CEB Minutes 09/25/2008 R
September 25, 2008
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Naples, Florida
September 25, 2008
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 at Community Development Services, 2800 North
Horseshoe Drive, Naples, Florida, with the following members
present:
CHAIRMAN:
Gerald Lefebvre
Larry Dean
Kenneth Kelly
Edward Larsen
Richard Kraenbring
Lionel L'Esperance
George Ponte
Robert Kaufman
ALSO PRESENT:
Diane Flagg, Code Enforcement Director
Jean Rawson, Attorney for the CEB
J ennifer Waldron, Code Enforcement Investigative Supervisor
Page 1
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY. FLORIDA
AGENDA
Date: September 25th, 2008, at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Community Development Services, 2800 North Horseshoe Drive, Naples, FI34104.
NOTICE: THE RESPONDENT MAYBE LIMITIED 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 P ARTICIP A TING IN THE PUBLIC HEARING ARE ASKED TO OBSERVE ROBERTS
RULES OF ODER 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.
1. ROLL CALL
2. APPROVAL OF AGENDA
3. APPROVAL OF MINUTES - August 22nd, 2008
4. PUBLIC HEARINGSIMOTIONS
A. MOTIONS
Motion for Re-Hearing
1. BCC vs. Richard and Lisa Karnes
CEB NO. 2007060801
Motion for Extension of Time
1. BCC vs. Pry of Naples, LLC.
CEB NO. CES20080002782
B. STIPULATIONS
C. HEARINGS
1. BCC vs. Florida Metal Master, Inc
2. BCC vs. Empire Developers Group, LLC.
3. BCC ys. James Hargraves
4. BCC vs. Angelo B. and Diane M. Campanello
5. BCC YS. Susan B. Williams
6. BCC vs. Reyes TR Andres
7. BCC vs. Israel and Delma Gallegos
8. BCC vs. D.C. KerckhoffCo.
9. BCC YS. Roberto Reyes
10. BCC vs. Richard and Judith Sizer
CEB NO. 2007090640
CEB NO. CESD20080007919
CEB NO. 2007110616
CEB NO. 2007080375
CEB NO. 2007060820
CEB NO. CELU20080000296
CEB NO. 2007060101
CEB NO. 2007090683
CEB NO. 2007090686
CEB.NO.2007100109
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Motion for Imposition of FineslLiens
1. BCC vs. Jeffrey Macasevich
2. BCC vs. Mary Edwards
3. BCC vs. 6240 Collier Group, Inc.
CEB NO. 2006100314
CEB NO. 2006080127
CEB NO. 2007080153
B. Motion for Red uction/ Abatement of FineslLiens
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Motion for Imposition of FineslLiens
B. Request to Forward Cases to County Attorney's Office
1. BCC vs. Ricardo and Magda Munoz
CEB No. 2007100608
8. REPORTS
9. COMMENTS
10. NEXT MEETING DATE - October 31st, 2008
11. ADJOURN
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'd like to call the Code Enforcement
Board meeting to order.
The respondents may be limited to 20 minutes for case
presentation unless additional time is granted by the board.
Persons wishing to speak at any agenda -- -- 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 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 being based.
N either Collier County nor the Code Enforcement Board shall be
responsible for providing the record.
If there's anyone that would like to stipulate their case, there's a
room across the hall that's available for discussion with the code
enforcement.
And also, if there's anyone that would like to speak, please come
forward and talk to Jennifer right here on the left, so that we can
address you at the time of the case that you want to speak about.
Thank you.
And can I have the roll call.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Ed Larsen?
MR. LARSEN: Present.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. George Ponte?
MR. PONTE: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Gerald Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Kenneth Kelly?
Page 2
September 25, 2008
MR. KELLY: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Larry Dean?
MR. DEAN: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Lionel L'Esperance?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Richard Kraenbring?
MR. KRAENBRING: Present.
MS. WALDRON: And Mr. Robert Kaufman?
MR. KAUFMAN: Here.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And the agenda? Changes?
MS. WALDRON: For the record, Jen Waldron, Collier County
Code Enforcement Investigative Supervisor.
We do have some changes to the agenda this morning.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: If you can go slowly, because--
MS. WALDRON: I will.
The first change will be under No. 4.A. We are adding a request
for continuance, which was number C.6, BCC versus Andres Reyes
Trust.
The next will be an addition under 4.A. It will be 4.A.2, BCC
versus Caribe Investments. This is a motion for extension of time.
Under 4.B, stipulations, we would like to move C.l 0 as 4.B.l,
BCC versus Richard and Judith Sizer.
MR. KRAENBRING: That's going to be a stipulation?
MS. WALDRON: Stipulation, yes.
4.B.2 will be BCC versus Empire Developers Group, LLC,
which is C -- 4.C.2 currently. Will be 4.B.2.
4.B.3 will be BCC versus Roberto Reyes, which is currently
4.C.9.
That's it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Can I have a motion to approve the
agenda?
MR. LARSEN: So moved.
Page 3
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: Second.
MR. PONTE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KRAENBRING: Raise your hand when you second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Approval of the minutes for August
22nd, 2008. May I have a motion?
MR. LARSEN: So moved.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. PONTE: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And we'll move on to --
MR. KELLY: One abstention.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We'll move on to the public
hearings, motions. And the first one will be BCC versus Richard and
Lisa Kames.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: For the record, Marjorie
Student-Stirling, Assistant County Attorney.
I understand from staff that this letter that went out for the notice
Page 4
September 25, 2008
apparently was not delivered.
The gentleman was informed bye-mail, but he did not show up.
Technically it's a technicality, but we think we should re-notice him
by certified mail so, you know, we have absolutely good notice and
there's no technicalities.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion, questions?
MR. KRAENBRING: I make a motion that we approve the
rehearing.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(N 0 response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. WALDRON: Can I make a suggestion? I'm not sure that
you want to approve the rehearing or just continue the motion for
rehearing.
MR. LARSEN: What was the application?
MS. WALDRON: It was a motion for rehearing.
You just want to continue it till next month?
MS. RAWSON: I don't think you want to grant the --
MS. WALDRON: Right.
MS. RAWSON: -- rehearing. She's right.
MS. WALDRON: You don't want to grant the rehearing, which I
think is what you just did.
Page 5
September 25, 2008
MR. KRAENBRING: So I'll remove that and we'll go with the
county's recommendation to just continue it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. PONTE: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. KRAENBRING: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And the next one would be Andres;
is that correct?
MS. WALDRON: Sure, you can do that one next.
MR. LARSEN: It's BCC versus Reyes Trust Andres. It's under
C.6.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion to continue, correct?
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Yes. Again, Mr. Chairman,
members of the board, Marjorie Student-Stirling, again, Assistant
County Attorney.
This property has recently changed hands, so it's being continued
so we can properly notify the current property owner.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Can you please state your name and
MR. REYES: My name is Andres Reyes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And you were the previous owner; is
that correct?
Page 6
September 25, 2008
MR. REYES: Yes, sir.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And is that correct, you sold it a
couple days ago, or --
MR. REYES: I never buy this property. I'm not a previous
owner in this property.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: For the record, I'd rather not get
into the merits of the matter here. Suffice it to say, two days ago a
deed was recorded from this gentleman to a subsequent purchaser, so
we knew to notify them. And we should not be getting into the merits
without the current owner present --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, very good.
MS. STUDENT -STIRLING: -- and properly noticed.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Do I hear a motion to
continue to --
MR. KRAENBRING: Make a motion to continue.
MS. WALDRON: We would like to continue till November.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Till November.
MS. WALDRON: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, so two meetings from now.
Do I hear a motion to continue until November?
MR. KRAENBRING: Make a motion to continue till November.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.t
Page 7
September 25, 2008
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Okay, the next one will be for a motion for extension of time.
BCC versus Pry of Naples, LLC.
Maybe they're in the other room.
MR. KRAENBRING: Do we have a representative from the
county?
MS. WALDRON: Yeah, he's coming.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yeah, Kitchell Snow's coming.
Trying to be two places at once?
MR. SNOW: Yes, sir.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MR. COOK: My name is William R. Cook, Jr. I'm representing
the Hess Corporation today.
And we're here today to ask for a time extension. We -- there are
several signs on the property that need to be permitted. We have the
LD. sign permitted, but two wall signs had to be permitted. And I was
only aware of the one being permitted -- needing a permit for it.
So I'd like to request a 60-day extension to get those other ones
permitted.
MR. LARSEN: What's the county's position?
MR. SNOW: For the record, Supervisor Kitchell Snow.
I have been in contact with the respondents. They have been
diligent on what they're trying to do. We believe the -- along with the
board's approval with the time is fine. Sixty days would be fine, as
long as the board approves that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear any discussion?
MR. PONTE: I have a question.
We've already given 60 days before, and now we're going
another 60 days. That's 120 days. What's so complicated about the
Page 8
September 25, 2008
sign?
MR. SNOW: Sir, a lot of times they're going to have to get a
sign company, which he's doing, or maybe change the sign, change
copy on the sign, figure out where they can put the sign. They may
even have to change the sign because it may not be allowed to be there
specifically.
So that's why we need to do -- this is in conjunction with the
original. They've done the pole sign but this is a wall sign. They had
two. They can only have one. They've got to change it and figure out
how they want to do that, which requires engineered drawings and
other problems. So they're starting the process all over again. I don't
know how far -- I believe they're pretty far along.
MR. COOK: Yes, sir, we -- I have the drawings for one of the
signs, but I was unaware that the other sign of the building had to be
changed.
And actually I submitted the sign package in on the 5th of
September, but was told that the second sign had to be permitted as
well, so I'm waiting for those drawings to be done.
MR. PONTE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further questions of the board?
MR. KAUFMAN: Has the fine been paid yet?
MR. SNOW: Operational costs is what you're talking about?
MR. KAUFMAN: Yes. That was due in 30 days, according to--
MR. COOK: That was an $89.43 one? Yes, I paid that, sir.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. LARSEN: I move to approve the extension of time.
MR. KRAENBRING: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
Page 9
September 25, 2008
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. SNOW: We thank the board.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next case will be Caribe
Investments of Naples.
And is the respondent present?
(No response.)
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
MS. FLAGG: Mr. Chair, I will offer that we did receive a phone
call that some folks showed up at the BCC chambers, so it may be that
they're on their way here. I don't know about them in particular.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do we want to push this back a little
bit and give them some time to see if they --
MS. RAWSON: I would.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. KELLY: Mr. Chair, if it's easier, I'm in favor of granting
the extension. There is a letter that accompanies the request, and it
looks pretty reasonable to me.
I think they're just safeguarding the fact that they might be
running a little close to the time that we originally gave them, and
they're just asking for a slight extension. So if it pleases the rest of the
board if we grant it now, we might save the placement in the agenda.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: What time frame are you
recommending?
MR. KELLY: Well, they're saying that it's supposed to be done
somewhere around the 18th. However, we're giving them to the 24th.
So they're not even sure that they're going to not comply. I think
another 30 days would be reasonable, given the fact that it is going to
Page 10
September 25, 2008
be close.
MR. KRAENBRING: Does the county have a position on this?
MR. LETOURNEAU: We have no objection. They're not--
there's nobody occupying the two units at this moment, so it's not
really any kind of a health or safety factor.
And they did have a change on their permit on September 10th I
think they had to deal with too, so I think they're being pretty much
aboveboard with this request.
MR. KRAENBRING: Mr. Kelly, do you have a motion on the
floor?
MR. KELLY: Sure, I'll make a motion that we grant a 3D-day
extension on the original order.
MR. KRAENBRING: Second.
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(N 0 response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion is approved.
MR. LETOURNEAU: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The next one will be on -- we're
moving on to stipulations.
MR. KELLY: Can I just real quick, I have a question. Going
back to -- before we leave and go to the stipulation section, back on
the original request for rehearing, on the Andres Reyes Trust, was that
a hearing that we did here and there was an order entered? Because if
Page 11
September 25, 2008
there was, wouldn't --
MS. WALDRON: No.
MR. KELLY: -- it be a rehearing?
MS. WALDRON: There was no hearing yet.
MR. KELLY: Oh, there wasn't? Okay, very good.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And on to stipulations.
First one will be BCC versus Richard and Judith Sizer.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. O'FARRELL: Good morning. For the record, Susan
O'Farrell, Environmental Specialist for Collier County Code
Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. 2007100109, with violation ofa
deficient required buffer between the vehicular use area and the
right-of-way.
Its violation is located at 2090 J&C Boulevard, Naples, Florida.
Service was given on March 5th when the property was posted,
along with the courthouse.
It was also sent by certified mail, which was signed for on March
28th, 2008.
Now I'd like to present the stipulation that is agreed to by Mr.
Sizer and the county, whereby Mr. Sizer agrees to a violation existed,
and he will pay the operational costs incurred in the case.
The violation has been abated.
MR. KELLY: I make a motion that we accept the stipulated
agreement.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Has everyone read it first?
I have a motion, do I have a second?
MR. PONTE: I'll second.
MR. LARSEN: Hold on.
MS. O'FARRELL: And I have copies of the abatement, if you'd
like to see them.
MR. KRAENBRING: I think the one thing that we all can say is
Page 12
September 25, 2008
that the operational costs need to be paid within 30 days. Is that
something we can enter into that stipulation? It's only $87, but still.
MR. KELLY: That's standard now. So I'll amend the motion to
accept the stipulated agreement with the addition that the op. costs be
paid within 30 days.
MR. DEAN: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion is passed.
MS. O'FARRELL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next stipulation will be Empire
Developers Group, LLC.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MR. BALDWIN: Good morning. For the record, Investigator
Patrick Baldwin, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20080007919. It's dealing
with the violation of disturbed land in Vita Toscana. It has not been
hydro-seeded and they're now creating dust. That's located at Folio
No. 00186000005. It's south ofOlde Cypress, just north of
Immokalee Road.
Personal service was given on 7/1/08 to a Maria Gutezzia
(phonetic. )
Now I'd like to present the stipulation agreement that we've
entered in.
Page 13
September 25, 2008
The Board of County Commissioners, Collier County, Florida,
versus Empire Developers Group, LLC stipulation agreement.
The violation noted in reference of notice of violation are
accurate and I stipulate to their existence. The violations are that of
sections of the Florida Building Code 2004 Edition, Chapter 1
Permits, Section 22-26, subsection 105.5.5 and 04-41, the Collier
County Land Development Code, as amended, Sections
4.06.04A.1.a.vii(a-d), and they are described as the elevated lots in
Vita Toscana have not been hydro-seeded and now are creating dust.
Therefore it is agreed that both parties, the respondent shall: Pay
operational costs in the amount of $88.43 incurred in the prosecution
of this case.
And number two: They abate all violations by hydro-seeding all
disturbed land in V ita T oscana within 14 days of this hearing or a fine
of $180 will be assessed until the violation is abated.
And B: The respondent must notify the code enforcement
investigator when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a
final inspection to confirm abatement.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We do have someone from the
public that would also like to speak about this case too; is that correct?
MS. WALDRON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Before we make a motion, I'd like to
hear it.
MR. KELLY: Actually, I have a question.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead.
MR. KELLY: Investigator, did you say that was a fine of$180
flat fee, or is it $180 per day?
MR. BALDWIN: $180 per day.
MS. WALDRON: We do have a speaker. Ms. Diane Ebert, if
you'd like to come forward.
MS. EBERT: All the community is--
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: If you could--
Page 14
September 25, 2008
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: If you can please state your name.
If you could pull the mic down to you so we could hear you.
THE COURT REPORTER: Spell your last name, please.
MS. EBERT: Yes, E-B-E-R-T. Diane Ebert from Olde Cypress.
All that we really wanted is to have the whole area hydro-seeded.
They have known this since last November. And the people would be
very happy if they just plain hydro-seed the whole thing. That's all we
request.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's what we have in the
stipulation, and that's what they've agreed to at this point. Thank you
very much.
If you can step up, have a couple -- if you can bring the mic up so
we can hear you.
If you could state your name for the record and also -- you're not
Mr. Slavich, I know that, so --
MR. FRALEY: That is correct. I'm Gene Fraley, Vice-president
of Empire Builders.
THE COURT REPORTER: Mr. Fraley, could you spell your
last name, please.
MR. FRALEY: F-R-A-L-E-Y.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And do you have the authority to --
MR. FRALEY: Yes, I do.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: -- agree to the stipulation? Okay.
Any questions?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Anyone else have any questions?
(No response.)
MR. KRAENBRING: No, it seems to me 14 days, is that good
for the -- for you, ma'am?
MS. EBERT: That's fine.
MR. KRAENBRING: All right.
Page 15
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KELLY: I'm more concerned as to whether or not you can
get it done in 14 days. Do you have a contractor lined up and ready to
go?
MR. FRALEY: Yes, we do.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. LARSEN: I'll make a motion that we accept the stipulation
agreement as so proposed and as executed by the county and by the
respondent.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Thank you.
Next stipulated agreement will be BCC versus Roberto Reyes.
Swear the parties in, please.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. PEREZ: Just for the record, Mr. Gallegos is going to help
the respondent translate.
(Interpreter was duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: Can we request that everyone please make
sure to speak into their microphones also.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead, Investigator.
MS. PEREZ: Good morning. For the record Senior Investigator
Christina Perez.
This case is in reference to Case No. 2007090686, dealing with
the violation of an expired pool permit.
Page 16
September 25, 2008
Location of the violation was at 3330 33rd Ave. Northeast in
Naples, Florida, 34120.
Notice of violation was given on September 24th of2007 to the
Respondent Roberto Reyes.
We met this morning here at today's hearing and we agreed to
come into stipulation with the county.
The stipulation reads as follows: The respondent agrees to pay
the operational costs in the amount of $87.87 incurred in the
prosecution of this case. And also to obtain a Collier County building
permit for a pool and all inspections through certificate of completion
within 120 days of the date of this hearing or a fine of $200 a day will
be imposed until the violation is abated.
Or obtain a demolition permit for the pool and all inspections
through certificate of completion within 120 days of the date of this
hearing or a fine of $200 a day will be imposed until the violation is
abated.
Also, that the respondent must notify code enforcement within 24
hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm abatement -- compliance, I'm
sorry .
Would you like me to repeat the number two?
THE COURT REPORTER: No, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: One question I have is what stage of
completion is this pool at now? Does it have a fence around it, a cage,
is it secure?
MS. PEREZ: The entire property has a fence around the
property, and that has a valid permit.
There's only two inspections, which is a final inspection and site
drainage, which we discussed. And he said that maybe within the next
month he would be able to complete that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right, 120 days seems like a long
time, and $200 a day fine seems like a lot, if it's not a health and safety
Page 1 7
September 25, 2008
issue. And he seems pretty close to being done.
You know, if there wasn't a fence protecting it or so forth, then I
could see a $200 a day fine, but personally I feel that that might be a
little bit excessive.
MS. PEREZ: And just for the record, this is the second permit
that has expired for Mr. Reyes, so this new permit that he would apply
would be the third permit that he would be applying for. So which is
why, you know, we give him the sufficient amount of time for him to
be able to complete it. But then, you know, because of the fact that
this would be the third permit that's being obtained.
MR. KRAENBRING: The pool's completed?
MS. PEREZ: Besides those two inspections, yes, which would
be a final -- there's a final pool inspection and a site drainage
inspection.
MR. KRAENBRING: So it's just a failure to get the inspections.
MS. PEREZ: To finish those two, yeah.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other questions of the board?
MR. KELLY: I'm interested to hear what George thinks about
the time.
MR. PONTE: I think the time is long and I think the fine is high
for something that's near completion.
MR. KRAENBRING: Can I ask the county why 120 days -- is
that the amount of time you think is necessary in order to get these
inspections?
MS. PEREZ: There's -- he still has to do some work, according
to what he told me, especially with the site drainage. He has a narrow
lot and he has to make a retaining wall. So that's -- you know. And he
was expressing to me that he's just had a lot of financial hardships,
which is why he hasn't been able to complete that.
MR. KRAENBRING: Well, then, you know, just sort of -- my
thought is that if 120 days is fine, there's no health and safety issue
here, he's got to take care of some landscaping, and then the $200 fineB
Page 18
September 25, 2008
actually pushes him to get it done. So I'm kind of thinking that the
county's position is correct.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I would agree with your statement.
MR. LARSEN: I just want to ask, this pool, it's a residential
poo 1, correct?
MS. PEREZ: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And it's behind a house?
MS. PEREZ: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: And is the house occupied?
MS. PEREZ: Yes.
MR. KRAENBRING: It's occupied by the --
MS. PEREZ: By the owner.
MR. KRAENBRING: Okay.
MR. LARSEN: And there are the applicable safety fences, or
not?
MS. PEREZ: He has a fence throughout the whole property with
a gate in the front.
MR. KAUFMAN: Does the pool have water in it?
MS. PEREZ: Yes.
MR. KAUFMAN: Are they using it?
MS. PEREZ: Yeah, that would be something that you would
have to ask him.
MR. DEAN: This is a single-family dwelling, right?
MS. PEREZ: Yes, it is a single-family home in the Estates.
MR. DEAN: Thank you.
MR. KRAENBRING: Do we want to hear from the respondent?
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Chairman?
THE INTERPRETER: What would you like me to ask him?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do you have a direct question for
him?
MR. LARSEN: Are you using the pool currently?
THE INTERPRETER: He said yes.
Page 19
September 25, 2008
MR. LARSEN: What is the additional work that you have to do
before you can get the inspections?
THE INTERPRETER: According to what he said, he said the
landscaping -- with what she said about the drainage wall, I don't
know, he said something about some drainage wall similar to what she
said.
MS. PEREZ: Retaining wall.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Retaining wall.
THE INTERPRETER: Retaining wall.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Is that correct?
THE INTERPRETER: Yeah, that's what he said. That's what he
needs to finish.
MR. LARSEN: And is he going to be able to finish it within 120
days?
THE INTERPRETER: He said yes, he should be able to finish it
in 120 days.
MR. LARSEN: Thank you. I have no further questions.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KRAENBRING: Just the one thing. Just please let this
gentleman know the severity of the fine. I mean, Mr. Chairman, just
-- I think he needs to know that -- I'd like to hear him say that --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Well, that's part of the stipulated
agreement.
MR. KRAENBRING: Right.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But he does understand that there
will be a $200 fine -- if we do agree to the stipulation -- after 120
days, $200 fine every day per day.
THE INTERPRETER: He says he understands.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We'd also like to see operational
costs paid within 30 days of this hearing.
MR. PONTE: Mr. Chairman, I would just like to suggest to the
board that we consider reducing the fine. Just a matter of consistency.
Page 20
September 25, 2008
$200 a day fine whether imposed in fact or not is on the books. And
-- our books. And I just think it's a very severe fine, harsh fine for a
pool in your backyard that's near completion. I don't think the fine
should be anything like that.
MR. KELLY: I have a question for the respondent.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead, Mr. Kelly.
MR. KELLY: Sir, do you have either an alarm system on the
doors and windows going to the pool or a security fence around the
pool to stop children from going into it?
THE INTERPRETER: No, he says he doesn't. And he says he
doesn't have no kids.
MR. KELLY: Florida Building Code 2001 requires either one of
those as a prevention to go into -- for drowning purposes.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I believe I heard testimony from the
county that there is a fence around the property, however.
MR. KELLY: However, there needs to be one around the pool --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Correct.
MR. KELLY: -- if there's a cage. Or an alarm system. So it
might constitute a health and safety issue.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Good point.
MR. KRAENBRING: And I think that will be picked up at the
inspections.
George, with all due respect, I think that, you know, there is a
health and safety issue here, potentially. And, you know, when the
Chairman calls us to make a motion, I'll make a motion that we --
MR. PONTE: Okay, I understand that. And now with the health
and safety issue there, I agree with the fine level.
But if I could hear the stipulation again. Was there anything in
the stipulation about erecting a fence or a gate or an electronic device
to protect the pool?
MS. PEREZ: Well, it's like Mr. Kenny (sic) had said, you know,
the -- it's a part of the building code so they would have to be required
Page 21
September 25, 2008
by the county before a C.O. is issued.
MR. PONTE: Does the respondent -- is the respondent aware of
the fact that he's going to have to build another fence?
MR. KRAENBRING: I don't think it's so much another fence,
George, as that the gates have to have certain safety.
MR. PONTE: Right. Well, the gate's on the fence, right?
MR. KRAENBRING: Right.
MR. KELLY: But in order to get the final inspection, he would
have to have some sort of items of --
MR. PONTE: Well, just so we're not back here in 120 days and
he's saying, well, now I've got to put up a fence, they've told me I have
to put up a fence and now I need another 120 days.
Let's get it all done at the same time. .
MR. KRAENBRING: We don't want to be reading the building
code into these orders.
I make a motion that we accept the stipulation as presented by the
county and the respondent.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: -- hear a second?
All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
MR. PONTE: (Indicating.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: One nay.
We're going to move on to hearings.
The next -- the first hearing is BCC versus Florida Metal
Page 22
September 25, 2008
Masters, Inc.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Department Case No.
2007090640.
F or the record, the respondent and the board were sent a packet
of evidence, and we would like to enter the packet of evidence as
Exhibit A.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KRAENBRING: Make a motion that we accept the packet.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. PONTE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MS. WALDRON: Violation of Ordinances 04-41, as amended,
the Collier County Land Development Code, Section 10.02.03(B)(5).
Description of violation: Airplane fuselage, granite, marble slabs
and dumpster in parking area intended for vehicular parking, violating
Site Development Plan 99-125.
Location/address where violation exists: 4443 Arnold Avenue,
Naples, Florida, 34104.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Florida Metal Master, Inc. Jill Palmer-Trapasso, registered
agent, 3609 Cottage Club Lane, Naples, Florida, 34105.
Date violation first observed: September 20th, 2007.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: Received
by certified mail on March 19th, 2008.
Page 23
September 25, 2008
Date on on/by which violation to be corrected: April 14th, 2008.
Date of reinspection: April 25th, 2008.
Results of reinspection: Noncompliant airplane fuselage, granite,
marble, stone slabs and dumpster remain at 4443 Arnold Avenue,
Naples, Florida, 34104.
At this time I would like to call on Code Enforcement
Investigator Heinz Box.
MR. BOX: Good morning, gentlemen. For the record, my name
is Investigator Heinz Box from Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. 2007090640. And this is dealing
with violations of a site development plan 99-125, which is having an
aircraft stored over parking spaces designated for employee and
customer parking at 4443 Arnold Avenue, here in Naples.
A notice of violation was given and delivered on March 19th of
2008 by certified mail. And gentlemen, the reason that we're here
today is to determine whether or not a violation of the site
development plan exists by having an airplane fuselage parked over
parking spaces.
Ordinance 04-41, Section 4.05.01(A) states that every building or
use must provide off-street parking for the occupants, employees and
visitors and customers and patrons.
Section of the LDC 04-41, Section 1 0.02.03(B)( 5) states that a
violation of the terms identified in the approved site development plan
shall constitute a violation of this code.
We received this complaint on September 20th of '07, and on that
day Supervisor Capasso, who's my supervisor, and myself went to this
property, which is in the Industrial Park right across the street.
We advised Mr. Trapasso, who was the owner of the property, of
the nature of the complaint, and we observed several slabs of marble
and an aircraft fuselage covering the designated parking spaces at this
location.
The marble and granite slabs have since been removed, but there
Page 24
September 25, 2008
is a dumpster that is blocking one of the entrances at 4443 Arnold.
On October 1 st of 2007 Investigator Manager David Scribner,
Susana Capasso and I met with Mr. Trapasso at our office. During the
meeting we explained the violations and discussed the options for
correcting.
Okay, at this time what I'd like to do is enter into evidence two
photographs.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: First of all, have the parties all been
sworn in?
THE COURT REPORTER: Yes.
MR. KELLY: I make a motion that we accept this as evidence
A.
MR. DEAN: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Flood, have you seen the photographs?
MR. FLOOD: No, sir.
MR. LARSEN: Give them to Mr. Flood.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Flood should see them first.
MR. BOX: Just for the record, I have these items labeled B-1
and B-2. One's a photograph, a GIS photograph of the property, and
the other is a photograph of the aircraft fuselage.
MR. LARSEN: Do you have any objections, Mr. Flood?
MR. FLOOD: No objection.
MR. KRAENBRING: That's an airplane.
MR. BOX: Okay, I'll continue here.
Page 25
September 25, 2008
During our meeting with Mr. Trapasso, he indicated that he
wanted to keep the plane and that he had not yet decided what he
wanted to do with it, but he definitely knew that he wanted to keep it.
He said he was also willing to do whatever it would take to come
into compliance. And this was on October 21st.
On October 5th of '07 I went and attempted personal service of
notice of violation at 4443 Arnold Avenue, but I was unsuccessful.
The notice of violation was sent certified mail and the return
receipt was received on the 15th of October.
Occasional follow-ups showed no signs of progress towards
compliance and removal of this airplane, and revised notices of
violation were sent out via certified mail to the registered agent of this
property, who is Jill-Palmer Trapasso, Michael Trapasso and Steven
Trapasso. And the U.P.S. tracking confirm shows that it was delivered
on March 19th of2008.
And the reason that I sent another notice of violation out was that
the ownership in the initial notice of violation was incorrect.
Since that time I've done various site visits out to this location
and there's been no compliance.
And on May 7th I prepared the statement of violations and
request for the hearing.
One other thing I'd like to submit as evidence.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Has the respondent seen this?
MR. BOX: No.
These will be listed as C-1 and C-2, copies of the site
development plan.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any objection?
MR. FLOOD: No, sir.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion to accept this as
Exhibit B from the county?
MR. PONTE: Make a motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor -- second, sorry.
Page 26
September 25, 2008
Second?
MR. KELLY: I'll second.
MR. KRAENBRING: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(N 0 response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. BOX: Just for clarification, C-l that I gave you is the actual
SDP, okay. And it's a little hard to see the parking spaces marked
there with all the other overwriting on it.
And C-2 is the irrigation plan, and you can clearly see where the
parking spaces are. Okay.
MS. RAWSON: When you gentlemen finish with exhibits, be
sure you give them to the court reporter, since you've introduced them
into evidence.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes. You can just pass them back,
at least one of them back.
MR. BOX: I'll continue here.
The initial hearing for this matter was July 31 st of 2008. It was
continued at Mr. Flood's request, who's representing Mr. Trapasso.
On August 13th Counsel Peter Flood, Michael Trapasso, Ross
Gochenaur, my supervisor, Susana Capasso and I met at the code
enforcement office to discuss the violations and options for abatement.
One thing I'd like to remind you is that the reason that we're here
today is to determine whether or not this airplane can stay on this
Page 27
September 25, 2008
property. In my mind it's clearly in violation of the site development
plan. And my main concern with this is the safety issue. God forbid if
there's a fire there, how are fire apparatuses going to get in there or
EMS people to get in there to save that property if there is a fire in
there?
As for my recommendations --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Well, no, not yet.
Are you all set?
MR. BOX: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Flood?
MR. FLOOD: Yes, my name is Peter Flood. I was retained by
Mr. Trapasso who owns the Florida Metal Masters, Inc.
I think it's important for the board to understand what my client
does for a living. I think it's also important to understand that he is in
an industrial area with industrial zoning, that certain things are
allowed in that industrial zoning. I've supplied a copy of that with my
packet in regards to the general industrial section.
I'd like to read into the record what that specifically indicates as
set forth in the code. General industrial shall mean a use for the
purpose of basic processing, manufacturing of materials or products,
predominently from extracted or raw materials or products for the
purpose of storage of or manufacturing process using flammable or
explosive materials, storage of manufacturing processes that
potentially involve hazardous or commonly recognized offensive
conditions.
Also used for the purpose of manufacturing predominantly from
previously prepared materials or finished products or parts including
processing, fabrication, assembly, treatment, packaging and incidental
storage, sales and distribution of such products.
My client is in the metal business, sheet metal business, okay?
He manufactures, he processes sheet metal. One of the reasons he
bought this plane -- he did buy the plane from Collier County
Page 28
September 25, 2008
Mosquito Control. Is that correct?
He initially thought he could take the plane and rehab it. When
he got into the project he understood that he could not rehab it because
of the cost.
He currently is in the process of right now planning on either
cutting the plane up, utilizing the material on the plane in his
processes and for his plane; is that correct?
So I think that's important in regards to what we have here. Now,
Mr. Heinz is correct, we had a meeting on August 13th, 2008. Mr.
Gochenaur came from the zoning department.
One of the things I specifically asked Mr. Gochenaur was to
interpret the violation as set forth.
Attached to our package is his response in regards to reading
several sections he interprets that there is a violation.
It's our position that my client, who by the way has two full-time
employees and one part-time employee. Has what, 11 parking spaces?
MR. TRAPASSO: Thirteen.
MR. FLOOD: Thirteen parking spaces.
He's not a retail operation, he's not a wholesale operation, he's an
industrial shop where people or a truck backs in, unloads and removes.
And he ships and receives. There's not people coming and going.
There may be an occasional salesman coming and going. That's
important.
So I asked Mr. Gochenaur to specifically point out where it states
in our Land Development Code where parking -- the differential
between parking and storage.
And I would submit to this board if in fact that my client is in
violation of the Land Development Code, every other person is in
violation. If parking places are only supposed to be used for parking,
they can't be used for storage; i.e., you can't take a recreational vehicle
and put it in a parking spot and call that parking. You can't take a boat
and put it in there and call it parking. You can't go by the Sprint
Page 29
September 25, 2008
building on Davis and have commercial trailers sitting there for
months at a time. Is that parking or is it storage?
My client actively works on this plane. He doesn't work on it
every day, he works at it on the weekends. He's parting it out. That's
his business.
Is it blocking or impeding his employees? No.
These other matters that Heinz is discussing in regards to the
fabrication of the materials, he has corrected all that. The slabs are
removed. He went down and got his occupational permit for
additional equipment and machinery brought in there. That was not
only for fabrication of marble, it was also for fabrication of steel. It's
a water jetting machine, $60,000 machine.
Our position is, is that my client can utilize his space for the
temporary storage of this plane while he's disassembling it.
County's position is no, it's for parking of motor vehicles only.
And I would submit to this board, you can ride around every
industrial area in this county and you can look at people putting in
their parking spaces things that are stored there.
If my client were to bring in a 40-foot semi trailer, for example,
and it needs to have the sheet metal redone on it and it takes him three,
four weeks or it takes him a month and a half or two months and he
parks it in the parking place, is that parking or is that storage?
I didn't write the Land Development Code. Mr. Gochenaur didn't
write the Land Development Code. It's not specific.
How is my client supposed to understand a Land Development
Code that Mr. Gochenaur can't even interpret himself and seeing it
takes him three sections to come up with it?
If you read the facts that was sent to Mr. Trapasso, nowhere in
there does it specifically say that the parking places in an industrial
area cannot be used for storage. Doesn't say that. That's just an
interpretation.
My client pays approximately $20,000 a year in taxes. He's in an
Page 30
September 25, 2008
industrial area. He's over there trying to make a living. The reason he
went into the industrial area is because he wanted to utilize that
properly zoned land for this specific business. It's the only place in
town you can utilize it. Fabrication of raw materials, sheet metal,
bending, all this.
So we would submit to the board that they have not submitted
their burden or met their burden in regards to any violation.
Keep talking about the Land Development Code. That was when
he originally built this building. What was that, nine years ago or
eight years ago? He went in there, these were for parking places.
Sure they're for parking places. Go to the Budweiser dealership, drive
by there on your way home tonight, okay? They're slow. They've got
vehicles and they've got trucks stored all over their parking places.
Go by the U.P.S. shop, they've got them stored all over the
places. Is that storage or is it parking? I don't know. But I know one
thing, it's not in the Land Development Code. It's not specifically set
forth that a person in an industrial zoned area cannot utilize his
parking to put some sort of structure or some sort of vehicle or some
sort of truck or something out there that he's working on. I mean, it
just doesn't fit.
So that's our position.
Would you like to say anything?
MR. TRAPASSO: My name is Mike Trapasso. I'm the president
of Florida Metal Masters.
And our property is gated and fenced in. The parking area is used
as a transfer area on a daily basis for us to do business. We have
trucks coming in, unloading, and trucks loading up pulling out.
Many times these are large items. We put them in the parking
lot. They're private parking spaces. We own the spaces. Some of the
spaces we choose to use as storage, some we park cars in.
For Collier County to come in and try to micromanage what I do
in my private fenced-in gated property, industrial zoned, is absurd.
Page 3 1
September 25, 2008
Every time I move something around, they're going to come in
and give me a ticket? Is that what Collier County is all about as far as
code enforcement?
And I just -- I've had it. I'm really fed up with the Land
Development Code they're trying to pin me on here. Which has to do
with new construction, by the way. The pieces of code they're citing
is new construction code.
And it really has nothing to do -- we're not bothering anybody,
there are no complaints on how we operate.
And, you know, the fenced-in gated as far as a hazard to the
community, I don't see that flying. This thing has an eight-foot high
fence with barbed wire, and the gate is closed at night.
And I just ask the board to realize this is an industrial property
and what zoning do I need to do the kind of work I do if I can't do it in
industrial? Where do I go?
MR. FLOOD: One last thing the board has to understand. This
plane has no gasoline, has no engines, it's just a fuselage.
Also what the board has to realize is that the initial complaint on
this action came from an individual from Tampa, Florida. Didn't even
come from Collier County.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'm going to close the public
hearing.
Any questions from the board?
MR. DEAN: I just had one question. Is that parking lot, is it
open to the public at all? Or do you have to --
MR. TRAPASSO: The gate is open. Anybody can pull in
during business hours.
There -- if you were to go there right now you would see 10
marked parking spaces available for parking. The plane takes up three
spaces. It's not in the way, it's not near the building, it doesn't impede
any commerce in and out of the building.
As Mr. Flood stated, my traffic is truck traffic in and out. Very
Page 32
September 25, 2008
little vehicular traffic other than that.
There's only two full-time employees, one part-time employee.
We do not have a parking problem and parking does not overflow into
the right-of-way.
MR. PONTE: I have a question.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Hold on a second. I think the
county has something else to say; is that correct?
MR. BOX: Yes, just a question here of Mr. Flood and his client.
How long has that airplane been parked there?
MR. FLOOD: Two years.
MR. BOX: Two years. Okay. So that wouldn't be considered
temporary storage then, would it?
MR. FLOOD: Temporary storage could be 10 years, could be 15
years, it could be 20 years, it could be five minutes.
MR. LARSEN: I believe the County Attorney wants to--
MR. PONTE: I do have a question and that is regarding the
fuselage.
Does it block easy access to the building by emergency response
vehicles?
MR. TRAPASSO: No, it does not. The fuselage is at the center
-- if you look at the site development plan that was passed around,
those spaces away from the building where there's eight spaces going
up to the road, it's in that section there. So it's not in the way of the
main drive entering the building or the overhead.
MR. PONTE: Thank you.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, I have one more question.
Is the fuselage adequately tethered to the ground in case of high
winds?
MR. TRAPASSO: The fuselage is bolted down to the ground.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And County Attorney?
MR. BOX: I have to say that I didn't notice that when I was out
there, and that was one of my main concerns also was the fact that,
Page 33
September 25, 2008
you know, how this thing would hold up to high winds, whether or not
it would be a big projectile flying across that parking lot and
damaging someone else's property.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: County Attorney?
MS. STUDENT -STIRLING: Thank you. Again for the record,
Marjorie Student-Stirling, Assistant County Attorney.
I just want to point out that our Land Development Code has
parking requirements in it for all commercial and industrial zoned
areas. And if memory serves me correctly, in this area it's one space
for 500 square feet of building area.
And then what happens when a person comes in to get their site
development plan, it is a graphic representation of code requirements.
So that site plan shows the number of required parking spaces that the
county approved.
And again, as -- the stated violation of the terms of the site
development plan is considered a violation of the code.
I would offer that, you know, parking spaces, just general
definition, doesn't include long-term storage of materials. And I
would also further argue even if you go to several commercial parking
areas in town, they'll say no overnight parking permitted, so that
there's no issue about storage of anything in the parking area.
I would submit that there is a remedy for this problem in our
Land Development Code, and that would be for this gentleman and his
company to seek a parking exemption from the board, which would
relieve him of the need for the number of parking spaces that are
shown on the site plan. And Code Enforcement Board isn't really the
agency to get parking exemptions. That's either the Board of County
Commissioners or the Board of Zoning Appeals. Thank you very
much.
MR. LARSEN: I have a question for the County Attorney before
she leaves.
If I understand correctly, it's a violation of Ordinance 04-41,
Page 34
September 25, 2008
correct?
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: The violation -- well, the violation
is in 10.02.03(B)(5).
MR. LARSEN : Well, it says violation of Ordinance 04-41, as
amended --
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Yes, that's the Land Development
Code.
MR. LARSEN: -- of the Land Development Code, Section
10.02.03(B)(5), correct?
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Uh-huh.
MR. LARSEN: Did you have an opportunity to see the e-mail
from Mr. Gochenaur dated Wednesday, August 13th, 2008 to Susana
Capasso and Heinz Box?
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: That's not in my packet.
MR. LARSEN: Because I believe Mr. Flood referred to this.
And it says, Section 2.3.13 of the previous LDC states the required
off-street parking can't be reduced or changed to any other use unless
the use served is discontinued.
Then it goes on to say, although this language failed to appear in
the current LDC, Ordinance 04-41, recitals of 04-41 state that the
recodification does not substantially alter in any way the prior existing
LDC text.
And if I understand Mr. Flood's argument is that if you're going
to have a statute to enforce the statute, it has to be clear. And his
statement just that recodification doesn't alter a prior statute isn't
sufficient in this case. I wanted to get your opinion on that.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: Okay. My opinion stands as I
stated it, that it's sufficiently clear in my mind citing the
10.02.03(B)(5) referencing the site development plan. He noticed
what the require -- what a site development plan shows, and that site
development plan is a graphic representation of code requirements for
that particular use. I rest my case.
Page 35
September 25, 2008
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Flood, your understanding of the language
that I guess is contained in this e-mail, amI correct in assuming that
what you're saying is that basically since that original language about
changing of the off-street parking wasn't included in the LDC it's not
applicable?
MR. FLOOD: That's correct.
And the other thing I'm saying is that the -- if you read his
original site plan, it is not modified.
MR. LARSEN: I'm not asking you about the statute, sir. I
understand about that.
MR. FLOOD: I don't think the statute is applicable at this point.
MR. LARSEN: The current LDC.
MR. FLOOD: That's correct.
MR. LARSEN: And why is that, because of the industrial
zoning?
MR. FLOOD: That's correct.
MR. LARSEN: And why is that so special as compared to other
manufacturing or residential?
MR. FLOOD: Because let me -- can I just finish my point?
My point is the basis for their argument is that he has modified
his original site plan. He's not modified his original site plan.
Modification of a site plan indicates that you're going to be
removing parking places. Okay, we're talking about use, how he's
utilizing the parking places. They're indicating just because he's using
them, putting the plane on it, he's taking away those parking places
and thereby unilaterally modifying his site plan. That's not what he's
doing. That's what they're hanging their hat on.
If he was to take those parking spaces and put some sort of
structure on them where he was to eliminate -- come in and dig them
up and build another structure or building on them, that would be
modification of his original site plan. He's not modifying the number
of parking spaces in his site plan. We're talking about use.
Page 36
September 25, 2008
And that's when we had the meeting with Ross, that's what I
emphasized with Ross. How he uses his parking places in my opinion
is not a modification of his site plan. Is it storage, is it parking? How
he uses those parking spots does not indicate whether or not he's in
violation of his original site plan. That's our argument. Our argument
IS use.
Their argument is by him storing the plane there he's violating his
original site plan by taking those parking spaces up with the storage of
his plane. That's their argument.
Our argument is he can bring stuff in and out of there, put them
in those parking spaces ifhe's working on them. That doesn't
constitute a violation of the Land Development Code in regards to his
site plan. If that's the case, every person in the industrial section is in
violation.
MR. LARSEN: All right, thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other questions?
MR. TRAPASSO: Can I make a short statement?
If you look --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We already closed the public
hearing and we're at the point of asking --
MR. LARSEN: I think you should let him speak.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We've already closed the public
hearing.
Any other questions?
(N 0 response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KRAENBRING: I think we should just open it up for
discussion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Open it for discussion.
Who would like to go first?
MR. LARSEN: Well, I think the crux of the matter is whether or
not under the current rules and regulations storage on top of a parking
Page 37
September 25, 2008
spot actually, you know, violates the code. Whether or not you have
to use a designated parking space for parking of vehicles or whether or
not you can use it for other purposes such as the temporary storage of
equipment or material.
MR. PONTE: I don't think it's clear. And if it's not clear and
you have a violation --
MR. LARSEN: Well, what I'm troubled about is that in the
e-mail it says, this language failed to appear in the current LDC,
which in the prior language is more restrictive.
MR. KRAENBRING: You know, I don't like to sit on precedent,
but in previous cases where we've had people use parking for storage,
we have ruled in favor of the county.
I remember one person in particular, one case where they were
storing marble slabs and, you know, they were inside their fence and it
really wasn't an eyesore to me, but we did find that it was a use of
storage rather than for parking.
And at that point I think we had a situation where the employees
needed to park in the street because they couldn't park, you know,
where that marble was stored.
With all due respect to, you know, Mr. Flood's comment about,
you know, his temporary storage 10 years or 15 years, two years is
more than temporary storage in my mind.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right.
Also the respondent stated that it is tied down, the plane is tied
down. And to me that doesn't sound like it's temporary. It's making it
more permanent than temporary.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: How would this board feel about giving a
temporary allowance for this fuselage to be there, giving a specific
date for it to be finished, parting out, sold and then not in that location
anymore.
MR. KELLY: I don't think we're the venue to allow a temporary.
However, I agree with maybe granting a little bit of leniency in the
Page 38
September 25, 2008
time frame to allow them to continue to pursue possibly amending
their site development plan.
Maybe they can get a special use for those parking spaces that
are being utilized now.
I just think it's funny because 30 years from now maybe we
might have this discussion whether an airplane is transportation and
moveable and all that kind of stuff.
But I agree, I don't think that this constitutes a temporary storage.
If it was a trailer that could be used at will or a recreational vehicle or
a boat that could be -- that is trailered, I think that's a little bit
different. I wouldn't consider that storage, I consider that something
that could be moved in and out and used for parking.
In this case I don't see it that way.
MR. PONTE: Well, but the respondent has said he is using it.
He's cannibalizing it. And eventually it won't be there.
MR. KELLY: However, parking spaces are not allowed to be
utilized to temporarily store anything. So, for instance, a delivery
truck was to come back up into an industrial location and off-load
goods and supplies. They have to be transferred directly into the
building. They can't be just put into a parking space, blocking those
parking spaces temporarily. Not for five minutes. I mean, that's not
what parking spaces are designed for. They're designed for
transportation and vehicles and trailer and equipment and so forth.
MR. PONTE: The County suggested that the respondent might
solve the problem by applying for a parking exemption. And if that be
the case, maybe we ought to consider giving him time to apply for a
parking exemption.
MR. KELLY: I agree.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The other thing is, you're looking at
this picture with the plane in it. There's a car there and it doesn't look
like it's even in one of the parking spaces. So the argument that there's
enough parking spaces even with this plane doesn't appear to be so in
Page 39
September 25, 2008
this picture.
I think I would agree also with giving a time period to go ahead
and try to get the parking exemption.
MR. KRAENBRING: What's the likelihood that the county will
grant the parking exemption?
MR. BOX: Good question.
MR. KRAENBRING: Because if we grant them this -- if the
county grants them this exemption then, you know, does that open up
-- maybe Ms. Stirling can come up and address that.
Because if they are granted this exemption, then is that going to
just open up for other businesses to also cite this as a precedent?
MS. STUDENT -STIRLING: The Board of Zoning Appeals or
Board of County Commissioners, as the case may be, looks at these
matters on a case-by-case basis, and every situation's different. So I
wouldn't be that concerned about the precedent.
Insofar as in trying to determine whether or not they will grant it,
they will review the facts against the appropriate criteria in the code
and make a determination at that time.
MR. KRAENBRING: So as I understand it, it is your position
that really this isn't the venue for this.
MS. STUDENT-STIRLING: No, it's not the venue to reduce the
number of spaces.
But the other things that you brought up, and I guess your
attorney could advise you, but, you know, I think you do have some
latitude as to when the violation is abated and things like that, so --
and come crafting a sort of stipulation, if you will, with --
MS . RAWSON: Basically you can only determine if a violation
exists. You can't grant, you know, any kind of variances, you can't do
any of that. You just determine if a violation exists. And if you think
it does and you think he can maybe cure it some other way, that's up
to him. You can't order him how to do it, you can just give him so
many days to do it.
Page 40
September 25, 2008
MR. KRAENBRING: I think the other thing, just as a note to
other members of the board, is if this were a boat, we probably
wouldn't be sitting here listening to this. It's just an unusual item to be
stored.
MR. FLOOD: That's correct.
MR. KRAENBRING: May I ask the respondent, how long do
you think that the fuselage will be there? I mean, is it something that
you're going to maintain forever, is it a trademark for you, or --
MR. TRAPASSO: No, no, we're in the process of working on it.
And I'm not really sure if I'm going to part it out or turn it into a limo.
And that's where I'm at with it right now.
And this is what I do. This is metal fabrication type work.
MR. KRAENBRING: Do you have a sense of how much time
you would need in order to turn this into a limo or part it out or --
MR. TRAPASSO: It could be six months or a year.
MR. KRAENBRING: Can you give us -- what would you say?
MR. TRAPASSO: I'm really not sure exactly. I mean, I don't
want to be pinned down --
MR. KRAENBRING: You don't have any set plans for it at this
point?
MR. TRAPASSO: I'm working on it. I have plans for it. But as
far as how long it's going to take, I mean, it's a hobby. I can't, you
know, specially say when it will be complete.
MR. KRAENBRING: Okay.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Sir, is this a hobby directly related to your
business?
MR. TRAPASSO: Yes, it is. It's -- I'm in the metal fabrication
business, and this is a metal structure which we're working on. We're
probably the only company around that has the equipment to do what
we're doing to it. And it's part of the business right now.
MR. BOX: May I say something?
MR. KRAENBRING: Please.
Page 41
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes.
MR. BOX: This thing's been sitting out here two years now.
And the only thing that's holding the airplane together are the rust and
the rivits. Okay, I haven't seen any work done on that airplane since I
started this case, which has been about a year ago, a little over a year
ago. And for this gentleman to sit here and tell you that it's a part of
his metal fabricating business is just untrue.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'm going to --
MR. DEAN: I'd like to make a motion that a violation does exist.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
MR. LARSEN: Nay.
MR. KRAENBRING: Nay.
MR. FLOOD: For clarification, the violation exists as set forth in
the notification of the violation; is that the violation? Is that the
specific section?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes, sir.
MR. FLOOD: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do you have the vote?
THE COURT REPORTER: I have two nays.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Correct.
Actually, Mr. Kaufman cannot vote.
MR. BOX: Gentlemen, I just want to read the recommendations.
Can I do that real quick for the record?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're not--
Page 42
September 25, 2008
MR. KELLY: We might have more questions.
MR. BOX: I don't think they're going to want to leave.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Respondents? Mr. Flood?
MR. FLOOD: Yeah, we're listening.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're not done yet.
MR. FLOOD: Yeah, we understand.
MR. BOX: Recommendation on this case is that the Code
Enforcement Board order the respondent to pay all operational costs in
the amount of $87.44, and that the -- incurred in the prosecution of
this case and abate all violations by applying for an administrative
parking reduction, APR, within 15 days of this hearing.
And once approved, the respondent must submit plans for an
insubstantial change to a site development plan within 30 days from
the APR date. Or, the respondent needs to remove the airplane
fusilage, the granite and marble -- which has already been moved --
and the dumpster, which is still blocking one of his entrances, from the
designated parking areas within 15 days of this hearing or be fined
$100 a day for each day the violation remains.
The respondent must notify the code enforcement investigator
when the violation has been abated in order to conduct a final
inspection to confirm compliance.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Wasn't it stated, Jean, you said that
we could not tell them what to do to get it corrected?
MS. RAWSON: Right. You just have to tell them abate the
violations within so many days.
MR. DEAN: Right.
MS. RAWSON: Now, if it was a permit, you can give them so
long to get a permit.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Let me see the --
MS . RAWSON: This is a little different.
MR. KELLY: What's the op. cost?
MR. BOX: $87.44.
Page 43
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: This is a little different, meaning?
MS. RAWSON: He's going to have to get -- apply for -- what
does APR stand for?
MR. BOX: Administrative parking reduction.
MR. KRAENBRING: Within 15 days of the hearing.
MR. BOX: In essence what we're doing is we're giving him an
option to either do that or remove it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Or we could just say within a certain
amount of time.
MR. KRAENBRING: Well, the one thing is that -- I know
everybody else has to look at this again, but they're asking that the
plane be removed within 15 days if -- they have to apply for the
parking reduction or remove the plane within 15 days. I think it
would be tough to remove that plane within 15 days.
MR. DEAN: I just feel it's such a big item that 60 days should be
fine. And then he has that amount of time to do what he needs to do.
MR. KRAENBRING: Yeah. I mean, we're out of hurricane
season. I don't think this thing's going to be flying around.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: How long?
MR. KRAENBRING: 60, 90 days?
MR. KELLY: I was looking at one year.
MR. KRAENBRING: Yeah. I don't--
MR. DEAN: Well, the respondent said he could -- six months is
one of his targets to --
MR. KRAENBRING: Right. So let's come up with a date or a
time frame.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: How long does it take to get an
APR; do you know?
MR. BOX: No, I don't.
MR. PONTE: You know, we just gave someone 120 days to
correct a swimming pool problem.
MR. BOX: I was just told by my supervisor the application
Page 44
September 25, 2008
process takes two weeks.
MR. KRAENBRING: Right. And that's what's in the
recommendation of the county is not that he obtain it, it's that he file
for it.
MR. BOX: Right.
MR. KRAENBRING: But still, that's a short time frame.
MR. BOX: I was just going to say, keep in mind it's been out
there for a couple years already.
MR. KELLY: And open ended.
MR. DEAN: But it's come to a head now, so I think that 60 days
is -- or excuse me, six months is fine, too. That's my opinion.
Because now he knows he has to do something with the plane
and it's not a small item. It's not like a boat, so --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I would feel comfortable going with the
county's recommendations as stated.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'll have everyone review the
recommendation one more time and then see if someone wants to
make a motion.
MS. FLAGG: Mr. Chair, while you're doing that, we've been
asked to pull the mics closer to us, because they're still having trouble
hearing us.
MR. LARSEN: I think the county's recommendation is fine
except for number three, which is the removal, should they choose that
option, within 15 days. I'd feel more comfortable giving them 30
days.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I think even that, maybe a little -- I
think that may even be a little short.
MR. PONTE: Yes. We have to keep in mind, if you're removing
it, you have to remove it to some place.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Or dismantle it.
MR. PONTE: So the time has to be --
MR. BOX: My understanding was it was gotten from the airport.
Page 45
September 25, 2008
So that's probably where it's going to end up going.
MR. LARSEN: Unless he disassembles it.
MR. KRAENBRING: Yeah, we shouldn't be making that
supposition.
MR. BOX: I understand that.
MR. KRAENBRING: We can't tell this person what to do with
it.
MR. KELLY: I haven't seen the recommendation yet, but from
what I remember was it kind of leaves an open-ended time frame. It
specifically grants a certain amount of time for a submittal but no time
thereafter, in case the submittal process drags on.
MR. KRAENBRING: Well, I think it will be back in front of us
again if it --
MR. KELLY: Well, technically if he submits and spends the
next year going back and forth with -- in meetings and hearings and
postpones and delays, he's still technically in compliance with our
order, if that would be the case.
So for the board's consideration, I'd like to just throw a motion
out there.
MR. KRAENBRING: Please.
MR. KELLY: I make a motion that a violation exists as cited in
the charging documents.
Number two, the respondent is to abate the violation within 180
days or a fine of $100 per day will be assessed.
Number three, pay operational costs of $87.44 within 30 days.
And number four, notify code enforcement within 24 hours of the
violation being abated.
MR. LARSEN: All right, I think we already had the motion on
whether or not a violation exists. Other than that first point.
MR. KELLY: I'm sorry, do you always start your orders off with
a violation existed as --
MS. RAWSON: I think you already voted that it does exist. So
Page 46
September 25, 2008
what you're doing now is making a recommendation that -- and if I
understand it, you're just saying 180 days to abate the violation,
period.
MR. KELLY: Correct.
MS. RAWSON: However he does it is --
MR. LARSEN: Right, I would second that motion.
MR. DEAN: Operational costs is $88.44, right?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Or $87.44.
MR. DEAN: Was it 87?
MR. BOX: Yes, 87.44.
MR. DEAN: Thank you.
MR. KRAENBRING: Just as a note, this is going to allow him
to either do something with the plane or go ahead and get the
reduction in the parking.
MR. KELLY: Correct.
MR. KRAENBRING: Is that what we all understand it to be?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: That's comfortable with me.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I have a first and I have a second.
I'd like to take a vote.
All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. BOX: Thank you, gentlemen.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Flood, do you want to -- if you
Page 47
September 25, 2008
can come up to the mic and -- do you understand that?
MR. FLOOD: We're all set.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The next case will be BCC versus
James Hargraves.
And before we start this, would you like a break?
THE COURT REPORTER: I would love a break, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Excuse me. Before we start
this case, if we can just take a five-minute recess.
MR. KRAENBRING: Give her 10.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right, 10 minutes, 10 minutes.
(Recess. )
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'd like to call this meeting back to
order.
The next case is BCC versus James Hargraves.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MR. MARTINDALE: Good morning. For the record --
MS. WALDRON: Hold on.
This case, they're requesting -- the respondents are requesting a
continuance due to the fact that they've just obtained a new attorney.
So I'm not sure if you want to go through the whole reading
everything off of the case.
MR. KRAENBRING: So this constitutes a change in the
agenda?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: This would be another change, but
let's hear.
MR. FLOOD: Yes. Board, I was just retained by Mr. Hargraves
yesterday afternoon. He came in. And I've reviewed the file, I've had
a chance to talk to Mr. Martindale.
This is a substantial violation in regards to -- I'm sure everybody
is aware of what it is in their packet in regards to the violation. It's a
non-permittable addition onto a home in regards to some setbacks.
I talked to Mr. Martindale and what we'd like to do is request a
Page 48
September 25, 2008
3D-day continuance for the fact that there appears to be some conflict
between what is in the county records and what has been represented
and so forth --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Well, I don't want to get into the
case.
MR. FLOOD: Well, I'm just stopping right there.
And that's the reason for the continuance, so I can get that
information and then sit down with Mr. Martindale and the staff and
go over it and see if there's some sort of resolution or some way we
can resolve this prior to coming back for a hearing.
That's the tend -- the way I handle these things, or try to handle
them.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Is this the first time this was on the
agenda, this case? Or was it --
MR. MARTINDALE: No, sir, I believe it was on a prior agenda.
I wasn't -- I was on leave at the time it was, and it was --
MS. RAWSON: It was continued in August to September.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Was that because you were
out? I'm just trying to recollect.
MR. MARTINDALE: I don't know. I wasn't here.
MR. HARGRAVES: Well, that and the lawyer we had didn't
realize he was coming to court and he went to Michigan. So he wasn't
here to represent us.
MR. LARSEN: All right. Well, you know, I think under the
circumstances it's only fair that we give a continuance. You know,
give Mr. Flood an opportunity to get up to speed on the file. So I'd be
inclined to do that.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: If that's in the form of a motion, I would
tender my second on that.
MR. LARSEN: So I so move that we grant the 30-day
continuance -- is that correct, Mr. Flood?
MR. FLOOD: That would be perfect. I'd appreciate that.
Page 49
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: It would be a continuance to our
October 31 st, I think that's when our next meeting is, correct?
MS. RAWSON: Halloween.
MR. KRAENBRING: I just ask the county, are there any health
or safety issues here?
MR. MARTINDALE: Not that I could ascertain, sir.
MR. KRAENBRING: Very good, thank you.
MR. KELLY: And do you want to waive service, Mr. Flood?
MR. FLOOD: Yeah, I'll waive service. They can send me in.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And where is the meeting going to
be held? Is it going to be here? I just want to make sure, since we're
in a different location today, I want to make sure we know --
MR. FLOOD: That was interesting this morning.
MR. KRAENBRING: Diane, are we --
MS. WALDRON: I believe that the meeting is here.
MR. KRAENBRING: Oh, it's here again next month?
MS. WALDRON: I believe so.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: If that changes, can you -- since this
is his notice, can you please --
MS. WALDRON: I'll send him a courtesy copy of the --
MR. FLOOD: I'll check with Mr. Martindale.
MS. WALDRON: -- notice of hearing anyway.
MR. FLOOD: He and I will be conversing on this.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We have a motion, we have a
second. Do I hear a vote? All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
Page 50
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. FLOOD: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We'll see you next meeting.
MR. KRAENBRING: Diane, are we going to be meeting here
more frequently, or is this a --
MS. FLAGG: Sir, the reason that you all are meeting here today
is that there is one group that bumps this board, which is the Board of
County Commissioners. So during this time of the year they're
scheduling looking at property values and so that board is meeting in
the boardroom. So--
MR. KRAENBRING: I didn't know where it was going to be.
Just a question.
MS. FLAGG: It's only -- right, it's only when that board is in
session that we'll be meeting here.
MR. KRAENBRING: It's actually more convenient for me to
meet here, but --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: The coffee's free.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The next hearing is BCC versus
Angelo B. and Diane M. Campanello. I'm not sure I said that
correctly.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Department Case No.
2007080375, the BCC versus Angelo B. and Diane M. Campanello.
F or the record, the respondent and the board were sent a packet
of evidence and we would like to enter the packet of evidence as
Exhibit A.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion we accept the packet.
MR. LARSEN: Has the respondent seen the evidence?
MRS. CAMP ANELLO: No.
MS. WALDRON: It's the packet that was sent to them in the
Page 51
September 25, 2008
mail.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
MS. WALDRON: This is violation of Ordinance -- Florida
Building Code, 2004 Edition, Section 105.1, permit application.
Description of violation: Electrical wires run through backyard
to wooden posts with electrical outlet and water pump. Pipes run to
and from water pump. Improvements made without obtaining
building permits.
Location/address where violation exists: 141 First Street, Naples,
Florida, 34113.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Angelo B. and Diane M. Campanello, residing at 141 First
Street, Naples, Florida, 34113.
Date violation first observed: August 3rd, 2007.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation:
September 12th, 2007.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: October 13th, 2007.
Date of reinspection: November 15th, 2007, and July 16th, 2008.
Results of reinspection: Violation remains.
At this time I would like to call Code Enforcement Investigator
Azure Sorrels.
Page 52
September 25, 2008
MS. SORRELS: Good morning. For the record Investigator
Azure Sorrels, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. 2007080375, dealing with a
violation of unpermitted electrical ran throughout back yard to
electrical recepticals on a wooden post.
Service was given on September 12th, 2007. The NOV was
posted at the property and at the courthouse.
I would like to present case evidence in the following exhibits:
Exhibit B, which has four pictures dated 8/3 of '07.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Have the respondents seen the
pictures?
MS. SORRELS: Yes, they have. They have copies.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Is that correct, sir?
MR. CAMPANELLO: I guess.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion to accept the
exhibit?
MR. KELLY: Make a motion that we accept.
MR. DEAN: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(N 0 response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. SORRELS: On August 1st, 2007, I received a complaint
stating electrical wires running through the back yard, underground
for lights, camera and had not been permitted.
Page 53
September 25, 2008
On the 3rd of August of 2007, I made a site visit with Collier
County Sheriffs Office Mike Nelson. Talked to the next door
neighborhood who allowed me to enter his back yard so I could see
into Mr. Campanello's back yard.
I observed in Mr. Campanello's back yard a wooden post. And if
you look at your pictures, you'll see the wooden post. On those posts
are electrical receptacles that are mounted on it. You can see the
conduit running up from the ground, up the posts to the receptacles.
I could also see another wooden post in the far back of the
property that was by the water pump as well had electrical receptacles
on it.
Upon research through our different programs, I searched for any
permits that had been obtained for this type of installation of
electrical, and I did not find any permits.
On the 23rd of August, 2007, I attempted personal service with --
to Mr. Campanello with the sheriffs office, and he was not
cooperative.
On the 12th of September I made another site visit and I posted
the property with the notice of violation. I also posted the courthouse.
Mr. Campanello had come out but was not cooperative with me.
Conducted several rechecks, no permits were issued, no contact
has been made to either respondent in regards to this violation.
On the 21 st of August, 2008, I gave one last attempt to contact
Mr. Campanello, left a message. No contact was made regarding the
violations.
On the 8th of September, 2008, Investigator John Connetta
posted the property with a notice of hearing.
As of now, the violation still remains.
MR. KELLY: I've got a question of the County real quick.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead.
MR. KELLY: What year was the home built?
MS. SORRELS: Pardon?
Page 54
September 25, 2008
MR. KELLY: What year was the home built?
MS. SORRELS: That I cannot answer, sir. I might have it on the
property card. Give me one second.
MR. KELLY: That's okay. If you want to let the respondents
go, I can ask that later.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead.
MR. HAMIL TON: Good morning. My name is Philip
Hamilton. I'm a local attorney and I represent the Campanellos. And
I just got on the case this week.
At any rate, with respect to the charge against the Campanellos
that they're unlawfully violating 015.1 wherein it's stated that
electrical and plumbing stuff was observed, ladies and gentlemen, my
client --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Get closer to the microphone.
MR. HAMILTON: Oh, I'm sorry.
My clients obtained a permit from Collier County in '97, of
which I have a copy, for the installation of the items that the pictures
disclose.
My clients are ready to testify to the effect that the building
permit was approved, finalized. They did pay the Charles Nelson
electrical contractor approximately $675 to do this. And the county
approved it.
And the items that you're being asked to be considered a
violation were placed therein and approved by Collier County in 1997.
Now, my client is ready and willing -- my clients are ready and
willing to testify to that effect. We do have a copy of the permit. And
the permit states -- well, at least --
MR. KRAENBRING: Would you like to put that into evidence?
MR. HAMIL TON: It stated that the electrical items were
permitted that you see in these pictures.
MR. KRAENBRING: Would you like to enter that into
evidence?
Page 55
September 25, 2008
MR. HAMIL TON: Yes, I would. But I have to find the last
page of the permit. I do apologize.
MS. SORRELS: To answer Mr. Kelly's question, the house was
built in 1995.
MR. HAMILTON: I have a three-pager. I only have one item
right here.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: I might have it.
MR. HAMILTON: Okay. That's all I have. I'd like to enter it
into evidence, but I don't have 18 copies.
MR. LARSEN: Why don't you show it to the County first and
then --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right. Then it can be passed around
to us.
MR. HAMILTON: All right.
MR. LARSEN: And I'm sorry, is it Mr. Philip Campbell?
MR. HAMILTON: Philip Hamilton.
MR. LARSEN: Hamilton?
MR. HAMILTON: Philip Hamilton, yes.
I was ready to come here to ask for a continuance today because I
just got on the case, but -- oh, well.
MR. KRAENBRING: I make a motion that we accept this into
evidence.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LARSEN: I second it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
Page 56
September 25, 2008
MR. HAMILTON: So I'm asking today that this board dismiss
the charge against my clients based on the fact that the charges are not
acceptable. In fact, they did in '97 comply with the Collier County
code by asking Collier County to approve these items. And they were
approved.
MR. LARSEN: Officer Sorrels, have you had an opportunity to
look at this?
MS. SORRELS: I just did, sir.
MR. LARSEN: Do you have any comment on it?
MS. SORRELS: I do, sir.
That permit that they have that you have in your hand, the
973616, I have pulled off of microfilm. And that permit does not
apply to the back yard.
And I have copies of the layout and everything that was planned
to be permitted. And what I have here, it says project name is yard
lighting, post light and ground lights. And of course it's at the address
of 141 First Street.
I have the application here that shows that it's electrical. I also
have the certificate of completion. But the most important part is I
have the plan showing exactly what is permitted.
MR. LARSEN: And have you shown that to Mr. Hamilton?
MS. SORRELS: No, I have not. I did not know that they were
going to present this permit as being a permit for the electrical in the
back.
MR. LARSEN: Why don't we show that --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Absolutely.
MR. LARSEN: -- to Mr. Hamilton.
MR. HAMIL TON: I've seen that as part of my investigation.
However, my clients are ready and are prepared to testify that the
items in the back yard were approved by the county, and it was part
and parcel of the entire transaction. And that's our presentation.
MR. KAUFMAN: You have to accept that into evidence.
Page 57
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Once they look at it.
MS. SORRELS: If I could just go ahead and mention, while
they're looking at that, the actual description of the work was electrical
for yard lighting and a light post, not for electrical receptacles that you
can plug things into, power cords.
MR. LARSEN: I don't quite understand what you're saying in
regard to electrical outlets that you have to plug things in. How does
that relate to what your violation is?
MS. SORRELS: Pardon?
MR. LARSEN: How does that relate to the violation?
MS. SORRELS: The violation is the electrical that's ran through
the back yard to the wooden post that has the receptacle outlets on
them. The permit -- the '97 permit only applies to the yard lighting
that's in the front yard.
MR. KELLY: I make a motion we accept the respondents'
packet B.
MR. KRAENBRING: The county's.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: County's.
MR. KELLY: Well, this one -- I'm sorry, county's.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: This is county's.
MR. KELLY: County.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. KRAENBRING: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. CAMPANELLO: Am I allowed to speak a moment?
Page 58
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: I've been in Collier County since 1971.
1981 I married my wife. We've enjoyed living in Collier County. But
as an activist, still today the code enforcement investigators harass the
public, they enter without consent.
MS. SORRELS: Objection. This has nothing to do with the
case.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Excuse me, I am speaking. I think I have
my motion to speak at the time of the board.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, sir.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: I would like to show you evidence at a
later time, this investigator spending numerous time --
MS. SORRELS: Objection, this has nothing to do with the case.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: -- in front of my home with a sheriffs
deputy bending over while the deputy was behind his wheel for a good
hour and 30 minutes --
MS. SORRELS: Board, I ask you guys --
MR. CAMPANELLO: -- off my security camera.
MS. SORRELS: -- object to this.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Is that how we pay our tax dollars, when
a code enforcement investigator makes out to waste our tax dollars, as
well as the sheriffs department --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Sir.
MR. HAMILTON: Mr. Campanello, please.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: I would just like to say this: I am being
totally harassed. I have evidence in that box to show pictures of
health, safety and welfare that have been ignored by my neighbor next
door.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're talking about your case
specially.
MR. CAMPANELLO: Okay. Well, this is where it all started
from.
Page 59
September 25, 2008
Mr. Mudd has blocked my rights to speak to Commissioner
Donna Fiala through Azure Sorrels, the citizen liaison. And I am
hoping to have a meeting with the new director to show her why code
enforcement --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's totally separate. If you have
any evidence regarding your case, we're glad to hear it.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Once things are approved and signed off
by public record, I'm being harassed here. Thank you.
MR. HAMIL TON: Mr. Campanello, would you tell the board,
did you have those items in the back yard put in there independently,
or was that part of the permit?
MR. CAMPANELLO: That was part of the work being done. I
had already purchased $8.00 (sic) worth of material. That day we had
rain when it was installed. And he said, I will put it in, being that the
labor and everything was all consistent.
But during the rain he could not put that on the back side of it. It
has all been documented. And it says here, even though noted on the
Invoice No. 2236 from Nelson Electric, receptacles -- I can't think of
the other word in the code violations -- were installed of the same time
under Permit No. 97361.
Now, I think there should be an investigation put on every
investigator of code enforcement for not thoroughly looking into the
codes. When a consumer gets a permit by law of this county and they
do not thoroughly look into their computers when they change
computer data bases. She didn't do her job correctly.
MR. LARSEN: I actually have a question of Officer Sorrels.
Officer Sorrels, the violation states that there are electrical wires
run through the back yard to the wooden posts with electrical outlets
and water pump.
Where do these electrical wires originate?
MS. SORRELS: Sir, I wish I could answer that for you. But
since Mr. Campanello is not cooperative and does not leave (sic) us on
Page 60
September 25, 2008
his property, I could not investigate completely to where they go to to
the structure, the main principal or to an electrical panel or anything of
that nature. All I can see is that there's conduit coming from the
ground supplying the electrical wires to the post.
MR. LARSEN: All right. And pipes run to and from the water
pump?
MS. SORRELS: I should have clarified when we began. When I
had done that originally, I was underneath (sic) the assumption that
the plumbing would need a permit.
However, I have spoken with a plumbing structural inspector
plan review person that said it would not -- because it's above ground.
So the plumbing is not an issue, it's just the electrical.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And then finally it says improvements
made without obtaining a building permit, right?
MS. SORRELS: Correct.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. Now, this permit, which was proffered
by the respondent, you were aware of that permit?
MS. SORRELS: Yes. The '97 permit?
MR. LARSEN: That's correct.
MS. SORRELS: Correct, yes, I was.
MR. LARSEN: And what is your understanding of why that
permit was issued? Specifically why was that permit issued?
MS. SORRELS: The permit was issued for the yard lighting and
the light post in the front yard.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And that's separate and distinct from the
electrical wires that run through the back yard to the wooden post with
the electrical outlets and water pump in the photograph?
MS. SORRELS: That is correct.
MR. LARSEN: All right. So it's the County's position that
they're two separate. That permit didn't allow the work in the back
yard.
MS. SORRELS: Correct. And that's what shows on the site plan
Page 61
September 25, 2008
that was submitted with the permit application, showing just
specifically what that permit covered, which was the landscape lights
and the light pole in the front.
MR. LARSEN: All right. And you had four photographs here.
One shows a pole with a thermometer on it and two electrical outlets
on the top. And that's specifically what you're referring to?
MS. SORRELS: That is correct, sir.
MR. KRAENBRING: Are the wires laying on the ground or
they're underground?
MS. SORRELS: For the pole that's -- the wooden pole, that post
that's in the center of the back yard has conduit going up the front of
it, which would be housing the wiring.
MR. KRAENBRING: But for it coming from the house --
MS. SORRELS: That I could not answer, sir.
MR. LARSEN: All right. And there is a separate red pipe which
looks like it's got black wire into it, and that's what you feel is the
water pump?
MS. SORRELS: Correct, that is what I feel is the water pump.
And then the power cord plugging into the receptacle on top of the
wooden post.
MR. LARSEN: And in your review of the county records you
didn't find any kind of permit in regard to that?
MS. SORRELS: No, sir, I did not.
MR. LARSEN: All right. Thank you, I have no further
questions of the officer.
MR. HAMILTON: Excuse me, Mr. Campanello wants to say
one more thing.
MR. LARSEN: All right. Just--
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead, sir. If it's relating to the
case, that's fine.
MR. CAMPANELLO: Yes, when the inspector came out to our
house, it was raining. He had to stay under the eight-foot eave up
Page 62
September 25, 2008
against the wall of our home. And he looked at everything. And he
says, it's fine, I'll sign you off.
Now, the reason why that stormwater pump is in the rear yard is
because of a next door neighbor bringing in 47 truck loads of fill dirt,
which I have evidence, to cause -- I think it's the word blocking of a
stormwater drainage. He has also bought two properties which now
he owns three. There is no culvert stormwater drain pipe to allow
stormwater flow --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's not relevant to this case.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: I am dumped with water.
And that plug is only plugged in during and after a hurricane and
it's removed.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That is not -- go ahead.
MR. KAUFMAN: I have a question.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Closer to the microphone.
MR. KAUFMAN: This layout that is part of the building permit
from 1997 --
MS. SORRELS: Correct.
MR. KAUFMAN: -- this was submitted by the electrical
contractor at that time?
MS. SORRELS: That is correct.
MR. KAUFMAN: Have you ever seen this before today?
MR. CAMPANELLO: Yes, I have. The gentleman is no longer
in business, he's been retired.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Anything else from the respondent?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'm going to close the public
hearing.
Anymore questions from the board?
MR. LARSEN: I just want to be clear that basically as part of
the county's package they cited Section 105.1 which requires
application to the building officials and obtaining the required permits
Page 63
September 25,2008
for electrical work. And I want to make sure that's what, you know, is
the basis of the violation. Is that correct?
MS. SORRELS: That is correct.
MR. LARSEN: I just want to read that into the record.
105.1, any owner or authorized agent who intends to construct,
enlarge, alter, repair, move, demolish or change the occupancy of a
building or structure or to erect, install, enlarge, alter, repair, remove,
convert or replace any electrical, gas, mechanical or plumbing system,
the installation of which is regulated by this code, or to cause any such
work to be done, shall first make application to the building official
and obtain the required permit.
And it's the County's position that was not done; is that correct?
MS. SORRELS: That is correct.
MR. LARSEN: Okay, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other questions of the board?
MR. KRAENBRING: Just a comment, I guess. I hate to say it's
much ado about nothing, but I'm kind of seeing it that way.
We have to rely on the County's record, and there is no record of
this being on that original permit. It may have been missed. You
know, it may have been an error of the previous inspector, you know,
back in 1997. But I think that we have to rely on a written record.
It seems to me it would be a simple thing of just getting a permit
and having this thing inspected and having it approved and being done
with it.
I'd like to think that you're not being persecuted. That's really not
part of the case. But I would say how much is a permit for this thing
going to cost? You know, a few dollars and get it done and be done
with it.
MS. SORRELS: I could not answer that accurately, I'm sorry.
MR. KRAENBRING: That's just sort of my opinion as to what
I'm seeing here.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other?
Page 64
September 25, 2008
MR. KELLY: I have a comment.
If you were to go out today and contract to, let's say, for instance,
have storm shutters put up on your windows and you said, you know
what, I want you to leave this side of the house open because I feel for
whatever reason I can't afford it or I don't want it at this time, but work
commenced and a permit was pulled and the original spec showed that
you were going to do all but one side of the house and at the last
minute you decided, you know what, I'm going to throw in this last
side of the house, I'm going to bite the bullet and I'm going to get it all
done since you're here.
All of that would just be umbrellaed under the original permit.
There wouldn't necessarily need to be a change if the inspector came
out, saw the original layout, saw the work that was done additionally
and approved it. And if he signed off, he's approving all the work
done.
I don't see it much different in this case to where they originally
had a diagram for work to be done on the front of the house, the
customer went out, bought some of the materials needed to do one
more additional post in the back and he threw it in as part of the
original permit and it was signed off.
And that we have proof of, both as an invoice showing that the
contractor did that additional work, and the signature card showing
that the inspector signed it off. I think it was above-board and that
there is no violation.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, have we closed the public
hearing? Is this now under discussion?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: You know, I would tend to agree with my
colleague, except for the fact that the diagrams in the county records
indicate that the work that was originally approved was for the front
yard, it wasn't work in the back yard. And I don't think it's reflected
anywhere in the county records that any work was authorized,
Page 65
September 25, 2008
inspected or approved in regard to the rear yard. And that's my
concern.
And seeing that basically there's a water condition back there,
there's unimproved electrical, that there might be a health and safety
issue in regard to this.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I would echo that comment.
MR. LARSEN: And what I'm concerned is ~hat the County
hasn't had an opportunity to inspect this to ensure that there isn't an
ongoing problem.
Now, you know, I agree that latitude has to be given to the
citizenry in regard to projects that were undertaken in the Nineties and
things like that which have existed for a number of years. But still, I
think that we would be remiss if we didn't ensure that the county had
an opportunity to at least inspect and approve work, whether it was
done by a licensed contractor or otherwise.
And I think in this particular case I'm more inclined to find that a
violation did exist, and just allow them an opportunity to go and get,
you know, a permit and have the county go out there and inspect and
sign off on it so -- to make sure that problems do not arise in the
future.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I actually have one more question of
the respondent.
When was the fill for your next door neighbor put in?
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Over the years when we took possession
of our land since 1997, I'd noticed this neighbor was operating a
business without a current occupancy license --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: No, I asked when was the fill, the 47
dump truck loads of fill put in?
MR. CAMP ANELLO: That started in 1997. They were coming
in Sunday nights --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Through when?
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Up until the time of his building being
Page 66
September 25, 2008
permitted.
MRS. CAMPANELLO: Till 2003.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: 2003 I would say, yes.
Prior to all that, that's why I have all that stormwater. He already
elevated --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That was my only question.
MR. KELLY: The respondent also testified that the pump is
actually a plug-in pump. So it is not hardwired. It's just something
that's plugged in the receptacle.
And I'd be concerned that we might be causing double jeopardy
on the respondent. If it was originally signed off, there was a permit
and inspector (sic) and the inspection says final electrical, meaning the
entire property. That to me says it's been approved.
MS. SORRELS: May I say something?
MR. LARSEN: Well, it seems to me that basically -- and this is
a key question that was just asked by the Chairman.
I mean, basically if these permits were applied back in '97 and
the dump truck work was started to be -- you know, which occurred,
you know, in '97 going forward and the pump was originally installed
to address that issue, that it possibly was installed or done after, you
know, permits were originally, you know, pulled.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's my point. If the dirt was
installed over a period of five or six years, the issue that he stated prior
that it was instaUed because of the fill, the house wasn't built until
2003 and the fill wasn't installed. So that would possibly show that
after the fill was installed up until 2003 when the pump was installed
at a later period.
MR. KELLY: I've got one more question then for Azure.
When you pull an electrical permit, are you required to specify
exactly all the electrical outlets and lines that you're going to put in --
MS. SORRELS: Yes.
MR. KELLY: -- at the time?
Page 67
September 25, 2008
MS. SORRELS: Yes.
MR. KELLY: So the fact that this wasn't shown would mean
that the inspector probably never even looked at it in the first place.
MS. SORRELS: Correct.
MR. LARSEN: So, you know, my inclination of course is to find
that a violation did exist. And, you know, when the opportunity
presents itself, that's the motion I'd be making.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Kaufman, you have a comment?
MR. KAUFMAN: Since--
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: If you could bring your mic close.
MR. KAUFMAN: Since you haven't had access to the building,
you wouldn't know whether there's a GFI breaker in there?
MS. SORRELS: Correct. I do not know any of that, correct.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: There is. There is. I can assure you that.
I will have code enforcement come onto my property with counsel
present, if need to be.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other comments from the
board?
MR. KRAENBRING: I just think what you just said is probably
what we're looking at. If -- just allow them to come onto your
property, you know, and if a permit needs to be pulled, then fine.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: I'll be more than happy to get the permit.
MR. KRAENBRING: That seems to be the answer.
MRS. CAMPANELLO: But we don't want Azure Sorrels on our
property.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Yeah, there was a conflict there with my
wife. My wife's going through a severe depression effect. She might
be having surgery --
MR. KRAENBRING: You don't want this --
MR. CAMPANELLO: I don't want her because of her --
MR. KRAENBRING: You can work that out with the county.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: There is employee harassment, and I do
Page 68
September 25, 2008
know that's under investigation.
MR. LARSEN: That's far afield.
MR. KRAENBRING: Yeah, that's far afield.
MR. LARSEN: I move to strike.
MR. KRAENBRING: I would --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. LARSEN: I move to find that a violation did exist when the
-- when the violation was originally issued.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. KRAENBRING: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes, there is a violation.
Do I hear a recommendation?
MS. SORRELS: Yes, sir. Collier County recommends that the
respondents pay the operational cost of $86.78 that was incurred in the
prosecution of this case; obtain all required Collier County building
permits/inspections/certificate of completion within 30 days of this
hearing or $100 per day fine will be imposed for each day the
violation remains.
The respondent also has the ability to obtain a demo permit,
remove electrical, obtain inspections and certificate of completion
within 30 days of this hearing or $100 per day fine will be imposed for
each day the violation remains.r
Page 69
September 25, 2008
And the final would be the respondent must notify code
enforcement within 24 hours of abatement for an inspection to
confirm.
MR. LARSEN: All right. Number one, it says obtain all
required Collier County building permits, inspections and certificate
of completion within 30 days of this hearing. Is that practical to have a
certificate of completion within 30 days?
MS. SORRELS: I would believe yes. This is not something
that's going to be very detailed in pulling a permit. It's -- you know,
it's a minor electrical through the back yard.
Submit the permit. Once the permit's obtained -- the work's
already done. All they have to do is then call for an inspection. And
if it passes, they'll receive the certificate of completion. If there's
something that holds up it from being passed, they have time to fix it
and then obtain another inspection.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'd just like to see that operational
costs are paid within 30 days also.
Any other comments?
MR. LARSEN: How much are the operational costs?
MR. DEAN: 86.78.
MR. LARSEN: 86.78.
I would just think that basically, you know, the 30 days may be a
little too short in time.
MR. KRAENBRING: I think that -- let me just ask something of
Diane.
There seems to be some animosity here between, you know, the
County and the respondent. We don't want to tell you how to do your
business, but is it possible that someone else is going to be able to go
out there and --
MR. DEAN: See, now, I don't agree with that statement, sir,
because for the simple reason she was doing her job. And I think if
she got on the property to start with, we wouldn't be here.
Page 70
September 25, 2008
MR. KRAENBRING: I'm just saying--
MR. DEAN: So -- but she's doing her job and that's her territory,
so --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I don't think we should second guess the
MR. DEAN: And it's not up to us to make that decision.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: -- management of the code enforcement
board employees.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: One person at a time.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I don't think we should second guess the
management of the code enforcement board employees.
MR. LARSEN: I have to agree with Mr. Morgan (sic).
MR. KRAENBRING: Okay. I'm just trying to say, you know, if
the situation can be diffused, then --
MR. DEAN: That's not our--
MR. KRAENBRING: As I said, I don't want to tell people how
to do their job, but obviously there's some animosity here, and I think
we all just want to get along.
As far as the time frame is concerned, are we looking at allowing
it more time?
MR. LARSEN: I'm just concerned with the current state of
affairs where there's been budget cuts in the county and, you know,
there may be delays in inspections and permits, I think 30 days is a bit
short.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: What is the time frame that you're
looking for?
MR. LARSEN: I would say 45 days. That would give them a
full month and a half.
And I'd feel comfortable making a motion to approve the
recommendation.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second that.
Page 71
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Can I just put one comment on record,
please, for my protection as a homeowner?
Due to South Florida Stormwater, I have requested them to come
out to see why my neighbor could dump all his stormwater onto my
land and cause health issues.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's irrelevant to this case.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Well, I'd like to find out to see if Diane
Flagg would have her presence with my attorney --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: You can talk to her after--
MR. CAMP ANELLO: -- to get this all resolved. Because this is
harassment by county employees.
MR. HAMILTON: That's okay.
Thank you.
MR. KELLY: Gerald, also you're going to clarify that that was
the acceptance of the county with 30 days for the op. costs and 45
days instead of 30 for the time frame?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Correct.
You understand, sir, you have 30 days to pay the operational
costs.
MR. CAMPANELLO: I'll do it right now.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: 86.78. And then 45 days to go
ahead and get permits and the CO.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: I'll do it right now. But the exception is if
there's water back there in the next storm, am I supposed to leave it
Page 72
September 25, 2008
there to have it inspected why all this water came onto my land?
MR. HAMILTON: Come on.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're done.
MR. HAMILTON: We're done.
MS. SORRELS: Thank you, gentlemen.
MR. HAMILTON: Thank you.
MR. CAMP ANELLO: Health, safety and welfare by the judge --
I mean by the county --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Sir, that's it.
Can I have the package from --
MS. RAWSON: Be sure you guys give all the exhibits to the
court reporter. I see she doesn't have a lot on her desk.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next case will be BCC versus Susan
B. Williams.
Is the respondent present?
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Department Case No.
2007060820, BCC versus Susan B. Williams.
F or the record, the respondent and the board were sent a packet
of evidence and we would like to enter the packet of evidence as
Exhibit A.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KELLY: I make a motion to accept the packet.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
Page 73
September 25, 2008
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MS. WALDRON: Violation of Ordinance 04-41, Collier County
Land Development Code, as amended, Section 10.02.06(B)(1)(a),
1 0.02.06(B)(I)( e), 10.02.06 (B)(I)( e )(i).
Description of violation: Remodel of the bathroom, adding a
bathtub and removing a closet and shower without Collier County
building permits.
Location/address where violation exists: 1705 Tarpon Bay Drive
South, Naples, Florida, 34119.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Susan B. Williams, 18519 Bear Creek Terrace, Leesburg,
Virginia, 20176.
Date violation first observed: 10/16/07.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: October
16th, '07.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: November 15th, '07.
Date of reinspection: 6/4/08.
Results of reinspection: Violation remains.
At this time, I would like to call Code Enforcement Board
Investigator Patrick Baldwin.
MR. BALDWIN: Good morning. For the record, Investigator
Patrick Baldwin, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. 2007060820, and it's dealing
with the violation of unpermitted remodel of the bathroom, adding a
bathtub and removing a closet. And it's actually to put the shower
from one side of the room over to the other room.
And it's located at 1705 Tarpon Bay Drive South, Naples,
Florida.
Service was given on 10/16/07. The green card was delivered to
Leesburg, Virginia on 10/22/07.
I would like to present my case evidence and the following
exhibits. I have two photographs that were taken on 10/16/07 of the
Page 74
September 25, 2008
bathroom. They are B-1 and B-2.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I have a motion to accept Exhibit
A (sic) from the county?
MR. KELLY: Motion to accept Exhibit B.
MR. PONTE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion is approved.
MR. BALDWIN: I also have C-l, composite C-l. And that
would be a signed statement by Building Inspector John Clements.
And also the master plan of the Caymans Community. And that
should be included there as well.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Oh, it's included here? Okay.
MR. LARSEN: How did this come to the attention of the
county?
MR. BALDWIN: This was brought forth -- it came in by the
building department. It was a former inspector, a plan reviewer for
plumbing and mechanical, Dick Schmidt. He came in and brought it
to my attention.
He lives in the community and the house was being sold, and he
went in there, or someone went in there, and found that the house does
not look like all the other ones in the development.
So after pulling the master plans, it was determined that yes, the
bathroom is different, and it was remodeled sometime after.
Page 75
September 25, 2008
The house was C.O.'d in 9/8/2003. The final plumbing happened
on 8/21/2003. Then John Clements has that signed statement there.
He's the one that signed off on the bathroom at that time.
The house was bought on 9/22/08 (sic). And Susan B. Williams
is the one that bought the house. She -- prior to having purchased the
house, she asked for some changes made to the bathroom. They were
made. Unfortunately WCI did not pull the permits for those additions,
remodeling of the bathroom and the bathtub and the showers.
MR. LARSEN: All right. So it's a WCI community.
MR. BALDWIN: Correct.
MR. LARSEN: And WCI did the work and they didn't pull the
permits, and she went in there -- and Ms. Williams bought the condo
and then put it up on the market, and somebody saw that the bathroom
wasn't properly configured and it came to the county's attention.
MR. BALDWIN: Correct. Which she is unaware that WCI
never pulled the final permits.
MR. LARSEN: And have you had communication with Ms.
Williams?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes, off and on. For the last year we have had
communication.
The last time I spoke to her back in January she stated that she
was trying to get a contractor to pull the permits. But she travels back
and forth. Apparently she has an important job and she hasn't been
down there since. I have made several phone calls since then and she
has not returned my phone call, so that's why we're here today.
MR. LARSEN: All right. And you've looked over the county
records and when WCI originally filed for the permits. Basically it
was configured in a different form.
MR. BALDWIN: Correct. That's why I submitted with the C-l
the master plan of the house. It shows the closet and the bathroom to
the right. And when you look at the photographs looking in, there's
clearly a whirlpool/bathtub, no closet, and the shower is over to the
Page 76
September 25, 2008
left with a small closet.
MR. LARSEN: So this person is caught in the middle.
MR. BALDWIN: Correct.
MR. KRAENBRING: So when the house was built, it was built
with this alteration.
MR. BALDWIN: When the house was originally built, it was
built to the master plan that WCI submitted to the county. After it was
C.O.'d on 9/8/2003, after it was C.O.'d, sometime between then and
9/22 the remodel of the bathroom took place.
MR. KRAENBRING: WCI performed this remodel?
MR. BALDWIN: To the best of my knowledge, yes.
MR. DEAN: You know, a lot of times a buyer will get a credit to
finish, because it looks like a nice tile floor bathroom, and it's not a
common thing that they would provide. So they give them a credit
and then they go to their own contractor and finish it.
So it doesn't mean WCI did it, it means they might have had their
own contractor do it.
MR. KAUFMAN: When did you say she purchased this
property?
MR. BALDWIN: 9/22/08 (sic).
MR. KAUFMAN: You sure that's -- 9/22/08?
MR. BALDWIN: I'm sorry, 9/22/07, correct, sir. 9/22/07.
MR. KAUFMAN: She didn't buy it yesterday.
MR. BALDWIN: Right. Sorry.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: 9/22/03.
MR. BALDWIN: Again, let me make a correction. She
purchased the property in 9/22/03, roughly 14 days after the house
was C.O.'d on 9/8/2003.
MR. LARSEN: This is a familiar quandary where we have a
large builder like WCI who mayor may not be responsible for the
reconfiguration which deviated from the plans. And a homeowner
who of course is, you know, not a full-time resident of Collier County.
Page 77
September 25, 2008
But the problem is that basically we have an unapproved
improvement to the property. And, you know, without proper permits
and inspections, we do not know if it was done correctly or not. So it
appears that to my mind at least that a violation does exist.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other comments from the
board?
MR. DEAN: Well, let me just add to that. I feel the same way,
because of the fact that I know out there that a lot of builders will give
a credit to a buyer that wants to finish it in a more professional
manner, more expensive tile. So they give them a credit. So I've
known some cases like this.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But this is a little more than tile.
This is something that a homeowner would probably not do
afterwards. Because there's issues with the slab and everything. You
would have to dig up the slab and so forth. That's usually not what a
credit is given to. Like you said, a credit is given for tile and so forth.
Being in the business, I know that.
But to reconfigure walk-in closets and moving a tub, that would
be more than likely done prior to someone taking occupancy.
And unfortunately it's the owner's responsibility to make sure it's
correct.
MR. LARSEN: Right. And that's the problem we have with Ms.
Williams. She was probably acting in good faith, was not aware that
permits were not obtained, but she is the owner and she is ultimately
responsible. And it's unfortunate, but that's the law.
So I would make a motion to find that a violation does in fact
exist.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. PONTE: I will second.
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
Page 78
September 25, 2008
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays.
MR. KRAENBRING: Nay.
MR. LARSEN: Recommendation?
MR. BALDWIN: That the CEB order the respondent to pay all
operational costs in the amount of $87.44 incurred in the prosecution
of this case within 30 days of this hearing and abate all violations by:
One, applying for and obtaining all Collier County after-the- fact
building permits for improvements. Must execute all issued permits
so as to obtain all required inspections through to issuance of a
certificate of completion within 120 days of this hearing or a fine of
$200 a day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
Two: Or in the alternative, must obtain a Collier County
demolition permit for the removal of all non-permitted additions and
improvements, remove all material from the property, and to request
all inspections through the issuance of the certificate of completion
and so as to restore the premises to the state of compliance within 120
days of this hearing or a fine of $200 a day will be imposed until the
violation is abated.
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.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: A comment. Is there any way to get
around the after-the-fact permit fees, due to the fact that this was not
even remotely in her control? Is that at all possible?
MR. BALDWIN: I believe that would be up to the building
department.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Building department, okay.
Page 79
September 25, 2008
And I think that the $200 a day is quite excessive.
Any other comments from the board?
MR. PONTE: I agree with you about the fine.
MR. LARSEN: Well, I don't know if the term excessive is
appropriate. If you're asking it to be reduced, perhaps you can provide
a number to which you think it might be more appropriate.
MR. PONTE: I think $100 would be much more appropriate.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I think $100 is still a little bit on the
high side, but I would be --
MR. KELLY: I would think $50. And, you know, if they're four
times the amount that I see as appropriate, I would consider that
exceSSIve.
MR. KRAENBRING: $50 is exactly what I was thinking. And
120 days is fine.
My sense of it is that this probably will just go right through.
Probably professional work is probably done by the builder and
somehow she's caught in the paperwork here.
MR. LARSEN: Well, I think I'd support a motion for $100 per
day.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Just another I guess statement of
fact. She may be able to provide some documentation showing that
these changes were asked of the builder. Usually that is written in like
a sales purchase contract. Or there may be some kind of plan that she
can provide to show that she -- this is the way she wanted the
bathroom configured.
So maybe going to the building department with that, showing
that WCI did the work, that might streamline the building process, I
would think.
MR. LARSEN: She might be able to go back to WCI and ask.
Well, they're in some kind of reorganization, I think.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right.
MR. LARSEN: I don't think that would work.
Page 80
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But usually something of this
magnitude to be changed would be written down somewhere. And
usually it's changed in a -- some kind of format.
But we have a motion. Do we have a second?
MR. KRAENBRING: Actually, we--
MR. LARSEN: I don't know if we have a motion.
MR. KRAENBRING: Yeah, I make a motion that we accept the
county's recommendations, with the change to the fine being $50 per
day on both items number one and two.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. KELLY: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. BALDWIN: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next case will be BCC versus Israel
and Delma Gallegos.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Case No. 2007060101.
F or the record, the respondent and the board were sent a packet
of evidence, and we would like to enter the packet of evidence as
Exhibit A.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion we accept the packet.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
Page 81
September 25, 2008
MR. PONTE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. WALDRON: Violation of Ordinance 04-41, as amended,
the Collier County Land Development Code, Sections
10.02.06(B)(I)(a), 10.02.06(B)(I)(e), and 10.02.06(B)(e)(i).
Description of violation: Multiple additions built onto structure
without first obtaining proper Collier County permits.
Location/address where violation exists: 1318 Pair Street,
Imokalee, Florida, 34142.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Israel and Delma Gallegos, 1318 Pair Street, Immokalee,
Florida, 34142.
Date violation first observed: June 1 st, 2007.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: June 8th,
2007.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: July 8th, 2007.
Date of reinspection: June 26th, 2008.
Results of reinspection: Violation remains.
At this time, I would like to call Code Enforcement Investigator
Jon Musse.
MR. MUSSE: Good morning. For the record, Investigator
Jonathan Musse, Collier County Code Enforcement.
Page 82
September 25, 2008
This is in reference to Case No. 2007060101 dealing with the
violation of unpermitted --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Speak a little more slowly, please.
MR. MUSSE: I apologize.
Located at 1318 Pair Street, Imokalee, Florida, 34142.
Personal service and notice of violation was given on June 8th,
2007.
I would like to present case evidence in the following exhibits:
B-1 through 10. Property owner did get copies.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. DEAN: Motion to accept.
MR. KELLY: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. MUSSE: On June 1 st, 2007, received this case as a
complaint stating that the property owner added onto the structure
without first obtaining permits.
Upon my arrival observed construction debris on the ground, and
also observed obvious additions on both sides and rear of mobile
home, and addition to the shed that was converted into a guest house
for migrant workers.
Spoke to a gentlemen that was working under the bus and asked
him if he was the property owner. He stated that he was a tenant that
Page 83
September 25, 2008
lived in the rear of the property, but the owner lives in the main house.
I then spoke to Delma Gallegos and explained the complaint.
She stated that she wasn't aware of any unpermitted additions,
but her husband might know something but he isn't home at this time.
I then gave her my card with my contact information and asked
for her husband to give me a call as soon as possible.
Conducted some research on the property and was only able to
find one permit. Permit No. 75-1930, for a 14 by 25 room (sic)
addition onto a mobile home.
If you look at the picture of the aerial shot, the orange is the
actual mobile home. To the side is the shed. That was the original
structure.
Right over here -- on the property card it did not state what
exactly was permitted. All it gave me was measurements, 14 by 25.
I asked the property owner. He couldn't remember because it
was such an old permit. So I took measurements of this structure and
it added up to 14 by 25. We're assuming that that's the permitted
structure, addition.
And the rest of the property is unpermitted.
June 8th, 2007, on-site I spoke with Israel Gallegos and
explained the violation. He informed me that he has placed his son in
charge of his property and asked me if I could wait for him to arrive.
About 15 minutes later I met with Jacob Gallegos, son of the
property owner. I explained the violation and informed him that he
would need to get -- go to the building and permitting department and
obtain a permit for all the additions, if permissible.
Notice of violation was served and signed by Jacob Gallegos,
who stated earlier that he lives at this residence.
September 4th, 2007, violation remains, no permits have been
issued at this time. Called Jacob Gallegos. He stated that he went to
the building and permitting office and was still confused on how to
obtain a permit for the additions.
Page 84
September 25,2008
I decided it would be best to schedule a meeting with Mr.
Gallegos in the building and permitting department.
September 12th, 2007, received an e-mail from Carol Stachura
from permitting and building. Invited me for a permit meeting on
September 14th.
September 14th, 2007, met with Maria Rodriguez of permitting
and Jacob Gallegos in the Immokalee office. She informed him that
he would need to obtain engineered drawings for all the unpermitted
additions and obtain permits for them, if permissible.
If permit could not be obtained he would have to obtain the demo
permit and remove the additions that are in violation.
Mr. Gallegos stated that he will speak with his father and make a
decision.
October 26th, 2007, went on the site, took current pictures of the
violation. Spoke with Israel Gallegos. Asked if we could take
pictures of inside the unpermitted additions. He stated -- from inside
of the house.
He said that he doesn't feel comfortable without the presence of
his son. He attempted to get in contact with his son but wasn't able to
get ahold of him.
Case was scheduled to appear before the Board of County
Commissioners on November 12th, 2007.
November 12th, 2007, case was presented before the Board of
County Commissioners. The board recommended code enforcement
to hold off on sending this case to the Code Enforcement Board for at
least six months and have the property owner get in contact with Rick
Heers of IHOPE to see if they're eligible to get a new mobile home.
Continue to monitor the property with the violation remaining.
September 12th, posted notice of hearing on the property and
courthouse. Conducted a site inspection September 23rd. Violation
remains, no permit has been issued.
That concludes my --
Page 85
September 25, 2008
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead, sir.
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Yeah, we realize that we're in
violation. We understand all that. I've worked -- I haven't worked
closely with Mr. Jim Coletta when we went to the Board of County
Commissioners. He said he would work with us. I've gone out to the
Chamber of Commerce, I've met with him a couple of times -- well,
few times within the last eight months.
I've met with Mr. Rick Heers. IHOPE is saying they don't have
funding just yet to help us out, because it's kind of like a little
complicated situation. My dad doesn't -- he didn't work for the
county, he didn't have ajob to where he can reach into a 401-K and
take care of this matter within six to 12 months.
So what we're asking is, or what I'm asking is, is there any way
we could get a little bit more time? Because I talked to Mr. Rick
Heers, which is in charge of IHOPE. We know we're in violation, we
understand that. We want a little more time to see ifIHOPE can help
him out.
He -- currently he's employed by me, because I own a small
business in Immokalee. I'm a new small business owner. I pay his
medical bills, I pay everything for him. So it's more of a financial
crisis than not wanting to get this corrected.
I'm asking for more time, see ifIHOPE can help him out.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: How much time are you looking
for?
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Okay, I had one scenario. I was
asking to see if I could get to next May, and let me explain why I say
that.
He had a large family. I have a lot of brothers and sisters. I've
gone to Plan B and I've gone to them, I've gotten with them and I said
hey, look, this is the situation. This is where he's at.
And before I get to that, I had to sell my house back in May of
last year to move in with him to help him out, the medical situation
Page 86
September 25, 2008
with him and my mom and all that. So I pay most of his bills, his
water bill, everything for him.
I've gone Plan B. I would hope to get to next May. And I say
this -- this is why I say that. Because tax season comes in. I've gotten
two quotes from Freeman and Freemen Construction and YEI, another
company, about demolition. Because one of the choices is either
demo some of the building and get the rest of it engineered. The
costing is anywhere from 10 to $15,000. And I don't have money to
pull that out right now just to write a check to someone, you know,
within this time frame. I know I'm not going to have that money. So I
was hoping till next May, you know.
And after that, whatever happens happens. Because income tax
season comes in. I've asked my brothers and sisters, said hey, can
everyone individually give me $1,000 so I can take care of this matter.
Whether it's demo, whatever our option is at that time.
If -- best case scenario is IHOPE steps in and helps us out. You
know, I've spoken to Jim Coletta a couple times, a few times down at
the Chamber of Commerce in Immokalee, and he said, you know, just
to keep talking and working with Rick Heers.
So that's kind of where we're at.
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Chairman, may I ask a question of the
respondent?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Absolutely, yes.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. From what I gathered from the officer's
testimony was there was originally a mobile home here?
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Right.
MR. LARSEN: And was it your father that built up and around
the mobile home?
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Yeah. Him and his brothers, yes.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And when they built around the mobile
home, what, did they add on living space, storage space? What kind
of space did they add to the mobile home?
Page 87
September 25, 2008
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Well, first it was living -- well, he
can answer it but, I mean, I've lived there most of my life. Most of it
was say you build a storage space. Well, when you have a large
family -- see, he had nine kids. There's nine of us. And then his
brothers. You're talking about 1975. And out in Immokalee, I mean, I
can just -- I know how it is today. I can just imagine how it was back
in 1975.
It became living space because, you know, nine kids, all of a
sudden you have 15 people in the household, 20 people in the
household. It's a different situation back in 1975 than it is today.
So it was first built as storage space, but as time moved on all of
a sudden it became a bedroom. Because that's--
MR. LARSEN: And is there electrical service to those rooms?
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Yeah. Most of them there is.
MR. LARSEN: And do you know who did that electrical
service?
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Who's that --
MR. ISRAEL GALLEGOS: Sam Baker.
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Sam Baker. He used to be a
contractor out there in Immokalee.
MR. LARSEN: And is there plumbing, water service to that?
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Just to the restroom. Not to the
rooms or anything like that, just to the restroom.
MR. LARSEN: All right. And is it only family members that
are living there now, or are there non-family members?
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: No, it's just me and my kids and my
mom and dad.
MR. LARSEN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: From the investigator's testimony,
he did say that he spoke to a person who stated that he was a tenant in
one of the units there.
MR. MUSSE: I have spoken to Mr. Gallegos about that and
Page 88
September 25, 2008
informed him that since it's an unpermitted structure, he's not allowed
to have any migrants living in there, and he has removed them.
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: It was a few guys that does odd jobs
for me, for my business, you know, the farm workers and stuff like
that. They did -- they would live there. You know, I would give them
a break. So that's -- I mean, it's a large house. I'm not going to sit
here and say it's not. I'm not here to say no, I'm not in violation. I
know I'm in violation. I'm just trying to buy some time to -- you know,
it's a big financial cost, I don't -- to get an engineer. I've started to
work with Freeman and Freeman now. And, you know, I'm just -- I'm
hoping --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other questions from the board?
MR. KRAENBRING: I would just say that it's apparent from the
county and the respondent that a violation does exist. It's just going to
be a matter of when we get the county's recommendations how much
time we can afford this gentleman to --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Are you making a motion?
MR. KRAENBRING: -- correct it.
I make a motion a violation does exhibit.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. PONTE: I second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(N 0 response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Page 89
September 25, 2008
County recommendation.
MR. MUSSE: The county recommends respondent to pay
operational costs in the amount of $86.45 within 30 days of this
hearing incurred in the prosecution of this case, and abate all
violations by: Obtain a Collier County building permit for all the
additions and obtain all inspections, certificate of completions within
120 days of this hearing or a fine of $200 a day will be imposed until
violation is abated.
Or obtain a Collier County demolition permit, inspections and
certificate of --
THE COURT REPORTER: Slow down, please.
MR. MUSSE: Still too fast? I'm sorry.
Obtain a Collier County demolition permit, inspections and
certificate of completions within 120 days of the hearing or a fine of
$200 per day will be imposed until violation's abated.
Respondent must notify code enforcement within 24 hours of
abatement of the violation and request the investigator to perform a
site inspection to confirm compliance.
MR. KELLY: I have a comment for the board. A little insight.
As chairman of the Affordable Housing Commission, I am familiar
with IHOPE's application. I can't tell you obviously the status of it,
but that they have submitted for funds.
There's also DR! or Disaster Recovery Initiative funds that are
available to Collier County, and there's of course SHIP funds. And
one of the most active parts of the Housing and Human Services
Department is the rehab program.
Depending on income qualifications, there are a number of
avenues that the respondents can take to try to help this situation.
However, all of them are going to take a significant amount of time;
much more than the 120 days suggested.
MR. DEAN: You know, I think most of the time we care a lot
about health and safety issue. And it's always on our minds, and I
Page 90
September 25, 2008
know as we talk all the time, because there's some additions put on
there, there's some wiring done, and you're always worrying about a
fire if it's not done properly. That's always my main concern.
So -- and I'm sure that the board members have that same
concern, as we all do. So -- and that would be my main concern that
-- your statement. I'd be happy to help you, but I just have a problem
with safety issue. Thanks.
MR. KRAENBRING: Mr. Kelly, what do you think would be an
appropriate time frame, considering your insight knowledge of these
funding?
MR. KELLY: Well, obviously it all rests on whether or not he
qualifies for any of those programs.
But I can tell you, we're going into a new cycle. If funds are
appropriated he probably would not be able to use them for at least six
months and then probably another six months after that before
construction could be completed.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: What is the board's -- any other
board members?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: We have to keep in mind that no matter
what the time period or time frame is we have on this particular
recommendation from the county, that it can always come back to us
after the accomplishment or not accomplishment of the construction
process, and we can mitigate this order.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other comments from the
board?
MR. PONTE: No, I think we have to take very seriously the
professional opinion and observations made by our colleague, who is
on several boards.
And I would think then that one year is not unrealistic in this
case. And I think the $200 fine per day is excessive in this case. It's
just unrealistic.
MR. LARSEN: I agree that the $200 per day is unrealistic. I do
Page 91
September 25, 2008
agree.
My concern, however, is basically they have a history of having
migrant workers in the house. That, you know, this has been going on
quite a while. It seems like it's a substantial violation.
We do not know if they qualify for these different programs. I'm,
you know, flexible on 120 days, but I would not like to see this go out,
you know, so far that we lose track of it.
MR. PONTE: Well, the only point is that Ken has mentioned
that you would not have funding for at least six months; is that
correct?
MR. KELLY: That's correct.
MR. DEAN: I'd like to add one thing. Don't forget, the first
violation was June, '07. This is September, '08, you know. And
nothing -- it still remains, so -- they were notified over a year ago and
it's still the same way.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I don't think we should lose our sense of
urgency when it comes to the safety and welfare issue that you were
speaking of earlier. And if we extend this too long, I think we reduce
the amount of urgency and concern we have over the safety and
welfare issue. And again, we can come back and revisit this when
something is accomplished.
MR. LARSEN: Yes, I agree. And I appreciate Mr. Morgan (sic)
pointed out that the original violation was observed on June 1 st, 2007.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I think six months. Then if they
come in front of us again in six months and see what the progress is
would be a good way to keep them in front of us.
And also reducing the fine from 200 to maybe $100 a day.
MR. LARSEN: I agree with that. I do. I think that's a fair --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear someone making a
motion?
MR. KELLY: Well, if they're asking till May, do you want to
give them until the end of May? That's just another month and a half
Page 92
September 25, 2008
or so.
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Please?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We can possibly give them until our
May hearing.
MR. LARSEN: I think that's fair, sure. I believe that's an
appropriate suggestion. I do not know when the May hearing is, but I
guess we can just say until the date specified in May for this board.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Jean, we usually give a date specific
instead of --
MS. RAWSON: We do.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: -- meeting specific.
MS. RAWSON: I can only guess what Thursday that would be
in May, but I'm sure they haven't worked out the schedule yet. They're
very efficient, but --
MR. LARSEN: Oh, they wouldn't be coming back on the
calendar in May, would they?
MS. RAWSON: They might. It would be May 21st.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: So if we give -- that would be about
seven months out, eight months out?
MR. KELLY: Seven and a half.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Give them eight months out and --
MR. LARSEN: That's fine.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: -- that would give them past our
May meeting, correct?
MR. LARSEN: And your suggested motion was $100 per day?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: It wouldn't be my motion, it would
be someone else's.
MR. PONTE: It was my suggestion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: It was Mr. Ponte's suggestion.
MR. LARSEN: It would be $100? Okay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. LARSEN: I guess Mr. Ponte, do you want to make the
Page 93
September 25, 2008
motion?
MR. PONTE: I think you have it all right there.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. I'd make a motion that the penalty be
imposed -- or the recommendation of the county be amended to give
the respondent until May 21 st, 2009 in order to obtain the building
permit or to obtain a Collier County demolition permit be extended
until May 21 st. And that a fine of $100 per day be imposed until the
violation is abated. I so move.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I'll so second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The respondent must notify the code
enforcement investigator within 24 hours of the abatement in order to
MR. LARSEN: Right, all other parts of the recommendation,
with the exception that the operational cost be paid within 30 days
remain the same.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
MR. DEAN: Nay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: One nay.
MR. KELLY: Also, if I may, I'd like to add that invite the
respondents to participate in an open house down at the Housing and
Human Services Division. And I've written the date and the time on
the back of this, if you'd like to pass it on.
MR. JACOB GALLEGOS: Appreciate that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right, next case will be BCC
Page 94
September 25, 2008
versus D.C. KerckhoffCompany.
MR. KELLY: Jean, I need one of those handy-dandy forms, as I
need to recuse myself. Kerckhoffs our customer.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: And I need to recuse myself also, so we'll
need two, Jean.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Kaufman will be voting on this
case and this case only.
MS. WALDRON: For the record, also, they have agreed to a
stipulation agreement.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Well, we're able to break Mr.
Kitchell Snow of talking too fast so --
MR. SNOW: My reputation precedes me.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Kraenbring is going to be
stepping out for a minute. He's not feeling well.
So would it be proper that he not vote until the next --
MS. RAWSON: So let's be sure we have a --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We have a quorum.
MS. RAWSON: -- quorum.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes, we do. We have four.
MR. DEAN: Five.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Five. Thank you. I can't count.
Five voting members. So we should be fine.
MR. SNOW: For the record, Investigator Kitchell Snow.
This is Case No. 2007090683.
We have reached an agreement between the county and
respondent as follows: They're to pay operational costs in the amount
of $91.07 incurred in the prosecution of the case within 30 days.
And two: A, to submit for and obtain an improved site
development plan within 180 days of the date of the hearing or a fine
of $250 a day will be imposed until such time the site development
plan is obtained, or cease utilizing said property by removing all
Page 95
September 25, 2008
storage, machinery, sheds, et cetera, and return the property to its
original state within 180 days of the date of the hearing or a fine of
$250 a day will be imposed until said property is returned to its
aforementioned state.
And 2-B is: The respondent must notify the code enforcement
investigator within 24 hours when the violation has been abated in
order to conduct a final inspection to confirm abatement.
MR. LARSEN: Supervisor Snow, what is the violation?
MR. SNOW: The property is being utilized without first
obtaining a site development plan. He's rented the property for quite
some time, but it's never been approved for any use. It's vacant
industrial. And he needs to have a site development plan to use that.
MR. LARSEN: And what is he using it for?
MR. SNOW: Usually storage of machinery, storage of product.
And he does have some unpermitted sheds on there.
Depending on what he wants to do with that property is going to
determine how long the site development plan's going to take, what
his engineer submits.
My initial feeling is the 180 days is okay, but I have advised him
and his counsel that if they approach the 120, 140-day mark and they
don't see a whole lot of progress because of the submittal process, then
we request them to come back to the board to resubmit for more time
to accomplish this. But 180 days is sufficient.
MR. LARSEN: Where is Elsa Street, Naples?
MR. SNOW: It's in the Industrial Park, sir, up off of Pine Ridge.
MR. PONTE: I have a question for you, Investigator.
In the order to correct the violations, you asked the respondent to
cease and desist business activities, but that's not here in this stipulated
agreement.
So 180 days seems very lenient indeed to me if the order to
correct violation was going to be cease and desist business activity.
MR. SNOW: Well, sir, we're asking him to -- as long as he's
Page 96
September 25, 2008
submitting for the site development plan, and he has submitted
already, he has applied, so he's in that process. So either he has to
continue with that process or remove anything he's got on there. He's
not actually conducting business from that site, he's using it for
storage. He's got some sheds on there. So technically he could
remove all that off of there and it would be fine.
He's not having customers come on that. That's for employees.
He's just storing product on there. He has a couple sheds and he has
machinery on there.
MR. PONTE: Okay, thank you.
MR. LARSEN: Do I read this correct? What is the size of the
property? It seems -- a legal subdivision, it says 100 acreage?
(Mr. Kraenbring enters the boardroom.)
MR. SNOW: Let me look, sir. It is a large parcel on there.
It's 2.45 acres.
MR. LARSEN: 2.45 acres.
MR. SNOW: And again, depending on his utilization, what he
wants to utilize that for, is going to determine how long and how
expensive his site development plan is going to take. And he has
applied already. He applied in February for the site development plan.
But it's just no progress on it.
MR. LARSEN: And during this period of time, what is going to
be the status of the activity on the property?
MR. SNOW: It continues in the same status. It's got the sheds
on there.
And again, this is typical when they are applying for a site
development plan. The county allows them to continue to utilize that
property, as long as they're progressing toward an end.
MR. LARSEN: And the nature of the activity is heavy
machinery and storage?
MR. SNOW: Storage. Storage of product, machinery. He's got
a few sheds on there.
Page 97
September 25, 2008
And again, there's no customer contact. There doesn't look to be
any electricity on the back of that property. He purchases -- he's got a
property in the front. It would be landlocked, except that he owns that
property in the front so he has access directly to that property.
MR. LARSEN: And there's no problem with the property in the
front, this is just --
MR. SNOW: No, this is just the property in the rear.
MR. LARSEN: So there is no problem with ingress or, you
know, exit from the property?
MR. SNOW: No. No, sir.
MR. LARSEN: It all goes through his.
MR. SNOW: No, that's fine. The property in front is in
compliance, it's just the property in the rear.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And the stipulation is where?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: (Handing.)
MR. KAUFMAN: Is there any reason for a stipulation to show
$250?
MR. SNOW: That's a -- it's a land use issue. And this case has
gone on quite some time. Again, we're talking February when the
application was submitted.
And we don't want to impose any undo hardship on any client.
It's just a little incentive to go ahead and let's get this done. Let's get
this over with and continue on with business. We don't want him to
stop doing business. We don't desire to have any undo hardship on
any respondent.
Again, this is just to let him know we've got to get this done. 180
days is sufficient time. But ifhe runs into some roadblocks, he can
always come back before this board and say I need more time. And
the board has always been more lenient in that venue.
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Kerckhoff, this is fine with you? You think
you'd be able to do this within the time period?
MR. KERCKHOFF: I hope so. $250 is a lot to pay. We've been
Page 98
September 25, 2008
using the property for the same purpose for about 20 -- almost 20
years.
MR. LARSEN: And you feel that you can get the site
development plan and everything together within 180 days?
MR. KERCKHOFF: From what I understand today, this is -- I
hope I can.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. All right.
Well, in that case, basically I'd make a motion to approve the
stipulation between the county and the respondent as so proposed.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Thank you.
MR. SNOW: Thank the board.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do you need a break again?
MR. LARSEN: We're going on to old business now.
THE COURT REPORTER: I wouldn't mind five minutes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Fine.
(Recess. )
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'd like to call the Code Enforcement
Board meeting back to order.
And under old business, motion for imposition of fines and liens,
BCC versus Jeffrey Macasevich.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Code Enforcement
Case No. 2006100314.
F or the record, the respondent is not present.
Page 99
September 25, 2008
On March 27th, 2008, the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order, and that order is attached
for your review.
The respondent was found in violation and the respondent has not
complied with the board's orders from March 27th, 2008.
At this time the county is recommending imposing a lien for the
fine at a rate of $150 per day for the period between July 27th, 2008 to
August 4th, 2008 for a total of nine days and a total of $1,800.
Operational costs in the amount of $264.18 have not been paid.
MR. PONTE: Jen, I have a question. With the operational costs
is -- I know that there's been a change and we're going to talk about
that in the workshop, but is there -- should this operational cost then
be reduced?
MS. WALDRON: I think that might be a question better for
Jean. Since this was ordered, I'm taking it directly off of the orders
that are recorded.
MS. RAWSON: This is a case that appeared before you on
March 27th. And that's before the change. And on that day you
ordered operational costs. So I think it's already in the order.
MR. LARSEN: Is the calculation of the damages of $1,800
correct?
MR. KELLY: The damage calculation is wrong. However, the
amount is correct. And the reason why is because item number three
has a fine of $200 per day, not 150. So the final calculation I believe
is correct.
MR. LARSEN: All right. Let's see here.
MR. KELLY: Item number three under the order, second page.
MS. WALDRON: Yeah, that should state $200 a day instead of
150. Which would be the correct amount for 1,800.
MR. LARSEN: All right, number three on the order dated the
2nd day of April, 2008, if the respondent shall not comply with
paragraph one of the order of the board by July 26th, 2008, then there
Page 100
September 25, 2008
will be a fine of 200 per day for each day the violation remains.
So the recommendation of the county is now changed to fines at
a rate of $200 per day for the period between July 27th, 2008 to
August 4th, 2008, a total of nine days for the total of$1,800. And
fines continue to accrue; is that correct?
MS. WALDRON: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KRAENBRING: I make a motion that we impose the fine.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LARSEN: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Next one will be BCC versus Mary Edwards. And Ms. Edwards
is going to come up to the table here right next to Jean.
Are you able to hold the mic? Not a problem? Okay, very good.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Code Enforcement
Case No. 2006080127.
F or the record, the respondent is present.
On March 27th, 2008, the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order, and that order is attached
for your review.
The respondent was found in violation and the respondent has not
Page 101
September 25, 2008
complied with the board's orders from March 27th, 2008.
At this time the county is recommending imposing a lien for the
fine at a rate of$200 per day for the period between July 27th, 2008 to
September 8th, 2008, 44 days, for the total of $8,800.
Operational costs in the amount of $303.13 have not been paid.
And at this time, Investigator Ambach would like to just speak to
the case, please.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you. For the record, Investigator
Christopher Ambach, A-M-B-A-C-H, Collier County Code
Enforcement.
I'd just like to let the board know that on September 23rd, myself
and Supervisor Suzanna Capasso met with a housing department
representative, Tammy Hammer, and she's informed us that Ms.
Edwards has applied for and has been approved for a new modular
home under the Residential Rehabilitation Program, and she's working
towards abatement as we speak.
And again, once the violation has been abated, she can come
back in front of the board at that time. But she is -- she's been in
contact and they're working very closely with her. So we're very
happy.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: She's been in contact with who again?
MR. AMBACH: With Tammy Hammer, the DR! rehabilitation
specialist through the Housing Department for the Residential
Rehabilitation Program.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And was a time frame given on
when this may be abated?
MR. AMBACH: They didn't -- no. Not a specific time frame,
no.
MR. KELLY: There could be a major issue here. They're not
going to get a loan from the government if there's any type of lien
against the property. It could halt this whole thing right in its tracks.
Page 102
September 25, 2008
I would like to see if there's any way county could pull this and
maybe see how the application process goes for a month or two before
we continue. Because if she's been approved, then they go to find this
lien, it would stop it.
MS. WALDRON: We would be --
MR. LARSEN: Let me ask a question of the officer first.
You stated that she's been approved for a new modular home?
MR. AMBACH: That's correct.
MR. LARSEN: And a new modular home would be placed
where?
MR. AMBACH: On the existing property.
MR. LARSEN: And that means the old modular home would be
taken away?
MR. AMBACH: The old mobile home, sir.
MR. LARSEN: Old mobile home will be taken away.
MR. AMBACH: That's correct. As far as I know, I'm not sure if
Ms. Edwards has made a decision as to whether or not she's going to
actually go forward with that.
MR. LARSEN: And the violation initially was that basically she
had not obtained an enclosure permit for the enclosure attached to the
current mobile home?
MR. AMBACH: That's correct.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And that would be a moot point if she
gets a new home?
MR. AMBACH: That would be correct.
MR. LARSEN: Then I agree with Mr. Kelly. Should we place a
lien against this property, you know, Ms. Edwards would probably
have a major problem down the road from a title point of view.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Ms. Flagg would like to speak.
MS. FLAGG: Mr. Chair, the County would very much support a
continuance on this case.
MR. LARSEN: For how long?
Page 103
September 25, 2008
MS. RAWSON: I think the easiest way for you guys to do it is
just ask the County if they would just pull it off.
Because you're here because you want to impose a lien, a fine.
And if you don't hear it, you know, then leave it up to Ms. Flagg to
decide when she wants to put it back on.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Ms. Edwards, I guess --
MR. LARSEN: Is that what the County wants to do?
MS. FLAGG: That would be fine.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Would you like to speak at all?
MS. EDWARDS: No. I don't have anything to say, really,
except that I live on an extremely fixed income and I got this property
as an inheritance from my father. And what he did previous, I have no
idea. I know that that part has been built on that trailer, at least part of
it, for 35 years.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And you have applied and you've
been approved and you plan on moving forward and so forth?
MS. EDWARDS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And do you understand what we
were just discussing right now?
MS. EDWARDS: I certainly do. Both Lisa and Tammy have
been in contact with me all the time.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But you do understand the
conversation we just had was that we were going to possibly decide to
pull it from today and then at some time in the future bring it back and
hopefully --
MS. EDWARDS: I totally understand.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: -- that time in the future will be
when you have a new mobile home and everything can be taken care
of at that point.
MS. EDWARDS: I totally understand you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We don't want to place a lien on
your property which may hinder you getting approval or final
Page 104
September 25, 2008
approvals and getting your mobile home. So that's where we stand
right now.
MS. EDWARDS: I'd rather you wouldn't do that also.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. So let's -- do I hear a motion
to --
MR. KELLY: I move to continue.
MR. KRAENBRING: I don't think we need a motion. It's just
going to --
MR. DEAN: Well, it's on the agenda. You've got to pull it, no?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: There's no motion that needs to be
made?
MS. RAWSON: I don't think you can decide what they put on
the agenda. If they take it off the agenda and tell you that we're not
going to hear it today, it's really up to them.
MR. DEAN: But it's on there now, though, so we can still--
MS. WALDRON: We're not going to hear this today.
MS. RAWSON: Okay, well--
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: You'd like to withdraw the case.
MS. WALDRON: Yes, we'd like to withdraw this case at this
time.
MR. DEAN: That's what I like to hear. Okay. It's withdrawn.
MR. LARSEN: I'd like to thank the officer for his candor in this
matter. I mean, he was very protective of the taxpayer citizen in this
regard.
MR. AMBACH: Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: You all set? Have a great day.
MS. EDWARDS: You too, all of you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Just watch out backing up. There's a
bigger object behind you than --
MS. EDWARDS: I'll do a rotation.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right. The next one is BCC
versus 6240 Collier Group, Inc.
Page 105
September 25, 2008
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Case No. 2007080153.
F or the record, the respondent is not present.
On May 22nd, 2008, the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order, and that order is attached
for your review.
The respondent was found in violation, and the respondent has
not complied with the board's orders from May 22nd, 2008.
At this time, the County is recommending imposing a lien for the
fine at a rate of $150 a day for the period between August 20th, 2008
through August 29th, 2008, nine days, for the total of $1,350.
The operational costs in the amount of 537.93 have not been
paid.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And I take it there's no
representative.
Go ahead.
MS. O'FARRELL: I recommend the same. This is the County's
recommendation.
Because Mr. Gillama (phonetic) did call me last night at 6:00 and
said that he didn't have the money to do it and he would let me know
when it was done. So I haven't had any contact with him whatsoever
since the hearing until last night at 6: 00.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Describe to me again the nature of the
business or the location, please.
MS. O'FARRELL: 6240 Collier Boulevard is part of a shopping
center. It includes the Goodyear -- I'm sorry, Firestone, a tattoo shop,
a couple of other places.
And there's a buffer that screens it between the adjacent
single- family home residences. So what he's been asked to do is
replace that buffer.
The shrubs that he planted are doing fine. However, probably 70
percent of the trees have died.
Page 106
September 25, 2008
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KRAENBRING: Make a motion to impose the fine.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Second.
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. O'FARRELL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any new business?
Consent agenda.
And I guess the next thing would be request to forward cases to
county .
MR. KELLY: It's already been consented.
Just real quick, the 31 st, is it definitely going to be back here?
MS. FLAGG: Yes.
MR. DEAN: Halloween night, huh?
MS. WALDRON: Wear your costume.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'm already wearing it.
MS. WALDRON: I didn't want to say that.
MR. DEAN: 6:00 p.m.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I guess the only thing left is to
adjourn. Do I hear a motion?
Page 107
September 25, 2008
MR. DEAN: Motion to adjourn.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second.
MR. KELLY: Second.
MR. PONTE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KRAENBRING: Aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. PONTE: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Lunchtime.
*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 12:10 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Gerald Lefebvre, Chairman
These minutes approved by the board on
or as corrected
as presented
Transcript prepared on behalf of Gregory Reporting Service, Inc., by
Cherie' R. Nottingham.
Page 108
FORM 8B MEMORANDUM OF VOTING CONFLICT FOR
COUNTY, MUNICIPAL, AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICERS
LA I:NA E-FFIIRSST_NAMME-MIID�DLE NA E �? I� NAME OF BOARD OUNCIL,CIMMIS�S/IION,AUTHOR! OR CCOOMMITTE
MAL RESt1L'(AN\[l k1 V ev`s•.i coat, Wwt� l CJ�
Lr THE BOARD,COUNCIL,COMMI SION,AUTHORITY OR COMMITTEE ON,
n/YL4 I\v ciAtOc WHICH I SERVE IS A UNIT OF
CITYCOUN Y O CITY OUNTY O OTHER LOCA•
L AGENCY
�- /�r/, J// NAME OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION:
DATE ON WHICH VO�E OCCUj$ED ,.... C v
[���5 D� MY POSITION IS:
CI O ELECTIVE 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 equally 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 the reverse side 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
inures to his or her special private gain or loss. Each elected or appointed local officer also is prohibited from knowingly voting on a mea-
sure which inures to the special gain or loss of a principal(other than a government agency) by whom he or she is retained (including the
parent organization or subsidiary of a corporate 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 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 min-
utes of the meeting,who should incorporate the form in the minutes.
APPOINTED OFFICERS: x
Although you must abstain from voting in the situations described above, you otherwise may participate 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 other side)
CE FORM 8B-EFF. 1/2000
PAGE 1
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.
LI DISCLOSURE OF LOCAL OFFICER'S INTEREST
UyN2 t. z I, 'Q���Ih'L' hereby disclose that on > 0C/
(a)A measure came or will come before my agency which(check one)
_ 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 loss of
— -- — _ which
is the parent 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:
INIAtNs. •P •C ‘ 1 la h t7 b' c - ; (� I I.
V 0�tle `
te,,,,/ ro - , JA:Aits. , 11 ANNti tai■••_.
( Ateov,61-8,-0
1 jzs-i_cr 411.
........, . ,
glair
Date Filed Si. �re
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. 1/2000
PAGE 2
FORM 8B MEMORANDUM OF VOTING CONFLICT FOR
COUNTY, MUNICIPAL, AND OTHER LOCAL PUBLIC OFFICERS
LAST N j ME�FI ST NAME MIDDLE E NAME BOAI),COUNCIL,COMMISSION,AUTHORITY,OR COMMITTEE
MAILING ADORE S
- / THE BOARD,COUNCIL,COMMISSION,AUTHORITY OR COMMITTEE ON
fJ C1 1 6 .C-� /` WHICH I SERVE IS A UNIT OF:
CITY COUNTY 0 CITY COUNTY D OTHER LOCAL AGENCY
/(AY)/ - J/ NAME OF POLITICAL SUBDIVISION:
DATE ON1 -gW H VOTT OCCURRED MY POSITION IS:
/ v j D ELECTIVE ,@ 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 equally 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 the reverse side 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
inures to his or her special private gain or loss. Each elected or appointed local officer also is prohibited from knowingly voting on a mea-
sure which inures to the special gain or loss of a principal (other than a government agency) by whom he or she is retained (including the
parent organization or subsidiary of a corporate 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 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 min-
utes 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 otherwise may participate 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 other side)
CE FORM 8B-EFF. 1/2000 PAGE 1
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.
)4 VQ4 DISCLOSURE OF LOCAL OFFICER''S NTEREST
I,__!__ , hereby disclose that on__ / a ,20 :
(a)A measure came or will come before my agency which(check one)
_ 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 loss of ,which
is the parent 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:
C 01— ir 4/1224
2/ c
Date Filed Signature
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. 1/2000 PAGE 2