CEB Minutes 07/28/2022July 28, 2022
Page 1
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
COLLIER COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Naples, Florida, July 28, 2022
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
John Fuentes
Kathleen Elrod
Lee Rubenstein
Tarik N. Ayasun, Alternate
Zully Ruiz, Alternate
Chloe Bowman (Absent)
Danny Blanco (Excused)
Sue Curley (Excused)
ALSO PRESENT:
Helen Buchillon, Code Enforcement
Elena Gonzalez, Code Enforcement
Jeff Letourneau, Manager of Investigations
Patrick White, Attorney to the Board
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
July 28, 2022
9:00 AM
Robert Kaufman, Chair
Kathleen Elrod, Member
Danny Blanco, Member
Chloe Bowman, Member
Sue Curley, Member
John Fuentes, Member
Lee Rubenstein, Member
Tarik N. Ayasun, Alternate
Zully Ruiz, 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
MOTION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME
MOTION FOR RE-HEARING
B. STIPULATIONS (NON-CONTESTED CASES AND PRESENT AT THE HEARING)
C. EMERGENCY CASES
D. HEARINGS
1. CASE NO: CEVR20220002751
OWNER: QUEEN BEE LLC
OFFICER: John Johnson
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 3.05.01(B) and 10.02.06(D)(3)(e)(i). Vegetation
removal without the required permitting.
FOLIO NO: 71800000433
PROPERTY 3370 Canal St, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
2. CASE NO: CESD20220001465
OWNER: Jesus A Gonzalez and Justina Ruiz
OFFICER: Jordann Marinos
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 expired permits, referred from
contractor licensing case CECV20220000425.
FOLIO NO: 36300200008
PROPERTY 2007 Hunter Blvd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
3. CASE NO: CELU20220002018
OWNER: Steven M Thomas
OFFICER: Rickey Migal
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A) and 2.02.03. Junk, including but not
limited to car and ATV parts, appliances, unlicensed and/or
inoperable vehicles, unlicensed and/or inoperable trailers,
unlicensed and/or inoperable boats and unlicensed and/or
inoperable RVs stored on an improved ag property.
FOLIO NO: 333320004
PROPERTY 2260 Keane Ave, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
4. CASE NO: CELU20220002399
OWNER: Steven M Thomas
OFFICER: Rickey Migal
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A), 2.02.03 and 5.03.03(B). Guest house being
rented on improved ag zoned property.
FOLIO NO: 333320004
PROPERTY 2260 Keane Ave, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
5. CASE NO: CELU20220002016
OWNER: Steven M Thomas
OFFICER: Rickey Migal
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 126,
Article IV, Section 126-111(b) and Collier County Land
Development Code 04-41, as amended, Sections 1.04.01(A) and
2.02.03. Running mechanic/4-wheeler shop from guest houses
on an Estates zoned property.
FOLIO NO: 333320004
PROPERTY 2260 Keane Ave, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
6. CASE NO: CENA20220005940
OWNER: Steven M Thomas
OFFICER: Rickey Migal
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 54,
Article VI, Section 54-181. Accumulation of litter, including
but not limited to vehicle and ATV parts, trash, remnants from a
dismantled RV, and other items laying around on the property.
FOLIO NO: 333320004
PROPERTY 2260 Keane Ave, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
7. CASE NO: CESD20210012154
OWNER: 4630 GOLF STREAM DRIVE LLC
OFFICER: Adam Collier
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). Interior demolition before receiving
required permits. Contractor licensing case CECV20210008608.
FOLIO NO: 63103400007
PROPERTY 4630 Gulfstream Dr, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
8. CASE NO: CESD20210009517
OWNER: CATHY VELUND-STUCKO ET AL C/O CATHY
VELUND-STUCKO
OFFICER: John Johnson
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). Alterations/renovations on new interior
walls and structural walls for which a Collier County Building
permit is required.
FOLIO NO: 387040000
PROPERTY 2415 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
9. CASE NO: CESD20210011506
OWNER: SAINT JEAN SERVICES LLC
OFFICER: Joseph Mucha
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Removal of windows on the back of
the residence and a large shed on the rear of the property
without required Collier County Building Permits.
FOLIO NO: 67492720009
PROPERTY 4316 Mindi Ave, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
10. CASE NO: CESD20180015567
OWNER: CHRISTINE C SULLIVAN REV/TRUST
OFFICER: Joseph Mucha
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e). Dock that
was expanded without first obtaining a Collier County building
permit. Due to the unpermitted expansion, the dock no longer
meets the side setback requirement of 7.5 feet.
FOLIO NO: 52400760008
PROPERTY 149 Pago Pago Dr E, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
11. CASE NO: CESD20210000673
OWNER: Rodolfo Trevino Jr
OFFICER: Thomas Pitura
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 3.05.01(B). Remove protected
vegetation without a permit and mechanic removed vegetation
without first obtaining approval from Florida DEP on this
unimproved lot.
FOLIO NO: 766920000
PROPERTY 1100 Auto Ranch Rd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
12. CASE NO: CESD20220001443
OWNER: Michael Z Peck and Svetlana V Peck
OFFICER: Adam Collier
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e). Pool
construction without a valid Collier County Permit – Also see
Contractor Licensing case.
FOLIO NO: 52951200004
PROPERTY 2716 Santa Cruz Blvd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
13. CASE NO: CESD20190000755
OWNER: PHILIP J RICOSSA TRUST
OFFICER: Joseph Mucha
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Remodel work was observed being
conducted including new cabinetry installation, plumbing, and
electrical without a Collier County Building Permit.
FOLIO NO: 35093120001
PROPERTY 364 Tern Dr Unit 592, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
14. CASE NO: CELU20210004135
OWNER: Frank Stute
OFFICER: Luis Macedo
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Excavation for the
pond.
FOLIO NO: 738120003
PROPERTY 10651 Greenway Rd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
15. CASE NO: CESD20210001356
OWNER: Scott C Fawcett and Michelle L Price
OFFICER: Joseph Mucha
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Work including replacement of
skylights, windows, doors, and a sliding glass door. Also,
drywall work and a kitchen remodel including a ceiling raise,
wall removal, cabinetry, plumbing, and electric was conducted
without a Collier County Building Permit.
FOLIO NO: 53050560000
PROPERTY 2224 Royal Ln, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
16. CASE NO: CELU20220004457
OWNER: LOWE’S HOME CENTERS INC
OFFICER: Thomas Pitura
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A), 4.02.12 and 10.02.03(A)(2)(d) and Collier
County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 54, Article VI,
Section 54-181. Illegal outside storage of retail merchandise,
litter, wood pallets, cardboard, plastic, building materials, etc.
stored along/around the perimeter of the building.
FOLIO NO: 25368002589
PROPERTY 12730 Tamiami Trail E, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
17. CASE NO: CENA20220005404
OWNER: Michael Ray Marolla
OFFICER: Adam Collier
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 54,
Article VI, Sections 54-179 and 54-181 and Collier County
Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section 2.02.03.
Observed outside storage and litter consisting of but not limited
to Mattresses, clothes, totes, and other prohibited items.
FOLIO NO: 41345480001
PROPERTY 2961 28th Ave SE, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
18. CASE NO: CELU20220005097
OWNER: Michael Ray Marolla
OFFICER: Adam Collier
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A) and 2.02.03 and Collier County Code of
Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 130, Article III, Section 130-
96(a). People living/lodging out of a camper, RV, Mobile
home, or trailer on a property not zoned for such use.
FOLIO NO: 41345480001
PROPERTY 2961 28th Ave SE, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
VI. OLD BUSINESS
A. MOTION FOR REDUCTION/ABATEMENT OF FINES/LIENS
B. MOTION FOR IMPOSITION OF FINES/LIENS
1. CASE NO: CESD20200012246
OWNER: Martha Herebia
OFFICER: Maria Rodriguez
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Unpermitted screen lanai, dog pen,
chicken coop all structed without first obtaining a Collier
County Building Permit.
FOLIO NO: 00130920005
PROPERTY 1707 Roberts Ave W, Immokalee, FL
ADDRESS:
2. CASE NO: CESD20210007671
OWNER: CARLISLE/WILSON PLAZA LLC
OFFICER: Adam Collier
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 4.06.05(k)(2), 10.02.06(B)(1)(a), 10.02.06(B)(1)(e) and
10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i). Removed required landscape islands and
canopy trees from the parking lot without obtaining required
Collier County permits or an approved insubstantial change to
the Site Development Plan.
FOLIO NO: 37221120305
PROPERTY 70 Golden Gate Blvd E, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
3. CASE NO: CELU20200010724
OWNER: GREG CARLISLE C/O E JAMES KURNIK
OFFICER: Ryan Cathey
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 2.02.03 and Collier County Code of Laws and
Ordinances, Chapter 54, Article VI, Section 54-181. Observed
a vacant residential lot being used to store litter/outside storage
consisting of but not limited to boats, trailers, RV’s, storage
containers, metals, and plastics.
FOLIO NO: 38103000005
PROPERTY NO SITE ADDRESS
ADDRESS:
4. CASE NO: CESD20210011474
OWNER: NELSON MARTINEZ LAND HOLDING LLC
OFFICER: Cristina Perez
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A), 2.02.03, 10.02.06(B)(1)(a),
10.02.06(B)(1)(e) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i). Unpermitted
alterations made to the principle dwelling and guest house,
converting each structure into multi-family dwellings.
FOLIO NO: 37162681000
PROPERTY 891 5th St SW, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
5. CASE NO: CEAU20210010882
OWNER: NELSON MARTINEZ LAND HOLDING LLC
OFFICER: Jordann Marinos
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 5.03.03(B). Illegally renting a guest house.
FOLIO NO: 37162681000
PROPERTY 891 5th St SW, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
6. CASE NO: CESD20210011461
OWNER: Nelson Martinez and Ana M Diaz
OFFICER: Jordann Marinos
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 1.04.01(A), 2.02.03, 10.02.06(B)(1)(a),
10.02.06(B)(1)(e) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i). Unpermitted
alterations made to the principle dwelling and guest house,
converting each structure into multi-family dwellings.
FOLIO NO: 37162680001
PROPERTY 871 5th St SW, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
7. CASE NO: CESD20200000285
OWNER: Debra Sue Mays Ayala
OFFICER: Christopher Ambach
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). Observed
a re-roof of a dwelling, a 6-foot wooden fence, and an addition
of an attached porch all non-permitted on improved occupied
residential property.
FOLIO NO: 73180200003
PROPERTY 593 N 9th St, Immokalee, FL
ADDRESS:
8. CASE NO: CEPM20190009270
OWNER: Keith G Purdy and Darlene Purdy
OFFICER: John Johnson
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 22,
Article VI, Section 22-236. An overhanging roof that is in
complete state of disrepair and is falling.
FOLIO NO: 53353080009
PROPERTY 2965 Lunar St, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
9. CASE NO: CELU20190013849
OWNER: NOAH’S ARK CHURCH INC
OFFICER: Bradley Holmes
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 1.04.01(A). Operating a food bank/pantry distribution
program, patrons are occupying more parking spaces then what
is allocated to the church per the approved Administrative
Parking Reduction approval letter.
FOLIO NO: 35931080009
PROPERTY 11853 Collier Blvd, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
10. CASE NO: CESD20210005318
OWNER: Arturo Rives
OFFICER: Rickey Migal
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06(B)(1)(a) and 10.02.06(B)(1)(e). Observed
alterations/conversions made to main residence of garage for
additional living space on improved Estates zoned parcel.
FOLIO NO: 37986280001
PROPERTY 3541 19th Ave SW, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
11. CASE NO: CEPM20210004962
OWNER: SARAH SCIALABBA EST
OFFICER: Bradley Holmes
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 22,
Article VI, Sections 22-228(1) and 22-231(15). Unmaintained
pool and screen enclosure screens torn, hanging, or missing.
FOLIO NO: 56105509104
PROPERTY 11752 Longshore Way W, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
12. CASE NO: CESD20210007357
OWNER: Laura Carr
OFFICER: Ryan Cathey
VIOLATIONS: Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended,
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a). Structural; addition installed onto
the SE corner of the duplex, without required Collier County
permits, inspections and certificate of completion.
FOLIO NO: 53100160004
PROPERTY 526 107th Ave N, Naples, FL
ADDRESS:
13. CASE NO: CESD20210004950
OWNER: Carlos Valdes and Dulce Valdes
OFFICER: Joseph Mucha
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 additions and alterations consisting of but not
limited to covered storage area with a bathroom, outdoor sink,
water softener equipment, commercial refrigerator, and propane
tanks.
FOLIO NO: 26081640007
PROPERTY 191 Smallwood Dr, Chokoloskee, FL
ADDRESS:
C. MOTION TO RESCIND PREVIOUSLY ISSUED ORDER
D. MOTION TO AMEND PREVIOUSLY ISSUED ORDER
VII. NEW BUSINESS
VIII. CONSENT AGENDA
A. REQUEST TO FORWARD CASES TO COUNTY ATTORNEY'S OFFICE
1. CASE NO:
OWNER:
OFFICER:
VIOLATIONS:
FOLIO NO:
PROPERTY
ADDRESS:
IX. REPORTS
X. COMMENTS
XI. ADJOURN
XII. NUISANCE ABATEMENT BOARD
A. HEARINGS
XIII. NEXT MEETING DATE - AUGUST 25, 2022 AT 9:00AM
XIV.ADJOURN
July 28, 2022
Page 2
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning. I'd like to call the
Code Enforcement Board to order.
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 a time so that the
court reporter can record all statements being made.
Any person who decides to appeal a decision of the 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 is a mouthful -- 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.
Okay. If you'll all stand for the Pledge.
(The Pledge of Allegiance was recited in unison.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Which brings me to Page 2.
Helen, you want to do a roll for us?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes. Good morning. For the record,
Helen Buchillon, Code Enforcement.
Mr. Robert Kaufman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Kathleen Elrod?
MS. ELROD: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Danny Blanco is excused -- absent,
I'm sorry. Ms. Chloe Bowman is absent. Ms. Sue Curley is absent.
Mr. John Fuentes?
MR. FUENTES: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Lee Rubenstein?
July 28, 2022
Page 3
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Tarik Ayasun?
MR. AYASUN: Here.
MS. BUCHILLON: And, Ms. Zully Ruiz?
MS. RUIZ: Present.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think Danny has an excused
absence.
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So we probably have some
changes to the agenda.
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, we do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What a guess.
MS. BUCHILLON: Actually, we have five stipulations. First
stipulation under hearings, No. 10, CESD20180015567, Christine
Sullivan Revocable Trust.
Second stipulation, No. 11, CESD20210000673, Rodolfo
Trevino, Jr.
Next stipulation, No. 12, CESD20220001443, Michael C. Peck
and Svetlana V. Peck.
Number 9, CESD20210011506, Saint Jean Services, LLC.
And we just got another one in. Number 7,
CESD20210012154, 4630 Gulfstream Drive, LLC.
So now we have withdrawns.
Under public hearings, D, hearings, No. 1, CEVR20220002751,
Queen Bee, LLC, has been withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
Number 8, CESD20210009517, Cathy Velund-Stucko, has been
withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
Number 13, CESD20190000755, Philip J. Ricossa Trust, has
been withdrawn. It's a Contractor's Licensing issue.
Number 14, CELU20210004135, Frank Stute, has been
withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
July 28, 2022
Page 4
Number 15, CESD20210001356, Scott C. Fawcett and Michele
L. Price, has been withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
Under old business, B, motion for imposition of fines, No. 8 -- I
mean No. 9, CELU20190013849, Noah's Ark Church, Inc., has been
withdrawn due to compliance efforts.
And those are all the changes for right now.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can I get a motion from
the Board to accept the agenda as modified?
MR. FUENTES: Motion --
MS. ELROD: Motion to accept.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second. Okay. All those
in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. WHITE: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. WHITE: Before we proceed to approval of the minutes,
would it be possible to bring the Board up to speed on Mr. Blanco's
Form 8B from last month's meeting?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WHITE: I do have and you should each have a hard copy
of his Form 8B; you probably received it this morning. I'm simply
going to read into the record and submit a copy for now to our
July 28, 2022
Page 5
minutes keeper. I did ask Mr. Blanco to bring the original, but since
he's excused today, I'm assuming this will be sufficient for the record.
The probably only pertinent part on the Form 8B, which is the
voting conflict form, as you recall, is that Mr. Blanco stated that the
measure before the Board then the nature of his conflict were as
follows: That a hearing to determine whether a violation of county
regulations exists such that my business relationship with the alleged
violator entities' manager would potentially have the appearance of a
conflict of interest due to a continuing business relationship. And
that's consistent with what was put on the record orally at the last
meeting.
So at this point I'm simply going to turn it into our minutes
keeper, and unless any of you have a question about the form itself or
the process, I apologize for interrupting.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No problem. Okay.
So I guess we're going to begin with the stipulations. Probably
No. 10 is going to go first.
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, sir.
First stipulation, No. 10, CESD20180015567, Christine Sullivan
Revocable Trust.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hold on. We have a mouse that's
playing a trumpet or something here. That was a setup. We're
just -- we just wanted to --
MR. FUENTES: I make a motion to impose a lien.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- remind everybody to turn off the
cell phones.
MS. RUIZ: It's the mouse.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Joe, you have the
stipulation.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
July 28, 2022
Page 6
but the truth?
MR. MUCHA: I do.
For the record, Joseph Mucha, supervisor, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall:
One, pay operational costs in the amount of $59.28 incurred in
the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Two, to abate all violations by: Obtaining all required Collier
County building permits or demolition permits, inspections and
certificate of completion and/or occupancy for the unpermitted
alterations to the dock within 180 days of this hearing, or a fine of
$100 per day will be imposed until the violation is abated;
Three, 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;
Four, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the
county may abate the violation using any method to bring the
violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier
County 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. Let the record show the
respondent is not present.
MR. MUCHA: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can I get a motion from the Board.
MS. ELROD: Motion to accept the stipulation as written.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
July 28, 2022
Page 7
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Put it in airplane mode. Either that or I'll step on it.
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Kaufman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MS. BUCHILLON: We have a change to the agenda.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No, I'm sorry. No changes before
9:30. What's the change?
MS. BUCHILLON: Under imposition of fines, No. 11,
CEPM20210004962, Sarah Scialabba Estate, has been withdrawn per
management.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Get a motion from the Board to
accept the change to the agenda.
MS. ELROD: Motion to accept the change.
MR. AYASUN: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next stipulation, No. 11,
July 28, 2022
Page 8
CESD20210000673, Rodolfo Trevino, Jr.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. TREVINO: I do.
MR. PITURA: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you state your name.
MR. TREVINO: Yes, Rodolfo Trevino, Jr.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. PITURA: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Would you like to read the
stipulation into the record for us?
MR. PITURA: For the record, Thomas Pitura, Collier County
Code Enforcement. Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that
the respondent shall:
One, pay operational costs in the amount of $59.28 incurred in
the prosecution of the case within 30 days of this hearing;
Two, abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier
County approved mitigation plans, building permits, inspections, and
certificates of completion/occupancy to either keep the unpermitted
improvement of the property as-is or to restore the property to its
originally permitted condition within 120 days of this hearing, or a
fine of $100 per day will be imposed until the violation is abated;
Three, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24
hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance;
Four, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the
county may abate the violation using any method to bring the
violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier
County Sheriff's Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement,
and all costs of abatement shall be assessed to the property owner.
July 28, 2022
Page 9
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So good morning. You
have read the stipulation. You agree to that?
MR. TREVINO: Yes, that's correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And you have 120 days to come
into compliance; not a problem?
MR. TREVINO: It shouldn't be a problem.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to make a
motion from the Board?
MS. ELROD: I make a motion to accept the stipulation as
written.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. TREVINO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you, sir.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next stipulation, No. 12,
CESD20220001443, Michael C. Peck and Svetlana V. Peck.
MR. COLLIER: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
July 28, 2022
Page 10
MR. COLLIER: I do.
THE WITNESS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let the record show that
the respondent is not present.
Do you want to read the stipulation into the record for us?
MR. COLLIER: For the record, Adam Collier, Collier County
Code Enforcement.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall: Pay operational costs in the amount of 59.28 incurred in the
prosecution of this case within 30 days of the hearing and abate all
violations by obtaining all required Collier County building permits
or demolition permits, inspections, and certificate of completion for
the unpermitted pool alterations within 120 days of this hearing, or a
fine of $100 per day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
The respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24 hours
of the abatement of the violation and request that the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead.
MR. COLLIER: Twenty-four-hour notice shall be by phone or
fax and made during the work week. If the violation is abated 24
hours prior to a Saturday or a Sunday or legal holiday, then the
notification must be made on the next day that is not a Saturday,
Sunday, or legal holiday.
And that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county
may abate the violation using any methods 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: Thank you, Adam.
Any questions or motions from the Board?
MR. AYASUN: I have one question.
July 28, 2022
Page 11
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, Tarik.
MR. AYASUN: Is it the construction or alteration? I think the
gentleman said "alteration," right?
MR. COLLIER: So they've redone tile and -- they redid tile,
redid some plumbing, things like that. There's some contractor
issues, from my understanding.
MR. AYASUN: Thank you.
MR. COLLIER: No problem.
MS. ELROD: I'll make a motion to accept the stipulation as
written.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and second.
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. COLLIER: Thank you.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next stipulation, No. 9,
CESD20210011506, Saint Jeans Services, LLC.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. WARDER: I do.
MR. MUCHA: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
July 28, 2022
Page 12
MR. WARDER: Good morning, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Would you like to read the
stipulation into the record for us?
MR. WARDER: Yes. For the record, I'm Ira Warder, Code
Enforcement.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall:
Pay operational costs in the amount of 59.28 incurred in the
prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Number 2, abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier
County building permits or demolition permit, inspections, and
certificate of completion/occupancy for the unpermitted shed, and
remove -- and the removal of the windows from the residence within
120 days of this hearing, or a fine of $200 per day will be imposed
until the violation is abated;
Number 3, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24
hours of abatement of the violation, and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance;
Number 4, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the
county may abate the violation using any method to bring the
violation into compliance and may use the assistance of the Collier
County 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. Let the record show that
the respondent is not present.
Any questions or motions from the Board?
MS. ELROD: I'll make a motion to accept the stipulation as
written.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second. All those in favor?
July 28, 2022
Page 13
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
And the last stipulation is No. 7, which we don't have a copy of,
but I'm sure Helen will put it up on the machine.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next stipulation, No. 7,
CESD20210012154, 4630 Gulfstream Drive, LLC.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. MARINO: I do.
MR. LATINO: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you state your name on the
microphone for us, please.
MR. LATINO: Dan Latino.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you want to read the
stipulation into the record for us?
MR. MARINO: All right. For the record, I'm Joseph Marino,
code enforcement investigator for Collier County.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall:
One, pay operational costs in the amount of 59.28 incurred in
the prosecution of this case within 30 days of this hearing;
Two, abate all violations by obtaining all required Collier
County building permits or demolition permit, inspections, certificate
July 28, 2022
Page 14
of completion/occupancy for the unpermitted demolition within 180
days of this hearing, or a fine of $100 per day will be imposed until
the violation is abated;
Three, respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24
hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance. Twenty-four-hour
notice shall be by phone or fax and made during the workweek. If
the violation is abated 24 hours prior to a Saturday, Sunday, or legal
holiday, then the notification must be made on the next day that it is
not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday;
Four, that if the respondent fails to abate the violation, the
county may abate the violation using any method to bring the
violation into compliance and may use the assistance of 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: Great.
Sir?
MR. LATINO: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any problem meeting the
stipulation dates?
MR. LATINO: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Any motions or comments
from the Board?
MS. ELROD: I'll make a motion to accept the stipulation as
written.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
July 28, 2022
Page 15
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Joe, you're new here, right?
MR. MARINO: First time, yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Your first time.
MR. MARINO: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good luck to you.
MR. WHITE: Mr. Chairman, I'd just note that Mr. Latino is a
managing member of the LLC and authorized agent.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Whatever you say. Okay.
Thank you, Joe.
MR. MARINO: Thank you.
MR. LATINO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Adam is showing you the ropes?
MR. MARINO: Yes, sir.
MS. BUCHILLON: The first five went quickly, right?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah.
MS. BUCHILLON: Okay. Next case, under hearings, No. 2,
CESD20220001465, Jesus A. Gonzalez and Justina Ruiz.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Good morning.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: I do.
MR. MARINOS: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Can you state your name
for us on the microphone.
July 28, 2022
Page 16
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: My name is Justina Ruiz.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Why don't you present
your case.
MR. MARINOS: Yes, sir. Good morning. For the record,
Investigator Charles Marinos, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20220001465 dealing
with violation of Collier County Land Development Code 04 -41, as
amended, Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a), Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(e), and
Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(e)(i) located at 2007 Hunter Boulevard,
Naples, Florida, 34117. Folio No. 363002008.
Let's see. On February 2nd, 2022, I received this case as a
referral from Contractors Licensing Case No.
CEV2022004 -- 000425.
When I received the case referral, permits PRBD20200727451
and PRBD20200938304 were both in expired status. I met with
Ms. Ruiz at that time to gather more facts. She indicated that the
work conducted on site was done by a contractor that had been
suggested by her home insurance company due primarily to damages
caused during Hurricane Irma.
Repairs were included but were not limited to the following:
Electrical repair, drywall repair, water damage remediation, tile
repair, flooring replacement, structural damage, ingress/egress
damage repair, and fencing repair.
Information was presented at that time to the building official,
Jonathan Walsh. It was determined that the expired permits would
need to be resolved.
A notice of violation was prepared, and good service was given
on February 18th, 2022. Since that time, Ms. Ruiz has been very
communicative and remained responsive to inquiry. She's had some
trouble making progress in actually securing the permits mostly due
to some personal problems, I believe.
July 28, 2022
Page 17
At this time, both permits remain expired status, having not
really changed status since then.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do you have any pictures
or --
MR. MARINOS: Yes, sir. I would now like to present case
evidence in the following exhibits: One building determination
prepared and presented before the building official on February 18th,
2022; two pictures taken on 18th of February 2020 by Ivan Afanador,
I believe is how you pronounce his name, the contractors licensing
official who conducted the official -- original investigation; and then
one picture taken by myself on July 27th, 2022, yesterday, showing
the house in its current conditions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Has the respondent seen
the photos and the documentation?
MR. MARINOS: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any objection to that?
MS. RUIZ: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Get a motion from the
Board to accept the documentation?
MS. ELROD: Motion to accept.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion and a second. All those in
favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
July 28, 2022
Page 18
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. LETOURNEAU: All right. First up is the determination.
As you can see, Mr. Walsh said the expired permits need to be
resolved.
MR. MARINOS: Both of these pictures just show some of the
various repairs that were already completed by the time the initial
investigation took place.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We're limited on pictures. We're just
asking for these permits to be reissued, inspected, and CO'ed.
MR. MARINOS: Yeah, there's about 200 individual photos of
different repaired items.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Is there any reason why
they weren't CO'ed at the time that the repairs were done, or do you
want me to ask the respondent?
MR. MARINOS: Yeah. I'll let Ms. Ruiz speak to the details
of that. It kind of comes down to their personal information, so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Is that house in Livingston
Woods?
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: I'm sorry.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is this located in Livingston
Woods, Hunter Boulevard?
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, that's Golden Gate City.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Golden Gate City, yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Oh, okay. Okay. Moving on.
Your turn.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: My turn. Hurricane happened in 2017,
if I'm not mistaken.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Several years ago, yes.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: So it took me two years to fight with the
insurance company just to get the money for the roof and the fence.
And I had to chip in money of my own to get it fixed, because what
July 28, 2022
Page 19
they gave me was 14,000, and at the time it was 16,000. So they
gave me that.
Then they send me -- I kept fighting with them. A year later
they send me a contractor, that he was going to fix my house. They
paid directly the contractor, and he forged my husband's
signature -- my ex-husband's signature and cashed the check.
They were doing a crappy job. And I kept complaining to a
friend of mine, said, listen, they're doing, like, sloppy jobs. Like,
they're not doing half of what, you know, they said they would do.
And he says, why don't you go to the county and see if he pulled
permits.
So I did exactly that. I went to the county. They said there's
no permits pulled. So I ratted him out, however you want to say it.
And I also showed proof that he forged the signature on a check and
all that stuff. And I kept coming back. They assigned Ivan. He
said his last name. I don't know how to say it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: From Contractors Licensing.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Yeah. And I kept -- they -- I did that in
January, first week of January 2020. Ivan met up with the contractor
on February of 2020. And I kept texting Ivan and calling Ivan
what's going on? What's taking so long? What is up to -- but I just
kept getting excuses. I kept emailing. I said, let's take him in front
of the Board, because he's going to -- he's just going to vanish. He's
going to disappear. He's not going to come back and fix everything
that needs to be fixed, because he did what he did for a reason.
Come to find out, he put a second claim. My insurance gave
him another $20,000. I never saw of him. I kept coming to the
Collier County. I asked, let's go in front of the Board so they can
fine him or do something. Why is he not being fined? Because
when I made a mistake on the roof, I was being fined $100 every
month.
July 28, 2022
Page 20
So I was trying to get him -- get you guys to fine him or do
something to get him to start the work and do what he has to do.
But, nothing.
Then Timothy Crotts -- I don't know if I'm --
MR. MARINOS: Yes.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Okay. You know, he was the one
handling the case. He called me -- along with Ivan, he called on
the -- October, and I -- you know, I said what's going on? It's been
10 months. Nothing's happening. Where are the permits? He's not
started work or anything like that.
He said, Justina, just don't worry about the 10 months that went
by. Let's just talk about right now and what's going to happen right
now. Nothing happened.
Ivan left Collier County on December 2nd, I believe. And I
tried to contact Mr. Crotts, and nothing, no response. No nothing.
I'm a stay-at-home mom. I don't work, so I don't have any
income to provide for the permits that he pulled or he didn't pull or
whatever. So I need your help.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Is this an active case with
Contractors Licensing?
MR. MARINOS: It is not at this time, no; they closed it.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Do we know what happened to the
contractor?
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: He disappeared; he vanished.
I came here in January, but due to -- it was in regards to the
contract. I wasn't able to talk, so they just said that they had
canceled his licensing for, like, three counties or something like that.
I'm not sure what happened.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. First thing we need to do is
to find out if a violation exists. You have permits that need to be
redone. We'll talk about that in a second. But does a violation
July 28, 2022
Page 21
exist? Take a motion from the Board?
MR. FUENTES: I make a motion that a violation does exist.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay. So a violation exists. Let me just ask if the county has
a solution for us.
MR. MARINOS: It's a pretty tough one in her situation. The
way to solve this would be to get the permits in at least -- typically,
would be to get the permits reissued, have all the inspections done,
and have bring the permit CO'ed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Have any of the inspections been
done?
MR. MARINOS: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So they did the work, but
it's never been inspected?
MR. MARINOS: Yes, sir.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So just -- the original contractor
eventually pulled the permits?
MR. MARINOS: He did.
MR. LETOURNEAU: He did, okay, all right. But didn't do
anything after that?
July 28, 2022
Page 22
MR. MARINOS: Pulled them, and then they kind of just sat
there issued and until they expired.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They disappeared. Okay. So to
resolve this one way or the other -- I'm not sure exactly how -- these
permits have to be reinstated and inspected, et cetera. That's what
needs to be done. I know that you're fighting with the insurance
company on this.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: I'm not fighting anymore with the
insurance company. They canceled me the minute they paid him.
They gave him a check, I think it was, September 10th, and they
canceled me on September 11th.
MR. FUENTES: So what happened was you probably signed
an assignment of benefits, which allowed the contractor to inherit all
the proceeds from the carrier, and what happened in 2017 was a lot of
these contractors just left the state of Florida and bailed, and they
took the money with them.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Yeah. Unfortunately, what I did is I
signed the paper to give him permission to come into the house and
put the claim towards the insurance company. It was a little
paragraph.
MR. FUENTES: Yeah. It's an assignment of benefits, yep.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: And he forged my signature also on a
contract, a three-page. I can show you.
MR. FUENTES: That's okay.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Okay. So, yeah. He did have people
come in and do work, but they did -- like, I have a crack on my
ceiling, and they just painted over it to cover it. You can see it now
again, because...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Jeff, do you have any idea of what
kind of solution could be put together on this?
MR. FUENTES: I have a solution.
July 28, 2022
Page 23
MR. LETOURNEAU: I think any solution at this point is
going to be not good for the respondent. I will say that the county
would recommend giving her a long time to try to take care of this.
That's probably the best thing I could say, and minimal fines
hopefully. She's in a tough situation, and...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let's just say that we give the
respondent a year and a $50 fine, but in a year is anything going to be
done?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I don't know, but she can always come
back after a year, and I have no objection to that at this time.
MR. FUENTES: Yeah. I may have something that may help
you as well. That assignment of benefits is pretty harmful. And I
have somebody that kind of specializes in kind of breaking that and
making sure they get you back the proceeds and dealing with that
legally. So I do have somebody that you may want to contact.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Okay. That would be great.
MR. FUENTES: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. That sounds like a partial
solution. So does anybody want to make a motion on this case?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'll make one. I'd like the
respondent to pay the operational costs of -- what is it, 59.28?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, sir.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- 59.28, and come into
compliance in one year, or a $50 fine -- $50-per-month fine.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Per month?
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: After a year?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: After a year.
MR. WHITE: And the 59.28 paid in 30 days?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
July 28, 2022
Page 24
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So what this comes down
to, hopefully you can get some assistance in resolving the situation.
You have a year. If after 11 months you're still fighting the battle, as
Jeff said, you can come back and request more time. We reali ze it
wasn't you; it was the situation of the day with Irma. But that's my
motion. Do we have a second on the motion?
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay. So good luck.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Thank you.
MR. FUENTES: This may be the only thing that can help you.
Give him a call and see if he's willing to.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you.
MR. MARINOS: Thank you.
MS. JUSTINA RUIZ: Thank you. Have a great day.
MR. AYASUN: That was very nice of you.
MR. FUENTES: I'm a nice guy.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case on the agenda, No. 3,
CELU20220002018, Steven M. Thomas. We actually have four
cases for the same person.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
July 28, 2022
Page 25
MR. FUENTES: One wasn't good enough.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
MR. MIGAL: I do.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can you state your name?
MR. HERNANDEZ: Rogelio Hernandez.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I can't hear you.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Rogelio Hernandez.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And you are?
MS. THOMAS: He's a witness, and I'm Terri Lynn Thomas,
the daughter of Steven M. Thomas, who is recently deceased.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. THOMAS: I'm his personal representative, I suppose.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIGAL: There's a power of attorney loaded into the
IDrive for each of these cases.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You're qualified. Okay.
MR. MIGAL: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. MIGAL: For the record, Rick Migal, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CELU20220002018 dealing
with violations of the Collier County Land Development Code 04 -41,
as amended, Section 1.04.01(A) and 2.02.03 located at 2260 Keane
Avenue, Naples, Florida, 34117; Folio 333320004.
Service was given on March 9th, 2022.
On February 25th, 2022, a complaint was received for multiple
unlicensed and/or inoperable vehicles, trailers, and boats being stored
July 28, 2022
Page 26
on the property.
On February 28th, 2022, Investigator Bradley Holmes and I
conducted an initial investigation. We observed multiple unlicensed
and inoperable vehicles and boats and RVs throughout the property.
We met with the daughter of the property owner to explain the
violation, Terri Lynn Thomas.
On April 12th, 2022, during my reinspection, I observed that the
vehicles in the front of the property and two of the vehicles in the rear
of the property had been removed from the premises, but new
inoperable vehicles were present in the front of the property.
Subsequent monthly inspections verified that there were still
multiple unlicensed and inoperable vehicles and boats on the
property.
I would like to say that I have maintained good contact with
Terri Lynn throughout this case. She's always been congenial and is
working with us to resolve these issues. And I will make that
statement now for all four cases.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIGAL: Okay. As of July 27th, 2022, the violation
remains.
I would now like to present case evidence in the following
exhibits: Five pictures taken by me on June 6th, 2022; three pictures
taken by me on July 11th, 2022; and three pictures taken by me on
July 27th, 2022.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the respondent seen the
photos?
MR. MIGAL: She did.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any objection to those
photos?
MS. THOMAS: No, there's no objection.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Get a motion from the
July 28, 2022
Page 27
Board to accept the photos.
MR. FUENTES: Make a motion to accept the photos.
MR. AYASUN: Second.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion and a second. All those in
favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Are these photos, by the way, the same photos that you're going
to show on the other cases?
MR. MIGAL: I tried to mix them up, because there is some
overlap in the pictures where you're looking at a boat plus you're
looking at refuse, you know, next to the boat and on so forth. So
there are some. I tried to make them as different as I could. There
may be two or three.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I'm just thinking ahead.
That's all.
Okay. This looks like a boat that -- the bull's eye.
Jeff, did you sink that boat?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Obviously, you've got some big files
here. I'm not sure what's going on.
MR. AYASUN: It must be very, very big.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah, reload it.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yeah. Let's try this.
July 28, 2022
Page 28
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you got the first picture the first
shot.
MR. LETOURNEAU: That took a while to load, too. It was
loading while you guys were talking about it. Maybe we could get
their testimony, and I can just --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The pictures -- I'm assuming that
the pictures are going to show the stuff that the county is citing?
MS. THOMAS: Well, in this case, it will show the vehicles
and boats that are not registered.
MR. HERNANDEZ: We've removed a lot.
MS. THOMAS: We have removed a lot of --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Stuff.
MS. THOMAS: -- of vehicles that are in some of the pictures.
There's a green Colorado that has been removed. The problem is
that we have a family member who is residing at our guesthouse
that --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Pictures are there now, okay.
MS. THOMAS: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you want to narrate and go
through pictures?
MS. THOMAS: A lot of this stuff is his, though. It's not --
MR. MIGAL: This would be a picture that probably would pop
up in a future case when it comes to the guesthouse renter in the
front, and he also has a RV slash other vehicle repair that he's
running on the property. That's No. 3 case. So you'll see that van a
couple times from different angles trying to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's not registered?
MR. MIGAL: It's not registered. It's not --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Next picture.
MR. MIGAL: Another vehicle that's been on the property for a
long time, and it's -- from the tenant, sorry, from his testimony that he
July 28, 2022
Page 29
uses that to store things.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So it's not registered?
MR. MIGAL: It's not registered.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's all I need to know.
MR. MIGAL: Okay, sorry.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's okay.
MR. MIGAL: I believe that's the car she just said that has been
removed, but at the time I took the picture, obviously it was there.
Not unregistered, not running.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIGAL: A couple of cars, for lack of a better way to put
it, in the trees.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We're back to the original picture.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. How big it this piece of
property?
MS. THOMAS: Five acres.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Five acres?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is out in the Estates?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
MR. MIGAL: It's actually ag zone.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. THOMAS: There's actually -- I would like some
clarification on how it's zoned, because in several violations here it
says "unincorporated Collier County," then it also says "improved ag
zone," and then it says "ag zone," and then I believe there's "estate
zoned." So I'm not quite sure the actual classification.
MR. FUENTES: That would be something more or less for
you and the investigator to discuss.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Well, for the record, Jeff Letourneau,
July 28, 2022
Page 30
Collier County Code Enforcement.
It's all unincorporated. Everything but the municipalities such
as Naples, Marco Island are -- they're incorporated. We handle the
unincorporated. So this piece of property is unincorporated. It also
is in agricultural zoning. I know it's referenced as Estates in a
couple of our cases, but it is ag zoning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let me cut to the chase a
little bit. It appears that you have a problem with a family member,
and some of the stuff belongs to that person, and they're not willing
to do anything?
MS. THOMAS: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: My quick --
MS. THOMAS: Well, he is trying. He is -- he has stopped the
business, and he has also done a lot of scrapping to remove the junk.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. He's aware that you're here
today?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And has he been working
with you also?
MR. MIGAL: On and off. Back in March he said he had
taken a job in Naples and was going to be moving out as well as
cleaning up his area, which is that front guesthouse that there was -- I
don't know if there was a picture of that yet. That's a different case.
I don't think there's one in that -- which would have alleviated two of
the cases immediately for her. But that has yet to happen. So April,
May, June, July. He's still there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: But the property owner is
deceased?
MS. THOMAS: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So this is part of the property
owner's estate?
July 28, 2022
Page 31
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. THOMAS: However, I -- there is a will, and in the will
my father does leave me the sole beneficiary or heir, however, to all
this new debt. And so I am going through the probate process as
well.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WHITE: As the personal representative, in effect, she is
the property owner.
MS. THOMAS: Oh.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. THOMAS: Well, he is deceased, though.
MR. WHITE: I understand. And you're the personal
representative of --
MS. THOMAS: Of the property.
MR. WHITE: -- your father's estate.
MS. THOMAS: Yes, yes.
MR. WHITE: And so, legally, if you will, once the probate is
official, which is pretty much as standard as it can be, you are, for all
intents and purposes, as I am for some of our family members here
and in other estates, the personal rep and not only authorized but, in a
sense, is the owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WHITE: Title and equitable.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me cut to the chase. On this
particular case, does a violation exist, is my question to the Board.
If it does, somebody want to make a motion to that effect.
MR. FUENTES: Make a motion that a violation exists.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
July 28, 2022
Page 32
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay. So there is a violation.
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: How it's going to be resolved is the
big -- the question of the day, and how much time do you need to
resolve that situation, okay. I'm sure there's a road to the end of this
pain, if you will.
Do you have a suggestion for us, Rick?
MR. MIGAL: I do. I --
MR. WHITE: Mr. Chairman, before he does, I mean, I think it
would be relevant and helpful for the Board to understand where you
are in the probate process because once that actually is determined by
the Court, that she can act as the PR, then she's in a position to be
able to make the decisions that are likely going to be the ones that are
imposed as part of the abatement of this in the subsequent cases. So,
perhaps, it would be helpful if we could have that information.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, let me ask you a question.
Is there anything stopping the respondent from removing one of those
vehicles, for instance?
MR. WHITE: I would say that depends upon who they may
have been previously titled in the name of. For example, if it's -- I
think it's your brother, would it be?
MS. THOMAS: I do have a brother.
July 28, 2022
Page 33
MR. WHITE: But it's not the renter?
MS. THOMAS: No, no, it's a cousin.
MR. WHITE: Okay. It's an unrelated individual. And if, for
example, that vehicle or boat, whatever, was titled in their name, then
there could be a challenge, an issue.
MS. THOMAS: I do find myself running into that issue even
with my father's titled vehicles because either I don't have the
title -- he kept most of his titles, but I have not --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Those are details that will need to
be worked out.
MR. WHITE: I'm just suggesting that those are the
complications that typically would arise, and it sounds like that's
where we are.
MR. MIGAL: If I may.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Rick, yes.
MR. MIGAL: It was just brought to my attention -- I guess
they checked -- there's not at this point a probate filed with the
county.
MS. THOMAS: I did file the will. The will is in the Clerk of
Courts, and I also filed his death certificate, which I thought that
would have started the probate process. I spoke to an attorney who
said that it was in the probate process, but see --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Wheels turn slowly.
MS. THOMAS: Yeah. So I'm working on it as a pro se, you
know, case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Whether it was filed or
hasn't been filed, eventually it will need to be filed. And I think we
can go on with the case and take the suggestion from the county and
discuss that.
MR. WHITE: Yes, sir. Absolutely, a petition must be filed.
You're probably advised to do it through an attorney. You don't
July 28, 2022
Page 34
have to, of course. But any technical defects are going to slow
things down. And if a fine's imposed at some point as a result of this
process and it takes you longer because you didn't, then it's going to
cost you more in the end.
MS. THOMAS: I do understand. I would make a
recommendation, if I can.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Before you do, let me just hear
what the county has to say. Maybe that's better than your
recommendation; I don't know.
MS. THOMAS: Okay.
MR. MIGAL: Okay. Recommendation is that Code
Enforcement Board enforces [sic] the respondent to pay all
operational costs in the amount of $59.21 incurred in the prosecution
of this case within 30 days and abate all violations by, No. 1,
repairing all inoperable defects and affixing a valid plate to each
vehicle/trailer of any type owned by a legal occupant of the property;
store said vehicles in a completely enclosed structure to conceal from
view, or remove the vehicles or trailers illegally stored on said
property to a site intended for such use within blank number of days
of this hearing, or a fine of blank amount will be imposed for each
day of the violation -- any violation continues; and, No. 2, the
respondent must notify the code enforcement investigator when the
violation has been abated in order to conduct a final investigation 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. What I suggest, we can fill
in the blanks as to the days and the dollar amount, but what I just
want to preface it by saying it takes six months to get it through
July 28, 2022
Page 35
probate or whatnot and the time that we're about to give you is
coming close to the end, I'm sure you could come back before the
Board and say, hey, we're working on it, and we certainly will listen
with open ears.
So having said that, would anybody like to fill in the blanks?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: If not, I will.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: A question, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Before we fill in the blanks, could we say
it would become effective upon conclusion of probate?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's kind of wide open. I would
prefer to --
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Instead of this implementing it now and
having the meter run with lots of dollars.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, the meter doesn't start
running until the days elapse. So if, for instance, we do 365 days,
between now and next year no fines are accruing, and if the
respondent comes back to us, let's say, 10 months from now and says
it's going through the courts and probate and whatever, and we can
see the end of the tunnel, we could grant additional time or take your
suggestion at that time.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Well, let me ask counsel.
MR. WHITE: Yes, sir.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Is that appropriate?
MR. WHITE: It would be legally effective because there
would be a date certain, but if you go to the next step, you're putting,
effectively, the keys to the cell in the hands of the prisoner, meaning
you're asking them to go into the cell and lock the door.
My suggestion would be they probably won't because if it isn't
until probate concludes and they never filed the petition at all, you
July 28, 2022
Page 36
never get to the point where the fines would be imposed. You could
do it in two steps saying you've got X number of days to conclude the
probate process, and if that's not concluded, impose fines. If you
give them that period of time and they do do it in that period of time,
then the second step would be X number of days to get the work
done.
MR. FUENTES: So I've got one question. Is this visible from
any neighboring properties?
MR. MIGAL: I would say not really.
MR. FUENTES: Not really, okay.
I would like to make a motion. I'd like to make a motion that
we give the individual 300 days to comply. That's about 10 months.
If not, a fine would be imposed of $500 for each day.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have a second?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. $59.21 to be paid within 30 days part of your motion? Say
yes.
MR. FUENTES: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I don't want to twist your
arm.
Okay. All those in favor?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: One no? Two nos. Okay. Yes,
yes, yes?
July 28, 2022
Page 37
MR. AYASUN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. So it carries. Now, let me
say this: If you find yourself 250 days from now where probate
hasn't gotten off to a good start, I suggest that you come back to the
Board and tell us what's going on. And at that time, we could grant
a continuance to give you more time. But I would think that the
Court at that time would probably give you some idea of when it's
going to be concluded. And in the meantime, you may work at
getting rid of some of these vehicles. This is the first of four cases.
We're going to hear the others next, okay. So that ends this case.
MR. AYASUN: So this decision applies only to this case?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
MR. FUENTES: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We haven't heard the next case.
We don't know if it's in violation.
MR. FUENTES: We've got three more.
MR. AYASUN: Three more, okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 4, CELU20220002399,
Steven M. Thomas.
(The participants were previously sworn.)
MR. MIGAL: Are we still on the record?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You have to give your name again.
MR. MIGAL: For the record, Rick Migal, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MIGAL: This is in reference to Case No.
CELU20220002399 dealing with the violation of Collier County
Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Sections 1.04.01(A),
2.02.03, and 5.03.03(B). Property is located at 2260 Keane Avenue,
Naples, Florida, 34117; Folio 333320004.
July 28, 2022
Page 38
Service was given on May 20th, 2022.
On February 28th, 2022, while conducting an investigation for a
case concerning unlicensed RVs and ATV repair business on the
property, Investigator Bradley Holmes and I discovered that the
gentleman running the repair business named JoJo was renting the
guesthouse from the property owner. Both the tenant and the
daughter of the property owner, Terri Lynn Thomas, confirmed this
to be true.
On April 12th, 2022, I met with JoJo and Terri Lynn at the
guesthouse where JoJo informed me that he had secured a new job in
Naples and would be moving out of the guesthouse as soon as he
found an apartment.
Subsequent investigations in May, June, and July revealed that
the tenant was still residing in the guesthouse. As of July 27th,
2022, the violation remains.
I would now like to present case evidence in the following
exhibits: Five pictures taken by me on March 9th, 2022, and two
pictures taken by me on July 27th, 2022.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the respondent seen the
photos?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
MR. MIGAL: She has.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any objection?
MS. THOMAS: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion from the Board?
MR. FUENTES: Make a motion to accept the photos.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
July 28, 2022
Page 39
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay. Jeff, do your thing.
MR. MIGAL: So this is the guesthouse. Another view.
MS. THOMAS: That vehicle's gone, too.
MR. HERNANDEZ: There's a lot of that stuff that --
MS. THOMAS: That is gone, and a lot of the junk around it is
gone.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Was most of that -- is most of that
stuff the person who's renting the house?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Yes, sir.
MR. MIGAL: This picture starts -- these are from yesterday.
MR. HERNANDEZ: That thing's gone, I believe.
MS. THOMAS: Those are not from yesterday.
MR. MIGAL: No. He's going backwards now.
MR. LETOURNEAU: This one and this one are from
yesterday.
MR. MIGAL: Two of them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All I'm interested in right now is,
is the place rented in an area where you can't rent. What's outside of
it is another case.
MS. THOMAS: Technically, I am receiving no rent monies at
all from --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So technically it's not being rented.
It's being --
July 28, 2022
Page 40
MS. THOMAS: He's a family member. So his wife passed
away, and he has three kids, and we were helping our family.
MR. FUENTES: Technically, it's not being rented.
MR. MIGAL: She's not -- she claims she's not receiving any
rent money. It's been occupied originally, as I understand it and
what I remember the testimony to be, it was being rented by the
relative, and originally it wasn't disclosed to me that he was a
relative.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is the JoJo?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And he is?
MS. THOMAS: My cousin.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Your cousin. Okay.
Okay. So my first question is going to be, of the county, do you
consider this being rented if it's a family member who's living on the
property?
Jeff?
MR. LETOURNEAU: For the record, Jeff Letourneau, Collier
County Code Enforcement.
I think -- correct me if I'm wrong, Rick -- the only real evidence
that we have that it is being -- was being rented was their statement to
you that it was being rented. We didn't see any receipts or any kind
of rental agreement or anything like that?
MR. MIGAL: That's correct.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So now she's saying under oath that
they're not receiving rent, and it is a -- did you say he was a cousin; is
that what you said?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I think at this time, without enough
evidence to prove this, the county's going to withdraw this case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Fine. Okay.
July 28, 2022
Page 41
MR. WHITE: Okay. Mr. Chairman, the Board would have to
agree and amend the agenda to allow the county to withdraw the
case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No problem. Someone want to
make a motion to amend the agenda?
MS. ELROD: I'll make a motion to amend the agenda.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Do we have a second?
MR. AYASUN: Second.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a second. All
those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So that case is gone.
MS. THOMAS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay? Unless he gives you some
money.
Okay. Which brings us to, Helen?
(The participants were previously sworn.)
MS. BUCHILLON: The next case, No. 5, CELU20220002016.
MR. MIGAL: Okay. For the record, Rick Migal, Collier
County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CELU20220002016 dealing
with violation of the Collier County Land Development Code 04-41,
as amended, Sections 5.02.02, 1.04.01(A), and 2.02.03, and the
July 28, 2022
Page 42
Collier County Code of Laws, Chapter 126, Article 4, Section
126-111(b). Property is located at 2260 Keane Avenue, Naples,
Florida, 34117; Folio 333320004.
Service was given on June 21st, 2022.
On February 25th, 2022, a complaint was received for running
an unlicensed RV and ATV repair shop on the property. On
February 28th, 2022, Investigator Bradley Holmes and I conducted
the initial inspection. We were greeted at the property gate by a
gentleman named JoJo, who claimed to be a tenant renting the
guesthouse.
When questioned, he admitted to fixing vehicles of various types
on the property and admitted that he did not possess a state license or
Collier County business tax receipt.
We observed various cars, vans, ATVs, and boats around the
guesthouse and the front half of the property, most in some state of
disrepair and/or unlicensed.
We also met with the daughter of the property owner, Terri
Lynn Thomas, who confirmed that JoJo was renting the guesthouse
and conducting his repair business on the property.
On April 12th, 2022, I met with JoJo and Terri Lynn at their
guesthouse where JoJo informed me that he has secured a new job in
Naples and would be moving out of the guesthouse as soon as he
found an apartment, and at that point he would stop working on
vehicles, clean up the area around the guesthouse.
During subsequent inspections in May, June, and July, I
observed that vehicles in various states of condition continued to be
staged around the guesthouse. As of July 27th, 2022, the violation
remains.
I would like to now present case evidence in the following
exhibits: Five photos taken by me on March 9th, 2022, and two
photos taken by me on July 27th, 2022.
July 28, 2022
Page 43
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the respondent seen those
photos?
MR. MIGAL: She has.
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any objection?
MS. THOMAS: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Get a motion to accept the
photos.
MS. ELROD: Make a motion to accept.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: (No verbal response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
John, you have a question?
MR. FUENTES: So, I mean, we have two more cases here
we're going to be listening to. I can kind of see what the
descriptions are for the two. We've seen some of the photos. And,
you know, you mentioned that JoJo's living with you guys for free,
that he lost his wife, and that you guys are being so kind enough
where he can just remain on the property at no cost to him. I would
think that JoJo would trim the trees, paint the driveway, clean the
driveway, clean your house and windows at no cost because you're
being such a sweetheart to let him live for free.
I want you to know the next two cases have to do a lot with
July 28, 2022
Page 44
either litter or some type of usage that's not allowed. And it seems
very unfair to me that you're allowing a gentleman to live on your
property at no cost to him while he goes ahead and destroys the
property, does everything illegal in Collier County, and that you have
to deal with the fines. And I do at least want you to realize that the
next two cases will be addressed differently due to that. Okay?
MS. THOMAS: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: On this particular case, let me ask
the county: Everything hinges around allowable uses in the Estates
property?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yeah. Back to the -- it is an ag
property. I'm not saying that what he's doing here couldn't possibly
be legally done at some point; however, he'd have to jump through a
bunch of hoops to do it, and including state licenses, business tax
receipt, zoning certificate, possible rezoning, whatever it would take.
So right now they're definitely in an illegal status.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, the respondents
haven't had a chance to comment on this particular case.
JoJo has said to you -- or he said to the county that he's going to
be moving at some point.
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you have any idea when that's
going to happen?
MS. THOMAS: No, I don't, as far as when he's going to be
moving. But I would like to say that the shed that was on the side of
the house that you saw in one of the previous cases --
MR. HERNANDEZ: It was a portable shed thing.
MS. THOMAS: Yeah, that one right there.
MR. HERNANDEZ: He put it up and --
MS. THOMAS: That is no longer there. That's where he was
working --
July 28, 2022
Page 45
MR. WHITE: One at a time.
MS. THOMAS: Sorry. But that's where he was working, you
know, on ATVs and trucks and stuff was in that shop, and it is no
longer there. That's been removed from the property at least two
months ago, and he's no longer -- he doesn't have -- he's not running a
business anymore.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Do you mind if I --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes, sir.
MR. HERNANDEZ: He was -- I think he might even still be
working for this four-wheeler company or -- like, a four-wheeler
company, so he was fixing stuff, so a lot of that stuff came from his
job that his boss would throw him extra work or whatever. So I
don't know -- I know that a lot of that stuff right there is gone now.
But I don't know if that matters as far as him not having a license. I
have no idea. I don't know.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Rick, where do the most recent pictures
start at?
MR. MIGAL: There should be two dated July 27th on there.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Let me look here. All right.
MR. MIGAL: That's looking from the drive -- yeah.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So in the county's mind, we had a
business, and there still is a bunch of business products on this
property. So we can only assume the business is being run until this
stuff is removed. That's our position.
MR. FUENTES: I'd like to make a motion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead.
MR. FUENTES: I'd like to make a motion that a violation
exists and we give the respondent 30 days to comply.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let's vote on the "violation exists"
first, then we go from there. Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll second.
July 28, 2022
Page 46
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second
that a violation exists. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay. Now --
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Question: Is the tenant responsible for
all that junk or the landowner?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Property owner.
MR. FUENTES: He's not a tenant.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Whether he is or isn't, it's -- the
property owner is always responsible for the property.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Before we --
MR. RUBENSTEIN: So it doesn't really matter whether we
care that the tenant's there or moving or what; these folks are
responsible?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
MR. FUENTES: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That is correct.
I would like to find out what the county's suggestion is before
we make a motion.
MR. MIGAL: Okay. The recommendation is that the Code
Enforcement Board orders the respondent to pay all operational costs
in the amount of $59.21 incurred in the prosecution of this case
July 28, 2022
Page 47
within 30 days and abate all violation by:
Number 1, obtaining all required county -- Collier County
approvals, including business tax receipt or cease all -- try it
again -- or cease all unauthorized business activities within blank
number of days of this hearing, or a fine of blank dollars will be
imposed for each day the violation remains.
Number 2, the respondent must notify the code enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a
final inspection to confirm -- 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. Let me ask the county a
question before we fill in the blanks. What would you consider a
proper resolution to this property -- problem as far as the business is
concerned?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. So I kind of want to tie it, if we
can, if you do find a violation on Case 8 [sic], that -- the only way the
county's going to be sure that the business is not being run is that the
vehicles that are in the state of disrepair that aren't owned by people
on the property -- and I'm talking the ATVs, recreational, whatever
you have on there -- are removed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So that's when I think that we would
say, Rick, sign your affidavit of compliance. So, obviously, a lot of
that stuff's going to be handled in the next case, and I would suggest
maybe tying the dates together on those.
MR. WHITE: And I believe Mr. Letourneau referred to it as
Case 8, but it's Case 6.
July 28, 2022
Page 48
MR. LETOURNEAU: Oh, excuse me.
MR. WHITE: One other point of information in order for the
order itself, although the notice says that it's a guesthouse in
Estates-zoned property, I believe the testimony is today that it is ag,
and as part of the order it would so state in this portion of the order
that it's ag zoning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And maybe on this recommendation at
the end of all unauthorized business activities and removal of all
business-related vehicles, you could add that into this one maybe, you
know; I'm not sure.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, I would suggest to
whoever makes the motion that we look at the last motion, the 300
days and the $500 fine and tie it to this one as well. I think when
you get the first one fixed, this one will automatically get fixed with
it.
Question?
MS. ELROD: Yes, sir. You said the shed that he was working
out of has been completely removed?
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
MS. ELROD: So he has no tools to work the business on the
property?
MS. THOMAS: Correct.
MS. ELROD: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to make a
motion on this?
MR. FUENTES: Yeah. I'll make a motion that we go ahead
and give the respondent 30 days to comply. The reason for 30,
there's a lot. There is a lot. So they're going to need time to get all
of this out of there. If not, we'll impose a fine of $750 each day, and
that all business equipment and vehicles are removed as well; that
July 28, 2022
Page 49
that gets added to the agreement.
MS. THOMAS: Can I appeal that, like, right now? Can we
please tie it in with the first case?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Did you say 30 days or 300?
MR. FUENTES: I said 30 days.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I will say that what Kathleen said,
going back to the original case -- and, like I said, the county can only
be sure that the business is not being run if all the equipment and
everything's gone; however, I do understand that some of that -- some
of the vehicles might be difficult to remove.
You know, when you said you removed the shed and removed
the tools, well, the tools could have been moved right to the house.
He still could be -- he still could be working on this. So it's going to
be difficult for county to determine whether or not the business is still
being run.
MS. ELROD: Again, if those titles don't belong to either
person --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Right.
MS. ELROD: -- 30 days, she can't get them out.
MR. LETOURNEAU: No, I understand.
MR. FUENTES: Well, we also can't leave business equipment
out there for 300 days either for the first -- for the first case that we
had, that would be far too long. It's going to tie in with the litter case
as well.
MR. LETOURNEAU: How about this, that the ATVs -- what's
the holdup on getting rid of those?
MS. THOMAS: We're -- we are in the process of selling what
we do have. We've made listings on certain websites to try to sell
the parts and sell what is on our property, whether it's working or not.
You know, sometimes people need parts or however, so we're trying
to --
July 28, 2022
Page 50
MR. LETOURNEAU: I would say that if we got rid of all the
AT -- all the stuff that doesn't need, you know, licenses and stuff they
can remove without having permission from an owner, like the junk,
obviously, all the car stuff and crap like that, and the ATVs, we
would -- we would, you know, consider signing off on an affidavit of
compliance at that time and, you know, tie the other vehicles to the
first case.
MR. FUENTES: Because Case 4 is addressing inoperable RVs,
unlicensed vehicles, inoperable boats, which, okay, fine, we can
understand the title in that process.
Case 5 is addressing four-wheelers, running mechanical work
from a shop and the guesthouses. So they're both addressing two
different things. I don't see why we would need to address, let's say,
more than 45 days for a four-wheeler and things of that sort when
that's part of the business.
MR. WHITE: Mr. Fuentes, there are four cases.
MR. FUENTES: Yes. We're on Case No. 5 right now.
MR. WHITE: Okay. Case No. 5, gotcha.
MR. FUENTES: Yes, the violation addresses running
mechanical four-wheelers out of the shop.
MR. WHITE: Right. It is the business only.
MR. FUENTES: Yeah. Case 3 addresses unlicensed and
inoperable vehicles, such as the boat, RV, and things of that sort.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So here's the county's position right
now. Just as I stated, if they get rid of the vehicles that don't need
licenses that you could just -- you know, you don't need a permission
from the owners to get rid of them, ATVs and such like that, and all
the car parts and junk -- you know, all the car parts that are associated
with those vehicles, we would sign an affidavit of compliance at that
time for this particular case right there. Obviously, the other
vehicles, you gave them 300 days to take care of those. That's
July 28, 2022
Page 51
another situation. They're going to have to work with other owners
and stuff like that. So that's where we're at.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion. Do
we have a second?
MR. AYASUN: Second.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: This is the one with 45 days, now?
MR. FUENTES: Thirty, 30.
MS. ELROD: Seven fifty a day.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. All those in favor?
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
Motion fails.
MS. RUIZ: I'm a no.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So the motion fails 4-2.
I think we need to be reasonable in the amount of time. Thirty
days is, to me, not sufficient time to get it done. Considering that the
respondent has been working with Code Enforcement to get
everything done, I think additional time would be proper.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So instead of it being 30 days, 90
days -- we do that for people putting fences up around pools. I
mean, that's --
MR. FUENTES: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So I would like to modify your
motion and make it 90 days if I get a second.
July 28, 2022
Page 52
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll second that.
MS. ELROD: The fine amount?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: The days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The days. The fine amount I
would make $100 a day.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: And I'll second that as well.
MR. WHITE: And just as a point of order, Mr. Chairman, the
form of the motion is the county's recommendation that's on the
screen plus what Mr. Letourneau had said about removing or selling
the ATVs and the related parts and equipment?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. WHITE: Just so I know how to write the order.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. WHITE: Very good.
MS. THOMAS: May I ask a question? Am I not allowed to
have ATVs, and do they have to be registered? I don't understand.
Like, I mean, we have operable ATVs that are ours, and we do --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Are you saying -- do you have records
of ownership of those ATVs?
MS. THOMAS: I mean, we have bill of sale.
MR. LETOURNEAU: That's fine. Whatever you have a
record of that you own, obviously, you can keep on your property.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Okay.
MS. THOMAS: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: It's the stuff that other people own that
were being worked on that needs to be removed.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: You can't have -- you can't store
nonresident vehicles on the property nor can you be working on those
vehicles.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, given the amount of time -- I
July 28, 2022
Page 53
realize that you're trying to dispose of them now -- probably in 90
days you'd be in a position to let us know how much stuff has been
done. If you need more time, or whatever, we can cross that bridge
when we come to it.
So I have a motion. It's seconded by Lee.
MR. AYASUN: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes, Tarik.
MR. AYASUN: Point of order. Doesn't he have to withdraw
his motion so you can't make another one, or did he withdraw it
already?
MR. WHITE: No, the motion failed.
MR. AYASUN: It failed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The motion failed.
So you have my motion? Terri, you have it?
THE COURT REPORTER: (Nods head.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let's vote on it.
MS. RUIZ: Does the 300 days stand?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No, no.
MR. FUENTES: Ninety.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No. This is ninety days, and the
fine is $200 a day after 90 days.
MS. ELROD: You did say 100.
MS. RUIZ: Okay. Three hundred --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hold on one second.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: You said 100.
MR. AYASUN: A hundred.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Oh, I'm sorry, a hundred.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: This is on Case 5?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
MS. BUCHILLON: And the operational costs, 30 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: 59.21 to be paid in 30 days, yes.
July 28, 2022
Page 54
Okay?
Okay. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. It passes. So that's the
first -- the second, which brings us to Case No. 6.
MS. BUCHILLON: Case No. 6, CENA20220005940?
(The participants were previously sworn.)
MR. MIGAL: For the record, Rick Migal, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CENA2022...5940 dealing with
violation of Collier County Code of Laws, Chapter 54, Article V,
Section 54-181 located at 2260 Keane Avenue, Naples, Florida,
34117; Folio 333320004.
Service was given on June 27th, 2022.
On June 23rd, 2022, this case was opened to specifically address
the litter violation on the property which was originally observed on
February 28th of 2022. During the initial inspection, I observed
litter and/or prohibited outdoor storage, including carports, tires, and
other items in several areas around the property.
On July 11th, 2022, I observed that cleanup efforts had been
made in some areas of the property, but substantial amounts of items
remained on the property.
As of July 27, 2022, the violation remains.
I would now like to present case evidence in the following
July 28, 2022
Page 55
exhibits: Three photos taken by me on February 28th, 2022; six
photos taken by me on June 11th, 2022; and three photos taken by me
on July 27th, 2022.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Has the respondent seen the
photos?
MR. MIGAL: She has.
MS. THOMAS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any objection?
MS. THOMAS: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Get a motion from the Board to
accept the photos?
MR. AYASUN: Motion to accept the photos.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and second.
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Okay. I know in past cases when you have litter, sometimes the
items are specified on the NOV, on the notice of violation. This one
is -- we're looking at two different things; the parts for the business
that was being run there and litter.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yeah. What I would say, our normal
verbiage on these litter cases is removal of all litter and all other
items not made for outdoor storage. You know, that would have
July 28, 2022
Page 56
been a better way to probably say this.
I think our recommendation, if you do find a violation, kind of
tightens that up a little bit. But you are correct on that.
Obviously, there's more litter other than what is associated with
that business, too. So is that what you're asking, or --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. I'm looking at a picture
there, and I see an ATV there that's --
MR. LETOURNEAU: That's not litter. We're talking about,
like --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The tires that are --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yeah, the tires -- you know, the junk
hanging out around here. Maybe if you look at some other pictures.
This isn't authorized for outdoor storage right here. There's plenty of
other stuff that's not business related that's, you know, on this
property. You can see that --
MS. THOMAS: That was --
MR. LETOURNEAU: I mean, to me that's litter right there.
Those old jacuzzis.
MS. THOMAS: That's all been cleaned up.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Anything that wasn't built to be parked
or stored outside, pretty much, we want either stored appropriately or
removed from the property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I just wanted to get a
handle on what the county considers litter.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Because when we do a litter case, we
always put "prohibited use," so that pretty much covers the zoning
that you're not allowed to store items that weren't built to be outside
outside.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Obviously, there's litter here, if you see
these pictures.
July 28, 2022
Page 57
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: There's tons of litter.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Rick, that's your case?
MR. MIGAL: It is.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Now, it appears to me that
a semi solution for this would to be call up one of the junk haulers
and say, take all this stuff away, which shouldn't take a long time to
do, but I don't know what you want to do. This has nothing to do
with probate.
MS. THOMAS: Well, getting some of the vehicles and boats
and such transferred into my name, it will take money, which I am
not -- I don't have at the moment.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We are not considering vehicles litter.
We're just -- you know, I mean, common, you know, verbiage for
litter is, you're looking at it right here. All the junk laying around --
MS. THOMAS: And, like I said, we are actively scrapping. I
mean, we are actively taking, like, you know, in this picture right
here that he took yesterday, there was a side awning, you know, with
poles that, you know, isn't allowed to be there, so we took that down.
I mean, we are, you know, currently and actively working on clearing
up the junk.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Now, I realize this is not my
property, but what I would do is get a dumpster in there and just walk
around and throw all the stuff in the dumpster.
MS. THOMAS: I did call Yahl Mulching to see what, you
know, their dumpster rates would be, and they said $700 for the
weekend. So that's just money I don't have right now, unfortunately.
But not to say that I'm not going to be getting a job soon.
MR. FUENTES: What about JoJo? Could JoJo afford to
contribute since living for free?
MR. HERNANDEZ: He's been taking out -- he's been taking a
July 28, 2022
Page 58
lot of that stuff out of -- the guesthouse where he's staying, a lot of
that stuff's been removed already. Granted, he -- I mean, he has
brought other things there, but I keep getting on him about, hey, man,
you've got to get this out of here.
MR. FUENTES: Right.
MR. HERNANDEZ: And we're trying. And then this is back
at our side of the property, I guess you could say.
MS. THOMAS: The main house, not the guesthouse.
MR. HERNANDEZ: A lot of that stuff was her father's.
We're just trying to organize, see what we've got, see what is there,
you know, and then deal with what we can. But, I mean, it's a lot.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I have a question for Ricky. With the
resources out there, how long do you feel it would take to clean up
this property?
MR. MIGAL: Assuming she has the money to -- you're talking
about hiring someone or the --
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Well, you're going to need a forklift and
a dumpster.
MR. MIGAL: Yeah. She -- I don't want to -- you know, I will
let her -- she's trying to access the accounts that are tied to her father
that would give her the money to do this.
MR. LETOURNEAU: That's a tough question for an
investigator to estimate.
MR. MIGAL: If someone came in and did this for her, like one
of these junk hauling companies, I still think it would take a week or
longer. There's -- it's through the whole property. There are things
everywhere.
MS. THOMAS: Yeah. My parents had been there since 1979,
so...
MR. HERNANDEZ: Yeah. We did call a car -- or junk scrap
person, but some of the vehicles that her father had, we can't find the
July 28, 2022
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titles yet. They don't want to take them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The junk dealers don't want to take
the vehicles?
MR. HERNANDEZ: The ones that we can't find the titles.
MS. THOMAS: Yeah. Without the title, they don't want to
take them, and so we're going to have to cut them up to bring them in
in pieces.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Once again, we're not including the
vehicles in this particular case here, though. We're just talking
about, you know, the litter, the junk, you know; not the vehicles.
MR. WHITE: And, of course, I think the Board's aware that
there's always the opportunity to bring the materials to county landfill
and pay the per weight costs.
MR. FUENTES: Yeah. I'd like to make a motion that a
violation exists.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hold on one second. You had
something to say first?
MS. RUIZ: Thank you.
It seems to me that -- this is a beautiful city, it's a beautiful
county, and I take a lot of pride in living here.
I think you should tell us how quickly you can get rid of all of
this. I mean, we're trying to work with you. But I think this timing
to me is very, very long for your neighbors around. You know, this
is -- some people would consider this, you know, not a very good
sight to look at. So this is what we're trying to see if we can pin
down how quickly you can get rid of at least the trash. That's
basically what we're trying to do.
Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And, John?
MR. FUENTES: I'd like to make a motion that a violation
exists.
July 28, 2022
Page 60
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a second. All those in
favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Rick, do you want to show us your suggestion on this, and we'll
go from there?
MR. MIGAL: Okay. County's recommendation is that the
Code Enforcement Board orders the respondent to pay all operational
costs in the amount of $59.21 incurred in the prosecution of this case
within 30 days and abate all violations by:
Number 1, removing all unauthorized accumulation of litter and
all other items not permitted for outside storage to a site designated
for such use or store desired items in a completely enclosed structure
within blank number of days of this hearing, or a fine of blank dollars
will be imposed for each day the violation remains; and,
Number 2, the respondent must notify the code enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a
final inspection to confirm abatement. If the respondent fails to
abate the violation, the county may abate the violation using any
method to 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.
July 28, 2022
Page 61
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So what's in front of us
now is 59.21 within 30 days. Somebody want to pick the amount of
days it's going to take to do this and how much if the days exceed
that?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll make a motion, Mr. Chairman.
Thirty days and $100 per day.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second; 30 days and $100 a day after that. All those in favor?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. It passes.
MR. AYASUN: I have a question to Mr. White.
MR. WHITE: Yes, sir.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Do you want the recommendation up
again?
MR. AYASUN: I was going to ask how do you read "any
method by county to clear the thing"? I mean, how do you interpret
that? Can the county go in and take everything out, take it to dump,
is my question?
MR. WHITE: In my experience, that is something that in rare
circumstances has been done. The challenge is that on
residential-type properties, typically you can't get a court order to do
those things: Only on commercial property. So it would be more
likely that the fines themselves would compel the property owner to
do what they need to do. I'd also defer to, of course, what the
July 28, 2022
Page 62
County Attorney's Office would say in that regard.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I disagree with Patrick. I've seen
this happen many times with the county -- as a matter of fact, the
cases come to us in the imposition of fines where it says, they are
now in compliance, but they're only in compliance because the
county took care of the problem. I don't know --
MR. WHITE: I'm not suggesting that the county can't. What
I'm saying is is that it is more challenging to do something like that
and to take kind of self-help to go onto the property without
permission and remove articles not knowing whether they are owned
by or lawfully able to be kept on the property. You're in a pretty
gray area and, as I said, it would be something that I'd defer to the
County Attorney's position on.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Typically, it costs twice as much if
the county does it versus if the respondent does it themselves.
MR. WHITE: And there's the jeopardy of doing something
inappropriate.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, we won't send you
there to take the stuff.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I think that with the past order of the 30
days, we'll be back here in 30 days, and if it's noncompliant in 30
days, then I think Tarik's suggestion is valid.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Well, we'll cross that
bridge when we get there.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I just want to say, there's many, many
circumstances on whether the county would go in and clean up a
property, homesteaded property, whether or not there's a structure on
it, how bad the issue is. You've got to weigh taxpayer money, you
know, if we're going to be able to recoup it. There's all sorts of
July 28, 2022
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situations.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I've seen it with weeds.
MR. LETOURNEAU: We do a lot of abatements but,
obviously, the county would rather have the respondents clean it up
than us going in there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. And the respondents would
rather do it based on --
MR. LETOURNEAU: They would because, like you said,
we'd probably be more expensive if we need in there.
MR. WHITE: As far as weeds and tall grass go, there's a
specific process and set of regulations in that regard.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Are we finished with
Thomas cases, or do we have one more?
MR. MIGAL: That's it.
MS. BUCHILLON: No, that's it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I thank you. Good luck
on getting things done. You can always come back and ask for more
time on each individual case.
MS. THOMAS: I do have a question. Am I supposed to come
back in 30 days?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, no. Clean the property up,
and the case gets solved.
MS. THOMAS: So just stay in contact with Rick?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. LETOURNEAU: What will happen is that once you come
into compliance with each of these cases, depending on whether or
not you ran over the time and paid your operational costs, we wou ld
bring you back for imposition if any fines were accrued.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Is there any way -- you guys were saying
about the --
MR. WHITE: Microphone, sir.
July 28, 2022
Page 64
MR. HERNANDEZ: Sorry. Is there -- you guys were saying
about the county helping us. I mean, it would be a big help if we
could get a dumpster dropped off there. We'd load it no problem,
you know.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You know, they do have cleanup
days and whatnot. Why don't you see if you can check with the
Solid Waste folks. They may have a cleanup scheduled to do in that
area, who knows. I know they have done it in Golden Gate City.
They've done it all around the county from time to time. That would
be something to check on, okay?
Terri?
MR. HERNANDEZ: Thank you, guys. Have a good day.
MS. ELROD: Good luck.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're going to take a court
reporter break now for 10 minutes. Okay.
(A brief recess was had from 10:37 a.m. to 10:54 a.m.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd like to call the Code
Enforcement Board to order.
Okay. Helen, what's on our agenda next?
MS. BUCHILLON: Next, we're going to go to old business,
motion for imposition of fines. Actually, I have a case that his wife
has to go back to work because she could only step out to come
translate for him.
Number 10, CESD20210005318, Arturo Rives.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm you will
translate everything from English into Spanish and Spanish into
English to the best of your ability?
THE INTERPRETER: Yes.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
July 28, 2022
Page 65
MR. RIVES: Yes, ma'am.
MR. MIGAL: I do.
THE COURT REPORTER: Can you state your name?
THE INTERPRETER: Sandra Bosa.
MR. RIVES: Arturo Rives.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Rick?
MR. MIGAL: Okay. On October 29th, 2021, 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 violation. See the attached
order of the Board, Ordinance 64 -- 6045, Page 1346, for more
information.
The violation has been abated as of April 27th, 2022.
Fines and costs to date are as follows: Fines have accrued at a
rate of $150 per day for the period from February 27th, 2022, to
April 27th, 2022, or 60 days, for a total fine amount of $9,000.
Previous assessed -- previously assessed operational costs of $59.28
have been paid. Operational costs for today's hearing is $59.35.
Total amount: $9,059.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And you're going to be
translating.
THE INTERPRETER: For him.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. Just pull the microphone
down a little bit so I can hear you.
Okay. You're here before us to...
THE INTERPRETER: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Your turn to speak. He read the
charges?
THE INTERPRETER: He wants to ask if you can forgive him
the fines for the delay in the process for the garage.
MR. WHITE: What would the impact be?
July 28, 2022
Page 66
THE INTERPRETER: I'm sorry.
MR. WHITE: If fines were imposed, what would the financial
impact be on him?
THE INTERPRETER: He doesn't have the money.
MS. ELROD: I make a motion that we waive the -- or deny the
county the imposition of fines.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And you can -- everybody aboard
on this one?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me ask a question. What is
the reason why it took so long to come into compliance? And also,
this was brought into compliance in April. Why did it take -- May,
June -- three months to come before us? Not that it changes the
fines or anything. I'm just curious.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I think we might have had it scheduled
for one or two of those when we had to get out of here at 12:00. I
know one we didn't get to it, and I'm not sure why it took another
month, but...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WHITE: And, Mr. Chairman, I'll just remind the Board
members, some of whom may not have been present at that time, that
those people who were then present for the imposition cases, the
recommendation, which, of course, isn't binding, was that there
would be a waiving of the fines and costs in the cases that had abated.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Kathleen, you have a
comment?
MS. ELROD: I'd like to make a motion to deny the county the
imposition of fines.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion. Do
we have a second?
(No response.)
July 28, 2022
Page 67
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Motion dies.
Anybody else want to make a motion?
MR. FUENTES: I'd like to make a motion that we impose a
fine of $500 to be paid along with the operational costs for today's
hearing of $59.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. AYASUN: Second.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll second.
MR. WHITE: Time frame?
MR. FUENTES: We'll say within 30 days. So total would be
$559.28.
MR. WHITE: I believe it's 559.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's .35. So whatever it comes out
to be.
MR. FUENTES: Correct, $559.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and a
second. All those in favor?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. It passes. Two nos. So
your fine is reduced from 9,000 to 500.
THE INTERPRETER: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay?
THE INTERPRETER: He wants to know why, if he was
constantly in contact with Cristina, and she never mentioned that
we've got to come to court. Because he was constantly following the
July 28, 2022
Page 68
inspections and trying to get, you know, the notes, the letters, and
he's kind of confused that he was never told that he got to come to
court -- like, it was just, like, two weeks ago.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's why the fine was reduced by
800 -- $8,500.
MR. HERNANDEZ: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. FUENTES: Thank you.
THE INTERPRETER: Thank you.
MR. AYASUN: Very good, thank you.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 1, CESD20200012246,
Martha Herebia.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is 1 from the imposition of
fines?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, sir.
MR. AYASUN: Old business.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a mad dash to the
podium.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. AMBACH: I do.
MS. HEREBIA: Yes. My name is Martha --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you bring the microphone
down.
MS. HEREBIA: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You and me are the same height.
A little further. Ah, good. Okay. Can you say your name on the
mic for us?
MS. HEREBIA: My name is Martha Herebia.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Okay.
July 28, 2022
Page 69
MR. AMBACH: All set?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All set.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you. For the record, Chris Ambach,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
Past orders: On October 29th, 2021, 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 violation. See the attached order of the Board,
OR6045, Page 1349, for more information.
The violation has been abated as of June 13th, 2022.
Fines and costs to date are as follows: Fines have accrued at a
rate of $100 per day for the period from April 28th, 2022, to
June 13th, 2022, 47 days, for a total fine amount of $4,700.
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.28 have been paid.
Operational costs for today's hearing: $59.35. Total amount:
$4,759.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Ma'am?
MS. HEREBIA: Why I have to pay the money? I already pull
down everything you said at the time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I didn't understand.
MR. HEREBIA : Well, I don't know -- I can explain,
but -- when you told me put everything down, I put down at the time.
I put down everything.
MR. FUENTES: She moved everything.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You moved everything. That was
in October?
MS. HEREBIA: It's 6/13, I think.
MR. FUENTES: You took it from Chris. This case was
opened in 2020, correct?
MR. AMBACH: It was, yeah. So let me just clarify a little
bit. So we came in front of the Board. She was given a certain
July 28, 2022
Page 70
amount of time. She did remove a few of the items; however, s he
wanted to attempt to permit what was out there and decided it was
going to be way too costly for her to do it. At that point, she pulled a
demolition permit, and that's why we've gone over that point.
MR. FUENTES: Okay. I'd like to make a motion just to deny
the county its imposition of fines, but we do, however, proceed
forward with today's operational costs of $59.35.
MR. AYASUN: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So the $4,759 is gone.
Just the operational costs for today of $59.35.
MR. WHITE: Time frame to pay that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thirty days.
MS. HEREBIA: Fine. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thank you.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case under impositions, No. 7,
CESD20200000285, Debra Sue Mays Ayala.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. AMBACH: I do.
July 28, 2022
Page 71
MS. AYALA: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Give me a minute, okay, Chris.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you. For the record, Chris Ambach,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
Past orders: On January 28th, 2021, 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 violation. See the attached order of the Board,
OR5896, Page 3102, for more information. The violation has not
been abated as of July 28th, 2022.
Fines and costs to date are as follows: Fines have accrued at a
rate of $5 per day for the period from January 29th, 2022, to
July 28th, 2022, 181 days, for a total fine amount of $905. Fines
continue to accrue.
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.28 have been paid.
Operational costs for today's hearing: $59.28. Total amount:
$964.28.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Could you state your name
on the microphone for us, please.
MS. AYALA: My name is Debra Sue Mays Ayala.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And --
MS. AYALA: I need a suggestion. I'm not sure what -- I
mean, the porch or -- it's the entrance to my house, the back, and it's
been there before I moved in the house. I need to, I guess -- I'm not
sure what I need to do. Pull a permit. Financially, I'm unable to
pay. I'm struggling, so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm looking at this. The original
fine of $5 per day --
MS. AYALA: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- is about the lowest I've ever seen
this board impose.
July 28, 2022
Page 72
MS. AYALA: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Chris, do you have anything to say
or --
MR. AMBACH: I don't have anything to say. I've met with
the respondent --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. AMBACH: -- a few times. She's been given direction on
who to speak to down at the county to obtain the permits to bring it
back to its original permitted state.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So you have been given
direction on what to do?
MS. AYALA: Yeah. I need to go and sit down. But it's
money that I don't have. I'm on disability, and I don't know how -- I
don't have it. So what they're asking, I don't have it, so I'm not sure
what I need to do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm afraid that's not an excuse for
us --
MS. AYALA: I know it's not an excuse.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- imposing the fine.
MS. AYALA: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I have a question --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Shoot.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: -- for Chris. What would you estimate
for the cost to remove this?
MR. AMBACH: I'm not a business --
MR. LETOURNEAU: That's a tough question, once again.
MR. AMBACH: That's a tough question, yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let me just say, if this was not
done by the respondent here, it was done prior to her taking
the -- possession of the property, she could go to an architect who
could do a permit by affidavit. That's possible since she did not do
July 28, 2022
Page 73
the actual work.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Chris, was all that work done before she
was owner of the property?
MR. AMBACH: No.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. So, yeah, I don't think that
situation's going to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Then I misunderstood the
respondent. You said you bought this --
MS. AYALA: No. I moved in the house. It was there when I
moved in the house. I got the property. It was passed down from
my father.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. AYALA: So that's how I ended up with the property.
MR. LETOURNEAU: But there's than just -- there's a reroof, a
6-foot wooden fence.
MS. AYALA: I've taken care of all that.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Is all that taken care of?
MS. AYALA: Yes.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. What's the remaining violation,
then?
MR. AMBACH: It's the enclosed porch.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. And we feel that it was
enclosed after she had the --
MR. AMBACH: That's correct.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. All right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Was the porch enclosed after you
got possession of the property?
MS. AYALA: I put screen on the porch. That was it. That
was all that was put there, screen, and right at the -- I changed the
door. I did change the door. Other than that, there was nothing else
done to it. Painted.
July 28, 2022
Page 74
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you had the financial ability to
do that?
MS. AYALA: The paint and stuff?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: No, to put the doors on and the
screens and whatnot but not to pull a permit?
MS. AYALA: It was a door that was throwed away that I
picked up and put on my door, because it's better than the one I had.
That's -- I didn't go buy a door.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. AYALA: Everything I put on my house is usually
recycled.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I will say to Mr. Rubenstein's question,
the cost of the fines would probably outweigh the cost of getting it
permitted at this point.
MS. AYALA: Oh.
MR. AMBACH: I would agree.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to make a
motion?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'd like to make a motion, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: To reduce the fines to $500 and that
the --
MR. LETOURNEAU: Hold on.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hold on. The fines -- this has not
been abated; therefore, the fines continue to accrue. So our ability
right now is to either impose the fines or to grant a continuance for
some reason.
MR. AYASUN: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll retract my motion and restate.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
July 28, 2022
Page 75
MR. RUBENSTEIN: That the 964.28 should be collected by
the county as represented.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you impose the fine?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I second your motion. All
those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. AYALA: So I'm being fined and stuff, right? That's --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MS. AYALA: Okay. Could I have a continuance to be able to
pay that in time? Because I would like to pull a permit on the -- I
would like to fix the problem.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, what's happening now is the
$5 per day continue until you get it permitted.
MS. AYALA: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. But the 964 is due.
MS. AYALA: Okay. I don't have that. So can you take
payments? Is there any way to do it?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You can work that out off-line
here, but those are generally due within 30 days.
MS. AYALA: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So -- okay?
MS. AYALA: Yes, sir.
July 28, 2022
Page 76
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thanks, Chris.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you.
MS. AYALA: Have a good one.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 8, CEPM20190009270,
Keith G. Purdy and Darlene Purdy.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. MUCHA: I do.
MS. PURDY: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Give me a minute to find the case.
It's always in the last place I look.
Okay, Joe. Shoot.
MR. MUCHA: Okay. For the record, Supervisor Joe Mucha,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
Past orders: On January 24th, 2020, 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 the attached order of the
Board, OR5749, Page 3393, for more information.
The violation has not been abated as of July 28th, 2022.
Fines and costs to date are as follows: Fines have accrued at a
rate of $250 per day for the period from March 25th, 2020, to
July 28th, 2022, 856 days, for a total fine amount of $214,000.
Fines continue to accrue.
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.21 have been paid,
operational costs for today's hearing is $59.28, for a total amount to
date of $214,059.28.
So just to give you a brief overview, the demolition has been
completed; however, at this point it's just the debris that she's in the
process of cleaning up. There's a dumpster on site. She believes
July 28, 2022
Page 77
she'll be ready by next week.
MS. PURDY: The cleanup will be done this weekend, and then
there's an inspection.
MR. MUCHA: Then she calls in her final inspection for the
demolition permit.
MS. PURDY: For Tuesday.
MR. MUCHA: So she needs, just, probably a little bit more
time.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. The problem that you have
is it's not -- it has not been abated.
MR. MUCHA: It's not been abated, correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the only thing we could do now
is to continue this. You think it will be done by next month?
MS. PURDY: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I would think that that
would probably be the --
MS. PURDY: It will be cleaned up by this weekend. It's
totally demoed, and the cleanup's already -- it's in the process.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The final stages is CO on the --
MR. MUCHA: The demolition permit, yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. So do you think the CO
will be done by next month?
MS. PURDY: The inspection?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The whole thing.
MS. PURDY: Yes.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So I would say that unless
you would like to withdraw this case until the next Code
Enforcement Board hearing, that would be a good way to go with
this.
MS. PURDY: And I am asking the Board to deny the county's
request to impose the fines.
July 28, 2022
Page 78
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's -- we can't deny anything.
You're not in compliance.
MS. PURDY: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. The county will withdraw this
case until next month.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Please mark that down, Helen, so we
get it on the -- thanks. I think you guys have to vote on t hat, though.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We'll modify the agenda.
Get a motion to modify the agenda.
MS. ELROD: Motion to modify the agenda.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Get a second.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MS. PURDY: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You happy, Patrick?
MR. WHITE: Absolutely.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. FUENTES: It's important we make Patrick happy.
MR. WHITE: It's not easy.
MR. FUENTES: It's not easy?
July 28, 2022
Page 79
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I've heard that from lots of people.
MS. ELROD: That's what she said.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case under impositions, No. 12,
CESD20210007357, Laura Carr.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MS. CARR: I do.
MR. CATHEY: I do.
MS. CARR: Good afternoon, all.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good afternoon. Could you state
your name on the microphone for us.
MS. CARR: Laura Carr.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. You can move the mic
up -- perfect, perfect. So now we can hear you.
MS. CARR: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Would you like to read this
into the record for us.
MR. CATHEY: Good morning. For the record, Ryan Cathey,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
Past orders are on October 29, 2021, Code Enforcement Board
issued a finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. Respondent
was found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to
correct the violation. See attached order of the Board, OR6045,
Page 1344, for more information.
Violation has not been abated as of July 28th, 2022.
Fines have accrued at a rate of $100 a day for the period
January 28th, 2022, to July 28, 2022. Total fine amount of $18,200.
Fines continue to accrue.
Previous assessed operational costs of $59.28 have been paid.
Operational costs for today's hearing are $59.28. Total fine amount
July 28, 2022
Page 80
is $18,259.28.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. CARR: I'd like to ask for a continuance. What I did was
when we were here, I needed to get a survey, and so you-all said I
needed more than three months, but I thought it would be easy
getting a surveyor. But they're so booked it wasn't so easy. But
then we got the survey -- I got the survey, and then I went to
Code -- to Community Development, and it wasn't enough
information to define if that -- I built a screen porch -- and if it was
there before.
So we then pulled I think they're called property cards. And so
upon looking at it, he then pulled aerial pictures, and in the '70s there
was no sign that it existed. So I said, okay. And then he said, and
your property's been changed, and it's no longer, I guess, eight feet
separation. It's now 15 feet.
And so I said, well, what do I have to do to get that?
And he said a variance.
And I said, well, would that involve, you know, the person next
door agreeing?
And he said yes.
And that was on 7/11 we finally got through with, you know,
back and forth, the cards and all.
And so I said, okay, it's coming down, and I immediately started
taking it down.
On the 13th, I received notice that I was to come here. I
continued working to take it down, of course, but it was just so hot
that I could only work so many hours. And then the lightning would
come at night, and I didn't want to go up on -- you know, take any
chances.
So I am, as Officer Cathey can -- Cathey.
MR. CATHEY: Cathey, yes.
July 28, 2022
Page 81
MS. CARR: -- Cathey can tell you, it's almost done. I cleaned
up all the -- there's just one -- there's, like, a -- not even a quarter left,
and that will be done this weekend. And he's willing to come out
next week and look at it and then assure that it was all done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So by next month do you think you
should have everything done?
MS. CARR: Oh, guaranteed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Jeff?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Once again, the county will withdraw
this case until next month.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's even better than a
continuance.
MS. CARR: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So I need a motion from the Board
to modify the agenda.
MS. ELROD: Make a motion to modify.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. CARR: Okay. I promise.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We'll hold you to it. We'll see
you next month.
MS. CARR: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Don't go outside with any metal
poles during the lightning.
July 28, 2022
Page 82
MR. FUENTES: She was working at night. She's a hard
worker.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah. We caught Jeff on a good
day. He seems to be somewhat reasonable today.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm just trying to save Patrick some
paperwork.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 13, CESD20210004950,
Carlos Valdes and Dulce Valdes.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. MUCHA: I do.
MS. GIGUERE: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Could you state your name on the
microphone for us, even though we know who you are.
MS. GIGUERE: Absolutely. Vicki Giguere, G-i-g-u-e-r-e,
and I work for AUC Consultant, LLC. We're the representative for
the owner.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Joe.
MR. MUCHA: Okay. For the record, Joe Mucha, supervisor,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
Past orders: On January 27th of 2022, 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 violation. See the attached order of the Board,
OR6095, Page 3275, for more information.
The violation has not been abated as of July 28th, 2022.
Fines and costs to date are as follows: Fines have accrued at a
rate of $200 per day for the period from May 28th, 2022, to
July 28th, 2022, 62 days, for a total fine amount of $12,400. Fines
continue to accrue.
July 28, 2022
Page 83
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.28 have been paid.
Operational costs for today's hearing is $59.35. Total fine amount is
$12,459.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Vicki.
MS. GIGUERE: Good morning, Board. I am here to request a
continuance for this case.
I know that it seems like it's been going on for quite some time,
although I know you-all are familiar with a site plan and how long
that process actually takes.
We did not advise the owner to sign that stipulation in May, so
we kind of are collecting the pieces after the fact. Since then we had
to obtain a survey, a new survey, because the previous survey that
was done was completely incorrect. Even with connections, that
survey turnaround time took 81 days.
We also had a pre-app meeting on May 3rd with county as soon
as we obtained that survey copy, and we are moving forward with
submitting all of the plans for them to take a look at that. Everything
that is in violation and of concern will be listed on that site plan. So
it's just a matter of needing a little more time to get that process
underway.
And we did meet with Code Enforcement and Captain Mike
Cruz from the Fire Department last week at the property, so
everybody is on the same page and is aware of the game plan going
forward.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. How much time do you
think you need to come into compliance?
MS. GIGUERE: I don't want to over-ask, because I like to
come back and give updates, and I know you guys like that, too, so
for now if we could do 120 days, and that way I can come back with
more progress and go from there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is that 120 days till you get your
July 28, 2022
Page 84
site plan approved?
MS. GIGUERE: I sure hope so.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And what about the -- I guess the
building permits? They come after the site plan.
MS. GIGUERE: Yeah. It will be done simultaneously. So as
it gets approved in portions, then we will apply for those specific
permits as they get approved. We won't wait till the very end. So
as soon as things can get going, we'll be on top of that.
MR. MUCHA: Vicki, just a quick question. When we met
last week, you said there was a possibility of some things being
demolished as well.
MS. GIGUERE: Yeah. So the concern for one of the things is
the -- there's, like, an outside bathroom that's built under an overhang.
And at first it was believed that the owner was on septic, and that
bathroom would not be allowed by the Health Department. But after
further research, the property is under City water. So that bathroom
might actually be allowed. So if it is allowed, we're going to put it
as part of the site plan. We're waiting on an answer to find out. So
if it's not allowed, that will be one of the first things to go. That can
be a separate demo permit; not an issue.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the site plan has not been
submitted yet?
MS. GIGUERE: The pre-app has happened for the site plan so
that all of the county members are aware of what we're going for,
what needs to be listed on the site plan. At this point we just need to
come up with that drawing and put everything specifically on there
that the county is concerned about that is in violation, and then that
will be submitted to be approved.
MR. WHITE: And until you have the answer regarding sewer,
you can't submit that aspect for the site plan; is that correct?
MS. GIGUERE: Correct.
July 28, 2022
Page 85
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So you're optimistic on the 120
days?
MS. GIGUERE: I am, but I like to come back and see you
guys anyways, so...
MR. FUENTES: Only because I'm here.
MS. GIGUERE: Well, you know, Danny's not here, but...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We'll tell him you gave him a
message.
Okay. Anybody want to make a motion on this?
MR. FUENTES: Make a motion to give her the 120 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: A continuance for 120 days.
MR. AYASUN: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Operational costs for today are
59.35. It should be paid within 30 days.
MS. GIGUERE: Not a problem.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. That's part of your motion?
MR. FUENTES: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MS. GIGUERE: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
July 28, 2022
Page 86
How we doing, Helen?
MS. BUCHILLON: Good. I think we're done with all the
present, so we can go back to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Hearings?
MS. BUCHILLON: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We are -- let's see. This one's
done, that's done, that's done. Done, done, done, done, done. Are
we up to No. 7? Nope, that's a stip.
MS. BUCHILLON: Number 16.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Did we hear 9, 10, 11?
MS. BUCHILLON: Eleven and 12.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. 16, Lowe's.
MS. BUCHILLON: Number 16, CELU20220004457, Lowe's
Home Centers, Inc.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. PITURA: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let the record show that the
respondent is not present.
MR. PITURA: Okay. Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. PITURA: Good morning, Board.
For the record, Thomas Pitura, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CELU20220004457 dealing
with violation to Collier County Land Development Code 04 -41, as
amended, Sections 1.01.01(A), 4.02.12, 10.02.03(A)(2)(d), the
Collier County Code of Laws Chapter 54, Article VI, Section 54-181.
Description of violation: Illegal outside storage of retail
merchandise, litter, wood, pallets, cardboard, plastic, building
July 28, 2022
Page 87
materials, et cetera, stored along and around the perimeter of the
building.
It's located at 12730 Tamiami Trail East, Naples, Florida 34113.
Folio 25368002589.
Service was given on May 9th, 2022.
I'd like to present details of the case.
On May 6th, 2022, I initially inspected Lowe's Home Center for
outside storage. At this time there was a large amount of building
materials, supplies, mulch, and construction materials being placed
along the perimeter of the building. I spoke to several managers,
including the store manager, and explained to him that this property
was not zoned for outside storage. Allowed time for abatement,
which the violation continued.
On June 22nd, 2022, a notice of violation was issued with
minimal time, as this is a repeat violation.
The prior case including the last five years, March 2017,
December 2017, January 2019, which was presented for a hearing
with a finding of fact -- and December of 2019.
Currently, during my inspection on July 27th, 2022, there's been
no abatement. The violation remains with an excessive amount of
outside storage on the property.
I would now like to present case evidence in the following
exhibits: Eight pictures taken by myself on May 6th, 2022; three
pictures taken by myself on July 27th, 2022; aerial; one
recommendation; code case determination; and a hearing finding of
fact.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Someone want to make a motion to
accept the attachments?
MR. FUENTES: Make a motion to accept.
MR. AYASUN: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
July 28, 2022
Page 88
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So, basically, they're not zoned for
outside storage unless they get a fencing with opaque screening and
hide the stuff behind there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm kind of surprised that they're
not here with an attorney, to be honest with you, but...
MR. PITURA: I was in communication with the store
managers. I did make them aware that it's important for them to be
present. And she did try to correspond with their upper
management. And in speaking to her yesterday, there was -- they
were not going to be present.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. AYASUN: They don't take us seriously, I guess.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They will.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So that was all the pictures. Do you
want to --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Make a motion to accept all the
photos?
MR. LETOURNEAU: You did.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We did that.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And then we want to look at the -- just
to show you the past order. Same thing, illegal outside storage of
July 28, 2022
Page 89
materials.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is a repeat violation?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Yes, sir. And what else did we have?
We had a determination.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Was that sent to the store or to
corporate?
MR. PITURA: As far as what?
MR. LETOURNEAU: The notice.
MR. PITURA: That was sent to the address listed on the
property appraiser. They received it at corporate. Also, I posted the
property, and the manager was aware that there was going to be
a -- that there was a violation, and there will be a hearing.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. What was the fine the last
time?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Let me go back to that. I'm having
trouble with this email determination. Let me go back to the order.
Hundred dollars a day. Tom, do you know if they abated in
time or --
MR. PITURA: They did. They signed a stipulation, and they
abated it in time.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Mr. Chairman, while he's looking, I just
have a comment --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: -- and looking for a little feedback as
well. The way I read this and hear it, this involves every Lowe's and
Home Depot and every retailer that puts merchandise outside
including nurseries, garden shops, Christmas tree sale.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I have a head shaking horizontally
from over here.
MR. FUENTES: Every business is different.
July 28, 2022
Page 90
MR. LETOURNEAU: It totally depends on the zoning whether
or not you can -- or if your -- if your PUD, when it was enacted,
allowed outside storage. Their PUD for this particular store did not
allow outside storage, and being -- it's C-4, I believe, you have to
have -- like I said, if you're going to store stuff outside at these type
of zoning parcels, you need fencing. They need to put -- if they
want to store it out there.
Now, we do have other cases with Home Depot and the other
Lowe's in -- you're probably going to be seeing them. It's just --
MR. RUBENSTEIN: So the picture that was shown with the
yellow tape, that was at the rear of the building. Would that be
considered delivery area? Because I frequent that store, and I see
them get deliveries back there, and a day or two later it's gone.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I think that the stuff out there right
now's been pretty consistent from day one; right, Tom?
MR. PITURA: Yeah. What happens out there is that they get
deliveries, but they're not gone, really, the next day. They stay out
there until they have the room inside to move everything in. And
that could take days, weeks. So then they get another delivery, and
then that piles on top of the past delivery. So they're never really
able to get that cleared out.
MR. LETOURNEAU: And I talked to executives from Home
Depot, what we have a case on. He was saying that they have
trucking issues right now. You know, he was pulling up the
pandemic, all sorts of issues right now that they needed to store this
stuff outside, and they'd rather probably take the -- and I'm talking
about Home Depot. They'd rather take the fines or whatever than,
you know, try to adjust their schedule for a certain amount of time.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Where's their legal delivery area; in the
back on this photo?
MR. PITURA: They deliver in the back and the front. I've
July 28, 2022
Page 91
seen it both places.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Okay. So if it is a delivery area, I mean,
do they have a certain amount of time that they have to remove the
goods?
MR. LETOURNEAU: They'd have to -- if they dropped off the
delivery, what we're trying to say is they need a fenced area to drop
the goods on the outside. If they just delivered the m right inside the
store, we'd have no problem.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They're aware of this problem?
MR. LETOURNEAU: They are. They're aware.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They've already paid the fine or
have abated it in the past. So this is nothing new for them. It's just
a --
MR. LETOURNEAU: It's basically illegal outside storage is
what it comes down to.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is a repeat violation of what
they already knew they were in violation for.
MR. AYASUN: If I may add to Lee. I go there almost every
Saturday. And since the day they opened, this is -- I thought this
was part of their storage, actually. I didn't think it was delivery. I
think they probably consider it that paying the fines is cheaper than
building the fence.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I can't speak for -- I can't speak for
them, but the manager of Home Depot did kind of say that --
MR. WHITE: Let's try not to cross-pollinate the cases.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm sorry.
MR. WHITE: It's okay.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'm just saying they're having issues due
to the economy and the trucking industry and everything else going
on.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
July 28, 2022
Page 92
MS. RUIZ: I do have a comment, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead.
MS. RUIZ: There was or there is a vacant lot facing Collier,
and I go there to Lowe's all the time. And I saw that that corner lot
has a building permit for -- precisely for storing items. It's facing
Collier right across from a store. I think it's a Dunkin Donuts store.
Have you checked whether that lot that is being built right now is for
the purpose of storing?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I think that's going to be an AutoZone,
parts store.
MS. RUIZ: Oh, it says Home Depot -- not Home Depot.
Lowe's.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It doesn't matter. They're in
violation -- I need a motion -- I'll make the motion that a violation --
MR. FUENTES: Motion that a violation --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: -- exists. I'll second it.
MS. ELROD: Second.
MR. AYASUN: Second, yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
MR. WHITE: Point of order, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What?
MR. WHITE: Is the motion that a repeat violation or a
violation?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It's a repeat violation.
MR. WHITE: Thank you.
July 28, 2022
Page 93
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And at this time, I mean,
we could -- I'm not saying we do it, but we could probably fine them
$5,000.
MR. WHITE: Can we vote on the motion?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I'll put my recommendation up and you
guys decide what you want to do.
MR. WHITE: Vote on the motion.
MR. FUENTES: Do a little bit more than $5,000.
MR. WHITE: Point of order. Vote on the motion.
MS. ELROD: We did.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: How's your hearing now, Lee
[sic]?
MR. WHITE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. The recommendation from
the county is?
MR. PITURA: Code Enforcement Board orders the respondent
to pay all operational costs in the amount of 59.28 incurred in the
prosecution of this case within 30 days and abat e all violations by:
One, paying a civil penalty in the amount of $500 for the repeat
violation within 30 days of this hearing;
Two, removing all unauthorized accumulation of litter to a site
intended for final disposal and either store all materials located on the
exterior of the property in accordance with the approved Site
Development Plan, or obtain all Collier County approvals, permits,
July 28, 2022
Page 94
inspections, and certificate of completion to allow outside storage
within a certain amount of days of this hearing, or a fine of X amount
of dollars will be imposed for each day the violation remains;
Three, 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 and use 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. I think I forgot to mention
that the respondent is not present. I just wanted to put that on the
record.
Okay. Civil penalty of $500, $59.28 to be paid within 30 days.
And I'm looking for the -- from the -- for the Board for how much the
fine would be if it's not done within X amount of days. Anybody
want to tackle that?
MR. FUENTES: Make a motion that they pay 5,000 within 10
business days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The civil penalty is one thing and
then, should they not come into compliance, X amount of dollars per
day after so many days. So I think that's the format that we want to
put it in. So you want the civil penalty to be $5,000?
MR. FUENTES: And that done within 10 business days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Within 10 business days. 59.28 is
the cost of the -- what do you call it? Costs for 59.28, operational
costs paid within 30 days, and then after X amount of days, X amount
of dollars per day, so...
MR. AYASUN: So you need a number for per day, correct?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes. I'm looking to John for that.
July 28, 2022
Page 95
MR. FUENTES: I guess $500 per day.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And how many days are you
giving them to put up their fence or whatever?
MR. PITURA: Well, they have not applied for the site plan
approval at all. So at this point, they just have not -- are wanting to
know what the outcome of this case is.
MR. WHITE: Point of information, Mr. Chairman. I believe
I've heard from Mr. Letourneau that the zoning may be C-4 or PUD.
Do we know the answer to that question, which it is?
MR. PITURA: C-4.
MR. WHITE: So they would not need to amend their PUD to
allow the use, correct?
MR. PITURA: I'm not sure, to answer your question correctly.
MR. WHITE: So you don't know whether C-4 is an allowable
use?
MR. PITURA: It is under the --
MR. WHITE: Outside storage?
MR. PITURA: There is as far as on the --
MR. LETOURNEAU: It's only allowable if they have fencing,
though.
MR. WHITE: I understand. I'm just trying to help the Board
to understand exactly what needs to be done from the respondent's
perspective to abate the violation.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Store it completely in their shop or put
a fence up.
MR. WHITE: It was more with respect to the fence because at
this point it sounds like it may be a mix of survey, site plan, and
fence permit.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Jeff, you're talking about a fence in the
back area? Because the way this is written up, it's building materials
stored around the perimeter of the building. They have merchandise
July 28, 2022
Page 96
all over the front of the building. So you're saying they have to have
a fence there or remove?
MR. LETOURNEAU: They have to work it out with zoning on
where they can store their items. They're not allowed to store any
items out around the building anywhere. So if they need to get a
fence, if they have to amend their Site Development Plan to allow
some advertising/storage out front, they're going to have to do that
also. But right now they're not allowed to store anything arou nd the
building outside.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: All right. I know we have
a -- Mr. Chairman, I know we have a motion floating around out
there, but I still have a few questions.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, the motion isn't finished.
There was -- let me tell you where we are with the motion.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: All right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: A civil penalty of 5,000.
Operational costs of 59.28 to be paid within 30 days. We need to
know -- it's $500-a-day fine after X amount of days. The X we don't
know yet, so that could be 30 days, or whatever, to give them the
time to come into compliance. So that's the first thing I'm looking
for.
MR. FUENTES: Thirty days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So that's 30 days. So I
have your motion written down. Joe, did you want to say anything
while you're here?
(Mr. Mucha was previously sworn.)
MR. MUCHA: Yeah. For the record, I believe on a
determination that we had from a few years back, it actually said for
them to have any kind of outside storage, whether it be a fenced -in
area or anything like that is going to be -- it's going to need an
amendment to the site plan. No doubt about it.
July 28, 2022
Page 97
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll wait till the motion is presented under
discussion.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Let me read what I
understand the motion to be. John, you correct me if I'm wrong.
$5,000 civil penalty, 59.28 paid within 30 days for operational costs,
$500-a-day fine after 30 days.
MR. FUENTES: Correct.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. That is the motion.
MR. AYASUN: Five thousand was payable in 10 days.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
Patrick, you have something to say?
MR. WHITE: No, I just wanted that clarification. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. ELROD: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MS. ELROD: How long does it take to get a site plan?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: A long time. I think, more than
anything else, we need to get somebody from Lowe's to see that
there's a concern here, and I think this motion would do just that.
Okay.
MR. FUENTES: Well, this motion's been made.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Any comments on that motion?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Yes. Is this taking into consideration all
the Lowe's in Collier County and all the Home Depots that store boat
trailers in their parking lots, and temporary sheds and all kinds of
merchandise?
MR. WHITE: I understand the concern. I'd simply point out
that it's beyond the scope of this case.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. WHITE: But to address the concern, I would suggest, as I
July 28, 2022
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have with Mr. Letourneau, that there's a distinction between outside,
quote-unquote, storage and offering something for retail sale. For
example, it has, you know, a price tags on or some sign.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The barbecues they put in front of
the store, et cetera, okay.
MR. WHITE: And that line needs to be drawn in determining
the affidavit of compliance for the purposes of abatement.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. If this motion passes, I
would think that some representative from Lowe's would be knocking
on the door of Zoning to figure out what they're going to do.
MR. WHITE: Well, since they're not present and the order
likely won't be sent out for mailing probably any less than a week
from now, the 10 days is something I doubt they're going to be aware
of in that time frame. So they're probably not going to pay the fine
within -- 5,000 unless somebody happens to be watching.
MR. FUENTES: They should have been here.
MR. WHITE: I don't disagree. I'm simply putting out the
relative timing. And if I may, the $500 per day, how many days was
that?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thirty days.
MR. FUENTES: Thirty.
MR. WHITE: Thank you.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Joe, was this -- was this -- was this
complaint generated by a citizen or by a drive-by?
MR. MUCHA: It was from a citizen. I mean, we've gotten
numerous complaints over the years.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Just at that location or all of them?
MR. MUCHA: At that specific location.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Okay.
MR. AYASUN: That's what we have to concentrate on.
MR. FUENTES: The motion doesn't have a second yet.
July 28, 2022
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MR. AYASUN: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The motion's seconded. All those
in favor?
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: No.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Two nos?
MR. AYASUN: I said "yeah."
MR. FUENTES: Four yes, two nos.
MS. RUIZ: I said "yes."
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. It passes, 5-2 [sic].
MR. WHITE: 4-2.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Or 4-2, I'm sorry. My math is off.
It's been a long meeting.
MR. WHITE: Lawyer math.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Can I make a comment?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You can.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Okay. Lowe's is a great corporate
company for this community. They do a lot of donation for
veterans. They take parking spaces and delegate them for veterans
only. They're a good business to be in Collier County. And I
understand there's a violation, but I think the long term on this, if
we're going to go to war over some materials put in the back, that
these people are not going to be very happy with Collier County.
And I know we're not here to make people happy or unhappy,
but I would think and I hope that the letter that goes out is very strong
July 28, 2022
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to indicate what's in front of them if it's not resolved, and I'd like to
see it resolved with the county on a sit-down and not in this forum.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I agree with you.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: And I just think it's the worst thing that
the county could do is to chase them down for building materials and
fining them, whatever the amount is. These are not residential
people with income problems and property problems. These are
good corporate neighbors. They're very giving. They always
support. I know for a fact that when the traveling Vietnam wall
came to Collier County, they stepped right up and donated $10,000,
and all their employees came to set it up. That's a good company.
That's not somebody you want to really tick off.
So I'll just go on record as saying I hope it can be resolved
between your office and their office and get it resolved somehow;
that if it's the PUD issue, then we need to fix it.
Okay. That's all, Mr. Chair.
MR. WHITE: May I offer some comment with regard to Board
Member Rubenstein's position?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Uh-huh.
MR. WHITE: We all understand why we're here. There was
no question that there was a violation, a repeat violation. And as
good as a corporate citizen may be, they stand no differently before
you as respondents.
I appreciate the point of view. It's well taken. But I believe
that the reason why there was the precision in the order and the
discussion about timing and dollar amounts was a well-balanced
approach to assuring that the problem will be addressed, because it is
a repeat violation and could have been addressed previously.
MR. FUENTES: And they --
MR. WHITE: And because we also, both from the county's
perspective and from this board's perspective, recognize that it may
July 28, 2022
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be a more community-wide concern that may require changes to the
regulations themselves to more precisely include that line between
what we discussed before about the difference between retail sales
and outside storage.
So I'm just trying to put on the record something that will help
meet your point of view while still protecting the Board, if you will,
from any potential legal challenge.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I mean, in my opinion, the only thing
that I see that could possibly be a violation is their plants outside the
front door. When you walk in, they have plants to the right and left.
Those are there. They've been there since day one. Yeah, they'r e
outside sales. But as far as storage, I think it's deliveries. I mean,
they don't move the goods out of the back into the store, and the only
thing else that could be a violation is when they sell Christmas trees
out there in December.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I think they put those in a tent.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Which is even worse. Another
temporary structure.
MR. AYASUN: Lee, what you said earlier is well taken, and
I'm in total agreement with it, but they should have had their
representative here.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I agree.
MR. AYASUN: For them not to show any respect for the
Board for me is a violation on its own.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: And maybe five grand, it will wake
somebody up.
MR. FUENTES: Five thousand dollars is not going to hurt
Lowe's. We also have Ace Hardware.
(Simultaneous crosstalk.)
MR. RUBENSTEIN: That's why I asked where was the letter
sent to? Did it go to corporate, or did it go right to the store on the
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East Trail?
MR. LETOURNEAU: As the investigator stated, he had many
conversations with numerous managers there. If they didn't get the
word up to the corporate level, that's on them. We sent the notices
where we legally needed to send them. That's all I can say at this
point.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'm sure this will be resolved in a
sane matter going forward one way or other. At least --
MR. LETOURNEAU: We would be more than willing to work
with Lowe's to come in and try to work out the best situation per the
ordinance with them.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Is the zoning different for each of these
Lowe's locations?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Off the top of my head, I don't think so.
I think they're all C-4. They're -- I think they're all PUDs but with
C-4 requirements.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: And Home Depot as well?
MR. LETOURNEAU: I believe so, yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Moving right along.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Okay. Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Thank you.
Helen, what's next?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Lunch.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 17, CENA20220005404,
Michael Ray Marolla. They have two cases.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. COLLIER: I do.
July 28, 2022
Page 103
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Let the record show the respondent
is not present.
Okay. Moving right along.
MR. COLLIER: For the record, Investigator Adam Collier,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CENA20220005404 dealing
with violations of Collier County Code of Laws and Ordinances,
Chapter 54, Article V, Sections 54-179 and 54-181, and Collier
County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section
2.02.03.
Description of the violation: Outside storage and litter.
Violation's located at 2961 28th Avenue Southeast, Naples, Florida.
Folio No. 41345480001.
This case originated from a complaint with the original -- the
original case number being CELU20220005097.
Personal service was given on June 7th of 2022. The original
complaint date was 5/25 -- or May 25th of 2022, but because of the
nature of the complaint, the initial inspection was scheduled at a time
when the Collier County Sheriff's Office could be present. In
addition to the Collier County Sheriff’s deputy, the Health
Department was contacted for this.
On site with the deputy for the initial inspection on June 1st,
2022, from the street I did witness outside storage and litter
consisting of, but not limited to, mattresses, buckets, clothes, and
other miscellaneous debris and material.
The deputy and I approached the property and made contact
with the gentleman who informed us that he had the authority to
make decisions on behalf of the property. His name was Antonio
Duran. He allowed the deputy and I to enter into the backyard.
While in the backyard, more outside storage and litter was observed.
Furthermore, there was a -- there was an RV that had its waste
July 28, 2022
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pipe -- had a waste pipe duct taped to it, and the waste was just going
out into the grass.
While on site, I informed the property representative of the
violations. I informed him of the next steps if not in compliance. I
also informed him that I'd return in five days to follow up.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Is this in Golden Gate City?
MR. COLLIER: Golden Gate Estates.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: In the Estates, okay.
MR. COLLIER: In the Estates.
Before my follow-up, I made contact with Antonio Duran via
phone. He requested I do my recheck on the 7th -- on June 7th of
2022, so the recheck was rescheduled. On June 7th of 2022, I
did -- I went -- while performing my recheck, I did observe that the
violations still existed.
I spoke with the property owner, Mike, at that time. Also
Antonio was present. The notice of violation was issued to the
property owner, Mike. I informed the property owner I would return
on June 17th, 2022. I informed him that if the violation had not been
abated, the case would be prepared for a hearing.
So on June 17th of 2022, from the road I did observe outside
storage and litter remained. I was unable to enter the property
because a string had been placed around the property with a no
trespassing sign posted on it. At this time the case was prepped for
hearing.
I think it's also important to note that this property is an ongoing
concern for the Collier County Sheriff's Office within contacting us
via email every so often to go out there.
So at this time I'd like to present case evidence in the following
exhibits: Four photos taken by myself on the first; two photos taken
by myself on June 7th, 2022 -- excuse me -- June 1st, 2022; two
photos taken by me again on June 17th, 2022; and a lot of photos, 11
July 28, 2022
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photos taken on -- yesterday, July 27th, 2022.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Get a motion from the
Board to accept the photos.
MR. FUENTES: Motion to accept photos.
MR. AYASUN: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
I thought you said there was litter there. Okay.
MR. COLLIER: And as you can tell from the photos, the
property's just -- the outside storage and litter has progressively
escalated.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Is that the duct tape you were talking
about, Adam?
MR. COLLIER: Yeah, it sure is.
MR. FUENTES: You know, if it wasn't for Collier County
Code Enforcement, we'd look like Miami -Dade here pretty soon.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're working on it.
MR. AYASUN: Where is that pipe taking the --
MR. COLLIER: Right to the yard, right into the grass.
MR. FUENTES: That's why that patch is greener than the rest.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So we're on to yesterday here.
MR. FUENTES: If the deputy's involved, this is a pretty
serious matter.
July 28, 2022
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MR. AYASUN: It's a big A-frame, too.
MR. FUENTES: Is that used for deworming pets?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yeah.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I don't see any dogs around there.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Was the owner home when you were
there?
MR. COLLIER: Yesterday? No.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: No.
MR. COLLIER: The owner was not present, but someone that
was staying there was. I didn't catch his name, but the owner is not
available right now.
MR. LETOURNEAU: So when you went there yesterday, the
string was down with the no trespassing?
MR. COLLIER: The string was down, yes.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. All right.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Did you leave a card or anything that you
were there to have him call you?
MR. COLLIER: In the past, yes.
MR. LETOURNEAU: He talked to him every time he's been
there.
MR. COLLIER: Yeah, I've talked to him in the past. I've
talked to a representative face to face and the owner.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to make a
motion a violation exists?
MS. ELROD: I'll make a motion a violation exists.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Second. I'll second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And a second.
MR. FUENTES: I'll third.
July 28, 2022
Page 107
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Do you have a suggestion for us?
MR. LETOURNEAU: We do.
MR. COLLIER: Yeah. That the Code Enforcement Board
orders the respondent to pay all operational costs in the amount of
59.35 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days and
abate all violations by:
Removing all unauthorized accumulation of litter and all other
items not permitted for outside storage to a site designated for such
use, or store desired items in a completely enclosed structure within
X amount of days of this hearing, or a fine of X amount will be
imposed for each day the violation remains; and,
Number 2, the respondent must notify the code enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a
final inspection to confirm abatement. If the respondent fails to
abate the violation, the county may abate the violation using any
method to 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 the abatement shall be
assessed to the property owner.
One more point of information. The property owner and
property representative that I met with are both in jail now, so...
July 28, 2022
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CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: That will stop the sewage problem.
MR. FUENTES: Was it is for deworming pet reasons?
MS. BUCHILLON: Mr. Kaufman, can I go ahead and put on
the record the notice?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes, please.
MS. BUCHILLON: Respondent was notified regular and
certified mail on July 14, 2022, and it was also posted at the property
and courthouse on July 14, 2022.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WHITE: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. WHITE: May I ask the investigator a couple questions?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: You may.
MR. COLLIER: Absolutely.
MR. WHITE: Do you know the dates that either or both of
these gentlemen were incarcerated?
MR. COLLIER: No, I do not.
MR. WHITE: Do you know whether --
MR. COLLIER: I know it was after the notice of violation was
issued because the owner signed it.
MR. WHITE: Okay. That was the pertinent piece of
information.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. This is not the first case
that we've heard where -- we've heard a lot of drug cases where the
respondents are in jail. We just continue on. We will assign the
amount of days for this to be cleaned up and a fine thereof, and we'll
go on with life. So...
MR. COLLIER: Mr. Chairman?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. COLLIER: Another thing, the operational costs should
July 28, 2022
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have been 59.28, not 59.35.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: They saved a few cents there.
Okay. Okay. Anybody want to try filling in the blanks? If not, I
will.
MR. FUENTES: Why don't you make a motion?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Who, me?
MR. FUENTES: No, Sue [sic].
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Thirty days, $250-a-day
fine.
THE COURT REPORTER: Can you say that again?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. 59.28 paid within 30 days,
they have 30 days to come into compliance, and the fine after that is
$250 a day.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll second that.
MR. WHITE: On the motion, Mr. Chairman, I'd note that the
recommendation says within X number of days, now 30, from date of
the hearing, and I just simply want to make the Board aware,
especially, again, for the newer members, that those time frames
typically, under the law, are imposed from the point in time at which
the order is rendered, which means when Mr. Kaufman signs them.
Just so there isn't some change in when these things become
effective.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Helen, when am I going to
sign the order? I'm only kidding.
MS. BUCHILLON: Soon.
MR. WHITE: That depends upon how quickly your attorney
completes them.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's true. So we have all the
parties here right now.
Adam, we have a motion that's been passed: 30 days to rectify
the situation, $250 a day thereafter, with operational costs of 59.28 to
July 28, 2022
Page 110
be paid within 30 days.
And then we will move on to the next case.
MS. BUCHILLON: The next case is No. 17 [sic],
CELU20220005097, Michael Ray Marolla.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's Case 18, not 17.
MS. BUCHILLON: I'm sorry, 18; I apologize.
Respondent was notified regular and certified mail on July 14th,
2022, and it was also posted at the property and courthouse July 14,
2022.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. AYASUN: It's the same people.
(Mr. Collier was previously sworn.)
MR. COLLIER: It is. So for the record, again, Adam Collier,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CELU20220005097 dealing
with violations of Collier County Land Development Code 04-41, as
amended, Sections 1.04.01(A) and 2.02.03, and Collier County Code
of Laws and Ordinances Chapter 130, Article III, Sections 130-96(a).
Observed people living or lodging out of a camper, RV, mobile
home, things like that. Location of the violation was at 2961 28th
Avenue Southeast, Naples, Florida. Folio No. 41345480001.
This case originated from a complaint.
Personal service was given on June 7th, 2022. The
case -- again, the case originated as a complaint on May 25th, 2022,
but because of the nature of the complaint, the initial inspection
wasn't done until June 1st of 2022 because the Sheriff's Office had to
escort us there.
While there, the sheriff and I approached the property and made
contact with a gentleman who informed us that he had the authority
to make decisions on behalf of the property. His name, again, was
Antonio Duran. He allowed the deputy and me to enter into the
July 28, 2022
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backyard. While in the backyard, I did witness one of the campers
running and utilities connected to it.
In addition to that, a waste pipe had been duct taped to the
wastewater tube, and the wastewater was being discharged into the
grass.
The officer knocked on the RV door. The tenant
answered -- answered the camper door, and confirmed that she is
living out of it. She was then informed of the violation and asked
how much time was needed to come into compliance.
While on site, I also informed the property representative of the
violation, and I informed him of the next steps of what needed to be
done to come into compliance and what would happen if he didn't
come into compliance.
I informed the property representative that people living in the
camper was prohibited. After some discussion between property
representative, the tenant, and myself, I informed Antonio that I
would return in five days to ensure compliance. Before my
follow-up, Antonio contacted me via phone. He requested that I do
the recheck on June 7th, 2022, so the re check was rescheduled. On
June 7th, 2022, I did see that both the violations still existed;
obviously, the litter one and people living out of the RV.
I spoke with the property owner, Mike, at that time, because he
was present -- Mike and Antonio. The violation was issued and
signed for by Mike. I informed the property owner I would return
June 17th of 2022. I informed him that if the violation had not been
abated, the case will be prepared for a hearing.
On June 17th, 2022, from the road I did observe the RV
remained in the rear yard. From my line of sight, I could see that it
had a window unit in it, but I was unable to determine the violation
had been abated because I was unable to enter the property. Again, a
string had been placed around it at that time that had a "no
July 28, 2022
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trespassing" sign on it.
I would now like to present case evidence in the following
exhibits: Four photos taken by myself on June 1st, 2022; two photos
taken by myself on June 7th, 2022; two photos taken by myself on
June 17th, 2022; and three photos taken by myself on -- yesterday.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Get a motion from the Board to
accept the photos.
MS. ELROD: Motion to accept.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Are these all the same?
MR. COLLIER: They are. They are all the same, yes.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay.
MR. AYASUN: Did you say the property owner was in jail
also, or only the --
MR. COLLIER: The property owner is in jail now, but at the
time of the notice of violation he was not.
MR. AYASUN: Okay.
MR. COLLIER: That's the information that was given to me by
the Sheriff's Office yesterday.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Can we get a motion from the
Board whether a violation exists?
July 28, 2022
Page 113
MS. ELROD: I'll make a motion a violation exists.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And seconded. All those in
favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: (No verbal response.)
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
MR. WHITE: Mr. Chairman, do you have testimony as to what
the zoning of the property is?
MR. COLLIER: Estates.
MR. WHITE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I'd like to make a recommendation
in the form of a motion that we do exactly what we did on the
previous case.
MS. ELROD: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: 59.28 to be paid within 30 days, 30
days to abate the violation, and $250-a-day fine after the 30 days.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Just as a point or record, this is a
two-parter we're requesting. One to get the tags and one to cease
living in the -- so 30 days and 250 on each of those?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Okay. Thank you.
MS. BUCHILLON: And the ops costs is 59.35 for this one.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Oh, raised the price.
Okay. All those in favor?
July 28, 2022
Page 114
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Adam, good luck.
MR. COLLIER: Thank you.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next, we're going to be going to old
business, motion for imposition of fines.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MS. BUCHILLON: Number 4, CESD20210011474, Nelson
Martinez Land Holding, LLC.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. MARINOS: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Good morning.
MR. MARINOS: Good morning.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Do you want to read this into the
record for us?
Let the record show the respondent is not present.
MR. MARINOS: Absolutely. For the record, Investigator
Chuck Marinos, Collier County Code Enforcement.
Past orders: On March 24th, 2022, 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 violation. The violation has not been abated as
July 28, 2022
Page 115
of July 28th, 2022.
Fines have accrued at a rate of $350 per day for the period of
June 23rd, 2022, to July 28th, 2022, 36 days, for a total fine amount
of $12,600. Fines continue to accrue.
Previously assessed operational costs of $59.28 have not been
paid. Operational costs for today's hearing is also $59.28, for a total
amount of $12,718.56.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: I just want to mention it's not been
abated, and they have not paid their operational costs from the last
case. So somebody want to impose the fine, oppose the
fine -- impose? Go ahead.
MS. ELROD: I'll make a motion to impose the fines.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion, and we
have a second.
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Thank you.
MR. MARINOS: You're welcome.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Which brings us to.
(Mr. Marinos was previously sworn.)
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 5, CEAU20210010882,
Nelson Martinez Land Holding.
And I just want to put for the record respondent was notified
July 28, 2022
Page 116
regular and certified mail for all these cases on July 6th, 2022, and it
was also posted at the property and courthouse July 8th, 2022.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MARINOS: All right. Again, for the record, Investigator
Chuck Marinos, Collier County Code Enforcement.
Past orders: On March 24th, 2022, 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 violation. The violation not been abated as of
July 28th, 2022.
Fines have accrued at the rate of $500 per day for the period of
May 24th, 2022, to July 28th, 2022, 66 days, for a total fine amount
of $33,000. Fines continue to accrue.
Previously assessed operational costs of 59.28 have not been
paid, operational costs for today's hearing is 59.28 as well, for a total
amount of $33,118.56.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Have you been in contact with
these people at all?
MR. MARINOS: I have --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And?
MR. MARINOS: -- the entire time. There's a bit of a story
about why these have stopped being fixed. I can tell you if you want
to hear it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Sure.
MR. MARINOS: So long story short: The gentleman who's
been fixing these is Nelson Martinez's son, estranged up until
recently. He is legally responsible for none of it in terms of -- it's
not going to come back onto his head as an owner. And he's put a
lot of his own money into it, and it's looking like he's not going to see
the return at this point in time, so he's kind of gotten to the point
where he's going, I'm not going to do anything more.
July 28, 2022
Page 117
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: So the landowner in this case is?
MR. MARINOS: Mr. Nelson Martinez, who is currently in a
home with dementia.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. MARINOS: And a whole lot of other stuff going on.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Somebody want to make a
motion?
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll make a motion, Mr. Chairman, that
we impose the fines as presented, 33,118.56 plus today's cost.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: And we have a second. All those
in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Thanks, Chuck.
MR. MARINOS: You're welcome.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 6, CESD20210011461,
Nelson Martinez and Anna M. Diaz.
(Mr. Marinos was previously sworn.)
MR. MARINOS: Three for three.
For the record, Investigator Chuck Marinos, Collier County
Code Enforcement.
Past orders: On March 24th, 2022, the Code Enforcement
July 28, 2022
Page 118
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. The violation has not been abated as
of July 28th, 2022.
Fines have continued to -- fines have accrued at a rate of $350
per day for the period of July -- of June 23rd, 2022, to July 28th,
2022, 36 days, for a total fine amount of $12,000 -- $12,600, excuse
me. Fines continue to accrue.
Previously assessed operational costs of 59.28 have not been
paid, operational costs for today's hearing is $59.28, for a total
amount of $12,718.56.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Anybody want to make a
motion?
MR. AYASUN: It's the same people but a different address?
MR. MARINOS: Yes, they have three parcels located next to
each other.
MR. AYASUN: Okay. Just want to clear it up.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'll make the motion, Mr. Chairman, that
the fines of 12,718.56 be imposed.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a motion and a second.
All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
July 28, 2022
Page 119
Thanks, Chuck.
MR. MARINOS: Thank you very much.
MR. FUENTES: Any more, Chuck?
MR. MARINOS: All done.
MR. FUENTES: Oh, okay.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay, Helen.
MS. BUCHILLON: Next case, No. 2, on imposition of fines,
CESD20210007671, Carlisle Wilson Plaza, LLC.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. COLLIER: I do.
MR. CARLISLE: Yes, ma'am.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. COLLIER: Past orders: On March 24th, 2022, the Code
Enforcement Board issued a finding of fact, conclusion of law and
order. The respondent was found in violation of referenced
ordinances and ordered to correct the violation. See the
attached -- see the attached order of the Board, OR6110, Page 3943,
for more information.
The violation has not been abated as of July 28th, 2022.
Fines have accrued at a rate of $1,000 per day for the period
from June 23rd, 2022, to July 28th, 2022, 36 days, for a total fine
amount of $36,000. Fines continue to accrue.
Previously assessed operational costs of 59.28 has been paid,
operational costs for today's hearing of 59.28 as well, and then the
total amount now, 36,059.28. Correct? Did I do that math right?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. I remember you.
MR. CARLISLE: Yeah, unfortunately.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: As a matter of fact, if my memory
serves me, you were in the process of selling this property?
July 28, 2022
Page 120
MR. CARLISLE: No, sir. This is a different property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Different property?
MR. CARLISLE: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Same person, different property.
MR. CARLISLE: Same person, different property.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. CARLISLE: I was aware of this, but I didn't realize it had
come -- again, not to be disrespectful. I take this stuff serious -- that
I knew about it. I did not realize it had gone to the Board, and I
guess I shouldn't say that because I knew it was coming to the Board.
I just didn't know where it was.
I actually met with the director and Jeff on this probably six
months or so ago and acknowledged that what I did -- but the reason,
I guess, you know, it was -- what we're talking about, right? I
mean --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is the parking lot with --
MR. CARLISLE: Right. It's a parking lot at Wilson Plaza.
And I didn't build this plaza, but I purchased it after the fact, and
the -- we have parking issues out there to begin with, and there were
three areas, and the three areas were grassy, I guess, at one time, but
over the period of time, it just built up mud, and I'd put gravel in that
area. And when we resurfaced it, I went over it with asphalt. And I
guess now I need to cut it out, which I'm willing to do, and I will do
it. I understand I need to do it. I just have been worried about the
other issue that I went before the Board on and told you I'd get it
done, and that's why I haven't done this.
MR. WHITE: And just state your name for the record.
MR. CARLISLE: Excuse me. My name is Greg Carlisle,
Carlisle Wilson Plaza.
MR. WHITE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, it has not been abated.
July 28, 2022
Page 121
Your plan's to do what going forward?
MR. CARLISLE: Well, I'm going to call Cougar Concrete
Cutting next week and get on their schedule to cut it out, and then I'll
return it to, I guess, where it was. Well, return it to better than where
it was, because it was just muck.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: What we can do here -- because it's
not compliance, we have two things that we could do.
MR. CARLISLE: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We can impose the fine.
MR. CARLISLE: Right.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Or we could grant a continuance.
You certainly would be in better condition if this thing was abated,
obviously.
MR. CARLISLE: Agreed.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So anybody --
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Do we have any current photos?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We're not hearing the case now, so
that doesn't matter.
MR. LETOURNEAU: I think currently it's still paved, I
believe.
MR. CARLISLE: It is. It is.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Right. So they would need to cut out
these areas again.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Replant?
MR. LETOURNEAU: Replant, restore it to its original
condition according to the Site Development Plan.
MR. CARLISLE: And they did send me a Site Development
Plan.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: I'd like to make a motion, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: To give him a 30-day continuance and if
July 28, 2022
Page 122
not, then the meter keeps running.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. WHITE: Well, the meter runs regardless.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The meter runs as long as it's a
continuance, so you're right.
MS. ELROD: Would 30 days -- would 30 days be long
enough?
MR. CARLISLE: Cougar's pretty good. I don't know how
busy they are, but I've dealt with them. The landscaping I can do
myself. So the irrigation's there. And I don't have to put a curb in,
because there wasn't -- I don't think there was a curb on the plans. I
didn't remove a curb, anyway.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, 30 days, you'll probably be
well on the way to having this thing --
MR. CARLISLE: Well, I can show progress.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Yes.
MR. CARLISLE: If I have to cut it myself, I'll cut it myself.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We'll cross that bridge
when we --
MR. CARLISLE: I was going to do it, actually, but --
MR. RUBENSTEIN: You know, Mr. Chairman, let me retract
my motion and extend it to 45 days --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: -- all right, for everything.
MR. CARLISLE: Yes, sir, thank you.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion. Do
we have a second?
MS. ELROD: Second.
MS. RUIZ: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We have a second. All those in
favor?
July 28, 2022
Page 123
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: It carries unanimously.
Good luck to you.
MR. CARLISLE: Thank you. I'll get that done.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Get you a big scissor to cut it out.
Okay, Helen.
MS. BUCHILLON: This is our last case. Number 3,
CELU20200010724, Greg Carlisle.
MR. CARLISLE: This is the one I'm well aware.
THE COURT REPORTER: Do you swear or affirm the
testimony you will give will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing
but the truth?
MR. CARLISLE: Yes, ma'am.
MR. CATHEY: I do.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: This is the one that you were going
to sell the property?
MR. CARLISLE: This property's under contract. It was
supposed to close last month, and you generously gave me 30 days.
I thought I could get it done. It might be done. I'm not sure.
I've met three tow truck drivers. I mean, the property's clear. I
got 15 containers and everything off that had been on the property for
20 years, but I had one RV that I didn't realize needed tires to move it
because they won't -- the tow truck driver's won't take the -- you don't
want to hear stories. Just -- I don't know where it is right now. It
July 28, 2022
Page 124
hooked -- it was hooked up when I left there an hour ago.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So I saw you run out
several times, so...
MR. CARLISLE: And the fine --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: The only thing -- does the new
owner understand what's going on here with this?
MR. CARLISLE: Yes, sir, he does. We have the same
attorney, so...
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. So --
MR. CARLISLE: I'm not going to close -- I mean, it shows up
on the -- when they did a title search. So everybody's -- I'm not
closing it till I resolve it.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. And --
MR. CARLISLE: I'm not sure where it is right -- Chris might
or -- man, I'm tired.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. Probably do the same
thing --
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Question: How much time do you need
to get this resolved, realistically?
MR. CATHEY: For the record, Ryan Cathey, Code
Enforcement.
There's a tow truck out there right now hooked up to this last
RV. They're trying to get it out. They've been out there for the last
hour or so, so that's the only thing remaining.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Okay. I'd like to make a motion,
Mr. Chairman --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: -- to give him a continuance of two
weeks from today.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Make it 30 days.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Thirty days from today, and fines and
July 28, 2022
Page 125
penalties continue?
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: That's correct.
MR. FUENTES: Second.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Okay. We have a motion and
second. All those in favor?
MS. ELROD: Aye.
MR. RUBENSTEIN: Aye.
MS. RUIZ: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: (No verbal response.)
MR. FUENTES: Aye.
MR. AYASUN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Opposed?
(No response.)
MR. CARLISLE: You guys have a thankless job. I really,
really appreciate it. And these guys are great, too.
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Well, that's a matter of opinion.
Before we adjourn -- before we adjourn, we have to sing Happy
Birthday to John.
MR. WHITE: Before we -- before we sing, Mr. Chairman.
MS. RUIZ: Sing it or --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: We'll just --
MR. FUENTES: Is that going on the record?
MR. WHITE: Before we sing, if we may --
CHAIRMAN KAUFMAN: Go ahead.
MR. WHITE: I just want to apprise the Board that we will be
doing the changes to the rules and regulations in September. My
hope is that we will have them for you, of course, sometime around
the end of September. Obviously -- end of August, excuse me -- so
that you'll have some time before the September meeting to look
through them. I'll, again, say this in August so that if anyone has
any questions and wants to discuss it with me, I'll make myself
July 28, 2022
*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 12:30 p.m.
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
ROBER AU MAN, CHAIRMAN
These minutes approved by the Board on itilusiac,2b,202, as
presented X or as corrected
TRANSCRIPT PREPARED ON BEHALF OF FORT MYERS
COURT REPORTING BY TERRI L. LEWIS, REGISTERED
PROFESSIONAL REPORTER, FPR-C, AND NOTARY PUBLIC.
Page 126
FORM 8B MEMORANDUM OF VOTING CONFLICT FOR
COUNTY MUNICIPAL, AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICERS
LAST NAME—FIRST NAME—MIDDLE NAME I NAME OF BOARD.COUNCIL,COMMISSION,AUTHORITY,OR COMMITTEE
BLANCO DANNY 1CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
MAILING ADDRFSS THE BOARD,COUNCIL COMMISSION,AUTHORITY OR COMMITTEE ON
(I/ ‘0 0111 /i!7_/C S 4/ WHICH I SERVE ISA UNIT OF:
CITY V COUNTY a CITY MfCOUNTY CI OTHER LOCALAGENCY
/ NAME OF POUTICAL SUBDIVISION.
�aP es �o (fret COLLIER COUNTY
DATE ON WHICH VOTE OCCURRED MY POSITION IS:
March 24,2022 ❑ ELECTIVE 1W APPOINTIVE
WHO MUST FILE FORM 8B
This form is for use by any person serving at the county,city,or other local level of government on an appointed or elected board,council,
commission,authority,or committee. It applies to members of advisory and non-advisory bodies who are presented with a voting conflict of
interest under Section 112.3143,Florida Statutes.
Your responsibilities under the law when faced with voting on a measure in which you have a conflict of interest will vary greatly depending
on whether you hold an elective or appointive position. For this reason, please pay close attention to the instructions on this form before
completing and filing the form.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 112.3143, FLORIDA STATUTES
A person holding elective or appointive county, municipal, or other local public office MUST ABSTAIN from voting on a measure which
would inure to his or her special private gain or loss Each elected or appointed local officer also MUST ABSTAIN from knowingly voting on
a measure which would inure to the special gain or loss of a principal (other than a government agency) by whom he or she is retained
(including the parent,subsidiary,or sibling organization of a principal by which he or she is retained);to the special private gain or loss of a
relative;or to the special private gain or loss of a business associate. Commissioners of community redevelopment agencies(CRAs)under
Sec. 163.356 or 163.357, F.S., and officers of independent special tax districts elected on a one-acre, one-vote basis are not prohibited
from voting in that capacity.
For purposes of this law, a "relative" includes only the officer's father, mother, son, daughter, husband, wife, brother, sister, father-in-law,
mother-in-law, son-in-law, and daughter-in-law.A"business associate" means any person or entity engaged in or carrying on a business
enterprise with the officer as a partner,joint venturer, coowner of property, or corporate shareholder(where the shares of the corporation
are not listed on any national or regional stock exchange).
ELECTED OFFICERS:
In addition to abstaining from voting in the situations described above,you must disclose the conflict:
PRIOR TO THE VOTE BEING TAKEN by publicly stating to the assembly the nature of your interest in the measure on which you are
abstaining from voting;and
WITHIN 15 DAYS AFTER THE VOTE OCCURS by completing and filing this form with the person responsible for recording the
minutes of the meeting,who should incorporate the form in the minutes.
APPOINTED OFFICERS:
Although you must abstain from voting in the situations described above, you are not prohibited by Section 112.3143 from otherwise
participating in these matters. However, you must disclose the nature of the conflict before making any attempt to influence the decision,
whether orally or in writing and whether made by you or at your direction.
IF YOU INTEND TO MAKE ANY ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION PRIOR TO THE MEETING AT WHICH THE VOTE WILL BE
TAKEN:
• You must complete and file this form(before making any attempt to influence the decision)with the person responsible for recording the
minutes of the meeting,who will incorporate the form in the minutes. (Continued on page 2)
CE FORM 8B-EFF.11/2013 PAGE 1
Adopted by reference in Rule 34-7.010(1)(f),F.A.C.
APPOINTED OFFICERS (continued)
• A copy of the form must be provided immediately to the other members of the agency.
• The form must be read publicly at the next meeting after the form is filed.
IF YOU MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO INFLUENCE THE DECISION EXCEPT BY DISCUSSION AT THE MEETING:
• You must disclose orally the nature of your conflict in the measure before participating.
• You must complete the form and file it within 15 days after the vote occurs with the person responsible for recording the minutes of the
meeting,who must incorporate the form in the minutes.A copy of the form must be provided immediately to the other members of the
agency,and the form must be read publicly at the next meeting after the form is filed.
� DISCLOSURE OF LOCAL OFFICER'S INTEREST
I, e p lt he.0 ,hereby disclose that on Mo c A 2 Y ,20 Z Z
(a)A measure came or will come before my agency which(check one or more)
inured to my special private gain or loss;
•
inured to the special gain or loss of my business associate,
inured to the special gain or loss of my relative,
inured to the special gain or loss of ,by
whom I am retained;or
inured to the special gain or toss of ,which
is the parent subsidiary,or sibling organization or subsidiary of a principal which has retained me.
(b)The measure before my agency and the nature of my conflicting interest in the measure is as follows:
a hearing to determine whether a violation of County regulations exists such that my business relationship with
the alleged violator entity's manager would potentially have the appearance of a conflict of interest due to a
continuing business relationship.
If disclosure of specific information would violate confidentiality or privilege pursuant to law or rules governing attorneys, a public officer,
who is also an attorney,may comply with the disclosure requirements of this section by disclosing the nature of the interest in such a way
as to provide the public with notice of the conflict.
?-26 - zoz Z
Date Filed nature
NOTICE: UNDER PROVISIONS OF FLORIDA STATUTES §112.317, A FAILURE TO MAKE ANY REQUIRED DISCLOSURE
CONSTITUTES GROUNDS FOR AND MAY BE PUNISHED BY ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING: IMPEACHMENT,
REMOVAL OR SUSPENSION FROM OFFICE OR EMPLOYMENT, DEMOTION, REDUCTION IN SALARY, REPRIMAND, OR A
CIVIL PENALTY NOT TO EXCEED$10,000.
CE FORM 8B-EFF.11/2013 PAGE 2
Adopted by reference in Rule 34-7.010(1)(f),FA.C.