CLB Minutes 07/16/2025 1
COLLIER COUNTY
CONTRACTORS LICENSING BOARD
July 16, 2025 – 9:00 a.m.
Board of County Commission Chambers
Collier County Government Center
3299 Tamiami Trail East, 3rd Floor, Naples, FL 34112
Board Members Present:
Todd Allen, Chairman
Kyle E. Lantz, Vice Chair
Stephen M. Jaron
Terry Jerulle
Matthew Nolton
Robert P. Meister, III
Richard E. Joslin, Jr.
Jennifer Cassidy
Excused Absences:
Kevin Johnson
Terry Jerulle
OTHERS PRESENT
Patrick Neale, Attorney for Contractors Licensing Board
Ryan Cathey, Code Enforcement
Courtney DaSilva, Attorney for Collier County
Michael Bogert, Collier County Contracting Licensing Supervisor
Any person who decides to appeal a decision of the Contractors Licensing 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 Contractors Licensing Board
shall be responsible for providing this record.
1. ROLL CALL
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Michael Bogert, Collier County Code Enforcement, Div. of Contractor Licensing
2. ADDITIONS OR DELETIONS
Presented by Michael Bogert
Item 10A continued
Item 10B removed due to issue resolution
3. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
Motion: Richard Joslin
Seconded: Kyle Lantz
Vote: Passed unanimously (8–0)
4. APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Meeting Date: June 18, 2025
Motion: Matthew Nolton
Seconded: Kyle Lantz
Vote: Passed unanimously (8–0)
5. PUBLIC COMMENTS
Michael Bogert
No Public Comments
6. DISCUSSION
None
7. REPORTS
None
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8. NEW BUSINESS
Michael Bogert
A. Orders of the Board
Richard Joslin motioned for the Chairman to sign the Orders of the Board
Kyle Lantz seconded
Motion passed 8-0
B. Matthew Austin – Application Review for Registered General Contractor License
Applicant: Matthew Austin
License Type Sought: Registered General Contractor
Background: Mr. Austin holds active licenses in Alabama and submitted 3 affidavits
from Corterra Construction LLC senior staff, plus 3 letters of recommendation.
Discussion Details:
• Mr. Austin testified to 15 years of experience in commercial and residential
construction and holds a Master’s degree in Building Construction.
• He claimed experience with multi-family residential projects, hospitals, and a 25-
story and 14-story building in Georgia and Florida.
• Upon questioning by board members including Terry Jerulle and Todd Allen,
Mr. Austin acknowledged he had limited hands-on experience with structural
elements such as:
o Foundation types
o Pilings
o Structural steel
o Post-tension systems
Concerns Raised:
• Todd Allen emphasized that the license Mr. Austin applied for would authorize
him to manage complex structural construction projects.
• Terry Jerulle asked technical questions about how structural loads are
determined, what constitutes structural systems, and foundation details — Mr.
Austin struggled to provide specifics.
Board’s Conclusion:
• There was consensus that while Mr. Austin had high-level project management
experience, he lacked sufficient direct structural experience required for a
Registered General Contractor license.
Outcome:
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• Mr. Austin voluntarily withdrew his application.
• He expressed intent to reapply for a Registered Residential Contractor license,
which staff indicated may be more appropriate for his background.
C. Luis Gerardo Gomez – Application Review for Residential Swimming Pool
Contractor License
Applicant: Luis Gerardo Gomez
License Type Sought: Registered Residential Swimming Pool Contractor
Background:
• Mr. Gomez is a certified General Contractor in Florida.
• He submitted a letter from Max Guerra of MG Engineering, 15 pool project
photos, and permitting records.
• He did not provide affidavits from licensed pool contractors.
Discussion Highlights:
• Mr. Gomez explained he subcontracts licensed tradespeople (plumbers,
electricians, finishers) for pool construction while overseeing the full process.
• Todd Allen and Richard Joslin debated whether subcontracting work qualifies
as "experience" under the ordinance.
• The board reviewed Florida statutes, which state:
o General contractors may build the shell of a pool but cannot finish,
equip, or service it without a pool contractor license.
o Experience must be validated through affidavits or college credits
(Gomez submitted neither).
Board Debate:
• Terry Jerulle and others expressed concern that accepting oversight alone as
experience could dilute licensure standards.
• Kyle Lantz mentioned the law currently prohibits general contractors from
completing pools using subcontractors alone.
Outcome:
• Despite lack of affidavits, a motion to approve the license passed unanimously.
• Mr. Gomez was granted a Residential Swimming Pool Contractor License.
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D. Jose Jimenez – Application Review for Electrical Contractor License
Applicant: Jose Jimenez
License Type Sought: Registered Electrical Contractor
Interpreter Present: His daughter, Lauren Jimenez
Background:
• Jose submitted affidavits and recommendations from Pedro Lycourt, owner of
PL Electrical Contractor LLC.
• Dates of employment: 2011 – Present.
Discussion Highlights:
• With help from his daughter, Mr. Jimenez demonstrated deep technical
knowledge in:
o Rough and finish electrical work
o Commercial and residential wiring
o EMT conduit installations
o Generator installations
o Service upgrades (200A to 400A)
o Reading and creating riser diagrams
• Mr. Jimenez was initially nervous but gained confidence as he spoke directly to
board members.
• He stated that while his general English is limited, he reads electrical plans
fluently and leads crews independently.
Key Exchanges:
• Stephen Jaron asked about reading riser diagrams — Jose responded fluently
and in technical detail.
• Terry Jerulle and Richard Joslin were impressed by his clarity and professional
experience.
Outcome:
• Motion to approve license passed unanimously.
• Mr. Jimenez was granted a Registered Electrical Contractor License.
E. Diego Benjamin Paredes – Application Review for Registered Building
Contractor License
Applicant: Diego Benjamin Paredes
License Type Sought: Registered Building Contractor
Background:
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• Mr. Paredes previously applied but was denied due to insufficient structural
experience.
• This reapplication included 2 new affidavits and 5 letters of recommendation.
Discussion Highlights:
• Mr. Paredes cited his work with Acadian Builders, including a food truck park
project where he claims involvement from start to finish.
• He described:
o Pouring slabs
o Installing rebar
o Framing and truss work
o Project management duties
Board Concerns:
• Terry Jerulle asked him to describe — in technical detail — the difference
between structural and non-structural walls and framing processes.
• Mr. Paredes offered vague responses and struggled to provide the level of detail
expected for someone supervising building construction.
Conclusion:
• Board members questioned whether his experience truly qualified him for a
license that includes full responsibility for structural integrity and framing
systems.
Outcome:
• Motion by Richard Joslin to deny the application
• Seconded by Kyle Lantz
• Vote: Passed 8–0
9. OLD BUSINESS
A. Juan Carlos Lopez – Probation Review (Credit Compliance)
Background:
• Mr. Lopez was placed on 1-year probation in June 2024 and ordered to:
o Submit documentation showing paid collections or payment plans within
30 days.
o Submit a credit report showing a score of 660+ within the year.
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Hearing Details:
• Mr. Lopez testified that his credit score is 652.
• He claimed to have completed the credit check recently but did not submit a
formal report to the board.
• He admitted he did not provide the collections documentation within the 30-day
window as required.
Board Concerns:
• Kyle Lantz and Stephen Jaron noted:
o The order clearly required documentation, and Mr. Lopez did not comply.
o He had a full year to submit the required credit report.
o Verbal reports are insufficient for compliance.
Legal Advice:
• Patrick Neale advised that the license could be suspended until full
documentation is submitted.
Outcome:
• Motion by Richard Joslin to suspend the license
• Seconded by Kyle Lantz
• Vote: Passed 8–0
• Mr. Lopez may avoid another hearing if he provides documentation showing a
660+ credit score before the next board meeting.
10. PUBLIC HEARINGS
None
11. NEXT MEETING DATE
Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Collier County Government Center, 3rd Floor, Board Chambers
12. MEETING ADJOURNED
Chairman Allen motioned to adjourn
There being no further business for the good of The County, the Contractors' Licensing
Board meeting was adjourned at 10:09 u.m.
COLLIER COUNTY
LICENSING BOARI)
Choirman Todd Allen
The Minutes were approved
AS
or amended
B