CEB Minutes 08/29/2019August 29, 2019
Page 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Naples, Florida, August 29, 2019
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Code
Enforcement Board, in and for the County of Collier, having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m., in
REGULAR SESSION in Building "F" of the Government
Complex, East Naples, Florida, with the following members
present:
CHAIRMAN: Robert Kaufman
Vice-Chair: Gerald J. Lefebvre
Chloe Bowman
Sue Curley
Ronald Doino
Kathleen Elrod
Herminio Ortega
ALSO PRESENT:
Jed R. Schneck, Attorney to the Board
Jeff Letourneau, Manager of Investigations
Helen Buchillon, Code Enforcement
Elena Gonzalez, Code Enforcement Specialist
Code Enforcement Board
Nuisance Abatement Board
AGENDA
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor
Naples, FL 34112
August 29, 2019
9:00 AM
Robert Kaufman, Chair
Gerald Lefebvre, Vice-Chair
Kathleen Elrod, Member
Ronald Doino, Member
Ryan White, Member
Sue Curley, Member
Herminio Ortega, Member
Chloe Bowman, Alternate
Notice: Respondents may be limited to twenty (20) minutes for case presentation unless
additional time is granted by the Board. Persons wishing to speak on any agenda item will
receive up to five (5) minutes unless the time is adjusted by the Chairman.
All parties participating in the public hearing are asked to observe Roberts Rules of Order and
speak one at a time so that the court reporter can record all statements being made.
Any person who decides to appeal a decision of this Board will need a record of the proceedings
pertaining thereto, and therefore may need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is
made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based.
Neither Collier County nor the Code Enforcement Board shall be responsible for providing this
record.
I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
II. ROLL CALL
III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
IV. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
V. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MOTIONS
A. MOTIONS
MOTION FOR CONTINUANCE
1. CASE NO: CESD20180010012
OWNER: LONGSHORE LAKE FOUNDATION INC
OFFICER: Delicia Pulse
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a), 10.02.06(B)(1)(e) and
10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i). Multiple sheds and canopy shades
installed on tennis courts and on Collier County Building
permits obtained. Permits PRHV20170413388,
PRBD20131024857 and PREL20150721866 are all in expired
status and need to be completed and issued the Certificates of
Completion.
FOLIO NO: 56100120009
PROPERTY 11399 Phoenix Way, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME
2. CASE NO: CELU20180011995
OWNER: Larry A Fieldhouse and Betty J Fieldhouse
OFFICER: Michele Mcgonagle
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A) and 2.02.03. Outdoor storage and display
of building materials and equipment.
FOLIO NO: 27130040007
PROPERTY 4735 Radio Rd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
B. STIPULATIONS (NON-CONTESTED CASES AND PRESENT AT THE HEARING)
C. EMERGENCY CASES
D. HEARINGS
1. CASE NO: CEPM20190000805
OWNER: FEDERAL HOME LOAN MORTGAGE CORPORATION
OFFICER: Michael Odom
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 22
Buildings and Building Regulations, Article VI Property
Maintenance Code, Section 22-231(15), and the Florida
Building Code 6th Edition (2017) Building, Chapter 4, Sections
454.2.17.1 through 454.2.17.3. Missing required pool
enclosure.
FOLIO NO: 81216000965
PROPERTY 766 Waterloo Ct, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
2. CASE NO: CEPM20180014849
OWNER: Henry Schulman
OFFICER: Stephen Athey
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 22,
Article VI, Section 22-228(1). Dwelling destroyed by fire.
FOLIO NO: 454760006
PROPERTY 5525 Lee Williams Rd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
3. CASE NO: CEPM20180010632
OWNER: Julie Cassidy, Edwina C Keisling, Mollie B Nelson and
Jessica Macera
OFFICER: John Johnson
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Article VI
Property Maintenance Code, Sections 22-235 and 22-236. A
sea wall that is failing and has been designated a dangerous
structure by the Collier County Building Official.
FOLIO NO: 7178052007
PROPERTY NO SITE ADDRESS
ADDRESS:
4. CASE NO: CEPM20180013245
OWNER: Hernan J Castano
OFFICER: Stephen Athey
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 22,
Article VI, Section 22-231(12)(c). Roof in disrepair.
FOLIO NO: 36442120004
PROPERTY 5001 27th Pl SW, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
5. CASE NO: CEPM20180002545
OWNER: PELICAN RIDGE OF NAPLES ASSOCIATION INC
OFFICER: Arthur Ford
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 22,
Article VI, Section 22-228(1). Required berm along the eastern
border of the property has eroded away, allowing stormwater
runoff to shed onto neighboring properties and downspouts are
directing water onto neighboring properties.
FOLIO NO: 67390720004
PROPERTY NO SITE ADDRESS
ADDRESS:
6. CASE NO: CESD20180005371
OWNER: F A AND C L OLROYD LIV TRUST
OFFICER: Tony Asaro
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a), 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i) and
10.02.06(B)(1)(e). Interior remodel without obtaining a Collier
County Building permit.
FOLIO NO: 25581360008
PROPERTY 507 W Main St, Immokalee, FL
ADDRESS:
7. CASE NO: CENA20190008567
OWNER: Amber Dawn McCune
OFFICER: Jonathan Musse
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 54,
Article VI, Section 54-185(a). Weeds that exceeds over 18”.
FOLIO NO: 67492880004
PROPERTY 4411 Rose Ave, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
8. CASE NO: CESD20180014960
OWNER: Joshua Thompson
OFFICER: Ryan Cathey
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e).
Renovations/alterations of the mobile home including, but not
limited to, electric, plumbing, roof and exterior work.
FOLIO NO: 81623360007
PROPERTY 131 Lime Key Lane, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
9. CASE NO: CESD20190004216
OWNER: Carlos Valdes and Dulce Valdes
OFFICER: Daniel Hamilton
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Two chickee hut covered structures
built without permits.
FOLIO NO: 26081640007
PROPERTY 191 Smallwood Dr, Chokoloskee, FL
ADDRESS:
10. CASE NO: CESD20190001769
OWNER: SA EQUITY GROUP LLC
OFFICER: Tony Asaro
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a), 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i) and
10.02.06(B)(1)(e). Structure(s) on the property without first
obtaining Collier County Building Permit(s).
FOLIO NO: 63864240001
PROPERTY 114 New Market Rd E, Immokalee, FL
ADDRESS:
11. CASE NO: CESD20180010412
OWNER: Juan R Prats and Julieta Prats
OFFICER: Ryan Cathey
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e). Repairs to
the front lanai without a Collier County permit.
FOLIO NO: 81630080008
PROPERTY 201 Indian Key Ln, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
12. CASE NO: CESD20180006259
OWNER: William M Fleischhauer
OFFICER: William Marchand
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e). Construction
has started on an addition to the rear of the structure before a
permit has been issued.
FOLIO NO: 54401280006
PROPERTY 143 Round Key Cir, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
13. CASE NO: CEOCC20170019491
OWNER: HERITAGE PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC
OFFICER: Ryan Cathey
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 126,
Article IV, Section 126-111(b). Storage business being run on
site without applicable business tax receipt.
FOLIO NO: 763880305
PROPERTY 220 Basik Dr, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
14. CASE NO: CELU20170019885
OWNER: HERITAGE PROPERTY HOLDINGS LLC
OFFICER: Ryan Cathey
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 2.02.03 and 1.04.01(A). Outside storage of items
including but not limited to: pallets of pavers, several lawn
chairs, piles of concrete, wooden structure, boats on trailers,
storage containers, uprooted palm trees, dumpster’s and
miscellaneous metals and wooden items.
FOLIO NO: 761680002
PROPERTY NO SITE ADDRESS
ADDRESS:
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. MOTION FOR REDUCTION/ABATEMENT OF FINES/LIENS
B. MOTION FOR RE-HEARING
C. MOTION FOR IMPOSITION OF FINES/LIENS
1. CASE NO: CESD20170016916
OWNER: Neysis Rodriguez
OFFICER: Maria Rodriguez
VIOLATIONS:
Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a), 10.02.06(B)(1)(e),
10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i) and 1.04.01(A). Unpermitted structure on
the property and expired pool permit number 930007170.
FOLIO NO: 37861480007
PROPERTY 1680 Randall Blvd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
2. CASE NO: CESD20180005375
OWNER: SA EQUITY GROUP LLC
OFFICER: Steven Lopez-Silvero
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Newly installed metal building, with
electric on improved occupied commercial property.
FOLIO NO: 63864280003
PROPERTY 114 New Market Rd E, Immokalee, FL
ADDRESS:
3. CASE NO: CESD20170007136
OWNER: Sandra C Fulton
OFFICER: Delicia Pulse
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Permit requirements for Permit
PRBD20130204009 have not been completed.
FOLIO NO: 25305003127
PROPERTY 1462 Churchill Cir, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
4. CASE NO: CELU20180005848
OWNER: Jeffery Kaulbars and Brenna Nipper
OFFICER: Steven Lopez-Silvero
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 1.04.01(A), Collier County Code of Laws and
Ordinances, Chapter 54, Article VI, Section 54-181 and Collier
County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 126, Article IV,
Section 126-111(b). Operating a business without first
obtaining a Collier County Business Tax Receipt. Brought onto
or placed on property without first obtaining Collier County
Government approval for such use are the following, but not
limited to: Industrial storage container(s), commercial operating
equipment, vehicles and commercial vehicles, vegetative/tree
debris and/or mulched/woody material brought from offsite
location(s), etc.
FOLIO NO: 00307920003
PROPERTY NO SITE ADDRESS
ADDRESS:
5. CASE NO: CESD20160002295
OWNER: DESTINY CHURCH NAPLES INC
OFFICER: Cristina Perez
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i). An
unpermitted shed, fence and pole barn type structure. Also,
unpermitted shipping crates (containers) used for storage.
FOLIO NO: 41930720008
PROPERTY 6455 Hidden Oaks Ln, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
6. CASE NO: CESD20140017065
OWNER: DAVIS CROSSINGS VIII LLC
OFFICER: Jeff Letourneau
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Permit 2009120450 expired without
inspections and certificate of completion/occupancy.
FOLIO NO: 34690080008
PROPERTY 8770 Davis Blvd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
7. CASE NO: CESD20180015758
OWNER: Dolores Del C Morales De Lopez
OFFICER: John Fuentes
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i).
Unpermitted structures consisting of but not limited to: an
outdoor kitchen, rear pergola, fence and fire pit/grill.
FOLIO NO: 36455520002
PROPERTY 5006 32nd Ave SW, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
8. CASE NO: CESD20180010777
OWNER: PLAZA BAYSHORE CORP
OFFICER: John Johnson
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Confirmed the observations made by
contractor licensing that interior modifications were made to
this structure without obtaining the required building permits,
inspections and certificate of completion.
FOLIO NO: 71580160004
PROPERTY 2727 Bayshore Dr, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
9. CASE NO: CESD20170013601
OWNER: BOABADILLA FAMILY TRUST
OFFICER: Junior Torres
VIOLATIONS: Collier Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Sections
10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e). Addition to the south
side of the house. Carport addition to the north side of the
house. Roof additions to the back or the west of the house. All
additions or improvements have been made without Collier
County Building Permits.
FOLIO NO: 63405120001
PROPERTY 4535 and 4533 Boabadilla St, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
10. CASE NO: CEV20190002393
OWNER: Ernest J Valdastri
OFFICER: Thomas Pitura
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 130,
Article III, Sections 130-95 and 130-96(a), Collier County Land
Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section 4.05.03(A).
Repeat violations of recreational vehicles parked on the
front/side of the dwelling and vehicles parked on the grass
(Special Magistrate Order in Case No. CEV20140006954
finding prior violations is recorded at OR 5040, PG 2569), and a
vehicle and boat trailer with expired tags.
FOLIO NO: 49532360004
PROPERTY 30 Creek Cir, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
D. MOTION TO RESCIND PREVIOUSLY ISSUED ORDER
E. MOTION TO AMEND PREVIOUSLY ISSUED ORDER
1. CASE NO: CELU20180014859
OWNER: Lynda M Mayor
OFFICER: Paula Guy
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A) and 2.02.03. Storage of school bus, tents,
unpermitted accessory structures, junk, trash and debris on
unimproved vacant parcel zoned Agricultural.
FOLIO NO: 304160002
PROPERTY 1276 Dove Tree St, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
VII. NEW BUSINESS
VIII. CONSENT AGENDA
A. REQUEST TO FORWARD CASES TO COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
IX. REPORTS
X. COMMENTS
XI. ADJOURN
XII. NUISANCE ABATEMENT BOARD
A. HEARINGS
XIII. NEXT MEETING DATE-THURSDAY SEPTEMBER 26, 2019 AT 9:00AM
XIV.ADJOURN
August 29, 2019
Page 2
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning, everybody. I'd like
to call the Code Enforcement to order. Notice: Respondents may be
limited to 20 minutes for case presentation, unless additional time is
granted by the Board.
Persons wishing to speak on any agenda item will receive up to
five minutes, unless the time is adjusted by the Chairman.
All parties participating in the public hearing are asked to
observe Robert's Rules of Order and speak one at time so that the
court reporter can record all statements being made.
Any person who decides to the appeal a decision of the Board
will need a record of the proceedings thereto, and, therefore, may
need to ensure that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made,
which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the
appeal is to be based.
And if that's not a run-on sentence, I don't know what is.
Neither Collier County nor the Code Enforcement Board shall be
responsible for providing this record.
So to begin with, if anybody has a cell phone, they'd like to turn
it off, now would be a good time to do that. And if you'd all stand for
The Pledge.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Helen, you want to do the roll call
now?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, sir. Good morning, for the record,
Helen Buchillon, Code Enforcement. Robert -- Mr. Robert Kaufman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Gerald Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Ms. Kathleen Elrod?
MS. ELROD: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Ronald Doino?
August 29, 2019
Page 3
MR. DOINO: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Ms. Sue Curley?
MS. CURLEY: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Herminio Ortega?
MR. ORTEGA: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Ms. Chloe Bowman?
MS. BOWMAN: Here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a full Board today.
Am I right; one, two, three, four, five, six, seven. Okay. Do we have
any changes to the agenda?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, we do, sir. First, we have two
stipulations. No. 9 under hearings, CESD20190004216, Carlos
Valdes and Dulce Valdes. Next item, No. 5 under hearings,
CEPM20180002545, Pelican Ridge of Naples Association, Inc.
Next on the agenda we have withdrawals. Under public
hearings, No. 4, CEPM20180013245, Hernan J. Castano, has been
withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
No. 6 under hearings, CESD20180005371, FA and CL Olroyd
Living Trust, has been withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
No. 7, CENA20190008567, Amber Dawn McCune, has been
withdrawn due to Final Judgment of Foreclosure.
No. 11 under hearings, CESD20180010412, Juan R. Prats and
Julieta Prats, has been withdrawn due to voluntary compliance.
No. 12, CESD20180006259, William M. Fleischhauer, has been
withdrawn due to voluntary compliance.
No. 13, CEOCC20170019491, Heritage Property Holdings,
LLC, has been withdrawn due to voluntary compliance.
No. 14, CELU201700019885, Heritage Property Holdings,
LLC, has been withdrawn due to voluntary compliance.
Under imposition of fines, No. 1, CESD20170016916, Neysis
Rodriguez, has been withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
August 29, 2019
Page 4
No. 2, CESD20180005375, SA Equity Group, LLC, has been
withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
No. 8, CESD20140017065, Davis Crossings, LLC, has been
withdrawn. It was pulled by the County Attorney.
And last one under motions to amend, No.1,
CELU20180014859, Linda M. Mayer, has been withdrawn.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can we get a motion from the
Board to accept the modified agenda?
MR. DOINO: Motion approved.
MR. ORTEGA: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion, second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. I'm sure
everybody has read the minutes. Can we get a motion to approve the
minutes?
MR. DOINO: Motion to approve.
MS. CURLEY: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion, second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
August 29, 2019
Page 5
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. Which brings
us to our first activity.
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes. We will start under public hearings for
motions. No. 1, it's under motion for continuance, but it's an
extension of time, what they're requesting. CESD20180010012,
Longshore Lake Foundation, Inc.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. BRACCI: Good morning, Board.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could everybody state their name
on the record?
MR. BRACCI: My name is Steve Bracci. I'm the attorney for
Longshore Lake Foundation, Inc.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. LUSTER: Lisa Luster. General manager of Longshore
Lake.
MR. COLE: Terry Cole with Hole Montes, civil engineer.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So you don't need to be
sworn in, but the other two folks, and the -- I'm saying this, because
Janice, this is her first Code Enforcement meeting, and you have the
honor of swearing those people in.
THE COURT REPORTER: Raise your right hands.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. BRACCI: Good morning, again. We are here -- this is on
behalf of Longshore Lake Foundation, Inc. The -- we were, as stated,
even though it's shown as a continuance, we're requesting an
August 29, 2019
Page 6
extension, a 90-day extension without imposition of any daily fines,
for additional time to come into compliance.
This is a matter that goes back to when we were first before the
Board on March 28th, and there was a stipulation with an extension
of time for Longshore Lake to obtain necessary permits for some
sheds that were on the property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me stop you one second.
MR. BRACCI: Sure.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you mean extension of time, or
do you mean a continuance?
MR. BRACCI: We would request an extension of time. I think
the difference is that there wouldn't be an imposition of fine. The
reason is I would like to show to the Board that there really has been
nothing but true diligence and there's nothing to indicate otherwise.
When you're dealing with a homeowner's association and you
have an imposition of fines, you get into problems of title on 565
homes that are out there that are -- and loans on homes, and things of
that nature.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me just explain. The
continuance means there was a violation and the fines continue to
accrue until the case is disposed of.
If you go for what you are requesting, that means all the fines
prior to today are dismissed and we start anew. So that's why I said, I
believe, and correct me if I'm wrong, Jeff, this was a continuance the
last time?
MS. PULSE: No. No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It was a new case, brand new case?
MR. BRACCI: I think, Mr. Chair, that the order itself says that
the Respondent must abate the violations on or before September
24th or a fine of $150 a day will be imposed, so I don't think the fines
are being imposed.
August 29, 2019
Page 7
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We haven't gotten to that date.
MR. BRACCI: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, that's fine.
MR. BRACCI: Yeah. So that's -- we're requesting an extension.
We're here about a month early. We're trying to get ahead of it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. BRACCI: So in any event, we appreciate the opportunity
that the Board gave back in March for an extension of time. We're
just simply trying to get -- you know, time's working against us, in
terms of getting through the process.
We were here on March 28th. The issue really on the table is the
-- some sheds that were on the property that were not -- they were
without permits, as well as some canopies near the tennis court, and
some other permits that hadn't been closed out for AC and things like
that. Since then the permits have been closed out on those open
permits.
There was a submittal by Mr. Cole in June of 2019 for the sheds
and for the canopies. There was an SDP submittal that needed to be
made. The county commented back in July. We addressed those
concerns, and that SDP was issued, I think August 2nd or 3rd, for
those two -- there's two different SDP items.
We also added in some additional things just to make sure we
had an opportunity to look at everything and put everything in the
SDP that the community could identify as potential issues, and bring
things into compliance. We -- we are now at a point where the
Foundation has retained PBS Contractors. They're submitting permits
for these items.
We have to get through the review process with the county, and
then the sheds, themselves, should be self-actuating, in terms of
coming into compliance, but the canopies then would need to be
replaced by the contractor.
August 29, 2019
Page 8
We're just simply requesting an additional 90 days to get
through that process, and to avoid the imposition of fines. Like I said
earlier, it can kind of create a bit of chaos when you're dealing with
the homeowner's association, and people trying to sell their homes
and get refinancings on their homes and things of that nature.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I'm a little confused, because
I'm looking in the package and I see a stipulation that was si gned
March 28th.
MS. PULSE: Their compliance date was September 24th, 2019.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So it really hasn't come yet?
MS. PULSE: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: But there was a stipulation at that
time?
MS. PULSE: Yes, and their operational costs have been paid.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Does the county have any objection
to an extension?
MS. PULSE: We have no -- I can't think -- no objection.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Comments from the Board or
motions?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, I just want to be clear. It wasn't an
extension of time that was given. We heard the case, and we gave six
months for compliance, so this would be your first request for an
extension of time, not back in March when the case was heard.
MR. BRACCI: That is 100 percent correct.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Correct. I just want to make sure.
MR. BRACCI: Yes. Yes. This is the first time we've come
before you asking for anything additional, and we did stipulate to the
original violations.
MR. LEFEBVRE: 90 days from today, are you looking?
MR. BRACCI: Well, ideally 90 days from the September, just
so that we don't -- we don't want to have to come back again, to your
August 29, 2019
Page 9
point, a second time. We think -- we're hopeful we can get through it
quicker.
It's not completely in our control. We have to wait to get the
approval from the county itself for the permits, and then get the work
completed.
MS. CURLEY: I have a question. Do we have a December
meeting?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do we have a December meeting?
No.
MS. CURLEY: I mean, I think it would be better to extend to
the end of the year, I mean, hurricane season. PBS Contracting is a
pretty reputable company, and, you know, I remember that the
property management took over this after there was a lot of
mismanagement. So it's a lot for you to tackle as a new manager.
MR. ORTEGA: When do you think the permit will be
submitted?
MR. BRACCI: I think imminently. I think -- well, I think they
have to -- they have to do a little bit. I think within a couple of weeks
is what I think. They just have to get it processed and put it in
drawings, things of that nature.
MR. ORTEGA: I agree with my colleague. I don't think 90 days
is going to be enough. You're going to lose at least a month by the
time they submit in permitting, and that's if they don't get rejected.
MS. CURLEY: So why don't we just extend it to, like,
December 31st?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Are you making a motion?
MS. CURLEY: I would like to make a motion to extend the --
am I extending? Yeah, extending to December 31st, 2019.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ORTEGA: Second the motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
August 29, 2019
Page 10
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. BRACCI: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hopefully, we won't see you, and
with the hurricane you may not need to get new permits on the
building.
MR. SMART: Excuse me. I was here as a public speaker.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I haven't -- I have nothing in front of
me to show we have any public speakers. Why don't you come
forward?
MR. SMART: My name is Sam Smart, resident of Longshore
Lakes. I have been involved in this. I spoke at the previous hearing,
and I wanted to add some comments, and I hope that's still in order. I
don't know that the motion has passed or can I be considered or not?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Have you been sworn, first of all?
MR. SMART: No, I have not.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you swear him in and we
will, certainly, listen to what you have to say.
MR. SMART: I appreciate that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And that will become part of the
August 29, 2019
Page 11
record.
MR. SMART: Okay.
(The speaker was duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
MR. SMART: Nothing but the truth.
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
MR. SMART: Thank you. On August the 7th of last year, Dee
went out and found that a shed had been placed on the Longshore
community property, and at that point she started the process of filing
this violation. And so this goes back to over one year ago, and I'm
going to read a comment here on 8/13 of last year.
This is Dee's report, on site and observed a second shed now
installed. I observed the smaller shed near the clubhouse, which did
not appear new. I took photos. I spoke to Lisa Luster. Now, Lisa is
here, she's now the manager of Longshore Lakes.
So she spoke to Lisa, and they also talked about some additional
sheds. There are about five sheds on the property that weren't
permitted. So that's kind of the background. There was -- I guess, an
excuse that nobody knew anything about this citation or this problem,
and so for six months this went on, and then there was a hearing on, I
guess it was March the 24th, and you allowed six months for them to
remedy this problem. Okay?
It's been five months. We're back a month early. After a year the
sheds have not been moved. There's nothing different. There's
nothing that has transpired. Reportedly, there might be some requests
for permits, but that is -- I mean, I don't know that that's the case.
There's no notices of commencement, and I don't know -- you
were very liberal in allowing an additional six months for them to
permit these sheds. Let me read a submittal three months after your
hearing giving them six months.
They filed an amended site plan, and, again, three months after
you allowed them an extension, there was an amended site plan, and
August 29, 2019
Page 12
the description of work I'll read. It says to include addition of two
pickle ball courts, sheds, tennis court canopies, sidewalk addition,
bocce ball, and decks for weddings.
So how diligent have they been in bringing the sheds into
compliance? It's become an effort to make changes to the community,
and, again, the status of these sheds, and how long they're going to
remain in violation of your codes is a question, and so I think -- I'm a
little frustrated that, again, you drive by a year after they've been
cited for a violation and nothing has changed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, according to the code
enforcement officer, there have been changes made. The Board heard
all of the arguments on the case in March, March 24th, I believe you
said?
MR. SMART: Yeah, I believe that's when it was. Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And I remember I signed the order
on the 28th -- the stipulation on the 28th, so that's what's in force
right now. Can you tell us the progress that's been made?
MS. PULSE: Yes, when this all began and I had to discuss with
the building official, there were seven voided permits on the history
of the property that the building official said needed to be taken care
of as well. So they have dealt with all of those voided permits.
They have hired the engineer. All the insubstantial change has
been approved by now, and now they are ready. They had to go
through that before they could get permits. So that is what they have
accomplished.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. SMART: So there are no permits, we don't think. These
sheds still remain after a year, and, again, I drive by them every day.
Let me, if I might, make a recommendation. They have until, I think
it's about the 24th of next month, to come into compliance.
I would ask that you defer any continuance and allow them to
August 29, 2019
Page 13
come back and explain what actually the status is when they were --
they agreed to comply by the date, so I would suggest that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, we've heard the case. The
stipulation that was granted goes to September 24th, I believe.
MR. SMART: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have ruled already based on
a motion from the Board after hearing the testimony.
MR. SMART: It might have been improper in that, you know, I
was not allowed to speak prior to that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I apologize that you weren't
asked to speak. I had no notifications, and my mental telepathic
doesn't work well.
MR. SMART: I had signed in, so, you know, there's no question
I had signed in.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The sheet that I have here for
the speaker?
MS. BUCHILLON: That's for another speaker.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's what I thought. So do we
have anything from this gentleman?
MS. PULSE: I received e-mails that he requested to be a
speaker, and he was advised to check in when he arrived.
MR. SMART: And this young lady on the left here, she should
vouch, and she wrote my name down on her list.
MS. GONZALEZ: He gave his name.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So what we have here, as
Cool Hand Luke said, a failure to communicate from that side of the
fence to this side of the fence. The Board was not aware of any
speakers on this case.
MS. CURLEY: Well, I have a comment, being the one, I
proposed the motion. I understand and sympathize with your
frustration with the bureaucratic drag.
August 29, 2019
Page 14
MR. SMALL: My frustration is with you all as well.
MS. CURLEY: I want you to be clear that, you know, the
directions and decisions that your homeowner's association is
making, is really not anything that we're -- we can, you know, have
an opinion on.
So, you know, if the -- if your homeowner's association might
not be communicating the status of their projects, that's something
that you can take up with them, but it really doesn't change the
discretion we had to extend the time and place for them.
They've hired an attorney. They've gotten an engineer. They've
hired a contractor. And to pull a permit for a big development like
that is costly. So it's quite physically conservative of them to include
other actions in the property. So I understand that you're frustrated
that you still see these, but that's hopefully just --
MR. SMART: These sheds are in violation of Collier County
codes. You're here to enforce Collier County codes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct. I would request that
-- this was granted that it could be continued or extended until the
end of December. Can we check to see if permits are being pulled
prior to that, say, November 1st or so?
MS. PULSE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And can we notify this gentleman
whether that activity has occurred?
MS. PULSE: Yes, sir.
MS. CURLEY: I think it's to the benefit of the community and
their management firm to be letting their residents and owners and
members of their association aware of the timelines.
MR. SMART: The members and residents didn't even know
about the bocce ball courts and the pickle ball court.
MS. CURLEY: Again --
MR. SMART: I know you're getting into -- we're talking about
August 29, 2019
Page 15
Collier County codes. So there is things going on in the association,
and -- but let's just focus on, you know, having the sheds permitted.
MS. CURLEY: I was going to say the same thing to you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Gerald?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I just want to make one comment. Sir, you
stated that the extension was for six months, and it wasn't, it was
actually four months. So it hasn't been a year.
MR. SMART: Wait a minute. I'm talking about the previous
agreement; that was for six months. This started in August --
MR. LEFEBVRE: I understand when it started, but what I'm
trying to get at is, we gave them six months to comply. It wasn't an
extension. It was six months to comply.
MR. SMART: Yes. Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: They were nice enough to come in front of us
a month early and we gave them four more months. So,
unfortunately, again, we understand your --
MR. SMART: They were nice enough not to comply, and, I
mean, I don't know how you see it any other way?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Sir, that's correct, but they're trying to
incorporate other items within -- they're trying to take care of
previous issues that have been found.
MR. SMART: They've not been very diligent about complying
with permits.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Sir, we understand.
MR. SMART: Okay.
MS. CURLEY: The issue you have with your community should
be managed with your community, and we don't have any say over
that.
MR. SMART: And I don't understand that comment. This is
Collier County Code Enforcement.
MR. ORTEGA: Well, maybe we can shed some additional light.
August 29, 2019
Page 16
The fact they are here, they came one month prior to the date, they
are making an effort, I believe in the interest of the community, not --
that's the association's issue.
But as far as the code is concerned, you've highlighted several
times they are following code. They are doing what they need to do
to comply the code and satisfy the current situation.
MR. SMART: They haven't done anything yet.
MR. ORTEGA: There's a process. They can't control Collier
County. They can't control the building department. They cannot
control the planning department. There is a process, but it's being
done from what I see.
MR. SMART: I appreciate everybody's time. Thank you very
much.
MS. PULSE: I'm happy to supply a monthly report to Mr.
Smart.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I appreciate that. Thank you very
much.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Have a great day.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next item on the agenda --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Excuse me?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next item on the agenda --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Wait until they disappear. Do we
have any other public speakers that are signed up for today that we
need to notify the Board of?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Other than --
MR. LETOURNEAU: No. 5, correct, you have the one for No.
5?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I have the one for No. 5, yes. Okay.
Next item?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next item on the agenda, No. 2, under
August 29, 2019
Page 17
motion for extension of time, CELU20180011995, Larry A.
Fieldhouse and Betty Fieldhouse.
MR. PEREZ: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Can you state your
name on the microphone for us?
MR. PEREZ: My name is Carlos Perez, general manager at
Designer Showers.
MR. FIELDHOUSE: And I'm Larry Fieldhouse.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And the two folks behind
you?
MR. PINEROS: Juan Pineros, owner of Instant Granite.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We'll get a traffic light there.
MS. FIELDHOUSE: I'm Betty Fieldhouse.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So you're all going to testify?
MR. PEREZ: Or at least some of us.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So, Janice, if you would?
THE COURT REPORTER: Raise your right hands.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You want to, since you're
taller than I am, can you raise the microphone so we can hear you?
There you go.
Okay. What have we here? This is a request for an extension of
time; is that correct?
MS. MCGONAGLE: Yes, sir, and for the record, Investigator
Michele McGonagle, Code Enforcement.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now, what is your reason for
the extension of time?
MR. PEREZ: So we were here six months ago, Larry and I,
maybe as you guys remember, requesting an extension for our
situation. So my parents -- we were the owners of Instant Granite
August 29, 2019
Page 18
before, and we sold the business. So we're still here trying to get the
previous issue resolved for the new owners, you know, to maintain
that diligence and getting the issue resolved, complying with code.
We have granite storage stored on the outside of the building for
display that's currently interfering with some parking spaces, and we
had hired an engineer to, you know, draw up the insubstantial change
on the site plan and submit it to the county for, you know, processing
and approval.
So we gave them the deposit -- or paid them in full for the job to
get it done. We wanted to get it out of the way, and, you know, what
we got back was nowhere sufficient enough to what we needed. It
was something, you know, kind of just drawn up, you know...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What you got back from whom?
MR. PEREZ: From our engineer that we hired.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The engineer.
MR. PEREZ: And so what we're trying to do is, we've already
given him, you know, some money, so we're trying to get something
out of him to be able to comply with code.
Since then about six months have passed. It's been, you know, a
long process of getting him to, you know, get the job done for us,
and, you know, I was giving him time at first.
Once we had that extension to get it done, I told him we have
the extension, you know, let's get it done. I'd like to get it done
sooner. They were nice enough to give us six months instead of three
months, which is what we were originally requesting, which was
appreciated.
I think it's pretty embarrassing that, you know, I have to come
and explain why it's taking so long. So, you know, I do apologize for
the delay on it, but currently we have -- he did come out about a
month ago, and said, okay, let's get it done.
What we need is a survey of the, you know, area to be able to
August 29, 2019
Page 19
then draw up the new site plan with the insubstantial changes, and
since then we have done that. We've given a deposit for the survey to
be done, and I think we have a finish date of --
MR. FIELDHOUSE: September 6.
MR. PEREZ: -- September 6.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you're looking for an extension
of time or continuance?
MS. MCGONAGLE: It's an extension of time, and just to
clarify, when they were here in February was not an extension of
time; that was the first time in front of the Board, and they signed a
stipulation agreement for six months.
At that time the discussion was that the Board did not think that
that would be enough time, but wanted them to come back with an
update. Mr. Fieldhouse was very proactive. He called me at the
beginning of the month, explained what was going on, and said they
were going to need more time and requested to come in front of you
and ask for an extension of time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And what amount of time are
you requesting?
MR. PEREZ: You know, I don't -- I want to get it done, you
know, as soon as that --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I understand.
MR. PEREZ: I would say another three to six months, you
know...
MS. MCGONAGLE: Their site plan has not been approved yet
so...
MR. ORTEGA: Has it been submitted?
MS. MCGONAGLE: They can't submit it until they got the
survey, which that's to be September 6th.
MR. PEREZ: Once we submit the survey, the engineer has it, he
can do his work, which will be submitted to the county and approved,
August 29, 2019
Page 20
then we can move forward with resolving this and doing the work.
MS. CURLEY: How did this complaint come about? Is the
parking offending neighboring businesses?
MS. MCGONAGLE: No, it's actually about the display of the
granite, because this business is located right along Radio Road just
west of Livingston, so it came about because of the display of the
granite slabs out front, and after investigating found that they also are
storing the granite in behind the building in some of the parking
spaces.
MS. CURLEY: So has it been mitigated temporarily or is it still
six months later the granite is still --
MS. MCGONAGLE: The granite is still there because they have
no place to put it.
MS. CURLEY: And out front is it allowed also or no?
MS. MCGONAGLE: I don't work for the planning department,
so depending on what the site plan says, it's not in the right-of-way,
so it's really going to depend on the planning department.
MR. PEREZ: We met with various people in the county to talk
about it to see what we could do, and they all agreed to it being an
insubstantial change on the site plan, and that's what we've been
trying to do.
Like I said things have been out of my control. Our engineer
supposedly was out of the country for a few months, and that's why
it's taking so long. It isn't offending any neighboring businesses,
because the neighboring business is us as a whole, but, yeah, as soon
as that survey is finished and the engineer gets it, hopefully, you
know, he gets it done fast. I will definitely be pressuring him and
going to his office every day.
MS. CURLEY: Here is some good advice for you: Hope is not a
strategy.
MR. PEREZ: Agreed.
August 29, 2019
Page 21
MS. CURLEY: Okay? It's unfortunate that he didn't come here
today, because it would be an exposé to see somebody who could
reiterated what you're saying, that, yes, I took five months off and
wasn't providing very good customer service. It's hard for us to know
that's what happened or that's not what happened.
MR. PEREZ: Right. I understand.
MS. CURLEY: It is your job to babysit your vendor and I
probably would've hired a new one after I didn't get a call back five
months ago.
MR. PEREZ: Yeah, I agree, you know. I agree.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So we are at a point now
where you are requesting an additional three to six months, and it will
be the Board's decision whether they want to grant that. Does
anybody want to make a motion to do it or not do it?
MR. ORTEGA: Before we make a motion, just so everybody is
clear where they stand as far as time is concerned, the process that
they're about to encounter is, A, a survey. Has that been ordered?
MR. PEREZ: Yes.
MR. ORTEGA: So the engineer has a survey?
MR. LEFEBVRE: By the 6th of September.
MR. ORTEGA: A survey or a site plan?
MR. PEREZ: The survey. We were notified it will be completed
by the 6th of September.
MR. ORTEGA: The survey, okay. So at that time that survey is
going to be issued to the engineer. He's going to start the work?
MS. CURLEY: Maybe.
MR. PEREZ: Well, he's -- he knows everything that needs to be
done, we've already discussed it. He said he needed exact
measurement of the whole property to be able to be accurate in his
change of the site plan.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What's the engineer going to do?
August 29, 2019
Page 22
MR. ORTEGA: The engineer is going to modify -- he's going to
look at the site, look at the conditions, look at what they're proposing,
embed it into plan as an insubstantial change.
Now, there's a paperwork process and then there's actually
maybe modifying the site, especially if you're going through a change
of use, and I don't know if that's the case, obviously.
MS. CURLEY: What's the name of the engineer that you are
hired?
MR. PEREZ: His name is Alfonso Poncava (phonetic) from
Echo Group. I agree with what you said, you know, we should have,
you know, bit the bullet and hired somebody new.
MS. CURLEY: If he's an associate, maybe you could contact
somebody higher up in the company.
MR. PEREZ: Yeah, and, you know, like you said, hope is not a
good strategy, but at the same time my dad is the one who -- I'm kind
of representing my dad. To be honest, he didn't want to go look for
someone new and give them more money, because he wanted to get
something out of him. He gave him already some money, $1,500,
$1,600 or something.
He was being a little stubborn in that he wanted to get something
out of what he paid him, you know, just instead of some drawing he
drew up in 15 minutes but, you know...
MS. CURLEY: I can appreciate you're very young, and can I
appreciate that you're learning a lot.
MR. PEREZ: Thank you.
MS. CURLEY: Somebody told me that hope wasn't a strategy
and it was a little bit of a shocker, so I thought I'd pass that on to you.
MR. PEREZ: I appreciate that, and thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to -- are you
done, Herminio?
MR. LEFEBVRE: He wasn't finished.
August 29, 2019
Page 23
MR. ORTEGA: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ORTEGA: The 90 days is certainly not going to be enough.
We know the fact that what they submit, unless they want it back, is
going to get rejected. They're going to look at the process again. It's
going to go back. The engineer is going to fix it and resubmit it, and
you got planning time again.
Again, not to mention if there's issue with the building, and if
there is issues with the building without the change of use, again,
that's a different animal, and I'm not sure the engineer is aware of
that.
So, again, do we allow the 90 days and have him come back, or
do we allow him six months so he doesn't come back and then there's
no guarantee?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Or allow nothing.
MR. ORTEGA: Or allow nothing.
MR. PEREZ: If I can say one more thing? As far as the change
of use, we've already -- before we did what we tried to do there, we
looked into that, you know, obviously, to avoid a bigger issue, and
there is no necessary change of use. It is an industrial building and
area.
MR. ORTEGA: Well, change of use has nothing to do with the
industrial. It's just that the preexisting business was business, and let's
say, for example, you're mercantile, according to the Florida Buildin g
Code, that is a change of use, but I said my comments so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, do you want to make a
motion?
MR. ORTEGA: I'll make a motion to grant them 90 days with
the stipulation that they come back in 90 days and see where they're
at. I don't believe they're going to be ready in 90 days.
MR. LEFEBVRE: 90 days to what?
August 29, 2019
Page 24
MR. ORTEGA: 90 days to complete the process.
MR. LEFEBVRE: 90 day what, extension or stipulation?
MR. ORTEGA: Extension.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have a --
MS. CURLEY: May I make a comment to that? I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hold on. I want to know before we
discuss it, has it been seconded?
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Second. Go ahead, Sue.
MS. CURLEY: Well, I think if you can amend it to include in
90 days they should have a letter from their engineer, or some sort of
evidence to bring with them or something to hold their feet to the fire.
MR. PEREZ: Absolutely.
MR. ORTEGA: Hopefully, it will be submitted by then.
MR. PEREZ: You know, I'm going to tell him once he gets that
survey you have a week, please, to get it done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Gerald?
MR. LEFEBVRE: No. I'm all set.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So I don't think that was
added to the motion. Okay. Okay. We have a motion to grant a 90
days extension. Any comment on that motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
August 29, 2019
Page 25
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have one aye. Okay. That's
passed. Okay. You have 90 days.
MR. PEREZ: Thank you. We'll bring back a letter from the
engineer as well, and, hopefully, maybe, he can come as well.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. FIELDHOUSE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. MCGONAGLE: To clarify, sir, there is no hearing in
December. Do you want them to come back for the November
hearing? It wouldn't be quite 90 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think that's appropriate. Okay?
And you get all the notifications in the mail. Okay?
MS. MCGONAGLE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MR. PEREZ: Thanks.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're now up to the stipulations?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No. 9?
MS. BUCHILLON: No. 9, CESD20190004216, Carlos Valdes
and Dulce Valdes.
MS. VALDES: Good morning.
MR. HAMILTON: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. Can you state your
name for the record, please?
MS. VALDES: Dulce Valdes.
MR. HAMILTON: For the record, Daniel Hamilton, Collier
County Code Enforcement.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You want to read the
stipulation into the record for us? We can't possibly see this.
MR. HAMILTON: I didn't know if you swore us in first?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You want to make it bigger? Kathy,
August 29, 2019
Page 26
can you read it from where you are?
MS. ELROD: Yes, sir, I can.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Oh, much better.
MS. ELROD: Now I can take my glasses off.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Has everybody been sworn
in?
THE COURT REPORTER: No.
MR. HAMILTON: No.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
MR. HAMILTON: All right. Therefore, it is agreed between the
parties that the Respondent shall pay operational costs in the amount
of $59.63 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days of
this hearing.
Abate all violations by: Must obtain all required Collier County
permits or demolition permits, inspections and certificates of
completion/occupancy to permit or remove the chickee huts within
180 days or a fine of $100 will be imposed for each day the violation
continues.
No. 3, also the Respondent must notify Code Enforcement
within 24 hours of abatement of the violation and request that the
investigator perform a site inspection to confirm compliance.
No. 4, if the Respondent fails to abate the violation, the county
may abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance, and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriff's Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement, and all
costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. What's the length of time on
this?
MR. HAMILTON: 180 days, six months.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Six months. Okay. Ma'am, do you
August 29, 2019
Page 27
intend on removing the chickee huts or pulling a permit on them?
MS. VALDES: Since the last time we met, the small island of
Chokoloskee has gathered 688 signatures for me to try to keep the
Chickees. It's a point where everybody meets. They have their coffee.
The bus stops in front, the kids are off. It's just a place on the island.
Due to that, I was actually trying to get a permit in Everglades
City where I live to transfer the chickees to my property, and I have
to go through permit, which I'm in the process of doing that as a
backup plan anyways. So with those signatures in mind, I decided to
see what I could do, and I went to see Marcus Berman. He is with
Collier County Government Growth Management Department.
With that, I've been told that I can purchase 25 feet in front of
the cafe allowing for me to be able to request some permits at that
point. We're in the process of that. I hired Craig Woodward, an
attorney out of Marco Island who also resides in Everglades City. He
knows a lot about this. And we are -- we -- it's time sensitive. It
actually has to be put in by the end of the month in order to b e able to
be accepted or not accepted, because Collier County is going to do
away with being able to purchase any easements anymore.
I'm actually working with all the people in front of the cafe. I'm
sending them letters. The attorney is gathering letters from LCEC.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, we're not hearing the whole
case.
MS. VALDES: No, I understand that. I just wanted to give you
an idea of what I have to go through in order to be able to hold the
chickees.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's probably why 180 days, six
months, is being asked for on the stipulation.
MS. VALDES: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you think the 180 days is
sufficient time to get this done?
August 29, 2019
Page 28
MS. VALDES: I wanted to throw something in there, too. So I
have a small cafe. We open October 15th through April 15th. We're
open seven days a week. I work every single day there.
That means that it would expire in March and I don't -- my
husband and I, we do all the work all the time, so I don't know if
we're going to have enough time if we can't get this ap proved to
transfer the tikis to Everglades City, that's going to take --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me just tell you where the Board
is.
MS. VALDES: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You put a -- you signed a stipulation
that you agreed to take care of this situation in six months.
MS. VALDES: Yes, I did.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's what we have before us.
MS. VALDES: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Then we approve that or we don't
approve that.
MS. VALDES: I understand.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay? After five and a half months,
for instance --
MS. VALDES: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- it's not done and you need more
time --
MS. VALDES: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- you have the ability to come back
before the Board, let us know what progress has been made, and
request additional time.
MS. VALDES: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So that's where we are right now.
We're only going to vote to accept the stipulation or not.
MS. VALDES: Perfect.
August 29, 2019
Page 29
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any comments from the
county?
MR. HAMILTON: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can we get a motion from the
Board?
MS. ELROD: Motion to accept the stipulation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The stipulation, easy for you to say.
Okay. Do we have a second? I'll second it. Okay. We have a motion
and a second.
MS. CURLEY: So how many days does it say? I can't read it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: 180, six months. Okay. We have a
motion and a second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. So you have
six months. If you can't get it done in six months, come back.
MS. VALDES: I understand. Thank you so much.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Your petition, by the way, probably
would have more power if you took it to the county commissioners
rather than this Board. Okay?
MS. VALDES: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Just a little help from Heloise.
MS. VALDES: If I take this to them?
MS. CURLEY: The petition.
August 29, 2019
Page 30
MS. VALDES: Thank you so much.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Which brings us to the next
stipulation.
MS. BUCHILLON: No. 5.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a public speaker on file, if
I'm not mistaken?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, we do.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I believe the speaker walked out
temporarily.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'll stall until she comes back. We
sent an emissary. Colleen is going to catch them. Okay. Why don't
you swear everybody in to begin with?
THE COURT REPORTER: Raise your right hands.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: One more swearing in, the public
speaker. You're going to be speaking on this?
MS. KNAPP: I'm sorry. I took a bathroom break. Are we at No.
5?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. We want to swear you in as
well so we get all the sworn-in's done at the same time. Janice?
(The speaker was duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You can sit down. You're going to
read the stipulation for us to begin with?
MR. FORD: Yes, I am.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. FORD: For the record, Arthur Ford, Collier County Code
Enforcement. It's agreed between the parties that the Respondent
shall pay operational costs in the amount of $59.70 incurred in the
prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing.
August 29, 2019
Page 31
Abate all violations by: Must reconstruct the berm per site plan
and direct downspouts to prevent water from shedding on to
neighboring properties within 90 days of this hearing, or a fine of
$200 per day will be imposed for each day the violation continues.
The Respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24 hours of
abatement of the violation and request the investigators to perform a
site inspection to confirm compliance.
If this Respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation using any method to bring the violation into
compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier County Sheriff's
Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So to begin with, we'll do it
in this order. We'll let you folks speak first, then the public speaker,
and we can go from there. Could you tell us your position with the
Pelican Ridge Association?
MS. GIFT: My name's Patricia Gift, and I'm the president of the
association.
MS. MORALES: My name is Carmen Morales, and I am the
property manager for the association, Gulf Coast.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So you have read the
stipulation, any comments on it? Do you have any problem meeting
those deadlines?
MS. GIFT: No, we actually have contracted with Crawford
Landscaping to complete the berm. They started on Monday of this
week, and should be completed by tomorrow, weather permitting.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All right. And young lady?
Dona, Dona with one N.
MS. KNAPP: Dona with one N. I am the complainer.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. KNAPP: Actually over many years, and it's been a year and
August 29, 2019
Page 32
a half since this violation and I've been waiting all that time, and my
problem is my backyard has been turned into a quagmire.
I've lost all of my mature trees, and it's left dips and valleys that
now I suppose I have to pay for, because the community behind me
have not managed, for the 30 years I've lived on that property, they
haven't managed the berm at the back or the drainage at all, and so
this has been going on, actually, for a very long time, more than this
violation.
I'm just hoping that what they're doing now is going to take care
of the problem. I doubt it, because it doesn't look, to me, as if they're
doing enough. For instance, on top of the berm there's supposed to be
a swale. Well, I've noticed yesterday that grass has been put down on
that swale. That swale is supposed to take the water off the patios that
come on to the -- that adjoin on to my back property along to -- let's
see, north and south there's a couple of drains.
Those drains were just last February, or at least one of them,
cleaned out. I didn't know there was actually one to the south of me,
but I don't know if these drains -- because I stood out there in a
rainstorm the other day, and the one drain that they cleaned out last
February, it was about an inch coming up over the berm onto my
property, and it's really, really wet back there.
Needless to say, it makes hurricane cleanup impossible. We
cannot get back to clean up everything.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What development do you live in?
MS. KNAPP: I live in Pine Ridge Estates.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. KNAPP: And this property that I'm talking about was built,
oh, I should say 11 years after my house was built, and no
consideration. I understand it may be property, you know, codes have
changed, and we have to build higher, but there should be some kind
of a consideration for the neighbors that are already there.
August 29, 2019
Page 33
I pay a lot of property taxes to live where I live. And my
neighbors are flooded out, too, some came from Kansas a couple
years ago, and their back yard is like a lake. They put a French drain,
that's not helping.
I had to put in last year -- I had to put in, in the dry season, a
drain field, of which told me t hat if my drain field gets flooded out
again, of course, it's not going to work. Our whole community is on
septic tanks, so there's a big health concern there when we flood out.
I can't use the majority of my backyard. I can't let my dog out.
The water is disgusting and smelly and it's a health hazard. I can't
mow my back yard. I mow what I can, but the rest is just, you sink
right down into this mud.
So I have my doubts of what is being done is going to alleviate
the problem, because I think they are doing the least they need to do
just to make it compliable (sic) with code.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let me ask a couple of
questions. Art, are you familiar with what they're doing there?
MR. FORD: Not entirely. I picked up the case about a month
ago, so I'm kind of reading through as well. Basically, it's my
understanding they have to come into compliance of the most recent
site development plan, as far as building the berm up, and everything
that that entails, as well as the downspouts.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, even if they build up a berm,
or put up a cinder block wall, if the water is going on to this young
lady's property, that's a code violation; am I correct? One second.
MR. LETOURNEAU: For the record, Jeff Letourneau, Collier
County Code Enforcement. A lot of this is happening in Collier
County now, due to the fact that some of the older subdivisions were
built a lot lower back in the day than the newer ones, due to FEMA
regulations, all sorts of other things.
Code at this point can make Pelican Ridge, I bel ieve, put back
August 29, 2019
Page 34
the berm into the place that it was permitted at the -- on the site
development plan. If the flooding continues, the county engineer can
go out there and make a determination of whether or not it's a county
matter or a civil matter. At that point it might be a civil matter, and
then it's going to have to be settled in court, or the county attorney
might say, no, you guys have to do more to stop your water from
going on to this property, and it might be above and beyond what
they're doing now.
At this point all we can make them do is go back to their
permitted condition and see where we're at at that point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, when they put a berm in, I'm
assuming it's inspected?
MR. LETOURNEAU: It will be inspected, yes. After they get
done, we're going to request they call us up, and we're going to have
somebody from the county engineer's office go down there and give
the A-okay or not. If he says no, then they're going to have to comply
with what he tells them to do.
MS. CURLEY: So is there a permit put in for the landscape?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, at this point they're going to have
follow what they have on their site -- already approved site
development plan that I don't know why it isn't in the same condition
as it was when they did it, but, obviously, it isn't and they're going to
have go rebuild it like it was supposed to be on the original site
development plan.
MR. ORTEGA: Are we assuming that there was already a
berm? Are we calling this restoration? Are we adding?
MS. KNAPP: I have photos -- excuse me. I have photos of what
it used to look like.
MS. CURLEY: Really?
MS. KNAPP: And what it looks like now is an absolute jungle
and mess, because over the years with the property managers it hasn't
August 29, 2019
Page 35
been maintained. Even those drains, I thought the drain were
bubble-up's. I didn't realize it went somewhere to a lake on Pelican
Ridge's property.
MS. GIFT: They go to a retention pond.
MS. KNAPP: Right. I had no idea because the water just used to
gush over the side of this berm right onto my property, right actually
very close to a Florida Power and Light box that's now sitting half
under water.
MS. BOWMAN: Is this the only property that this affects, or are
there other neighboring properties it's actually running into as well?
MS. KNAPP: Actually, yes, to the north of me. The people that
came, oh, I think they have been in the neighborhood for about three
years now, they have terrible, terrible problems.
They built a French drain, that's not working. They had to
actually redo their whole septic system. They were really annoyed
about it because they have to build it up higher, because we're all on
septic tanks. And as I stated, I just put a new septic tank in not too
long ago -- not the tank, I'm sorry, the drain field part of it, which I'm
told by Earthworks, if it keeps getting flooded over like this, of
course, it won't be able to drain.
So it's a big problem. It's a health hazard. I think more needs to
be done than this berm with a swale on top and grass there. I think
they also need to clean out the underbrush and maybe build that berm
a little higher, and put a better swale in, and perhaps their drains are
inefficient, too, for coping with all of this.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We can't solve that here. Art's
going to go back out here when this thing is resolved. The 90 days
that's in the stipulation, if they're just putting up a berm --
MR. FORD: And redirecting these downspouts.
MS. CURLEY: So I got a question. This violation first came
about February 15th, '18; right?
August 29, 2019
Page 36
MR. FORD: Correct. I'm the third investigator on it.
MS. CURLEY: Right, so I'm not interested in the stipulation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So you are --
MS. CURLEY: I don't want this to go forward, no.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You want to hear the case?
MS. CURLEY: I want to hear the case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CURLEY: This lady has come here. She's disgusted. She's
got photographs. I want to see what's going on. This stipulation is
easy and it pushes the case along.
There's landscapers there doing things that we don't know if
they're even looking at the site plan. We just don't know. This is
largely, to me, very, very much serious, to be flooded.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. GIFT: Can I say --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MS. GIFT: So we've been working with Jack McKenna from
Code Enforcement on this. He's --
MR. LETOURNEAU: He's the engineer, not Code
Enforcement.
MS. GIFT: I'm sorry, engineer, and he's given -- he's pulled our
original plans and required us to restore everything up and to our
original plans. The problem is, as Mr. Letourneau has mentioned, her
property sits three feet below our property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's -- that's beside the point.
MS. CURLEY: So? So?
MS. GIFT: So we have dug out all our drains. We've had
different companies come and clean out all the drains and verified
that all of our wastewater, or roof water, is going into our retention
pond, and we have completely built up the berm back to the original
plan from 1987.
August 29, 2019
Page 37
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the engineer been out there?
MS. GIFT: Which engineer?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The one you just mentioned.
MS. GIFT: Jack McKenna, numerous times. He has not been
there since we started work on Monday, and the work should be done
on Friday.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And this case started in February
during the middle of the dry season.
MS. BOWMAN: And it's quite convenient you'll have it
finished tomorrow.
MS. GIFT: No, the problem was, is we have a number of things
going on in the development. First of all, we have a new property
management, which took a while to get us the lawn care.
We're in the middle of a roofing ligation that's taken a lot of the
time of the homeowner's association board, in addition to this, and we
also have another citation from Code Enforcement on a wall that
didn't have a permit, all within the same timeline.
So since February of this year, I've been spending a lot of time
trying to get everything back up to where it should be. We had a very
negligent board previously, and things just got a little out of hand, but
we have been diligently working with Jack McKenna since I was
made aware of it. I took over the board in February.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Sue, did you want to make a
motion on this?
MS. CURLEY: I make a motion to deny the stipulation. Is that
--
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Deny accepting the stipulation?
MS. CURLEY: Deny accepting the stipulation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have a second?
MS. BOWMAN: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a second. Any discussion
August 29, 2019
Page 38
on the motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: I think they're trying to move forward with
what the site development plan states and restore it to that.
MS. CURLEY: We don't know that. We haven't heard the case.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Hold on. Hold on a second; that's the first
step. As been stated by the county is that has to -- the berm has to be
restored, which it is being restored. Then the county engineer will go
out and determine if that's sufficient.
If it isn't then there will be other items that have to be put on it,
stipulations to fix it, to correct the problem.
MS. CURLEY: Okay. So --
MR. LEFEBVRE: So hearing the case isn't going to change it.
This is the process we have to go through.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Would shortening the time on the
stipulation if they're in agreement -- no? I agree with Mr. Lefebvre
that hearing the case at this point --
MS. CURLEY: It might -- I want to see the pictures. It might
impact us if we see this woman's quagmire in the backyard. I mean,
we've basically heard half the case, bits and pieces of it now. We
have a case that's just been passed along, passed along. It's like the
one that got away. So what if we have a hurricane on Monday?
(A court reporter interruption was had. The proceedings
continued as follows:)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: One person at a time.
MS. CURLEY: So that's all I'm saying, is we can let this just
slip under the rug because this is a case that's been passed along, or
we can actually hear the woman that got up this morning, got dressed,
and came here to speak on behalf of the flood water that Pelican --
whatever is giving her.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Ridge. Okay. We have a motion, we
have a second to the motion. Any other discussion on the motion?
August 29, 2019
Page 39
MR. ORTEGA: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I'm ready.
MR. ORTEGA: When -- assuming that they restore this berm,
that doesn't mean the problem is going to go away. If you back up,
Dona, if you back -- if that property, the development backs up to
your back of the house, am I right?
MS. KNAPP: Yes.
MR. ORTEGA: Typically, if I recall, those lots pitch towards
the back, I think, if I recall. If that's the case, the berm is not going to
take away the problem. Again, that becomes a design county, civil
issue.
MS. BOWMAN: They still didn't give the deadline for the
landscaping company to get this completed before the deadline,
which is today, and it's really convenient that they're a year and a half
into this, and they're going to get it done tomorrow.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CURLEY: In addition, to me, this is a problem that has
been notified a year and a half ago. We have a new president that
took over six months ago. You know, good neighborly would be to
find a way to keep your own water, not just bring it up to the plan,
now we're finding out, and I'm sure the landscaping company told
them, isn't going to work.
Keep your water that drains off to you. Keep it. But to bring it to
the bare minimum standards and have it still not work, have it break
--
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I think we're getting too deep
into whether we're going to accept the stipulation or not. So I'd like to
vote on whether we accept it or not. So all those in favor of the
motion that Sue made to deny accepting the stipulation say aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
August 29, 2019
Page 40
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye. Opposed?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Opposed.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. By a show of hands who are
opposed? One, two, three; one, two, three, four. We're going to hear
the case. Okay. One of the things you might find interesting, if you
have a drain there, and you have a berm there and the berm isn't
sufficient to take care of the water, the drains should be; that's an
engineering type deal.
We're going to hear the case, so I don't know if we want to
schedule that today, or if you want to put that off?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Are you asking me if we want to have the
hearing today?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah, because if somebody needs
time to prepare for it...
MR. LETOURNEAU: The county would ask that we hear it
next month, if possible.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Okay. I have no problem with
that. Does anybody on the board have a problem with hearing it next
month?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Usually when a stipulation is denied, we hear
it that day.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We can hear it, but I would ask that you
allow us to move this case to the end of the hearing so we can get it
prepared, which is fine also.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. The county -- everyone should be
ready to proceed with the case.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I agree.
MR. LEFEBVRE: When it's on the agenda, the stipulation is
August 29, 2019
Page 41
usually a secondary thing. So I think that I have been on this board a
long time, and I don't remember ever pushing a hearing to the next
month.
MS. CURLEY: Let's hear the hearing in a little bit and then if
need be, we can extend it to the next hearing, for the woman that's
here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me ask, are you folks amenable
to present your case at the end of our agenda?
MS. KNAPP: You mean at the end of the day or --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Excuse me?
MS. KNAPP: Do you mean by the end of the day, sir?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No, we generally get done -- the last
case is probably around noon.
MS. KNAPP: Sure. This is very important to me, and I
appreciate your time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, and from the Respondent?
MS. GIFT: I wasn't ready to present a case. I can try to get ahold
of our attorney to see if he can put something together.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So it's up to the Board
whether you want to hear it today or next month.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Would it be out of line to try to get the feel
for the Board of what you are looking for, and maybe there can be a
stipulated agreement based on what you --
MS. CURLEY: I want to see the pictures.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All right. Yes, it would be out
of line to hear the case.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I wonder if we should vote on
whether we hear the case today, or push it to next month?
MR. LEFEBVRE: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We can vote on that with the Board.
August 29, 2019
Page 42
MR. LEFEBVRE: We've never done that in the history of seven
years.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We will set a precedent.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I would say she does have a point that the
attorney, I mean, if we want to get the attorney, I would like to have
everybody involved properly.
MS. CURLEY: And a year and a half ago the attorney was
where?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I understand.
MS. GIFT: I wasn't on the board a year and a half ago.
MS. CURLEY: This has been swept under the rug. This is not a
priority. There's a lot of other things, but it's impacting somebody.
When we have cases and we say who is the complainant, no one, it's
not bothering anybody, we handle it a little bit differently. This is
offending people's home, other people. We have a hurricane coming.
This is classic.
MS. KNAPP: It's going to be awful for me. I can tell you. It's
already pretty bad.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm up here already getting ready if he
has to, you know --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't know whether it would be
out of line asking to hear the case either today or the next hearing
date next month. I understand from the Respondent they want more
time to get their attorney or whatnot.
MS. KNAPP: I'm fine with today.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you're fine with today,
so we have another difference.
MS. CURLEY: They're welcome to come back with their
attorney next month.
MS. BOWMAN: We'd have to continue.
MS. CURLEY: I want to know if a violation exists or not. I
August 29, 2019
Page 43
want to be able to speak on behalf of this. I don't want to go to a
fourth code manager.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We voted on hearing the
case; that's done.
MS. KNAPP: There is a violation, because they've been putting
the storm water -- not only runs off the patios, but the guttering, they
actually had a long pipe coming out under that from --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Ma'am, we're going to hear the case,
so everybody has a chance to speak --
MS. KNAPP: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- and provide information.
MS. KNAPP: Very good.
MS. BOWMAN: So if there is anything else that you need to
prepare, as well, to hear it at the end of the rest of these, you should
prepare that as well. They're going to prepare with their attorney if
they can possibly get their attorney here.
MS. GIFT: We are not going to be able to get the attorney.
MS. BOWMAN: I'm saying she has the right to prepare
anything.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We would like the county engineer to be
here, too, because he's the ultimate decision of this, but, I mean, the
county is ready to hear it if you guys are ready.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is the county engineer available
today or you don't know?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, not today. I'm saying if you guys
decide to postpone it. There's all sorts of factors here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What I'm looking at is to resolve the
problem.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I understand. I think the stip would have
resolved the problem, to be honest with you. I don't understand what
a hearing is going to do on top of a stipulation, unless we're going to
August 29, 2019
Page 44
give less time on the stip, which they're agreeable to.
MR. LEFEBVRE: That's fine.
MS. CURLEY: The only thing --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Somebody is going to be hearing their
voice, I guess, and it's going to be the same outcome as it would in
the stipulation, let's be honest.
MR. ORTEGA: What's going to happen, and the only way to
resolve this really, is to have the engineer here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I agree.
MR. ORTEGA: You can see all the pictures you want, it's not
going to mean anything. It's going to say, yes, her property is being
violated. I get it. We need the engineer.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And, ultimately, the engineer is the
one who is going to approve the fix, if you will?
MR. LETOURNEAU: The engineer or somebody from that
department is going to go down there and inspect that when it's all
said and done, and they're going to say the county's responsibility is
done at this point, or they're going to say, no, you guys gotta do
more.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. For that reason I think we
should postpone it until the next meeting.
MR. ORTEGA: I agree.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You want to vote on it as a board?
MS. CURLEY: I'll go to whatever Herminio's opinion is.
MR. ORTEGA: Without the engineer's insight we're -- we're
making a vote in the blind.
MR. LEFEBVRE: If we do -- if we do extend it to next month,
the berm should be completed and the engineer can go out and
inspect it, and it's not usual protocol, what we do, but I think there
will be certain things done --
MR. ORTEGA: Right.
August 29, 2019
Page 45
MR. LEFEBVRE: -- that it may be corrected or may be
determined something else needs to be done. So I think in this
particular case that extending it until the next meeting would
probably be the prudent decision, and to have the engineer here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And have your attorney here.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And I would say to the Respondents
that's good advice by Mr. Lefebvre, to have ev erything done by the
time we get around here the next month and the engineer signing off
on it.
MS. CURLEY: Excuse me. Does that include storm water and
all -- they're not just going to inspect the berm? You're going to
inspect -- she's speaking about gutters that are directing wrong ways,
with extenders on it and all sorts of other things that aren't inclusive
of the original complaint.
MR. ORTEGA: That all falls under the auspices of drainage.
MR. LETOURNEAU: It does, and the engineer does this, like,
five times a week we ask him to go out to these sites and say, is there
a code violation, is there a county responsibility for the drainage on
these particular properties?
Sometimes he says yes, that they need to mitigate their water,
and, you know, get it contained on site, or get it to the storm drains,
and to not subject your neighboring properties to flooding.
Sometimes it's a civil matter where, you know, they take care of
their original site development plan. They do, in the county
engineer's eyes, all they can to mitigate it, and there's still some
issues left. At that point it becomes a civil matter between the
property owners.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So we're going to hear this
next month?
MR. LETOURNEAU: We will hear this next month, and I'll
August 29, 2019
Page 46
make sure someone from the county engineer's office is here. I hope
they have their attorney available and ready to go at that point.
MR. ORTEGA: And photographs, please.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We've got tons of photographs.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you very much.
MS. KNAPP: I can have my photos printed out instead of you
looking at my telephone.
MS. BOWMAN: That gives you plenty of time to prepare as
well.
MS. CURLEY: And you can communicate some of your
information to Helen. Can she submit her photos to you in advance?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes.
MS. GIFT: We can, too.
MR. LEFEBVRE: The drainage issues, not just the berm, are the
other issues being addressed? Can you just, please, step aside? Just a
quick question, the other issues, the drainage, the downspouts,
whatever, are they being redirected, too?
MS. GIFT: Yes, we just had complete new roofs put on, and
we've added new drains.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes is a good enough answer.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay, that's all I wanted to know.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you very much. We
are going to move on.
Janice, how are your fingers feeling?
THE COURT REPORTER: Fine.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Still attached to your hand?
THE COURT REPORTER: Right.
MS. ELROD: Do we make a motion to extend?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They schedule it.
MR. LEFEBVRE: The county could withdraw it at that point.
(A court reporter interruption was had. The proceedings
August 29, 2019
Page 47
continued as follows:)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Dona's last name was Knapp,
K-N-A-P-P.
Helen, what's next on the agenda? We'll hear one more case and
take a break.
MS. BUCHILLON: Okay. Under hearings, No. 1,
CEPM20190000805, Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sue, take it off.
MR. WAGNER: Good morning.
MS. CURLEY: Morning.
MR. WAGNER: I'm here on behalf of Mark Joseph Realty, the
assigned broker representing Freddie Mac on this -- on this particular
property.
(A court reporter interruption was had. The proceedings
continued as follows:)
MR. WAGNER: My name is Cody Wagner.
MR. ODOM: Michael Odom, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
(A court reporter interruption was had. The proceedings
continued as follows:)
MR. ODOM: O-D-O-M.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. This is a case without a pool
barrier, if I'm not mistaken?
MR. ODOM: That's correct, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't you present your
case?
MR. ODOM: For the record, Michael Odom, Collier County
Code Enforcement. This is in reference to Case No.
August 29, 2019
Page 48
CEPM20190000805, dealing with a violation of Florida Building
Code, 6th Edition, 2017, Chapter 4, Sections 454.2.17.1 through 45 --
correction, 454.2.17.3.
Violation description, missing required pool enclosure located at
766 Waterloo Court, Naples, Florida 34120, Folio 81216000965.
Service was given on February 8th, 2019.
I would now like to present case evidence in the following
exhibits: Five photos taken by me, and an aerial obtained via property
appraiser website.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Has the Respondent seen the
photos?
MR. ODOM: Yes, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have any objection?
MR. WAGNER: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I have quick question for Jeff. Is this
Respondent sufficient to hear our case as he represents the bank? Do
you have any letter authorizing you, et cetera?
MR. WAGNER: We've got just a basic assignment e-mail they
send down to us when we kind of take over, not eligible to
necessarily sign on their behalf, but just kind of -- we're the ones who
look after it.
MS. CURLEY: Do you have Power of Attorney for them?
MR. WAGNER: What's that?
MS. CURLEY: Do you have Power of Attorney?
MR. WAGNER: No, ma'am.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What do you think, Jed?
MR. SCHNECK: Looking through, is there anything in the case
file documenting this gentleman's authority to represent?
MR. ODOM: No, sir, not in terms of authority. I think he's here
as more of an advocate, not an official person, for sure. I've been in
communication with Cody throughout this process via telephone, but
August 29, 2019
Page 49
there's no -- as far as I know, there's zero authorization, in terms of
representing the owner Freddie Mac.
MR. WAGNER: No, I'm just here to find out what we need to
relay back to them to get done, to kind of explain where we are on the
process.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you can't make a commitment on
their behalf?
MR. WAGNER: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I understand. You can show the
photos. They've been --
MR. ODOM: Okay. I'll start with the aerial.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can you make the photos as big as
possible for us older folks? I know once it gets up there --
MR. ODOM: Okay. Thank you. That's the 2019 aerial, and the
arrow is pointing to where the pool enclosure used to be.
MS. CURLEY: Is that a house, the blue thing, or is that a roof?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Make it one shot bigger.
MR. ODOM: It's a tarp.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you go to the box, as
Gerald says, and make it the whole screen. Okay. So what I see is a
house on either side of this property?
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And what am I looking at there
that's yellow; the area that's not protected?
MR. ODOM: The aerial is just -- they come up as yellow. I
sometimes take it out. I left it on. It's just a designation. It doesn't
mean anything, but that's where the pool enclosure used to be before
Hurricane Irma.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So there was an enclosure?
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It was permitted and approved and
August 29, 2019
Page 50
then Irma took it?
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir.
MR. ORTEGA: How old is that picture?
MR. ODOM: That picture is from sometime this year, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: January probably.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: There you go.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Helen is doing it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, Helen. Let's take a look at the
next picture to see if that's a better size.
MR. ODOM: Really? Oh. Sorry. Yeah. I put all these photos in
here, didn't have an issue.
MS. CURLEY: Do you have them printed? We can put them on
the overview? It's a lot easier.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is the pool temporarily protected?
MR. ODOM: Yes, the photos from -- let me just tell you about
them and I'll put them up. January 23rd was the first few photos and
shows the pool unprotected, uncovered with a temporary barrier in
place already. In the next pictures you'll see in line, the third picture
is --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's much better.
MR. ODOM: Okay. So since January they've covered it with a rhino
liner; that temporary barrier is in place, still in place. This picture is, I
believe, either from May 3rd or yesterday, I took the same photo, and
it's in the same exact condition.
In terms of the origin of this case, it came in as a complaint from
this gated community, the neighbor, as well as the association. Since
making contact with the local broker, they have, you know, covered
the pool correctly, put the barrier in place, and communication has
been great moving forward, but there's been no action since that.
There has been no permits pulled for the pool barrier, so that's
August 29, 2019
Page 51
why we're here. The county feels like this is taking too long.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. That picture there is before it
was covered?
MR. ODOM: That's correct, sir, that's January 23rd.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is there any smell coming from the
pool now?
MR. ODOM: No.
MS. CURLEY: So the county, you require them to re-cage it or
fence it or some permanent barrier?
MR. ODOM: Yes, ma'am, that's the issue, that's the only issue
left is to pull the permits.
MS. CURLEY: Or some barrier, some permanent barrier.
MR. ODOM: Correct.
MS. CURLEY: The rhino liner on top of it is only allowed as a
temporary fix.
MR. ODOM: It is, but to be in compliance they need to have the
pool barrier.
MS. CURLEY: Fair enough.
MR. ODOM: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have more pictures,
or that's it?
MR. ODOM: That's it, sir. The first one you saw was the last
one so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CURLEY: Okay. So I'll make a motion a violation exists.
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second that
a violation exists. Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
August 29, 2019
Page 52
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. I have one
question before we go forward. This needs -- the banks typically, for
your edification, won't do anything until they have possession of the
property. So my question is does the bank have possession of the
property?
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Since June 18, 2018.
MR. ODOM: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So there's no reason why they
haven't fixed it?
MR. ODOM: I'm sure there is a reason, but I don't want to
speculate. It's banked owned, not in any type of foreclosure
proceedings.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Fine. Okay. Do you have a
suggestion for us?
MR. ODOM: Yes, Mr. Chairman. The Code Enforcement Board
orders the Respondent to pay all operational costs in the amount of
$60.40 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days.
Abate all violations by: No. 1, obtaining all required Collier
County building permits, inspection and certificates of
completion/occupancy for the placement of an approved permitted
pool barrier within blank days of this hearing, or a fine of blank per
August 29, 2019
Page 53
day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
No. 2, the Respondent must notify the Code Enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated in order to conduct
the final inspection to confirm abatement.
If the Respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation in any method to bring the violation into
compliance, and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriff's Office to enforce the provisions of this order, and all costs of
abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Herminio, I have a question
for you. Typically how long will the permitting take to get a permit
for an enclosure?
MR. ORTEGA: Seven to ten days, but you need to consider first
they have to apply -- before they apply for the permit, they have to
provide a design by an engineer.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Right.
MR. ORTEGA: And submit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Total time?
MR. ORTEGA: Best case scenario, 30 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. They need 30 days for that,
and then they have to contract with someone to put it in?
MR. ORTEGA: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So typically this permitted barrier
could be done within 60 or 90 days in your opinion?
MR. ORTEGA: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I just wanted to put that out
there before anybody --
MS. CURLEY: Yeah. So the only reaction we're going to get is
if there is a clock ticking on the time for them, obviously, because
they've had a year and a half to, you know, cover it and do all these
things. They haven't done anything. They assigned this case to this
August 29, 2019
Page 54
local Realtor who doesn't have any power to do anything.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I have some questions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: First of all, is there a wood structure over
this? They put 2x8 or two by something and cover it. Is that covered
now?
MR. ODOM: No, it's a rhino liner like a trampoline.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Not like the wood structure?
MR. ODOM: No, not like when the county abates it. No, sir, not
like that.
MS. CURLEY: And to the neighbors it's hideous?
MR. ODOM: The one good point is the complainant is not
happy, they live next door, but they're not -- they're not as upset as
they were in the beginning. There's at least communication with the
broker.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is the rhino liner, is that a protective barrier
for kids?
MR. ODOM: Correct me if I'm wrong --
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, the liner there -- there was two
violations in the beginning. One was the green pool, one was the no
barrier. The rhino liner alleviated the green pool issue. What we have
left here is they don't have a safety barrier.
Yes, it is a safety issue at this point because the rhino liner is not
an approved barrier. We don't know if somebody could fall in there
or not at this point.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. That was my question. Is that designed
so if a kid walks on the liner it will hold its weight? That's what I
want to know.
MS. CURLEY: It will until it dry rots, and then kids jump on
them like trampolines and fall through.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It will until it happens. Murphy's
August 29, 2019
Page 55
Law. Okay. You want to fill in the blanks, Gerald?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Hold on a second. This property is listed;
correct?
MR. WAGNER: Yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Is it under contract?
MR. WAGNER: Currently under contract, yes.
MR. LEFEBVRE: To close when?
MR. WAGNER: Well, technical closing date right now is
September 22nd.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I want to know when it's going to close.
MR. WAGNER: Right now they're in the process -- it's an in
between because they're in the process of replacing the roof, and the
bank will not complete any repairs after it's sold. So they've already
contracted to replace the roof. Permits are being pulled. As soon as
the roof is done, then the property will close.
MS. CURLEY: What kind of roof, is it metal?
MR. WAGNER: It's a tile roof.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. That's all beside the point.
How much time -- how much time do you want to give them to come
into compliance?
MR. LEFEBVRE: It makes it a big factor because if we impose
a fine after seven days, you said -- when is it closing?
MR. WAGNER: It's supposed to close September 22nd. It will
be -- it will be getting extended as we can see now.
MS. CURLEY: Has the roof been torn off yet?
MR. WAGNER: They have not. Right now the general
contractor has been contracted to do the roof for six months. They
have issues getting materials, the barrel tiles, that's the story that
we've been given.
They are now in the process where they have secured the
materials and they just sent out a third request to the HOA for final
August 29, 2019
Page 56
architectural documents to actually go through and get the permit that
the county has requested.
MS. CURLEY: So it will be done, like, in December?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I harken back to what Herminio
said. They should have this completed in 90 days, or they should start
to have a fine that starts accruing. Anybody disagree with what I just
said?
MS. CURLEY: Make your motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'll let you make a motion. I have no
problem making a motion.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I kind of have a problem with 90 days when
there's really very little to stop a kid -- and Waterways has a lot of
kids in the neighborhood. To wait 90 days to me is just --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm trying to be realistic. Are you
going to get it done? Are they going to be able to pull permits and get
a permanent solution within seven days?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, you know, this bank has owned this
since June 12th of 2018.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I understand that. That's not my
question. My question is if you went with a seven or 14 days or 30
days, would they be able to do this?
MR. LEFEBVRE: 90 days I think is too long. I just don't -- there
needs to be some -- this needs to be taken care of.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I couldn't agree with you more. You
want to fill in the blanks? This is in essence to hold the bank's feet to
the fire. We need this taken care of. It's a safety hazard.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right.
MS. CURLEY: They can get a payoff letter from us, from the
county, when they're ready to close in January.
MR. LEFEBVRE: 45 days or $250 a day fine, and the
operational costs I can't really see.
August 29, 2019
Page 57
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: $60.40 paid within 30 days.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's your motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: That's my motion.
MS. CURLEY: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a second. Do we have any
discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. You will bring
that information back to the bank. They need to start doing
something. If it comes back before us after that, you can assume that
the fines will be dramatically higher.
MR. WAGNER: Absolutely.
MS. CURLEY: Good luck.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you. Janice, we're going to
take a ten-minute break.
(A recess was had from 10:32 a.m. until 10:46 a.m., and the
proceedings continued as follows:)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd like to call the Code
Enforcement Board back to order. Next case?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case under public hearings, No. 3,
August 29, 2019
Page 58
CEPM20180010632, Julie Cassidy Edwina C. Keisling, Mollie B.
Nelson and Jessica Macera.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: John, is the Respondent here?
MR. JOHNSON: Should I do this first?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You can tell me. I trust that you're
not going to lie to me in these hearings.
MR. JOHNSON: We actually have in this case, we have persons
of interest. It's a very unique case, but there are representatives of
those respondents/person of interest here. They were all registered to
speak if they need to; however, I don't believe they will need to.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And I believe we have an attorney, Ms.
Passidomo, that's going to want to talk also.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, why don't you swear in
John?
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You want to present your
case?
MR. JOHNSON: Please. Good morning. For the record, John
Johnson, Collier County Code Enforcement. This is in reference to
Case No. CEPM20180010632, dealing with a violation of the Collier
County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Article VI, Property
Maintenance Code, Sections 22-235 and 22-236, specifically a
seawall located at -- I'm sorry -- a seawall is failing, and it's been
designated a dangerous structure by the Collier County building
official.
The seawall is located at the north end of the canal waterway
bounded by the south end of Mangrove Street, Naples, Florida 34112,
and there is no parcel ID or street address associated with this land
that contains the failing seawall.
August 29, 2019
Page 59
Members of the Code Enforcement Board, this case is going to
be unique. The parcel of land in question has a legal description, but
it has no parcel ID, no street address. It's not part of any easement,
and it's not part of any right-of-way.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Does it have an owner?
MR. JOHNSON: Just bear -- if you bear with me one second.
From the beginning Code Enforcement has engaged the County
Attorney's Office for their expertise and guidance in this
investigation, and in preparing this case for this hearing.
With that in mind, I would like to make a request. If possible, I
ask that you, please, hold your questions until I have presented the
case in its entirely. You can certainly interrupt me at any time, but I
believe it is in everyone's best interest, due to the unique nature of
this case, that you let me present. It's not that complex. It's just
different. So with that in mind, if there's no objections, I will begin.
Members of the Board okay?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You got it.
MR. DOINO: Go for it.
MS. CURLEY: I'm excited.
MR. JOHNSON: Service was given -- can I get the screen on,
please? Service was given on February 13th, 2019. I would now like
to present case evidence in the following exhibits: One aerial photo
from Google Maps. I'm using this to show you where the location of
this wall is. Okay.
This is in the Bayshore area. It is off Haldeman Creek, and, of
course, that red arrow points up to it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't want to interrupt you.
MR. JOHNSON: No, please.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a procedure to accept or
not accept this into evidence, whether the Respondent want to --
MR. JOHNSON: All members have seen these photos. There's
August 29, 2019
Page 60
nothing in here that's not public record. They've all seen the photos of
the seawall we're going to talk about, and to my knowledge, there's
no objections to me showing these.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Then the Board will vote to accept
them.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Specify all your evidence and then wait
for the Board to either accept or not accept.
MR. JOHNSON: Okay. I'm going to be giving this Google
Maps aerial. I'm going to do an aerial from the Collier County
Property Appraiser. I'm going to do seven dated photos. I'm going to
do a dangerous building determination. I'm going to do a title search
showing chain of title, and that's it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can we get a motion from the
Board to accept?
MR. DOINO: Motion to accept photos.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. Continue.
MR. JOHNSON: Thank you. Is everybody familiar now with
where this wall is in Collier County? Okay. If you zoom in on the
seawall, the failing seawall, you can see it here (indicating ), and you
August 29, 2019
Page 61
can see some of the land areas, some of the -- you can see these are
persons of interests, Port Nell Villas, Julie Cassidy, Naples Land
Yacht Harbor, these are areas surrounding this failing seawall.
Okay. Next are the seven dated photos that I've taken of this
wall. Okay. We'll just kind of go through these. The wall itself, it's
my understanding from the county engineer, that the steel rod ballasts
that hold these walls in place over a period of time will rust and fail,
and, therefore, the wall is subject to hydraulic pressure in and out,
and, eventually, it will crack and break, and you can see it there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can I ask when the photos were
taken?
MR. JOHNSON: Yes. The date is on the photo. This one is
8/23/2018. I'm sorry. Can you see it up in the corner?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. I understand. I can't see it
from here.
MR. JOHNSON: Okay. I'm sorry. Yeah, these are all dated
same date, and this one was dated 7/10/2019. Can I continue?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yep.
MR. JOHNSON: Okay. So those are the seven photos. Next, I
have a dangerous building determination from the building official. I
know you can't read this, but this is the format of a dangerous
building determination done by Mr. Walsh, and he has declared that
this is, in fact, a dangerous building and --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Infrastructure.
MR. JOHNSON: Yeah, in the subject line, declaration of
dangerous building/condition is what it says, but it's a dangerous
structure, okay. That was done on January 6th, 2019.
Now, as noted earlier, this parcel of land that contains this
seawall has no county parcel ID. So the County Attorney's Office
contracted for a title search to try to determine ownership.
The title search, 93 pages in length, and it is attached to the case,
August 29, 2019
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revealed that this area of Bayshore was owned by a Ms. Nellie
Whitehurst, prior to it being platted in 1947. The chain of title -- what
I'm showing here is a couple of pages from that title search. The
chain of title begins in May 4th, 1947, and in this report it concludes
-- it concludes on August 3rd, 2012 with Probate No. 2012-2755 for
Nellie Whitehurst, deceased on July 2nd, 2012.
The results of this search is that there's no ownership of this
parcel contained in the seawall. However, we did -- the attorney's
office did identify four parties of possible interest, and they are the
heirs of the original parcel owner, Nellie Whitehurst, Julie Cassidy,
property owner. You can see her name up there on the picture, and
Port Nell Villas.
Okay. So these were the -- these were the -- as a courtesy, Code
Enforcement contacted these parties of possible interest to explain the
details of this case, and our findings of no ownership. We also
informed them that our processes require we send a formal notice to
each party giving them the opportunity to respond with any interest in
this parcel.
To-date all four parties have declined any ownership interest,
although, there is some interest. As such, I am here today to request a
finding of fact that a violation of the property maintenance code does
exist, and that this violation includes a dangerous structure.
In addition, I will be requesting that in lieu of any private
ownership, the county would be given the right to abate this
dangerous structure violation, per the recommendation that I will
present. Now, before presenting that recommendation, I stop for
questions or --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We will vote on whether or not
there is a violation. Any questions, comments from the Board?
MR. LEFEBVRE: No.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I believe Ms. Passidomo would like to
August 29, 2019
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speak at this point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. PASSIDOMO: Thank you. Francesca Passidomo for the
record, 4001 Tamiami Trail North. I represent Mollie Nelson. We
just want to state for the record, I think we're in agreement with the
county here, that there is no violation, and the county has failed to
meet its burden to properly identify any violator.
In order for there to be a violation, there has to be a duty,
correct; so under the code, there's certain maintenance obligations on
property owners. The county has clearly failed to meet its burden to
show property ownership. It acknowledges that fact in its -- excuse
me. It acknowledges that fact in its presentation, and in its final
recommendation that you'll see here.
I know that the county has been very careful in using the term
"Respondent." We are in agreement with that caution. If any personal
liability were to attach to my client we would, and are, objecting. So I
just want to make that clear in the record, and if you have any
questions for me, I'm happy to answer those.
We're happy also to perform any title search that you may need,
but from our perspective, my client specifically is not a violator, and
should in no way be included in this recommendation, or called the
respondent. That's all I have for you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: To make things clearer to me, I want
to know if the property, as described by Walsh, is in violation, is a
dangerous structure? He is the person who determines whether it's a
dangerous structure, not any of the owners. It's the property.
MR. JOHNSON: Correct. I showed that document. I can go
back to it if you want. We have that document that states, and it's
signed by Mr. Jonathan Walsh, that this is a dangerous structure.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now, so, I'll ask you, do you
think that that is sufficient for the property to be found as a dangerous
August 29, 2019
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structure? I'm not going into ownership.
MS. PASSIDOMO: Correct. I don't think I can argue with the
building official's determination that the structure itself is dangerous,
but I -- I still am hesitant to answer your question in the affirmative
that the property is in violation. Without ownership of the property
I'm not sure -- I'm not sure how -- how that gets us any closer to an
answer?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I can agree with you as far as
ownership on who has to take care of a problem, but a problem,
obviously, to me exists.
MS. PASSIDOMO: I don't dispute that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And I think that's what I'm going to
ask the Board to vote on, whether a violation exists.
MS. CURLEY: I have two questions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MS. CURLEY: First of all, Ms. Passidomo is not here to provide
free legal service to us and determine whether the county is making
the right decision or not. She's representing Mollie Nelson; right?
MS. PASSIDOMO: That's correct.
MS. CURLEY: And so my other question is is the 63 page
report from American Government Services, the specific title report,
has it been shared with Ms. Passidomo?
MR. JOHNSON: I believe I did send that, didn't I?
MS. PASSIDOMO: Yes. I don't object to any of the materials.
MS. CURLEY: I said did you have a chance to review that?
MS. PASSIDOMO: I did.
MS. CURLEY: And in the capacity as the attorney for one of
the Respondents, you saw that, based on reviewing that that your
client is still not a property owner there?
MS. PASSIDOMO: Yes. And I don't want to make any
determinations on the record now, but I feel at this time that my client
August 29, 2019
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is not even a party of interest, from my review of the chain of title.
MR. ORTEGA: I think there's a question here. Maybe I'm not
following, maybe I am. Mollie, your client, she's not the owner, so
why are the -- why is she included in this?
MS. CURLEY: That's an opinion.
MS. PASSIDOMO: That's why I'm here today to object to the
extent that they were -- I know that the county was trying -- we spoke
about this.
The county was doing what it could to meet due process
requirements under Florida statutes; that being said, naming my client
as a Respondent when the title is so clearly not vested in them, has
created an enormous amount of fear and concern on attachment of
personal liability, potential disclosures, if and when they need to
conduct business personally, that they need to discuss that there's a
threatened violation against them.
You can see why this has actually created some significant
damage on my client without the county having ever conclusively
determined ownership.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has this person been assigned as a
responsible party, as a Respondent?
MR. JOHNSON: Yes. They were identified as a Respondent in
lieu of -- this was more of a courtesy responding, if you will, because
when the County Attorney's Office did this title search, they looked
for anyone who could still be relatedly involved to the ownership of
this land.
As a courtesy, in fact before we sent any notice, Mr. Letourneau
and myself contacted all these people and let them know that this is
what we're doing, this is what's required to do from our attorney's
office, but that we did not find any ownership interest, and I believe
Ms. Passidomo is trying to make sure and nail that down, and we
don't disagree with what she's saying.
August 29, 2019
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CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So there is no liability then?
MR. JOHNSON: There is no liability because there's no
ownership; that's the way we see it.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Mr. Kaufman, can I summarize a little bit
maybe?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm real close to agreeing with Ms.
Passidomo on everything. I will say that I will disagree on one thing.
There is a violation. I believe there are no violators, though, that's the
thing. We were asked by the Collier County Attorney's Office to run
that title search. They ran it. They told us, you know, our whole thing
with Code Enforcement is all about service. We want to make sure
that everybody that could possibly be interested in th is piece of land
is noticed that we're going to do something about it.
In hindsight we probably shouldn't have sent out official notices
of violation. We probably should have sent out something a little bit
softer and more courteous and not called them respondents. We
should have just said people of interest.
The way we want this to play out today, if you guys do this, is if
you find a violation, he's going to have a recommendation that
doesn't hold anybody responsible. We're not going to have any time.
We just want the blessing of the Board to go out there and fix this
thing.
We are probably going to put a lien on that particular piece of
property, and I see it playing out that nothing gets done -- we'll have
the engineer out there to look at it, take care of it the best way the
county can take care it, put a lien on that property and then foreclose
on the property and it will be county property at that point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sold on the courthouse steps?
MR. LETOURNEAU: That's -- that's what I see at this point. If
you guys find a violation, we will be more than willing to sit down
August 29, 2019
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with everybody interested and talk about the fixing of this thing.
The engineer is going to give us a recommendation and we're
going to look at all the options. Obviously, we're going to look at
taxpayer's money because we want it as safe as it can be with a little
amount of money spent.
So if anybody wants to go above and beyond that, they can
certainly come to the table and negotiate. I'm talking about the
neighbors right here, you know, I don't know what they want. The
county is going to put in what we want, as long as it's safe, and that's
where we're at. We just want you guys to find a violation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So let me go back to ten
minutes ago when I said let's vote on whether or not a violation
exists.
MS. CURLEY: I'll make a motion a violation exists.
MR. DOINO: Second.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Before we vote on it, are we going to have a
discussion?
MS. CURLEY: No, too late.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hold on. We have a motion and a
second. Any discussion on the motion?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yes. Notice is important, correct, and if there
is no one noticed, can you still bring a case?
MS. PASSIDOMO: That's my point.
MR. SCHNECK: Correct. In this situation, yes, notice is
required, and if -- what I would recommend, if the county does not
object, is instead of naming these folks as the respondents, have a
general respondent unknown or something to that effect; that's often
what happens in civil court cases when they cannot find an owner or
responsible party for a piece of property in foreclosure.
They do notice by publication in a newspaper and say all
unknown parties, and that takes care of everyone, so there's not -- if
August 29, 2019
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the county agrees, and they don't intend to hold these parties listed
here responsible, then maybe have a generic rent in the title and
within the order.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let's find out whether a violation
exists or not by voting on it.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Another question, 2012 this lady passed
away?
MS. CURLEY: Gerald, this is way outside our ballpark.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. Well --
MS. CURLEY: The county should hire a real property probate
trust attorney to draw this out and find the owner. This is complex
real estate.
MR. LEFEBVRE: With a will or something.
MS. CURLEY: This is completely out of our jurisdiction.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let's vote on whether a violation
exists. Walsh says a violation exists. I don't think there is anybody on
the Board that's going to argue with him, so let me call the vote. All
those to favor that a violation exists say aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. Now, do you
have a suggestion for us?
MR. JOHNSON: Yes, I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Are you going to tell us?
August 29, 2019
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MR. JOHNSON: Yes, I am. The recommendation is as follows:
Whereas, the parcel in question is not owned and/or titled to any
known entity, including the parties of interest, and, whereas, no entity
has taken any action to obtain ownership rights of this parcel, and,
whereas, the county has designated the seawall to be a dangerous
building, the Code Enforcement Board orders the following: The
county may abate the violation using any method to bring the
violation into compliance, and may use the assistance of the Collier
County Sheriff's Office to enforce the provisions of this order, and all
costs of abatement, including but not limited to the court costs of this
hearing, shall be assessed to these parcels, and attached as a lien
obtained by the levy of a writ of attachment. In other words, we don't
really have a parcel ID to attach, but we can do this writ of
attachment. We've had that cleared by the attorney's office; that's our
recommendation.
MS. CURLEY: Did your attorney write this?
MR. JOHNSON: The county attorney, they approved it.
MS. CURLEY: So the first sentence, whereas, the parcel in
question is not owned or titled, why don't you just have ownership to
be determined, because you're going to determine it at some point.
All property is owned by someone.
MR. JOHNSON: Right now since that is not true, I don't know
if that's going to be true down the road, and it should not, to me in my
opinion, this should not affect this recommendation.
MS. CURLEY: You're not a lawyer. You can't make a legal
argument.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: But a lawyer did write this.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Shall we put in at this time, would that be
fine?
MS. CURLEY: Or knowingly, parcel in question is not
knowingly owned. What if it's owned by one these other four people
August 29, 2019
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and you set this up?
UNIDENTIFIED SPEAKER: We've already said we don't own
it. All of us declare we don't own it.
MR. JOHNSON: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You haven't been sworn, et cetera.
Let me ask, what size property is this?
MR. JOHNSON: The property is approximately 10 feet wide by
the length of the wall which is approximately 50 feet.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's a little strip.
MR. JOHNSON: Exactly.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You can't build anything on it?
MR. JOHNSON: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I understand why nobody wants it.
Okay. So I have no problem with the language that the county
attorney wrote, unless somebody else here does?
MS. CURLEY: I like box No. 1, too, what the county attorney
wrote.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CURLEY: The county attorney didn't write the sentence
above it.
MS. ELROD: Parties with possible interest with the names, can
we have the name removed and just leave it as parties of possible
interest?
MS. CURLEY: Or unknown.
MS. ELROD: Because that's their problem, that their names are
on it.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm totally in agreement with the Board
Attorney that it should be whatever he stated earlier. Eliminate
anybody's name in there and have unknown or whatever.
MR. SCHNECK: Yeah, that would be my recommendation to
remove parties of possible interest as listed here, remove them
August 29, 2019
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completely from the order, from the title, from any content, and have
it generic unknown parties as the named respondent.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. That seems by a nod,
everybody agree with that?
MS. ELROD: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can you incorporate that
language into this, and we can vote on it?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Ultimately, Jed is going to be the
one to write the agreement anyhow.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So what was that -- how would you go
about it?
MR. JOHNSON: Perhaps we can do it pursuant to his review
and acceptance with that language. We'll modify that top and keep
the order No. 1, as it's stated. You all seem comfortable with No. 1;
that's the actual order. And, you know, it's -- in a way I'm glad this is
happening now, because if we had done -- if we had notified no one,
no one would have known what was going on here, so these parties of
interest were involved in knowing what we were doing all the way
along.
I know -- I believe they appreciated that's what it would take, so,
you know, but right now pursuant to attorney review, I would say
accept the recommendation. You can probably do that.
MR. LETOURNEAU: As far as the parties of interest?
MR. JOHNSON: Yeah, at the top.
MR. ORTEGA: I have a question. Can we put the photo back
up?
MR. JOHNSON: Sure, which?
MR. ORTEGA: The one that shows the bordering properties,
that one. So assuming that where the seawall is failing up, okay, to
the north, you're saying there's a ten feet stretch there; right?
August 29, 2019
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MR. JOHNSON: Correct, it's actually --
MR. LETOURNEAU: There's actually two parcels there.
MR. JOHNSON: The seawall parcel is this rectangular parcel
right here (indicating).
MR. ORTEGA: Okay.
MR. JOHNSON: There's another parcel up here that's still --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Same situation.
MR. JOHNSON: -- the same situation.
MR. ORTEGA: So if the seawall fails, the property is going to
suffer. Obviously, you're going to have erosion, but these seawalls,
the way they're built, obviously, without seeing, but the way that
they're built they have what they call head walls, which you -- I don't
know if you called it before, the head walls are actually chunks of
concrete, a slab, and they're usually 15 foot into the property and
they're tied with a rebar to basically hold it.
What's happening, because, obviously it's conventional steel,
and it's going to rust because it's salt, but that head wall, if that parcel
is ten feet, and there's a sub-service investigation may prove that the
head walls are into that property, adjacent property, so at that point --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's for other people to determine.
MR. ORTEGA: Understand.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I'd like to know who owns
the property behind that strip.
MR. JOHNSON: No one, the same situation. This one right here
(indicating) no one. This is the same situation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: How about to the right? There's a narrow --
MR. JOHNSON: This here is owned by Julie Cassidy who owns
this property up here (indicating). Julie owns this.
MR. LETOURNEAU: At one point we thought she was going to
want to buy it, but she backed out, or she maybe wanted to quitclaim
August 29, 2019
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deed over to herself, or whatever she needed to do, but I think the
cost of the seawall might have been a determining factor.
MS. CURLEY: Can we move on?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, we're going to vote on the
suggestion that was made by Jed. He will put the language together,
remove the names.
MR. SCHNECK: Yes, and at this point you found the violation.
So all you would need is the abatement action, and that overhead, if
you put the overhead up again with the recommended action, I would
recommend to just adopt Paragraph No. 1 --
MS. PASSIDOMO: Uh-huh.
MR. SCHNECK: -- in your order, and put the findings of facts
with the violation into law and the order as it is.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Somebody want to make that
motion?
MR. ORTEGA: I'll make a motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ORTEGA: To accept the stipulation as stated.
MS. CURLEY: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
August 29, 2019
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(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. Thank you,
gentlemen.
MR. JOHNSON: Thank you.
MS. PASSIDOMO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't know why you don't want a
piece of property that you can't build anything on?
MS. CURLEY: Swamp land in Florida.
MS. ELROD: Hey, I live there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Next?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next item on the agenda under public
hearings, No. 8, CESD20180014960, Joshua Thompson.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Janice, you want to swear
everybody in?
THE COURT REPORTER: Sure. Raise your right hands.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You want to present your
case?
MR. CATHEY: Yes. Good morning. For the record, Investigator
Ryan Cathey, Collier County Code Enforcement. This is in reference
to No. CESD20180014960, dealing with a violation of the Collier
County Land Development Code 04-41 as amended, Section
10.02.06(b)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(b)(1)(e), renovations/alterations of a
mobile home, including, but not limited to, electric, plumbing, roof
and exterior work, located at 131 Lime Key Lane, Naples, Florida
34114, Folio 81623360007.
Service was personally served on December 7th, 2018. I would
now like to present case evidence in the following exhibits: 11
photographs taken by Contractor Licensing Investigator Joseph
Nourse dated October 31st, 2018, two images from Google Maps
dated November of 2007 and May of 2016, two photographs from the
August 29, 2019
Page 75
property appraiser, one from 2018, and one from 2019, four
photographs taken by myself from August 28th, 2019, and one e-mail
from the building official Jonathan Walsh.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Have you seen these?
MR. THOMPSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any objection to them?
(A court reporter interruption was had. The proceedings
continued as follows:)
MR. THOMPSON: Josh Thompson. I don't think we need to get
that far. We were here just a few months back, and everyone
determined that --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have to follow the process.
MR. THOMPSON: Okay. I don't mind if you guys want to see
them, that's fine with me.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We need a motion for the Board to
accept the photos.
MR. DOINO: Motion to accept.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. CATHEY: These first photos were the initial ones taken by
Contractor Licensing Investigator Joseph Nourse showing the work
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being done.
The next photos were my recent site visit yesterday showing the
property in the same condition, and just as a little reference point, this
is a Google street image from November of 2007, the front of t he
property, and 2016, and then from the property appraiser, this is the
aerial of 2018, which you can see the extent of the damage on the
exterior there, and then from 2019 there is some repair work there.
Lastly, just as a little bit of a clarification, I did receive -- I sent
an e-mail to Jonathan Walsh, the building official, just to clarify that
the state was in violation, and if the work needed permitting, and his
response was, yes, that a permit was required; the extent of the work
being above 50 percent and new FEMA regulations.
So, again, this case originated as contractor licensing.
Investigator Nourse arrived on the property on October 31st of 2018
and observed the renovations/alterations as seen in the photographs.
Investigator Nourse then met with Senior Planning Examiner Robert
Moore, who confirmed that the work being done would need
permitting and engineering. The case was then transferred to me on
September 25th, 2018. I met with the owner and personally served
the notice of violation on December 7th, 2018.
The case was originally scheduled for hearing in February and
withdrawn. I've spoken with the owner and advised him to meet with
Renald Paul or to set up a meeting with the building official for
further clarification on why the permit was ne eded. As of today, no
permit has been applied for and the violation remains.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. THOMPSON: How you doing?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: How you doing?
MR. THOMPSON: I met with Renald several times and the last time
we were here, I think Mr. Jeff is the one that told everybody that
Ryan needs to get his superior and Jeff and Renald and Mr. Walsh in
August 29, 2019
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the same room and everybody on the same page, because I'm not,
personally, in violation because it's under DMV's rule. As long as it's
attached to your four walls, it's DVM's regulations. Carport, I know
we need a permit for, air-conditioning, plumbing, shed, I know that.
We're not to that point yet. I have no problem or issue with that. I told
Renald I have no issue with pulling a permit, if he wants one, that's
perfectly fine with me. I don't care.
I've done a lot of mobile homes in my life, and he insists that I
have to have an engineer. There's not an engineer in the world who's
going to touch a mobile home. It's just not going to happen. It could
blow away this weekend. So it's just one of those things where it's not
going to happen.
Ryan put that burden on me to make the meeting and I told him
I'm not doing it. I'm not in violation that I feel. He was told to make
the meeting last time and it never happened, so that's where we stand.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Unfortunately for you, it's not
you to determine the -- whether a violation exists.
MR. THOMPSON: I agree, that's why we were here last time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's the county and the Board.
MR. THOMPSON: That's why we were here last time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can I ask Jeff, you had no meeting?
MR. CATHEY: No, sir.
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, I did not. No.
MR. CATHEY: I have spoken with the Respondent on several
occasions and provided him with Renald Paul's contact information,
as well as the main number for the building department and suggest
he contact them. I would be happy to attend, but it's the owner who is
responsible for the property so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Did -- did Walsh have any
comments on whether this is a mobile home, if you'll --
MR. CATHEY: I met with Jonathan Walsh earlier in the case,
August 29, 2019
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showed him all the pictures. He reviews them with contractor's
licensing before they come to us anyway, and he confirmed there was
a violation. I got that e-mail yesterday, just because I wanted to have
something in writing to present to you. He confirmed based on the
condition of the home there is a permit and engineering required so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Jeff?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Have you been in touch with Renald?
MR. THOMPSON: Yes, sir.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And what has he said to you?
MR. THOMPSON: Hire an engineer.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay.
MR. THOMPSON: I called an engineer and he said, "What do
they want engineered? There's nothing to engineer. You're changing
drywall. You are changing kitchen cabinets. You're putting a roof on
a mobile home. What needs to be engineered?"
MR. LETOURNEAU: So what do you want from the county at
this time?
MR. THOMPSON: You guys tell me. You guys are the ones -- I
have been down there, talked to Renald. He will not give me a
solution. I've talked to Ryan. He has been very nice, but he can't give
me a solution because it's not his job.
Last time we were here in front of you guys, everything at the
end was he was supposed to set a meeting up and I was supposed to
be invited to the meeting so we can all get on the same page.
If a permit needs to pulled, I'll put a permit. I don't care. I'm not
going to hire an engineer for something that's not even under the
county. It is under DMV's regulations. The only regulation under
Collier County is if you are over 50 percent of the value of the home,
which I'm not, not even close yet. Then you have to get an engineer
to give you a flood certificate and then you have to raise the home up
out of the floodplain; that's what it states for a mobile home.
August 29, 2019
Page 79
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm not a person in the building
department, but I also believe that if there was more than 50 percent
damage of a particular structure, and you go to rebuild it, even if it's a
mobile home at this point, you need to pull a Collier County building
permit, and it will mostly likely have to come up. I believe Mr. Walsh
is basing this all on FEMA regulations, as it says in that e-mail.
MR. THOMPSON: It states 50 percent of the value, is what it's
-- is what I was -- read and been told, and it's been under DMV's
regulations since 1979.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I mean, I don't know what you want
Code to tell you, because we have to abide by the building official's
determination, and he's determined you need a permit and Renald
said that you need to get engineering drawings done. I can't
recommend an engineer legally to you, so I don't know, you know --
MR. THOMPSON: There's none in Collier County or Lee
County that will touch it. I've called everyone.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Jackie Smith out in Immokalee?
MR. THOMPSON: He said -- the one that's in Immokalee, I
don't know if it's Jackie Smith or not, he said, "I will come down and
do a foundation certificate for you, but I cannot engineer you
changing drywall, changing cabinets, doing tile work, any work,"
because there is no permit needed for mobile homes as long as it's
attached to your four walls, and that's what it states.
MR. ORTEGA: I have a question.
MR. CATHEY: Yes.
MR. ORTEGA: And I heard the word "carport."
MR. CATHEY: Yes.
MR. ORTEGA: And the carport, you have the mobile home as
-- I believe it's a mobile home, not a modular home?
MR. THOMPSON: Yes, sir.
MR. ORTEGA: It's on wheels; right?
August 29, 2019
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MR. THOMPSON: Yes, it's still on the foundation of the
wheels, that's why it's considered a mobile home.
MR. ORTEGA: So there is a carport?
MR. CATHEY: I believe there was.
MR. THOMPSON: At one time.
MR. ORTEGA: So the work that you're -- you speak about is
just isolated to the interior?
MR. THOMPSON: Yes, sir.
MR. ORTEGA: Well, the reason why Mr. Walsh is
recommending a permit or engineer, both by the way, is because
you're in a flood zone.
MR. THOMPSON: Yes, sir.
MR. ORTEGA: Otherwise, you're partially right. Mobile homes
fall under the auspices of DOT --
MR. THOMPSON: Yes, sir.
MR. ORTEGA: -- Department of Transportation, but in a flood
zone it's different. Okay? If the chief building official rendered that
position already, that's the one that needs to be followed. It may not
be favorable to you, but that's the way things are done. Now, the
engineer, what the county is looking for, it's not so much somebody
to engineer drywall, but to inspect and to write his rendition of his
inspection that it meets Florida Building Code. With regards to no
engineer will touch it, I can give you plenty of them. Okay? So
they're not going to engineer a mobile home, no.
MR. THOMPSON: That's my question.
MR. ORTEGA: It's just basically to inspect the work.
MR. THOMPSON: Okay. Because Renald could not give me
that answer. Renald said, "I have no clue. You have to talk to an
engineer." The engineer says, "What do they want engineered?" So I
was in the middle of that, going back and forth.
MR. ORTEGA: Understood but --
August 29, 2019
Page 81
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead, finish.
MR. ORTEGA: -- there's a process. There is going to be a
building permit. The building permit's going to require some type of
design, it can be simple, but at least showing what you're doing.
Okay? I would definitely follow Mr. Walsh's guidance.
MR. THOMPSON: Okay.
MR. ORTEGA: And you can stop all this. Okay?
MR. THOMPSON: When they say -- you say engineer for
inspecting, what needs to be inspected right now, as far as drywall,
electrical?
MR. ORTEGA: Work, period.
MR. THOMPSON: All right. Now, you say that under period,
but you have to tell me what.
MR. ORTEGA: I don't know what you're doing anyway.
MR. THOMPSON: I'm changing everything in the house.
MR. ORTEGA: Then there you go.
MR. THOMPSON: Flooring, drywall, everything.
MR. ORTEGA: There you go.
MR. THOMPSON: But county law under DMV -- DMV's law,
the county has no rights for a mobile home, to tell you what you can
do inside of it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, according to Walsh that's
incorrect. Our job right now is to find out, whether based on what
Walsh has said, whether a violation exists or not, a nd then we go
from there so...
MS. CURLEY: Do you think we could pull this case and you all
could get a little more organized?
MR. THOMPSON: I agree.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We pulled it last time.
MR. CATHEY: We pulled it in February. I've spoken with the
owner and suggested who he needs to contact at the building
August 29, 2019
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department, because I don't work in that section, and nothing's
happened since it was pulled back in February.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: There's no need to pull anything.
Does a violation exist or not, is the question?
MR. SCHNECK: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. SCHNECK: I'd like to provide the Board some clarification
and guidance. The issue with mobile homes is the building
construction standards and alteration standards, they are preempted
by federal and state law.
However, there is a permitting process that local governments
may implement to make sure that those modifications, those
installations, are done in accordance with the federal and state
standards.
So I think that's the issue here. It's not whether, you know, the
structural integrity, I believe the county's land development code
changes that, it's just having the opportunity to inspect and approve
whatever modifications he does to the mobile home, so that's the
difference there, if you understand.
MR. CHAIRMAN: Okay. Which brings us back to does a
violation exist or not? If a violation does not exist, you're not going to
have to worry about bringing it back. It's done.
MS. CURLEY: Well, I've tried that before.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I make a motion that a violation does, in fact,
exist.
MR. ORTEGA: I second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second?
Any discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
August 29, 2019
Page 83
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. CURLEY: I oppose.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. One opposed. Okay. Do you
have a suggestion for us?
MR. CATHEY: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. CATHEY: Recommendation is that the Code Enforcement
Board orders the Respondent to pay all operational costs in the
amount of $59.56 incurred in the prosecution of the case within 30
days, and abate all violations by: No. 1, obtaining all required Collier
County building permits or demolition permit, inspection and
certificate of completion/occupancy within blank days of this
hearing, or a fine of blank amount per day will be imposed until the
violation is abated.
And, 2, the Respondent must notify the code enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a
final inspection to confirm abatement. If the Respondent fails to abate
the violation, the county may abate the violation using any method to
bring the violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the
Collier County Sheriff's Office to enforce the provisions of this order,
and all costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to take a shot
at filling in the blanks?
MS. CURLEY: I'll fill it in.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
August 29, 2019
Page 84
MS. CURLEY: Six months, $50 a day.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do we have a second?
MR. DOINO: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: And operational costs?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: $59.56 within 30 days. Okay.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I think $50 is --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- too low?
MR. LEFEBVRE: -- too low.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I do, too. This thing has been sitting
since February. Nothing has been done since February, and I can't
support that motion for $50 and six months more.
MS. CURLEY: I don't want to amend it. Do we want to take a
vote and see if --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah, let's take a vote. All those in
favor?
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed? Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Ay e.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's it.
MS. CURLEY: It's four and three.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me see hands. Who is in favor?
MS. CURLEY: (Raised hand.)
MS. BOWMAN: (Raised hand.)
MS. ELROD: (Raised hand.)
MR. DOINO: (Raised hand.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you. Opposed?
August 29, 2019
Page 85
MR. ORTEGA: (Raised hand.)
MR. LEFEBVRE: (Raised hand.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (Raised hand.) Okay. Four to three,
it passes. So the outcome is 180 days you have to resolve the
situation.
MR. THOMPSON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And it's $50 a day after that.
MR. THOMPSON: And do I have to get an engineer, or do I
just go down and pull permits like I do on every other one I fix?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you check with the code
enforcement officer and he'll point you in the right dire ction.
MR. THOMPSON: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay?
MR. THOMPSON: Sounds good.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MR. THOMPSON: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Helen?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What are we up to?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case is No. 10, CESD20190001769,
SA Equity Group, LLC.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you want to swear everybody in,
Janice?
THE COURT REPORTER: Sure.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, Tony?
MR. ASARO: Before I start --
(A court reporter interruption was had. The proceedings
continued as follows:)
MR. ASARO: Tony Asaro, Collier County Code Enforcement
Department, Walid Oqab (phonetic), the manager of the market
August 29, 2019
Page 86
would like to say a few words.
MR. OQAB: I do?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Surprise.
MR. ASARO: About the permitting process, your engineer.
MR. OQAB: Okay. So my name is Walid Oqab, I'm the
manager of the market. I mean, I'm sure you guys come there before.
We bought that market and it had some issues with it, and we're
working with the county on fixing all the violations that we have
there.
The problem we have there is two structures that were built
without a permit. We hired an engineer, City Engineering Company,
to do the permitting. I know he filed some drawings with the -- with
the Collier County permits, but I don't know what's wrong with them.
I'm here today to tell you guys that we're doing our best to fix
this issue, and we already have someone working on it, and we would
like to have a continuance. We need more time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any comments from the
Board?
MR. ORTEGA: Has the permit been applied for?
MR. ASARO: No permits have been applied for yet.
MR. OQAB: He did submit -- he did go to the Immokalee
office, and there was drawings of the structure, and for some reason
they said something was missing. I cannot speak for the engineer.
I mean, maybe he can come here and speak on this issue because
he would know better. I know he did go there, but they rejected the
drawings. I'm not sure why.
MR. ORTEGA: Okay. You're not -- drawings are not to be
rejected unless they're submitted. What he may have done is gone for
an opinion.
MR. ASARO: Nothing has been submitted yet. I talked to him.
He's still working on it. He's still working on the drawings so...
August 29, 2019
Page 87
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is there any thought on when this
thing could be -- come into compliance?
MR. ASARO: I talked to -- well, I talked to AJ, and he's hoping
he can get this ready in a couple weeks to submit to the county, and
then it's up to the -- once he gets that completed, then I guess it's up
to the building department to review it, and it's up to them to -- when
they're going to issue the permit.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is the county interested in
withdrawing this for now and bringing it back?
MR. ASARO: Well, I'd like to defer that to my investigative
manager, Jeff Letourneau.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Pass the buck, is that what this is?
MS. CURLEY: Nice one.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Where are we at on the permitting
process exactly?
MR. OQAB: I have four cases that I'm dealing with. Two of
them have been dropped. I'm doing my best to get this up to
compliance. He said he spoke with AJ from City, and to be honest
with you, I'm not sure, but I know it's been a few months he has been
working on it. He has been out of the country.
This should be taken care of. I promise. Whatever we have
there, we will fix it. We just need some time, that's the only help we
need.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You want to swear Chris in for me,
Janice?
(The speaker was duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
MR. AMBACH: For the record, Chris Ambach, supervisor,
Code Enforcement in Immokalee. I've met with Walid. He's really
trying to take care of the issues on that property. He has been in
constant contact with me. I did meet with him and his engineer the
August 29, 2019
Page 88
other day. So I don't have any reason why we wouldn't pull it and
give him some time. There are a lot of issues he's working on.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We'll withdraw it, but I just want to say
that if nothing is moved forward by the next hearing, it's going to be
right back in here, because we're looking at February. I don't really
see too much done since this case was opened.
MS. CURLEY: When does the market open back up?
MR. OQAB: We're open right now, but the two structures we're
talking about, they're vacant. They're not being used right now and
they will remain that way until November.
MS. CURLEY: All right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ASARO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's been withdrawn.
MR. OQAB: Thank you, Your Honor. Thanks.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is that me? I got promoted to Your
Honor. Wow. If they only knew. Helen, next?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next on the agenda under motion for
imposition of fines, No. 3, CESD20170007136, Sandra C. Fulton.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: For some reason in the past you've
given us an extra sheet on the ones that -- for the motion of
impositions. They seem to be lacking at this meeting. Did you run out
of paper or...
MS. BUCHILLON: No. I was just told to give you the agenda.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Who told you that?
MS. BUCHILLON: A supervisor.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It makes it much more difficult for
us.
MS. CURLEY: Do we have a copy of it, or is it here? Is it in the
case file?
MS. BUCHILLON: No.
August 29, 2019
Page 89
MS. CURLEY: We don't have anything to look at? We have to
have that.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yeah, kind of hard to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No. 3?
MR. DOINO: Three.
MS. CURLEY: That doesn't help us.
MS. BUCHILLON: Okay. I gotcha.
MR. LETOURNEAU: You don't have a copy?
MS. BUCHILLON: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Excuse us for our little internal spat.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Sorry.
MS. CURLEY: We have to have it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I agree with you, Sue. I think those
pages need to be included in our package from month to month. So I
would be glad to meet with whoever told you not to provide it.
MS. BUCHILLON: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's not even on the viewgraphs here.
MS. CURLEY: Make a motion to deny the county funds then.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Go ahead, Dee.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Before we go on, Jeff, do you
understand what I'm saying?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I do. I think that we're -- the department
is looking at certain things, paperwork wise and everything, and I'm
not sure why the executive summary is not there, but I'll look into it.
We are making some changes here. I'm sorry.
MR. LEFEBVRE: You might want to explain what we're talking
about.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Ordinarily they provide us with at
least a page that says this is what happened on this case.
MS. FULTON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: These were the fines that were
August 29, 2019
Page 90
imposed.
MS. FULTON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And they total them all up, and
that's generally read into the record before we determine whether
we're going to accept the county's imposition to impose the fine or
not.
MS. FULTON: That's very important to have that.
MS. CURLEY: Do you have something we can put up?
MS. FULTON: I do not have anything that has the total.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Can we put it up?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have them?
MS. BUCHILLON: We don't have that one to put up because
it's going to be amended, that's why we don't have a copy.
MR. LETOURNEAU: What's going to happen is the county is
going to read this into record, and from now on, I'll assure you that
we'll have at least one up here to look at.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Appreciate that.
MS. CURLEY: What if the Respondent wants to know?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They're going to read it.
MS. PULSE: Can we get sworn?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Janice?
(The speaker was duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
MS. PULSE: Okay. For the record, Dee Pulse, Collier County
Code Enforcement Investigator. This is in reference to Case No.
CESD20170007136, past orders on October 27th, 2017, the Code
Enforcement Board issued a findings of fact, conclusion of law and
order.
The Respondent was found in violation of referenced ordinances
and ordered to correct the violation. See attached order of the Board
OR5446, Page 3531 for more information.
August 29, 2019
Page 91
On July 26th, 2018, the Respondent's motion for continuance of
this case is granted. See attached order of the Board, OR5540, Page
2956 for more information. The violation has been abated as of June
24th, 2019. Fines have accrued at the rate of $150 per day for the
period from July 24th, 2018 to June 24th, 2019. That's 336 days, for a
total fine amount of $50,400.
Previously assessed operational costs of $64.45 has been paid.
Operational costs for today's hearing $59.70, total amount $50,400.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can you go over the dates again?
This was originally July 26th, 2017, was a continuance?
MR. LEFEBVRE: No, when the case was heard.
MS. PULSE: Previous compliance date was July --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: October 17th (sic), that was when
the, I guess, the case was heard at first?
MS. PULSE: Yes, October 27th, 2017 you first issued your
conclusion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And then on July 26th --
MS. PULSE: On July 26th there was a request for more time,
continuance.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So the fines are from June
24th?
MS. PULSE: From July 24th.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Okay. Okay.
MS. PULSE: 336 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I got it. Okay.
MS. FULTON: The work has been completed. Chairman and
the Board you all have been more than generous and fair in giving me
the extra time that I did request. I'm asking today to have those fines
waived.
Before I got ready to get started on my project, there was an
issue with the unit in which it cost me an additional $10,000 that was
August 29, 2019
Page 92
going to be added to the cost to finish the project. At that time I felt
that I didn't want to get started on something I could not finish.
But at this time I'm asking to you, please, consider waiving
those imposed fines, or whatever you find is necessary for me to pay
to rectify the situation.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to make a
motion on the board, or any questions?
MS. CURLEY: I'll make to motion to deny the county's fine of
$50,400 including the $59.75.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. Any comments on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MS. FULTON: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you. Next?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next item on the agenda under imposition
of fines, No. 4, CELU20180005848, Jeffery Kaulbars and Brenna
Nipper.
MS. NIPPER: Morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, Janice, do you want to swear
August 29, 2019
Page 93
everybody in?
THE COURT REPORTER: Raise your right hand.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't you read the good
news for us.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Good morning, sir. For the record,
Steven Lopez-Silvero, Collier County Code Enforcement. The
violation is Collier County Land Development Code 04-41 as
amended, Section 1.04.01(a), in Collier County Code of Laws and
Ordinances Chapter 54, Article VI, Section 126-111(b).
The location of -- currently there is no site address in Naples,
Florida. The folio is 00307920003. The description of the violation is
operating a business without first obtaining a Collier County business
tax receipt, brought on to or placed on property without first
obtaining Collier County Government approval for such use, are the
following, but not limited to, industrial storage containers,
commercial operating equipment, vehicles and commercial vehicles,
vegetative/tree debris and mulchy/woody material brought from an
outside location, et cetera.
The past order on June 28th, 2018, the Code Enforcement Board
issued a finding of facts, conclusion of law and order. The
Respondent was found in violation of the referenced -- correction. T
The Respondent was found in violation of the referenced
ordinances and ordered to correct the violation. See the attached
order of the Board OR5531, Page 3081 for more information. The
violation has not been abated as of August 29, 2019. Fines have
accrued at a rate of $150 per day for the period from October 27th,
2018 to August 29th, 2019, 307 days, for total fine amount of
$46,050. Fines continue to accrue.
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.63 have been paid
August 29, 2019
Page 94
and are a pending transaction as of this morning. Operational costs
for today's hearing is $59.35, for a total amount of $46,168.98.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The line that we always look
at first on these cases is the one that's right in the middle, has not
been abated so...
MS. NIPPER: Okay. So just to clarify, abated --
(A court reporter interruption was had. The deposition continued
as follows:)
MS. NIPPER: Oh, I'm sorry. My name is Brenna Nipper. I'm the
property owner. So when you're saying abated, are you referring to
the property being back in compliance?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MS. NIPPER: As of today the property is in compliance, so at
this point we have removed everything from the property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Steven?
MR. PEREZ-SILVERO: I haven't verified or conducted a final
inspection as of yet, because the restoration or the cleaning up of the
property happened yesterday evening or some time yesterday. I will
go out and note the final inspection today.
MS. CURLEY: Did you bring any pictures?
MS. NIPPER: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can you give them to, I guess
Helen, to put on the viewgraph?
MS. NIPPER: Yes. They're on my phone, so I don't have the
actual printouts.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If you give us the pictures, we have
to keep them also, so at least we made a phone on the deal.
MS. NIPPER: Okay.
MS. BOWMAN: Can she send them to you?
MS. ELROD: Can she e-mail them to you?
MS. CURLEY: Did you call the inspector, let him know that
August 29, 2019
Page 95
you had taken care of this by last evening, or was it after -hours?
MS. NIPPER: It was after-hours by the time it was fully
completed. We were working on it all week.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you just show the
pictures to Steven, and we'll take his word for it.
MS. NIPPER: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: He has been sworn in. We have to
take his word for it.
MS. NIPPER: All right. This is what we have. This is where our
containers were and everything has been removed with the exception
of that dumpster right there (indicating).
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Everything has been removed, for the
exception of a dumpster because they're clearing the remaining items,
any debris on the property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So this has been abated?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Yes, and the dumpster will be removed
sometime today, Ms. Nipper?
MS. NIPPER: Today. Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: And returned to its native permitted
state.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RAMSEY: My name is Michael Ramsey. I was hired by
the property owner to assist in this matter. To give you a little history
so you understand what's going on on this property, after Code
Enforcement recognized there was a problem here, the property
owner hired me to help her understand the issue and what to do to
take care of it.
So in the process of doing that to abate the property, we initially
started out to get an SDP and clear all the litter off the property, as
was listed on this document.
August 29, 2019
Page 96
In the process we started in to hiring out -- we had got an
agreement for four months, I believe, to do the SDP and clear the
litter. In my process of trying to get the professionals to do the SDP,
they were so busy and so booked up with other business and
construction in Collier County, we came back in in March, I believe,
and got an extension so I could finish the process.
We did finish the process for an SDP, and we were waiting to
get confirmation from growth management that the application was
complete to proceed forward with review. We got all that done. In the
process an opportunity arose for the landowner, somebody wanted to
buy the property, which started last month?
MS. NIPPER: Uh-huh.
MR. RAMSEY: So the strategy changed. So to do that, the
property, the new property owner wanted the property absolutely
clean. So in the process the owner switched over, and that's the
process we're at now, and they are in the process of closing.
So what the property owner would like to do at this point is that
she would like to request a waiver of the fees. They've already paid
the operational costs up to date, and we would request that if the
Code Enforcement Officer, Steven, could confirm the quality of the
condition of the property, that we would like to see if we could move
this process along to facilitate a closing on the property as of next
week.
MS. NIPPER: That's right, the 6th.
MR. RAMSEY: So we're looking for some help here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody like to make a
motion here?
MR. ORTEGA: Was there a vegetation restoration here on this
one?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: No, sir.
MR. LEFEBVRE: I don't see abating the fine until there's an
August 29, 2019
Page 97
inspection done to confirm that it's in compliance, that's -- that's the
issue I have, and we have a meeting in a month from now.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Steve said that he looked at the
pictures and it had been cleared so...
MR. LEFEBVRE: Okay. There might be something else she
hasn't taken a picture of.
MS. CURLEY: Steve, Gerald has an issue that you haven't
inspected the property.
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: And that's what the Respondent was
trying to offer, based on maybe there could be some stipulation or
another continuance, based on my final inspection today.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Right. The problem is they're closing next
week, so they probably want to have this fine --
MR. PEREZ-SILVERO: That's the predicament.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can we make a motion contingent
upon the final inspection to resolve this? I hate to ask you all these
hard questions today.
MR. SCHNECK: I would not recommend taking that action.
The problem you have there is your order, your action, isn't a ctually
final. It's subject to further action. So, to me, you would be better
inclined to continue it to the next month's hearing, because
effectively that's what may happen anyway if --
MR. LETOURNEAU: There's no way to give your blessing
with the stipulation saying that this is contingent on them having this
abated within -- how long did you say you were going to have this
taken care of?
MS. NIPPER: Until it's fully abated?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yeah.
MS. NIPPER: The end of the day today.
MR. RAMSEY: According to my understanding abatement
would be to clear up all the issues listed on the document. The only
August 29, 2019
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thing out there which I might have had a question about is the
presence of the dumpster on the property is not considered -- would
not be considered illegal, I don't believe.
MR. LETOURNEAU: It's an unimproved lot?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Yes.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Probably unpermitted storage of a
dumpster on an unimproved property.
MS. CURLEY: We can make a motion whether it's to abate or
to impose some fines, and then you can get out there and inspect it,
and in the next seven days, if we have a repeat offender, that's
another case.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Let me think about this.
MS. CURLEY: I mean, if you want to close this out.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I've known Mr. Ramsey for a long time. I
believe he's going to get this taken care of. The county has no
objection, but you still have your lawyer's opinion on this, you're
contingent on something that's going to happen in the future, and, you
know --
MR. SCHNECK: Well, that would be the more appropriate
route to take, because your order today is final as to this enforcement
action and if you --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Doesn't it become final when I sign
it?
MR. SCHNECK: Well, no, your Board is actually effective
today. This is under Florida statutes. Your oral order is effective
today, but the written order goes out, and that's -- that ties the appeal
process, and the additional legal process that you must go through if
they decide to appeal.
MR. LETOURNEAU: You know, this is -- a little analogy here,
the special magistrate has, you know, waived the fines or whatever
with the contingency of them paying the operational costs that day.
August 29, 2019
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This is kind of similar, but, you know --
MS. CURLEY: I make a motion to abate the county's request for
$46,050, and also the $59.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can we tie in the same language that
we used to use for --
MR. LETOURNEAU: For the operational costs, that the
remaining dumpster is removed by the end of the day?
MS. NIPPER: That's right.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I mean, the county has no problem with
that, it's just that I think Jed has some qualms about it.
MR. SCHNECK: That's my recommendation. The Board, you
can take what action you want. I have no problem putting that
condition on there with paying the costs by the end of the day, but I'm
a little uncomfortable with the actual abatement action because you're
--
MR. LETOURNEAU: Understood.
MS. CURLEY: What about if we left some money on the table?
MR. SCHNECK: That's my final recommendation.
MS. ELROD: Let me ask the inspector, are you convinced that
it's done?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: Yes, ma'am, based on the Respondent's
pictures.
MS. ELROD: It's done. The dumpster company wants their
dumpster.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And I will say if there is, you know,
tomorrow or next Tuesday we come back to work and there's
something still on there, we're going to open another case up, and it's
going to be a repeat offense, and we're going to ask for a civil penalty
at that point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: How far away is the property?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: From here a good 30, 40 minute drive.
August 29, 2019
Page 100
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you could --
MS. CURLEY: No. Stop.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Whoa. Whoa. I'm chairman. You
could drive out there and make a telephone call out there and say it is
or it isn't?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: I can.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I just throw that out there.
Now, we have a motion. Do we have a second to abate it?
MS. BOWMAN: Second.
MR. ORTEGA: Even if it's abated, when do you close again?
I'm sorry.
MS. NIPPER: The 6th.
MR. ORTEGA: Next week. The bank mortgage company is
going to want to see some type of paperwork that says this is closed
out; correct?
MS. NIPPER: That's correct.
MS. CURLEY: She needs a copy of the signed order.
MR. ORTEGA: Will she be able to get that today, tomorrow?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: She can get it as soon as it's put
together and given to me.
MR. ORTEGA: And that's within how long?
MR. SCHNECK: Within ten days of today.
MR. ORTEGA: So even if it was voted right now for the
abatement -- or the fine abated, there is still no guarantee you're
going to get the paperwork you need to close.
MR. SCHNECK: When is the closing date again?
MS. NIPPER: It is the 6th.
MR. SCHNECK: I can make that order a priority, if the Board
deems necessary.
MS. CURLEY: Let's do that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
August 29, 2019
Page 101
MR. LETOURNEAU: The county is comfortable with this.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CURLEY: Monday's a holiday.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let's vote on your motion, Sue. All
those in favor say aye.
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Opposed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: One opposed. Okay. It passes. So
the fines have been abated. Jed is going to go out of his way to get
this thing written immediately. I'll go out of my way to sign it,
wherever I am, and whenever it is.
MS. CURLEY: You'll need a certified copy to take with you for
your real estate closing. Make sure you come here.
MS. NIPPER: Okay. I appreciate that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Are we done?
MR. LOPEZ-SILVERO: I believe so.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Have a good day. Keep your
head down and --
MR. RAMSEY: One comment. I've been before this Board
many times before and work for Code Enforcement and I do thank
you for responding to a Respondent trying to do it the right way. It's
much appreciated. I think it also helps in the future. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
MS. NIPPER: Thank you very much.
MS. CURLEY: Good luck.
August 29, 2019
Page 102
MS. NIPPER: Thank you.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next item on the agenda is No. 5,
CED20160002295, Destiny Church Naples, Inc.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Janice, swear everybody in.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Helen, do you have that sheet on
this?
MS. PEREZ: Board members, before we present the imposition
of fines, there was a letter that was submitted to Code Enforcement
regarding this property from the Respondent's representative.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is that in our package?
MS. PEREZ: It was a letter submitted to us Friday afternoon, so
you do not have it in your packet, but the author of this letter is also
present here, if you would like him to summarize the letter.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Why don't you read the letter into
the record. Okay. And this letter was received on Friday?
MS. PEREZ: On Friday. Dear Board Members, in 2014 Destiny
Church Naples purchased the property at 6455 Hidden Oaks Lane. At
the time of the purchase, all of the structures, storage trailers, sheds,
fenced-in areas that were subsequently found in violation of zoning
were on the property.
We were unaware that these structures were not permitted, nor
in violation until the complaint was filed and the zoning inspector
notified us. When we received the notification, we were in the
process of applying for a permit to expand our facilities. Since we
needed the site plans for these structures permitted, and we were
doing the site plan for our expansion, we asked if we could include
these structure on that site plan.
Our motivation was to save money since we are not a profit
organizations and we want the best steward of funds possible. In
August 29, 2019
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order to combine the non-compliant structures into the site plan being
developed, we required an extension of the remediation date from the
zoning committee.
Our expansion request and site plan have been under review and
revision with the county for approximately 18 months. We have
requested extensions and the process had been continued. We did not
anticipate the process would go that long.
After months of negotiation we realized that our expansion
request would not be approved and we would have to go forward
with a different plan. As a result Destiny Church has purchased
property in a different location for our future expansion.
Along with this we're doing a modest remodel of our current
facility to gain more space for children. Since these conditions have
changed, we are working to resolve all our outstanding issues. We
have removed three structures, the shipping containers used for
storage. We are left with one shed on the premise that we want to
keep.
In our last meeting with the county, we were informed that we
would need to have a site plan to get the existing shed permitted. We
are working on the site plan now for our remodel and are close to
completion. Again, for the purpose of controlling expansion, we
would like to include a shed on this site plan.
Second page. We anticipate submitting this site plan for review
along with the permit for the shed within the next three weeks. Please
see the attached letter from TDM Consulting affirming that they have
been contracted and are actively working on the SDPA -- which is the
site development plan amended application.
Destiny Church requests an extension until November 30th,
2019 to completely resolve these issues. We justify the time as
follows: Three weeks for application submittal, putting it at
September 13th, 2019; 21 days for a Collier County review, putting
August 29, 2019
Page 104
that at October 4th, 2019, revision submittals and the permit
November 1st, 2019, inspections and approval November 30th, 2019.
We thank the Code Enforcement Board for their patience and
continued cooperation in this matter, respectively submitted, Gene
Wahlberg.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WAHLBERG: And for the record I am Gene Wahlberg.
I'm a trustee on the board of Destiny Church. Our senior pastor who
would be here is actually in the Arctic right at the moment doing a
crusade.
Yeah, this has taken a long time. It's never been our intent to not
comply or delay compliance. It's just that when we bought the
property, we had a conditional use that we thought gave the right to
expand to 25,000 square feet.
So as we got this, we had a contract with Phoenix Associates.
They did put all of these buildings on that site plan for review. Those
buildings were never part of the dispute, just our expansion in general
was part of the dispute. It went on and on, and we never got it
approved.
So once we knew we weren't going to get it approved, and we
were going to move, we got rid of all the storage containers, that sort
of thing. We have one shed left on the property, which eventually we
want to sell the property, and that is a storage unit for mowers and
just yard work kinds of things, so we want to keep that there.
I have -- I'm anticipating -- I have a commitment from the
engineer, civil engineer, that that would be submitted, last week he
said, within three weeks.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let me -- can I assume,
without putting the sheet up, that this is not in compliance?
MS. PEREZ: Correct.
MR. WAHLBERG: It is not.
August 29, 2019
Page 105
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If it is not in compliance, the Board
can do one of two things: Grant the continuance on this, or they can
impose the fine, that's it. So that is the discussion that I think we
should be having.
MS. CURLEY: If we continue, the fines keep growing and then
--
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah, operational costs have to be
paid for today. What am I missing? Nothing.
MS. PEREZ: Putting it to the November 30th deadline that
they're requesting is approximately 90 days, and not having a hearing
in December, I'm not sure if you want to extend that a little further,
but their anticipated timeframe on their schedule would be 90 days to
get their site plan approved, and their site development plan
amendment application. The first thing they would accomplish on
that, would be this particular shed that's on the property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody like to make a
motion as to whether you want to grant a continuance, or do you want
to impose the fine?
MR. DOINO: Grant the continuance 90 days.
MS. BOWMAN: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I have a motion and a second to
grant the continuance until the November meeting.
MR. LEFEBVRE: All operational costs have been paid?
MS. PEREZ: The operational costs have been paid.
MR. WAHLBERG: When is the November meeting?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Helen, do you have the date?
MS. BUCHILLON: I don't have it here right now.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Probably going to be because of
Thanksgiving, the last date is just before Thanksgiving.
MS. CURLEY: Wait.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think it's the week before also.
August 29, 2019
Page 106
MS. PEREZ: November 22nd.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: November 22nd. Okay. We have a
motion and a second. Any discussion on the motion?
MS. CURLEY: Just to discuss -- are you sure we don't want to
extend it to the January meeting? Just saying. Didn't he say their
deadline was November 30th?
MS. PEREZ: Yes, their anticipated deadline would be
November 30th.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We have no problem with January.
MS. CURLEY: Just shorted them ten days with Thanksgiving.
MR. DOINO: That's fine, January. Did you vote?
MR. WAHLBERG: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We didn't vote on it yet. So we have
that January date?
MS. BUCHILLON: I don't have that one.
MR. WAHLBERG: Any time in January.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The 23rd of January, whatever it is.
Okay. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. WAHLBERG: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next item on the agenda under imposition
August 29, 2019
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of fines, No. 7, CESD20180015758, Delores Del Carmen Morales De
Lopez. This is the contractor that has a letter authorized from the
homeowner.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Herminio is hiding out. He'll be
back in a second. We'll take a 60-second break. Is everybody sworn?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Off the record.
(A discussion was held off the record and the proceedings
continued as follows:)
MR. LETOURNEAU: Here we go. Go back online.
MS. PEREZ: Good morning. For the record this is in reference
to Case No. CEB -- CESD20180015758. Past orders on May 23rd,
2019 the Code Enforcement Board issued findings of fact,
conclusions of law and order.
The Respondent was found in violation of the referenced
ordinances and ordered to correct the violation. See the attached
order of the Board OR5639, Page 2163 for more information. The
violation has been abated as of July 10th, 2019.
Fines have accrued at the rate of $250 per day for the p eriod
from June 7th, 2019 to July 10th, 2019, 33 days, for a total fine
amount of $8,250.
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.56 have been paid.
Operational costs for today's hearing of $59.28, total amount of
$8,309.28.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Sir?
MR. SILVA: My name is Ramon Silva. I'm a builder. I'm a
friend to the owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And?
MR. SILVA: Yes, we are here to explain why we delayed to
build -- to get the permit. As you know to get the permit, we need to
August 29, 2019
Page 108
submit the survey. We need to get the blueprints from the architect,
and we need to follow all the process from the Collier County.
Now we finish everything. My question here is if you can,
please, remove the fees from it?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to make a
motion that it is now in compliance?
MS. ELROD: I'll make a motion to deny the county $8,250.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do we have a second?
MS. CURLEY: Do we just also want to amend the no payment
of $59.29 for operational costs?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MS. ELROD: I'll amend it.
MS. CURLEY: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. Okay.
MR. SILVA: All right. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Next?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 8, CESD20180010777,
Plaza Bayshore Corp.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I thought that was withdrawn?
Thank you.
August 29, 2019
Page 109
MR. JOHNSON: I think I've already been sworn.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It wears off.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can you state your name in the
microphone for us?
MR. BORDA: Javier Borda.
(A court reporter interruption was had. The proceedings
continued as follows:)
MR. BORDA: B-O-R-D-A.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What's your relationship to --
MR. BORDA: I represent the owners.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do we have that on the record?
MR. JOHNSON: Javier is the person that I've always dealt with.
He's the property manager. That's the -- what is it called, Gulf Gate
Plaza? What is it called?
MR. BORDA: Plaza Bayshore.
MR. JOHNSON: Plaza Bayshore. He is the manager for that.
I've dealt with him since the beginning of this case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you want to read through this?
MR. JOHNSON: Sure. The violation here is of the Collier
County Land Development Code, 04-41, amended, Section 10.02.06,
Subsection B, Section 1, Paragraph A, location, 2727 Bayshore
Drive, Naples, Florida, Folio No. 71580160004.
Description is confirm the observations made by contractor
licensing that interior modifications were done to this structure
without obtaining the required building permits, inspections and
certificates of completion.
The past order on April 26, 2019, the Code Enforcement Board
issued a finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. The Respondent
was found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to
August 29, 2019
Page 110
correct the violation. See the attached order of the Board OR5629,
Page 3154 for more info.
The violation has not been abated as of August 29th, 2019. Fines
and costs to-date -- fines and costs to-date are as follows: Fines have
accrued at a rate of $200 per day from the period of June 26, 2019 to
August 29th, 2019, 65 days, for a total fine amount of $13,000. Fines
continue to accrue.
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.63 have not been
paid. Operational costs for today's hearing $59.35. Total amount,
$13,118.98.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The two important things I
see on this page are that the violation has not been abated, and
because the operational costs have not been paid, our hands are tied.
We don't do anything, as far as anything with this, except impose the
fine. So is there any reason why the previous fines have not been
paid?
MR. BORDA: Well, I've been -- since we gone with this issue,
we hired a contractor to take care of --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I don't want to hear anything other
than the fines that have not been paid.
MR. BORDA: They have not been paid.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CURLEY: The operational costs? You're saying fines, so I
don't know if --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The operational costs have not been
paid?
MR. BORDA: That money was collected by this contractor. He
said he was going to pay it, and take care of it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. But the operational costs --
when the operational costs are not paid --
MS. CURLEY: I understand the rules that we follow.
August 29, 2019
Page 111
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CURLEY: The gentleman just said he gave the money to
his contractor.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: He could have given it to the tooth
fairy. It doesn't matter.
MS. CURLEY: If that's his answer, I feel like there's a
communication issue with understanding what fines we're talking
about.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Operational costs.
MS. CURLEY: So there's $59.63 that should have been paid
before you arrived today. Are you aware of that?
MR. BORDA: Yes, I -- since ten days ago I've been contacting
him to see where we are on this. He said everything was ready to be
submitted, that he had all the engineer drawings and everything for
this, but since then, he had two car accidents, two deaths in the family
and all that stuff. So I need to start this from zero, unfortunately.
MS. CURLEY: So I make a motion to grant the county's fines of
$13,000 and --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: $13,118.98.
MS. CURLEY: And the two operational costs for a total of
$13,118.98.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and we have a
second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
August 29, 2019
Page 112
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. JOHNSON: Thank you.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next item on the agenda, No. 9,
CESD20170013601, Boabadilla Family Trust.
(The speakers were duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
MS. PEREZ: This is in reference to Case No.
CESD20170013601. Past orders on January 26, 2018, Code
Enforcement Board issued a finding of fact, conclusion of law and
order. The Respondent was found in violation of the referenced
ordinances and ordered to correct the violation. See the attached
order of the Board 0R5477, Page 2455 for more information.
The violation has been abated as of August 2nd, 2019. Fines
have accrued at the rate of $200 a day for the period from July 26,
2018 to August 2nd, 2019, 373 days, for a total fine amount of
$74,600.
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.56 have been paid.
Operational costs for today's hearing is $59.35. Total amount is
$74,659.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You're before us to request
something, I'm sure?
MR. ROUND: I want to request we get rid of that fine.
(A court reporter interruption was had. The proceedings
continued as follows:)
MR. ROUND: My name is Benjamin Round.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What's your relationship to the
family trust?
MR. ROUND: Fiance.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Excuse me?
MR. ROUND: Fiance to Elizabeth here.
August 29, 2019
Page 113
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you have permission --
MS. JOHNSTON: I'm the fiance.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- to speak on your behalf?
MS. JOHNSTON: Yes.
MR. ROUND: I want to request that we subvert the fine.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You're asking for the fine to be
abated; right?
MR. ROUND: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. ROUND: The actual -- I finished tearing everything down
back in April, and we were told that somebody was going to come
out and take a look at it, and that was the last thing we heard until we
got a call saying we need to come to court.
MS. CURLEY: I make a motion to abate this $74,600, in
addition to the $59.35 operational costs for today.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. Discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. Okay.
MS. JOHNSTON: Thank you.
August 29, 2019
Page 114
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It was worth the wait, wasn't it?
MS. JOHNSTON: Yes. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Last but not least.
MS. BUCHILLON: There is nobody else. We'll just head to the
cases that are not here.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, the county presents its case,
and then we vote on it.
MS. BUCHILLON: Right. No. 2 under hearings,
CEPM20180014849, Henry Schulman.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hi, Steve.
MR. ATHEY: Howdy. Good afternoon.
THE COURT REPORTER: Raise your right hand.
MR. ATHEY: Good afternoon.
(The speaker was duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let the record show the
Respondent is not present.
MS. BUCHILLON: The Respondent was notified certified mail
on August 12th, 2019, and the property was posted at the courthouse
also on August 7th.
MR. ATHEY: Good afternoon. For the record, Stephen Athey,
Collier County Code Enforcement. This is in reference to Case No.
CEPM20180014849, and it deals with the violation of buildings and
building regulations, Property Maintenance Code, General
Provisions, Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter
22, Article VI, Section 22-228(1), a dwelling that was destroyed by a
fire located at 5525 Lee Williams Road, Naples, Florida 34117, Folio
No. 454760006. Service was given on December 11th, 2018, with a
compliance date of January 6th, 2019.
I'd like now to present case evidence in the following exhibits:
One aerial of the property and four photographs taken by myself.
August 29, 2019
Page 115
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion for the Board to accept the
photos?
MS. ELROD: Motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And second?
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously.
MR. ATHEY: The property is actually located in Picayune
Forest, if you're familiar with the area. It's out in the middle of
nowhere, that yellow square (indicating), is where the property is and
where the house would be, had it not been destroyed.
MR. ORTEGA: Is there a way of blowing that up a little bit?
Thank you.
MR. ATHEY: I'll read through this and then I'll show the other
photographs. On December 4th, 2018, I made a site visit to the
property responding to a complaint from the building department
regarding a dwelling destroyed by fire. I met with the property
owner's wife, Greta, who allowed access to the dwelling, or the
remains of the dwelling, destroyed by fire in 2017. I observed a
concrete slab and four concrete block walls, all that remained of the
structure. According to Greta, there were no plans to demo the
remaining structure or rebuild.
August 29, 2019
Page 116
Through subsequent conversations by phone with Mr.
Schulman, the property owner, it was clear he did not have the
financial means to demo or rebuild, but alluded that he's soliciting
assistance from friends to do one or the other.
In the last conversation a couple weeks ago, he remained
hopeful to gain assistance. However, to-date the violation remains.
This photograph shows the entrance to the property. Behind the
truck that you see is where the dwelling, or the remains are. What
you can't see in the photographs to the left -- or I'm sorry -- the right
of the frame, is a recreational vehicle where the wife and her dogs are
staying.
You also can't see in the photograph the angry dogs that are
really close to me, and at this point the wife, Greta, approached the
vehicle, put the dogs away in the trailer, and then she walked back to
the remains with me. And this is as we get closer, and that's the final
picture she allowed me take before she requested I stop taking
photographs for whatever reason.
I know you can see that's all that remains. I somehow took that
picture on my way out, but you get a sense of what remains on the
property; that's all of the photographs.
MR. LEFEBVRE: So to be in compliance, if they were to
remove the structure, it would include the slab, too; correct?
MR. ATHEY: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So from what you understand,
they're not going to do anything?
MR. ATHEY: I don't believe -- I don't sense defiance from
them. I think it's a rock and a hard place, where he's a retired -- he's a
disabled veteran, delivers pizzas for a living to make money, doesn't
have the means to do either, soliciting assistance from outside
contractors, anyone who is willing to help.
In fact, a couple months ago this story aired on Wink TV to try
August 29, 2019
Page 117
to get some help for the family, but, unfortunately, to -date the
violation is there, and there has been no assistance.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: How big is that whole property?
MR. ATHEY: I don't know the answer to that.
MS. CURLEY: Acres?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Go back to the aerial.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is that a five-acre parcel? You don't
know?
MR. ATHEY: I don't know offhand.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Go back to the aerial.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Was this the structure that was damaged or
destroyed in the Picayune Strand fire that came through a couple
years ago?
MR. LETOURNEAU: It's five acres.
MR. ATHEY: Five acres.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Five acres. The parcel is worth some
money. They continue to live on the property?
MR. ATHEY: They do. He stays in -- he's living in, just a
second, see that blue tent right there (indicating)? He's living in that
and Greta and the dogs are living in the trailer, RV.
MS. CURLEY: They need some assistance.
MR. ATHEY: It's not for lack of trying. It's difficult to
communicate, because, No. 1, phone reception where he is is kind of
random. I've left voice mails for him to come into the office. I tried to
meet him on the property. He's not there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is he elderly?
MR. ATHEY: Probably late 50's, early 60's.
MS. CURLEY: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: A youngster.
MR. ORTEGA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Welcome.
August 29, 2019
Page 118
MR. ATHEY: I've yet to meet him in person, simply spoke to
him on the phone. The other investigator that was here had a case on
the property for the litter, obviously, he had spoken to him and seen
him.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is one of those unfortunate
cases where we're going to probably find that a violation exists.
MS. CURLEY: Can we also defer to, like, health services?
Sounds like there might be some struggling.
MR. ATHEY: And we've given those suggestions --
MS. CURLEY: Yeah.
MR. ATHEY: -- via voice mail.
MS. CURLEY: Yeah.
MR. ATHEY: And in brief conversations I had with them.
MS. CURLEY: Is there sewer and water, electricity.
MR. ATHEY: There's electricity, or there was electricity.
MS. CURLEY: Well water?
MR. ATHEY: Well water -- and well water.
MS. CURLEY: How did the complaint come about?
MR. ATHEY: Through the building department, that's where we
got the complaint, but beyond that I don't know.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Tough case to do anything with. I
think first thing, does a violation exist or not? Let's pass that goal.
MS. ELROD: A violation does exist.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Motion, second?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
August 29, 2019
Page 119
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. What to do
with it is the question of the day. Have they referred this to the
veterans group in the county, the VFW, the American Legion?
MR. ATHEY: The story that was aired on Wink TV was an
attempt to gain some attention. I'm not sure what came of it. I've
given some suggestions to the property owner. Beyond that I don't
know what they've done, if anything.
MS. CURLEY: We just need to know the capacity of how
they're receiving that information. It might be too much for them.
MR. ATHEY: I believe, the sense I get from speaking to the
property owners, is that hopefully this will just disappear somehow,
or someone will come in and wave a magic wand and make it go
away; that's the sense I get from the property owners.
MR. ORTEGA: When did the fire occur?
MR. ATHEY: I'm sorry?
MR. ORTEGA: When did the fire occur?
MR. ATHEY: In 2017, sir.
MR. ORTEGA: When you said it was aired on Wink TV, they
were on Wink TV?
MR. ATHEY: This was a couple months ago. The owners -- the
owner, Mr. Schulman, was on the story, and they did, like, a piece to
try to gain some help for him.
MS. CURLEY: Are you sure this burnt down in 2017? I thought
it was recently when they were fixing the roof after the hurricane?
No?
MR. ATHEY: No, it was a couple years ago.
MS. ELROD: Picayune burn.
August 29, 2019
Page 120
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd be inclined to give him as much
time as possible. The property has got to be worth some money. I'm
not familiar with it, I could be, but --
MR. ATHEY: I believe there has been some interest expressed
by a neighbor to purchase the property. Mr. Schulman doesn't seem
interested in wanting to go anywhere or selling anything. He's quite
content.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Just living in a tent out there? That's
a little bit -- talk about warm.
MR. ATHEY: It is.
MS. CURLEY: This is very sad.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have a suggestion for us,
Steve?
MR. ATHEY: I do, sir. Is this large enough for you?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We can't see it but --
MR. ATHEY: Forgive me while I learn this generation.
The recommendation is that the Code Enforcement Board orders
the Respondent to pay all operational costs in the amount of $59.56
incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days, and abate all
violations by: No. 1, obtaining all required Collier County building
permits or demolition permit, inspections, and a certificate of
completion for repairs or demolition of the structure as outlined in the
notice of violation within blank days or a hearing of -- I'm sorry --
within blank days of this hearing or a fine of blank per day will be
imposed until the violation is abated.
No. 2, the Respondent must notify the Code Enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated, in order to conduct
the final inspection to confirm abatement. If the Respondent fails to
abate the violation, the county may abate the violation using any
method to bring the violation into compliance, and may use the
assistance of the Collier County Sheriff's Office to enforce the
August 29, 2019
Page 121
provisions of this order, and all costs of abatement shall be assessed
to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Anybody like to try to fill in the
blanks? I'll be glad to do it.
MS. CURLEY: Go ahead.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd like to grant them 365 days, and
a $25 a day fine after that.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We get a second?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Yes.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Second. Discussion on the motion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearing none, all those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. That's the best
we can do to make it go away for now.
MR. ATHEY: Perfect. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thanks, Steve. Is that the last case?
MS. BUCHILLON: No, we have one more case.
MS. CURLEY: You're killing me, Helen.
MS. BUCHILLON: Under imposition of fines, Case No.
10CEV20190002393, Ernest J. Valdastri.
August 29, 2019
Page 122
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let the record show that the
Respondent is not present.
(The speaker was duly sworn and answered in the affirmative.)
THE COURT REPORTER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, you got to spend the last one
with us.
MR. MUCHA: Good afternoon. For the record Joe Mucha,
supervisor Collier County Code Enforcement. This is dealing with
Case No. CEV20190002393, dealing with violations of Collier
County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Section 130-95 and 130-96(a)
in the Collier County Land Development Code 04-41 as amended,
Section 4.05.05(a). Location is 30 Creek Circle, Naples, Folio No.
49532360004.
Description of the violation is repeat violations of recreational
vehicles parked on the front side of the dwelling and vehicles parked
on the grass.
Special Magistrate Order in Case No. CEV20140006954,
findings, prior violations is recorded at OR5040, Page 2569, and a
vehicle and boat trailer with expired tags.
Past orders, on April 26, 2019, the Code Enforcement Board
issued a finding of fact, conclusion of law and order.
The Respondent was found in violation of the referenced
ordinances and ordered to correct the violations. See attached order
of the Board OR5477, Page 2455, for more information.
The violation has been abated as of April 24th, 2019. Fines and
costs to-date are as follows. No fines accrued. Previously assessed
civil penalty of $2,000 has not been paid. Previously assessed
operational costs of $59.63 have not been paid. Operational costs for
today's hearing $59.28, for a total fine amount of $2,118.91.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody like to make a
motion? Hearing none, I'll make a motion to impose the fines.
August 29, 2019
Page 123
MS. CURLEY: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second. All
those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. BOWMAN: Aye.
MS. CURLEY: Aye.
MR. DOINO: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. ORTEGA: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Carries unanimously. Thanks, Joe.
MR. MUCHA: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're done?
MS. BUCHILLON: We are done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let's go fight the hurricane.
*****
August 29, 2019
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 12:45 p.m.
C• ! _ NFORCEMENT BOARD
` r %`
R V1 BER ` FMAN, CHAIRMAN
These minutes approved by the Board on STt 2L t/ �a(q,
as presented 9/ or as corrected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF U.S. LEGAL
SUPPORT, INC., BY JANICE R. MALINE, NOTARY
PUBLIC/COURT REPORTER.
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