
license and if you don't meet that by X number of days you're out of
business. Uh-uh. That doesn't happen.
MR. BOWERMEISTER: If I may, in a few of the counties that
we work with up in the north part of the state or the northern part, they
have approached this in a -- in a way that has seemed to work for
them.
I thought I might raise this for you to research.
One of the things that they offer them is the option to go take
classes or they can take the exam and pass it for the initial passage
after it originally goes there.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Just go take some classes. Okay.
MR. BOWERMEISTER:. Right.
MR. NEALE: Which would essentially fit in with the continuing
education.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: That's a good idea. That's fine.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Yeah. Continuing education within
the first renewal period of the license.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yeah. That makes sense.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: We're going to pursue it. That's -- the
board likes it. We're going to pursue it. Let him do his book work.
He sits on an airplane a lot, a lot of hours every month, so he has
lots of time to read.
MS. SEGORA: Thank you.
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CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thank you. Appreciate your -- sorry
you had to sit here for three and a half hours.
Can we go home?
MR. BARTOE: Until July, yes.
I have a question for Mr. Neale and Mr. Zachary.
Do you have any idea of when the first draft of the proposed
ordinance amendments would be ready.
MR. NEALE: I would think we probably, just based on my
schedule and probably Mr. Zachary's, probably the end of June, I
would say we'll have something done.
MR. BARTOE: That hopefully I can get a copy of that I can
give to the board for the July meeting.
MR. NEALE: Right.
MR. BARTOE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: I got a motion to dismiss.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Wait. I got one -- I got one last
question real quick.
Going back to that last case here with the city, is it possible since
we had this testing requirement fellow right here right now, is it
possible that that gentleman that was here just a few minutes ago that
needs his license could somehow hook up with him and could take this
test over in a matter of three or four days from now?
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Come here, Jay.
MR. BOWERMEISTER: I already gave my business card to the
individuals that were from the city with him.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Okay.
MR. BOWERMEISTER: And we do have testing available four
days a week in our office in Fort Lauderdale, six days a week in our
office in Ocala.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Yep.
MR. BOWERMEISTER: So, yes, that is possible and we've
already taken care of it. Thank you, sir.
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CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Can you do it on line?
MR. BOWERMEISTER: We have the capability. We actually
can -- can give tests for you in Fort Myers at the Prometric Testing
Center there.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: So, he can go get it.
MR. BOWERMEISTER: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Thanks. That's cool.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Answered my question.
MR. BAR TOE: I knew that, sir, but he needs to complete his
application also for us.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Do I hear a motion to dismiss.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: I did.
CHAIRMAN DICKSON: Adjourned. Go home.
All those in favor?
Aye.
COMMISSIONER LEWIS: Aye.
COMMISSIONER KELLER: Aye.
COMMISSIONER JOSLIN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER HORN: Aye.
COMMISSIONER BOYD: Aye.
COMMISSIONER GUITE: Aye.
*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 1: 10 p.m.
CONTRACTOR'S LICENSING BOARD
LES DICKSON, Chairman.
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