CEB Minutes 04/23/2009 R
April 23, 2009
TRANSCRIPT OF THE MEETING OF THE
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
Naples, Florida
April 23, 2009
LET IT BE REMEMBERED, that the Collier County Code
Enforcement Board, in and for the County of Collier, having
conducted business herein, met on this date at 9:00 a.m. in REGULAR
SESSION in Building "F" of the Government Complex, East Naples,
Florida, with the following members present:
CHAIRMAN: Gerald Lefebvre
Larry Dean
Kenneth Kelly
Edward Larsen
Richard Kraenbring (Absent)
Lionel L'Esperance
Robert Kaufman (Alternate)
James Lavinski (Alternate)
ALSO PRESENT:
Heidi Ashton-Cicko, Assistant County Attorney
Diane Flagg, Code Enforcement Director
J en Waldron, Code Enforcement Specialist.
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CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD OF COLLIER COUNTY, FLORIDA
AGENDA
Date: April 23, 2009, at 9:00 a.m.
Location: Collier County Government Center, Third Floor, 3301 East Tamiami Trail, Building F, Naples, FI
34112.
NOTICE: THE RESPONDENT MAYBE LIMITIED TO TWENTY (20) MINUTES FOR CASE
PRESENT A TION 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
VERBA TIM 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 -
A. March 26, 2009 Hearing
4. PUBLIC HEARINGS/MOTIONS
A. MOTIONS
Motion for Extension of Time
1. BCC vs. Raymonde & Bo\omin Charles
CEB NO. 2007\10\24
B. STIPULA TIONS
C. HEARINGS
1. BCC vs. James Bachmann
2. BCC vs. Rey & Edith Martinez
3. BCC vs. Jose Rodriguez
4. BCC vs. Ivan & Marjorie Bloom & Charles T. Kennedy
5. BCC vs. Capri International, Inc.
6. BCC vs. Robert K. Toski
7. BCC vs. Kenneth C. Hill & Elizabeth J. Lefebvre-Hill
8. BCC vs. Allen W. Fuller & Barbara A. Davis
9. BCC vs. Allen W. Fuller & Barbara A. Davis
CEB NO. CETU20080003953
CEB NO. 2007080603
CEB NO. CESD20080003864
CEB NO. CESD200800 11995
CEB NO. CELU20080005078
CEB NO. CEPM200800l4037
CEB NO. 2007100809
CEB NO. CESD20080010447
CEB NO. CESD20080010474
5. OLD BUSINESS
A. Motion for Imposition of Fines/Liens
1. BCC vs. Brien S. Spina
2. BCC vs. Florida Metal Masters, Inc.
3. BCC vs. Washington Mutual Bank
4. BCC vs. Frank Paz
5. BCC vs. Melkys Borrego
6. BCC vs. Baby Boy Gallegos
7. BCC vs. Horse Creek Partners LTD
CEB NO. 2007050845
CEB NO. 2007090640
CEB NO. 2007050259
CEB NO. 2006081159
CEB NO. 2007080008
CEB NO. CEPM20080016779
CEB NO. 2005090022
B. Motion for Reduction of Fines/Liens
6. NEW BUSINESS
7. CONSENT AGENDA
A. Motion for Imposition of Fines/Liens
B. Request to Forward Cases to County Attorney's Office
I. BCC vs. Ricardo Jr. & Magda L. Munoz
2. BCC vs. 6240 Collier Group, Inc.
3. BCC vs. Emma Houston
CEB NO. 2007100608
CEB NO. 2007080153
CEB NO. 2007070595
8. REPORTS
A. Rules and Regulation Discussion
9. COMMENTS
10. NEXT MEETING DATE - May 28, 2009
11. ADJOURN
April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'd like to call the Code Enforcement
Board meeting to order.
Notice: The respondent may be limited to 20 minutes for case
presentation, unless additional time is granted by the board.
Persons wishing to speak on any agenda item will receive up to
five minutes, unless the time is adjusted by the chairman.
All parties participating in the public hearing are asked to
observe 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 proceeding 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.
Roll call, please.
MS. WALDRON: Good morning.
Mr. Gerald Lefebvre?
MR. LEFEBVRE: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Kenneth Kelly?
MR. KELLY: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Ed Larsen?
MR. LARSEN: Present.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Larry Dean?
MR. DEAN: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Lionel L'Esperance?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Here.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Robert Kaufman?
MR. KAUFMAN: Here.
MS. WALDRON: And Mr. James Lavinski?
MR. LA VINSKI: Here.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Just for the record, all members
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April 23, 2009
currently here will be voting members.
And changes to the agenda?
MS. WALDRON: Under motions, we do have two additions.
We have two motions to dismiss. And the cases will both be BCC
versus Alfredo Martinez, Case No. 2007-47 and 2007-48.
Under stipulations, we have three stipulations.
Under hearings, Item C.I, BCC versus James Bachmann, CEB
No. CUTU20080003953.
Under hearings number five, BCC versus Capri International,
Inc., CEB Case No. CELU20080005078.
And number six under hearings, BCC versus Robert K. Toski,
CEB Case No. CEPM200800I4037.
Under old business, motion for imposition of fines/liens, item
number one should state BCC versus John Cowden.
And old business, motion for imposition of fines/liens, number
five, BCC versus Melkys Borrego, should be -- is being withdrawn by
the county.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Are those all the changes?
MS. WALDRON: Yes.
MR. KELLY: Motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
MR. LARSEN: I just want a clarification. Under 5 old business,
A.I, BCC versus Spina, that's going to be changed to John Cowden?
MS. WALDRON: Yes, sir. The notices were sent correctly, it
was just noted wrong on the agenda.
MR. LARSEN: How do you spell Cowden?
MS. WALDRON: C-O-W-D-E-N.
MR. LARSEN: All right, I got it. Okay, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, any further discussion?
(No response.)
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Approval of last month's meeting minutes. Do I hear a motion?
MR. KELLY: Motion to approve.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. KAUFMAN: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
And we're going to start off with public hearings. Motion to
dismiss. And the first motion will be Alfredo Martinez.
MS. WALDRON: This is the county's motion to request that
these orders be dismissed for Case 2007-47 and 2007-48.
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April 23, 2009
The county would like to dismiss these orders, as new cases
have been opened on both of these issues. There was a mixup in the
process, and these orders are no longer being used, and we're going to
start the cases over.
MR. KELLY: Question.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Go ahead.
MR. KELLY: So in other words, since these will be completely
dismissed, there will be no reoccurring fines or fees --
MS. WALDRON: Correct.
MR. KELLY: -- it will be starting from scratch?
MS. WALDRON: Correct.
MR. KELLY: I'll make a motion to dismiss.
Do we have to do them one at a time?
MS. WALDRON: I would probably do them one at a time.
MR. KELLY: In Department Case 2007-47, I make a motion to
dismiss the case.
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye. .
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. KELLY: And in 2007-48, I make a motion to dismiss the
case.
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second that motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: No discussion.
Do I hear a vote? All in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. WALDRON: Just for clarification on those cases as well,
what had happened was these properties had been foreclosed on
during the enforcement process, and it wasn't caught at that point. So
we didn't notice the right people, and now the bank owns it. The bank
wants to take care of it, so --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next one will be a motion for
extension of time, BCC versus Raymonde and Bolomin Charles.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MR. WALKER: For the record, Weldon Walker, Collier County
Code Enforcement.
MR. CHARLES: My name is Bolomin Charles.
THE COURT REPORTER: And could you spell Bolomin.
MR. CHARLES: B-O-L-O-M-I-N.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Sir, you're looking for extension of
time?
MR. CHARLES: Yes, please.
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Can you explain the reason why
you're looking for extension of time.
MR. CHARLES: The reason why, because, you know, I was
looking for the engineer, you know, I said -- got a friend. But just now
you called me right here, he says he's (inaudible).
THE COURT REPORTER: Excuse me, I'm not understanding
what you're saying.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I can't understand what you're --
MR. CHARLES: Okay, the reason why I'm asked for the
request, I can't find the engineer, you know, to help me to get the
affidavit filled out by him so that I can go get the permit.
MR. LARSEN: All right, Mr. Charles, you submitted a letter to
the board dated April 6th, 2009; is that correct?
MR. CHARLES: Yes, sir.
MR. LARSEN: And that explains why you want an extension of
time?
MR. CHARLES: Yes, sir.
MR. LARSEN: And it's because you weren't able to get an
engineer to view the property before April 12th; is --
MR. CHARLES: Yes, sir.
MR. LARSEN: -- that correct?
And you want 45 days additional time?
MR. CHARLES: Yes, sir.
MR. LARSEN: And you think you'll be able to take care of that
Issue --
MR. CHARLES: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: -- within that 45-day period of time?
MR. CHARLES: Yes, sir, yeah.
MR. LARSEN: All right.
Does county have any position on this?
MR. WALKER: Not at all, sir.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And has Mr. Charles been cooperative?
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April 23, 2009
MR. WALKER: Extremely cooperative, sir.
MR. LARSEN: All right.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further questions from the
board?
MR. KELLY: Ifwe were to grant the extension of time, would
that then extend all of the points in the original order? I want to make
sure that he doesn't get into further problems complying with the rest
of the order and then have to come back or face additional fines.
MR. LARSEN : Well, we appear to have an order dated 3rd of
March, 2009 and then a prior stipulation dated 2-26-09.
MS. WALDRON: The hearing date was on the 26th.
MR. KELLY: Right.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Since the county seems to have no
objection to the request for an extension of time, I move that we grant
his request.
MR. LARSEN: I second that motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
MR. KELLY: Point of discussion. The 45 days we originally
gave him was to not only get the required inspections and completion,
but there was an alternative for a demolition and so forth. I'm worried
that if he doesn't even have the engineering approval at this point, it
might be longer than 45 days.
I'm just concerned that a gentleman who's been so cooperative,
just having a hard time getting the paperwork that he needs, will run
into future problems and then have to come back in front of us. I'm
thinking that maybe we should extend it a little further than 45 days.
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Kelly, do you have a suggested number of
days?
MR. KELLY: 90 days.
MR. LARSEN: I'm fine with 90 days, Mr. --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: That would be acceptable with my
original motion.
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April 23, 2009
MR. LARSEN: All right, I would second the amended motion
then for 90 days.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
You have 90 days.
MR. CHARLES: All right, thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're going to move on to stipulated
agreements.
First one will be BCC versus James Bachmann, CEB No.
CETU20080003953.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. SCAVONE: Good morning. For the record, Collier County
Code Enforcement Investigator Michelle Scavone.
This case is in reference to Case No. CETU20080003953,
dealing with a violation of an expired temporary use permit for a
mobile home on agriculturally zoned property located at 1180 Dove
Tree Street, Naples, Florida, 34117.
I had a pre-hearing conference with the respondent today, April
23rd, 2009 . We reviewed and discussed the stipulation agreement.
The respondent agreed that the violation was accurate and
stipulated to the existence and signed the documentation. The
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April 23, 2009
respondent agreed to pay the operational costs of $86.71.
All -- to abate all violations by: Applying for and obtaining a
Collier County temporary use permit for the mobile home and keeping
permit up to date by renewing permit when required. Or applying for
and obtaining a demo permit to remove the mobile home and all
related debris, as well as obtaining any and all inspections and
certificate of completion with a demo permit within 60 days, or a fine
of $200 a day will be imposed for each day any violation remains.
The respondent must notify the code enforcement investigator
within 24 hours of abatement of the violation and request the
investigator to perform a site inspection to confirm compliance.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement, with all
costs assessed to the property owner.
And it was signed by Mr. Bachmann.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Can you state your name for the
record, please.
MR. BACHMANN: James Bachmann.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And you agree to all the terms here?
MR. BACHMANN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, very good.
Any other questions from the board?
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Bachmann, it's just an issue that you didn't
renew the permit; is that the --
MR. BACHMANN: Yes, sir. And I'm currently going through a
divorce and having a hard time gaining access to the documents that I
need to renew the permit.
MR. LARSEN: All right. But you think that the time frame is
something that you can work with?
MR. BACHMANN: I think it is sufficient. I've got about 13 of
the 15 items. I need to go out there and take some pictures and some
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April 23, 2009
other documents, which my attorney's in the process of allowing me to
do that.
MR. LARSEN: All right.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other questions of the board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead.
MR. KAUFMAN: I make a motion we accept the stipulation.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LARSEN: I second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. LARSEN: Have a nice day, Mr. Bachmann.
MS. SCAVONE: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The next one will be BCC versus
Capri International, Inc., CEB No. CELU20080005078.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MR. MAST: For the record, my name is Christopher Mast; I'm
the attorney for Capris International.
THE COURT REPORTER: Mr. Mast, would you spell your last
name.
MR. MAST: M-A-S-T.
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April 23, 2009
THE COURT REPORTER: And your name, please?
MS. HASSAM: Jenna Hassam. H-A-S-S-A-M.
MS. RODRIGUEZ: Maria Rodriguez.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Jen, is that focused as best as we can
focus it?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I was wondering the same thing.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: It even helps by doing that, too.
MS. WALDRON: Is that good?
MS. RODRIGUEZ: For the record, Investigator Maria
Rodriguez, Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CELU20080005078, dealing
with violation, a storage container, aluminum pipes and a large
amount of metal beams on a vacant lot located at 711 Broward Street,
Immokalee, Florida, 34142, folio number 63863762001.
We have agreed to a stipulation.
Therefore, it is agreed between the parties that the respondent
shall pay operational costs in the amount of $86.14 incurred in the
prosecution of the case within 30 days of the hearing; abate all
violation (sic) by removing the container and any construction
material on unimproved lot within 120 days of this hearing or a fine of
$100 a day will be imposed until the violation is abated.
Property must only be utilized in compliance with the
accordance (sic) to the Land Development Code and Codes of the
Laws and Ordinances of unincorporated Collier County.
Respondent must notify Code Enforcement within 24 hours of
abatement of this violation and request the investigator perform a site
inspection to confirm compliance.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce the provision of this agreement, and all
costs of abatement shall be assessed by the property owner.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, I have a concern about the
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April 23, 2009
$100 per day fine. I don't see the per day in this particular rendition of
the agreement.
You read it per day, but it doesn't say per day in the stipulation.
MS. RODRIGUEZ: No, it says amount of fines will be imposed
-- yeah, it doesn't say per day.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Just make sure you add in there per
day. Have them initial it, please.
MS. WALDRON: Also, can I make a recommendation that on
the first paragraph it says dated the 24th day of April. It should be
2008, not 2009.
MR. LARSEN: So I understand that basically we're talking
about some construction related equipment and a trailer on the
property?
MS. RODRIGUEZ: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: And Mr. Mast, you're pretty sure your client is
going to be able to get that stuff removed and be in compliance within
120 days?
MR. MAST: They have a store at IIIth Fifth Street North which
burned down about two years ago. The material would have been
removed already, but the former president of Capri International was
murdered, so unfortunately that caused a little bit of a delay.
We have architects sched -- we have retained architects, we're
ready to start going. As soon as construction starts, all the material
will be moved immediately. And I anticipate that will be done before
120 days. And if we can't do it, then we'll figure out something within
120 days.
It's not scrap metal, it's steel girders is what's stored there.
MR. LARSEN: Oh, we just want to make sure that basically it
was a sufficient amount of time for you to take care of the problem.
MR. MAST: It should be. It should be.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And you also agreed to $100 a day
versus what --
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April 23, 2009
MR. MAST: After the 120 days, yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, very good.
And the other minor change, the 23rd of April, is that correct,
2009? Is that what you --
MS. WALDRON: Yeah, it should state 2008.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: 2008, okay.
I think that's it. All right, do I hear -- go ahead -- any other
questions?
MR. KELLY: I make a motion --
MR. KAUFMAN: I have a question. Is there any safety problem
with the stuff that's stored out on the lot?
MS. RODRIGUEZ: Not at all. It's fenced in and it's chained up.
They can't open up the gates. So I don't see anybody going in there.
MR. KAUFMAN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to accept the stipulated agreement.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LA VINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. MAST: Thank you.
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Thank you.
The next case will be BCC versus Robert K. Toski. CEB No.
CEPM200800I4037.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MR. BALDWIN: For the record, Patrick Baldwin, Collier
County Code Enforcement Investigator.
This is a violation of Ordinance Physical Safety Pools, Collier
County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Chapter 22, Building and
Building Regulations, Article 2 of the Florida Building Code, Sections
22 through 26, 103.11.2, Article 6, Property Maintenance Code,
Section 22 through 23II2N.
The description of the violation: The protective barrier
surrounding the swimming pool is not in good repair and sound
structural condition.
Location of the violation: Is 3465 Antoine Court, Naples,
Florida, 34109. Folio No. 69143800001.
Therefore, it is agreed that the parties -- between the parties that
the respondent shall pay operational costs in the amount of 87.57 that
occurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days of the hearing.
Two: Abate all violations by submitting a complete and
sufficient application for all Collier County building permits for the
protective barrier surrounding the swimming pool.
Request inspections and obtain a certificate of completion within
30 days of this hearing or pay a fine of $200 per day will be imposed
until the violation is abated.
Three: Respondent must notify the code enforcement within 24
hours of abatement of the violation and request the investigator
perform a site inspection to confirm compliance.
Twenty - four hour notice shall be by phone or fax and made
during the workweek. If the violation is abated 24 hours prior to a
Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, then the notification must be made
on the next day that is not Saturday, Sunday or that legal holiday.
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April 23, 2009
F our: The respondent -- that if the respondent fails to abate the
violation, the Collier County may abate the violation and may use the
assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs Office to enforce the
provisions of this agreement.
And I would like to add -- it's not on the bottom of number four,
but I would like to add with the cost being assessed to the property
owner, with your approval.
MR. LARSEN: Is the respondent here?
MR. BALDWIN: No. He had to work. He just started a new job.
MR. LARSEN: It's kind of tough to amend a stipulation after
he's left.
MR. BALDWIN: I can call him after this. He's compliant.
He also has submitted an application for a permit. And there is
no health and safety right now because the protective barrier has been
put up.
MR. KELLY: So basically he's already abated the violation?
MR. BALDWIN: No. He's applied for the permit and it hasn't
been C.O.'d yet. But he did put it up because of the health and safety
issue of the violation.
MR. LARSEN: What kind of barrier is it?
MR. BALDWIN: Screen enclosure.
MR. KELLY: I have a technical question. You're citing the 200 I
building code for a building that was built long before 200 I. At the
time the building was built, what did the code say then? Did it require
a protective barrier?
MR. BALDWIN: Yes.
MR. KELLY: I thought that was added in 1994 in the '94
edition. And this home was built in the late Eighties. I'm just throwing
something out there.
MR. BALDWIN: It was a screen enclosure that went down
during Wilma, and--
MR. KELLY: So it had to have been brought up to code.
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April 23, 2009
MR. BALDWIN: Yes.
MR. KELLY: Very good, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further questions from the
board?
MR. LARSEN: Well, we haven't addressed the amendment that's
been requested by the county.
What specifically do you want to amend in the stipulation?
MR. BALDWIN: I would just like to add a number four, with
the cost of the abatement to be assessed to the property owner. The
property owner is aware that the cost -- he would be getting the cost.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But that wouldn't be relevant in this
case ifhe's already fixed the screen. He's just waiting to get at C.O.,
correct?
MR. BALDWIN: Correct. Ifhe doesn't get the C.O., then it's
still his responsibility to get the C.O.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right, but you're not going to have
to go on to abate the violation if the violation has been abated,
technically.
MR. BALDWIN: Right.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All you'll need is to have someone
go on with you to make sure it's inspected.
MR. KELLY: If I may, I don't see that it's really a conflict, since
the order is against the property owner, was signed by the property
owner, therefore, it's going to be assessed to the property owner
anyways. So adding the language I don't think is a conflict.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: At the same time, can we amend the
stipulation without the property owner being present?
MR. LARSEN: Well, let's ask our counsel.
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: I think you can add a further condition
to your order without him being present. He knows the hearing is
scheduled today and he has the opportunity to be present.
Page 1 7
April 23, 2009
Plus Mr. Kelly indicated that operationally, you know, it would
apply against the property owner, so I don't see a problem with that.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Ifhe shows any resistance to the amended
stipulation and doesn't choose to initial or sign the amended
stipulation, I guess he has the option to come back next month?
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Yes, he could request a rehearing.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Which I doubt would happen, but --
MR. KELLY: If it makes the board feel better, the language
really isn't necessary, since it's going to go against the property owner
anyways.
MR. LARSEN: That's the way I feel about it.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I feel about it the same way.
MR. LARSEN: I'd prefer not to be tinkering with a stipulation
previously signed by a respondent who's no longer in attendance.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I agree.
MR. KELLY: Is there -- unless there's another reason why you
wanted that in there. You feel as though he's going to be selling
immediately or anything like that?
MR. BALDWIN: No, he's been pretty cooperative since January
of this year.
MR. LARSEN: And additionally, if they're in compliance,
there's still a penalty per day.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Good point.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right, do I hear a motion?
MR. KAUFMAN: I make a motion we accept the stipulation as
written.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
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April 23, 2009
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. BALDWIN: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, I think we're done with
stipulated agreements. We're going to move on to hearings. Next
hearing -- or the first hearing will be BCC versus Rey and Edith
Martinez, CEB No. 2007080603.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Is the interpreter outside in the hallway?
(Speakers were duly sworn. Interpreter Lupita Locano was duly
sworn as interpreter.)
MS. WALDRON: This is violation of Ordinance 04-41, as
amended, the Collier County Land Development Code, Section
10.02.06(B)(1)(a), 10.02.06 (B)(l)(e), and 10.02.06(B)(ei).
Description of violation: Multiple additions built onto structure
without first obtaining proper Collier County permits.
Location/address where violation exists: 1410 Apple Street,
Immokalee, Florida. Folio No. 30680880005.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Rey and Edith Martinez, 602 New Market Road West,
Immokalee, Florida, 34142.
Date violation first observed: August 16th, 2007.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: August
28th, 2008.
Date onlby which violation to be corrected: September 22nd,
2008.
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April 23, 2009
Date of reinspection: February 20th, 2009.
Results of reinspection are that the violation remains.
I would like to now present Investigator John Musse.
MR. MUSSE: Good morning. For the record, Jonathan Musse,
M - U -S-S- E, Collier County Code Enforcement.
On August 16th, 2007, observed a mobile home with multiple
unpermitted additions on to the home and also observed the structure
in the rear of the property that appears to be a shed at one point that
was converted into a dwelling unit. I do have pictures that I would like
to submit into evidence.
They have seen the pictures, correct?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Yes.
MR. KELLY: I make a motion to accept the exhibit.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. MUSSE: I'll go on while you guys are looking at the
pictures.
Called the property owner, Rey Martinez, and advised him of the
violation. He stated that he purchased the property in that condition
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April 23, 2009
and wasn't aware of the unpermitted additions.
I then informed him that I would have to conduct some search on
the property and find out what was permitted and what was not.
Pulled the property card and found no permits for the additions.
Checked CD Plus, no permits were issued as well.
September 14th, 2007, on-site. Spoke to the property owners,
explained the violation and referred him to the building and permitting
department to ask them exactly what he needed to do to apply for
these building permits.
Notice of violation was served and signed by the property
owner, Mr. Martinez.
October 15th, 2007, checked CD Plus, no permits have been
issued. Called property owner and spoke with Edith Martinez and
asked what was the status. She stated that she has done nothing at this
time, but will go to the permit department and obtain the permit in one
week.
On October 16th, 2007, Rey Martinez came into the Immokalee
office and stated that he will go to the permit department and arrange a
meeting with the permitting staff.
He informed me that he did remove the people that were living
in the rear of the property.
October 23rd, 2007, spoke with Maria Rodriguez of permitting.
She stated that Ms. Martinez came into the Immokalee permitting
department last week and attempted to schedule a meeting about their
property. She stated that property owner will have to wait until Carol
Stachura returns from vacation next week.
A meeting was never held.
Continued to conducted numerous rechecks. Violation remains.
June 30, 2008, prepared case to appear before the Code
Enforcement Board.
On August 22nd, 2008, after reviewing the case, a second notice
of violation was issued for a more appropriate ordinance and wasr
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April 23, 2009
given an additional 30 days to abate the violation.
September 23rd, 2008, conducted a site inspection. Violation
remains. Resubmitted the case to appear before the Code Enforcement
Board.
April 8th, 2009, posted notice of hearing on property and in
courthouse.
And as of today violation still remains.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: When was the last time you were
out there?
MR. MUSSE: The 17th of April.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: So as of the 17th --
MR. MUSSE: Those photos are from April 17th.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: As of the 17th the violation
remains?
MR. MUSSE: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Go ahead.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: I get that property. I never had
nothing. The only bad what I do, I buy it. And this person, they sell
that house like the same the way it look.
I want to ask you to please, you can help me, because I pay a lot
of money for that place. And my family is big. I put my house in the
bank so I borrow money so I can buy that place. I lost the house. I lost
my house, my property, both houses.
I promise, I never did nothing. The only one, you can help me. I
have to pay money.
Whatever you say, I'm available to do it.
I never work to do something bad, only I work in the fields.
I come from Mexico working in the tomato, and I work clean.
That way I don't damage nobody in the loss.
So you think I'm bad, please tell me what to do. And see I have
to pay something, just give me a chance to pay.
The economy is really bad.
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April 23, 2009
So you think I can do it, just give me three or four months so I
can fix this.
Inspectors have been going and check. And is no way they can
say this is bad or this is not. Everything is right.
And that's something that's not good. The only -- I start doing
this business and progressed to buying properties. And this person is
sell the house very expensive. I think I pay $1,000 a month for the
house.
And for me right now my family is big. We're six in the family.
And it's going to be hard for me. And it's going to be hard to pay.
And I ask you, please take compassion for me. And see I can pay
it, I do it. Everything depends on you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any questions of the board?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Investigator, I have one question.
When did the respondent purchase the property?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: 2006.
MR. LARSEN: July 31st, 2006.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: July 31 st? Thank you.
MR. KELLY: Ma'am, if you could ask him, does he know when
the additions were put on the original trailer? I know that he only
bought it in 2006, but I'm curious to know how long before he bought
it were the additions made.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: About 13 or 14 years.
He have a survey. They show that -- he never know when.
He talk to the person when he bought the house. And he don't
know English, so he have to put somebody to help him to interpret for
him.
One day he meet this Jonathan and he ask him is it legal, and he
say yes.
I see him and I talk to him, see if we can fix something. He want
to get a lawyer so he can fight the house, because they talking about
7,000 that he owes on the house.
Page 23
April 23, 2009
MR. KELLY: Sorry, you want to go ahead and catch up?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: He talk to the person when he
bought the house, and he ask him why he lie to him.
And I ask, you see that everything was legal, and he say yes.
Because the way till right now, I'm working with the right law,
and I'm paying permitting for the taxes, and check the house, I see the
persons, they live right. I pay my tax to the government. I've been
living 14 years here and I feel bad because I don't speak English. And
all my life I been working, and my family's poor.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further questions?
MR. LARSEN: I have a question of the officer.
The structures on the property present a health and safety issue?
MR. MUSSE: I have not inspected the inside, but judging by the
outside I would say yeah.
MR. LARSEN: And what would that be?
MR. MUSSE: I would just say it doesn't look stable. I mean,
mostly made of plywood.
And the rear structure, which he claims there was no one living
in there, there's no ventilation, just the front door.
MR. LARSEN: But nobody's living there anymore?
MR. MUSSE: I went there and it doesn't appear vacant, but I
mean, I knocked on the door, they never answered the door.
MR. LARSEN: Ma'am, could you ask him whether or not
anybody's living in that rear structure?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Yeah, somebody live there.
MR. MUSSE: I think he's getting confused with the question. In
the back, in the rear.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Yes, somebody living there. One
person. He's not going to lie to you, yes. Just a couple. And they have
a little girl.
But sometimes I have five in all the place. Sometimes five,
sometimes seven. And the people, they don't have money to pay thet
Page 24
April 23, 2009
rent.
MR. LARSEN: Sometimes five, sometimes seven what?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: People.
MR. LARSEN: In that building?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: No, in the other one. In all the
property .
MR. LARSEN: Total.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Yeah, in the little, right now it's a
couple in the other -- I guess it's another--
MR. LARSEN: There's three people living--
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Right now is the couple and the
baby.
MR. KELLY: I'm just going to make a motion that a violation
does exist.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
MR. LARSEN: Let's just take a look at the statement of the
violation. Says multiple additions built on to structure without first
obtaining proper Collier County permits.
Now, you're talking about the main structure?
MR. MUSSE: Yeah, main structure.
MR. LARSEN: All right, not this one here.
MR. MUSSE: No.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Is that potentially a separate case in the
future?
MR. MUSSE: Oh, yeah.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: How come it wasn't brought?
MR. MUSSE: New to the area, 2007. Fairly new. And I just
thought it would be all added to the same area. Now I'm figuring out
that it's not.
But the case would definitely be opened.
Page 25
April 23, 2009
INTERPRETER LOCANO: The couple, they live in that place,
the small one they're talking about, they've been living there about a
month right now.
MR. LARSEN: Mr. and Mrs. Martinez, you understand that
basically what the county says is that that main structure, which is the
house you're living in, not this structure, doesn't comply with the
codes of Collier County. And even though you bought it after the
structure was changed to add on those additional living areas, that you
as the property owner are responsible.
And you understand that -- basically we understand that it's not
fair to you having bought this property from somebody that told you
that it was legal. But what the county is saying is that basically there's
a code that they have to follow. You understand?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: So motion and second. We're in
discussion right now. Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor a violation -- say
aye.
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
You want to just explain what we just did? We just made a
motion that a violation does exist.
MR. KAUFMAN: I have a question for the officer.
Page 26
April 23, 2009
Have you tried to see if you could reach some common ground
as to either what needs to be done, timing, et cetera?
MR. MUSSE: Well, as I said in the presentation, I spoke to them
on-site while I was serving the notice of violation and urged them -- at
that point the permitting staff was in Immokalee, so they could have
easily went to Immokalee.
And he actually did go to Immokalee. And he came to the office.
And I again informed him where to go. He said he was going to do a
meeting. He never attended the meeting.
As per the conversation that we just had outside, he said that
there was some sort of meeting. I wasn't invited to the meeting, I was
not aware of this meeting, but there was some kind of permitting
meeting that he had apparently.
But again, as the conversation -- it seems like he understands
what he needs to do right now, so we'll be more than happy to help
him. He just needs time.
MR. LARSEN: Well, do you have a recommendation?
MR. MUSSE: Yes. Respondent is to pay operational costs in the
amount of $87 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30 days
of this hearing and abate all violations by obtaining a Collier County
building permit for all unpermitted additions to the structure with all
the inspections, certificate of completions within "X" amount of days
of this hearing or a fine of "X" amount of dollars will be imposed until
violation is abated.
Or obtain a Collier County demolition permit certificate,
inspection, certificate of completion within "X" amount of days of this
hearing, or a fine of "X" amount of dollars per day will be imposed
until violation's abated.
If owner fails to abate the violation, the Code Enforcement
Board may authorize code enforcement to abate the violations at the
owner's expense.
The respondent must notify code enforcement investigator
Page 27
April 23, 2009
within 24 hours of abatement in order to conduct the final inspection
to confirm abatement.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do you know what has been an
addition? I mean, is that easily identifiable at this point, or no?
MR. MUSSE: Yeah, you can iden -- because you can see the
existing mobile home and you can see all the plywood additions that
are added.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. KAUFMAN: I have a question.
In your discussion with the permitting people, I guess that you
weren't at, did they give you an idea of what needs to be done?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: I understand the law.
He went and talked to Carol. And he told me to send me a
person (phonetic) from '85.
He leave papers for her, copies from the trailer. I'm going to help
you and I'm going to call you back.
She never call. At that time I have an accident in the family. My
brother pass away. And he absent for -- my brother die in the fields.
And I have to leave because my mom, she was real sick. And I
thought my mom, she was going to die.
So after that when they come back and I ask and see somebody
call or something, and they told me no. And that's when I get the paper
from John. But I never forget that case and I was waiting and fix it.
I've been living here for 27 years --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: -- and I never have a problem.
The Carol call him and tell him the computer show that he have
to do something. But the lady, she don't know about what, that she
was going to try to find out.
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Martinez, earlier you asked for a period of
time of three to four months in order to -- do you think you'll be able
to have this issue resolved with the county within that 90 to 120-day
Page 28
April 23, 2009
period?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: 190?
MR. LARSEN: No, from 90 to 120.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Yes, I'm going to do everything I --
I do everything I can. So you tell me do this and this, he's going to do
it.
MR. LARSEN: And you do know that there's going to be a
financial penalty, a monetary penalty for every day after that period of
time?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: He knows -- I know.
MR. LARSEN: You do know that this officer over here has
personally represented that they will help you, the county will help
you in any way they can. So if you stay in contact with them and tell
them if you're having any problems, they may be able to help you.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: I promise, I do it.
MR. LARSEN: Is that correct, Officer?
MR. MUSSE: That's correct.
MR. LARSEN: All right, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Let's work on the agreement.
Any comments?
MR. DEAN: I have one. What about the safety issue, renting out
a building with no windows?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But that's not part of the case. That
secondary building it is not part of the case at this point.
MR. DEAN: He showed me a picture of it, we accepted the
photos.
There's a problem here. The man admitted under oath that he
rents it out, there's no windows, there's a little girl living there. What
do we have here? This is not right.
I don't know where to go with that. But certainly the code
enforcement officer should be checking.
What do you suggest?
Page 29
April 23, 2009
MR. MUSSE: It would be addressed immediately. That was my
error. I thought it was all lumped together.
MR. DEAN: Maybe we can address it now. When you walk out
that door today you can address it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right. But here as a board, we
cannot address it.
MR. DEAN: Okay, that's just my point I want to get across, that
when you walk out of this room today, that's my main concern--
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Will be addressed.
MR. DEAN: -- there's a safety thing there.
MR. LARSEN: Just for the record, I believe that we lack
jurisdiction over that issue in the secondary structure; is that right,
Counsel?
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Yes, I don't believe he's received proper
notification of the second violation and opportunity to cure.
MR. LARSEN: So the board is not charged with the
responsibility of dealing with that issue today?
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: No. And I believe Ms. Flagg's
department will look into that. I mean, there is an opportunity for the
county in emergency situations to take down buildings under our
current ordinances, and I think that that will be evaluated.
MR. LARSEN: Supervisor Snow, I think -- you want to
comment on that?
(Supervisor Kitchell Snow was duly sworn.)
MR. SNOW: For the record, Kitchell Snow, Collier County
Code Enforcement.
Let me assure the board that this is the district that I work in up
in Immokalee, and we will be on that property today. And we will
work very, very diligently to make sure that this health and safety
issue is addressed.
And let me also mention that we have worked very hard. We
have permitting in Immokalee now, two days out of the month, the
Page 30
April 23, 2009
second and fourth Friday, and I want the respondent to know that they
can go to Immokalee to get permits, they don't have to come to Naples
anymore. So we can work on doing that and expedite this matter to try
to get it resolved.
But we will be on that property today looking at -- Mr. Dean, we
will take care of that, sir.
MR. DEAN: I appreciate that. Thank you.
MR. SNOW: Yes, sir.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Let's get back to the
recommendation.
Anyone like to take a stab at it?
MR. KELLY: I'll take a stab. It might not be popular.
But operational costs of $87 in line one. 365 days and $200 per
day. The same with the demolition, 365 days, with $200 per day.
The original NOV was in 2007. It's already almost been two
years.
MR. LARSEN: Is that the form of a motion, Mr. Kelly?
MR. KELLY: I'll make it a motion.
MR. LARSEN: I second that motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those --
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Could I trouble you to repeat the time
periods? I was trying to get that down. Sorry, I'm not that fast.
MR. KELLY: No problem.
Basically what we're doing is accepting the recommendations
from the county. The operational costs for $87. The first line would be
365 days. The second line two be $200 per day. Third line would be
again 365 days for a demo permit, and then $200 per day.
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Thank you.
MR. KAUFMAN: I have a comment on that. Is there any way
that we can -- I have no problem with extending it 365 days, as long as
Page 31
April 23, 2009
there is some cooperation with the officer and we know that some
progress is being made, not to wait one year and be back here again in
the same situation that we are today.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Well, would you like to incorporate the
request for periodic progress reports?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I mean, the other way of doing it is
breaking it down. Must have permits by a certain period, or must
apply for permits, must receive permits. I mean, that's the only other
way we can do it where we know that there's strict time frames.
MR. KELLY: That's the way we used to do it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I think 365 days is very lenient. But,
I mean, that's the only other way we can do it is we break it down that
they must apply for permits within a certain period, and then when
they receive permits they have a certain period to complete the work.
So that's one way of --
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Investigator, in your opinion is this a
demolition permit request?
MR. MUSSE: Yeah.
MR. KELLY: I'll withdraw my motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We had a second on that, so we need
the second to be withdrawn also. Correct?
MR. LARSEN: Why do you feel it's a demolition?
MR. MUSSE: On one side of the -- it's encroaching on the
property line. And it just -- to me, I'm not a building inspector, and I
haven't been inside the structure, but it just looks unstable. I wouldn't
let my family live in there.
MR. KELLY: If you're talking about setback issues, that's a
whole nother can of worms.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Are you saying the additions are
encroaching or the actual structure is --
MR. MUSSE: Additions.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Additions, okay.
Page 32
April 23, 2009
All right, do we have a -- the second has not been pulled or
withdrawn.
MR. LARSEN: All right, Supervisor Snow?
MR. SNOW: Sir?
MR. LARSEN: Now, if the Martinezes appeared at the
Immokalee facility for permitting purposes, how -- if they made an
application, say by the end of April, when would a decision be made
by the county as to whether or not to issue a permit in regard to either
the renovation or the demolition of this structure?
MR. SNOW: Well, sir, once a determination has been made
concerning setbacks and issues and can it be permitted and things like
that, and a lot of research is going to have to be done on the property.
If the structures remain for 13 years or 14 years, which the respondent
claims, then I think some leniency should be granted to find out.
Because there are other issues, more issues that are involved. I know
that's not what you want to hear, but a lot of research needs to be done
on this property to determine what's available and what's not available.
If they submitted a complete permit and it was determined they
couldn't do the setbacks and they want to submit a variance or try to
keep the structure or can they remove the structure and place another
structure on the back, that's all going to have to be determined by
permitting. They have to bring the surveys in and look at it.
And she can normally tell them that day is it feasible for them to
do what they're asking.
And that's what you're asking me, is it going to be feasible for
them to do what they're asking to do. And I can't answer that question
right now because I'm not familiar with the logistics of this case.
But they can usually render an opinion that day if it's feasible
and press forward and know this is not going to work.
MR. LARSEN: All right. Well, thank you very much.
MR. SNOW: Yes, sir.
MR. LARSEN: That's exactly what I wanted to know.
Page 33
April 23, 2009
MR. KELLY: So just to recap, you're talking about a survey, a
site plan, you're going to have to have some kind of drawing done
with the existing structures. Then you're going to have to have an
engineer or a building official go into the structure to see what needs
to be done to bring it to the code. In this case maybe 94 is code.
So the research would be to go back to that code and find out
where the violations exist, specifically. Then have a contractor come
in, give them bids, setback and get the work done. It is a good time
frame.
MR. LARSEN: Right. And what I'm afraid of is basically if we
be too punitive in nature what we're doing is removing them from
their home prematurely.
MR. KELLY: What I'd like to do is withdraw my motion and
create a new motion breaking down the times of the process in ways
that are quantifiable so that we can ensure that there is progress.
MR. LARSEN: And would that be in line with what Supervisor
Snow just stated?
MR. KELLY: I believe it -- yes, I believe it would. And it also in
the end ultimately gives the 365 days for C.O.
MR. LARSEN: All right. Okay, on that basis, I'm going to
withdraw my second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. KELLY: My new motion would be to -- that the Code
Enforcement Board orders the respondent to pay all operational costs
in the amount of $87 incurred in the prosecution of this case within 30
days, and abate all violations by:
One: Applying for a building permit for the unpermitted
additions to structure within 90 days, or a fine of $200 per day.
Number two: To obtain building permit within 180 days of
today's hearing or a fine of $200 per day.
Number three: To obtain a certificate of occupancy/completion
within 365 days of the date of this hearing or a fine of $200 per day
Page 34
April 23, 2009
will be imposed.
And then the last one would be: The respondent must notify
code enforcement investigator when the violation has been abated in
order to conduct a final inspection to confirm abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this order.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I would second that motion.
MR. LARSEN: Just point of clarification, Mr. Kelly. That 180
days for the permitting, that's either for permitting the unpermitted
additions or a demolition permit?
MR. KELLY: Correct.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. All right.
MR. KELLY: This -- if there is type of setback issues and the
respondent needs to submit for a variance, the time between 90 days
and 180 days I think is sufficient to go through whatever motions are
necessary .
MR. LARSEN: Now, from the county's point of view, does that
create any problems?
MR. MUSSE: Not at all. I check it monthly anyway.
MR. LARSEN: All right. So we're not going to run into any
problems with the county and their time line for appearing I guess
wherever they want to appear to apply, whether up in Immokalee or
down here, and it would be fine?
MR. MUSSE: That would be fine.
MR. KELLY: I think that will be simple. Because CD Plus will
show an application submitted, and then it will show the approval
whether or not he picked up the permits. So it would be easy to track.
MR. LARSEN: All right. And in regard to oversight, you I
assume work for Supervisor Snow out in the Immokalee area?
MR. MUSSE: I don't currently work in Immokalee right now,
but I do go there periodically.
Page 35
April 23, 2009
MR. LARSEN: And you can monitor the situation on the
property?
MR. MUSSE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We have a motion, we have a
second. We've had discussion.
Any further discussion?
MR. KAUFMAN: Just a clarification on the fines, that they're
not cumulative. In other words, 200 doesn't add to 200 doesn't add to
200 as time goes by.
MR. KELLY: I don't think we've ever had that question posed,
but it's a good one. Once you get to the second one, does it now
become $400 a day? And then if we go more than a year does it
become --
MS. WALDRON: Well, in order to get to the second one, they
would have had to complete the first one, so they'd be in compliance
of that first section.
MR. KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LARSEN: Right. I understood it was $200 per day, and it
wouldn't be a -- they wouldn't run concurrent, they would run
consecutive. So you'd have 200 and just per day. And they wouldn't be
doubled the fines.
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: If you'd prefer, we can place in the
order that it's a maximum of200 per day, if you'd like.
MR. LARSEN: Does that satisfy your criteria, Mr. Kaufman?
MR. KAUFMAN: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
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April 23, 2009
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. LARSEN: Do you understand what happened, Mr.
Martinez?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Yeah, I explained.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'll go through it and if I miss
something, Mr. Kelly will catch me.
Eighty-seven dollars you have to pay as operational costs within
one month. You have to apply for a building permit within 90 days of
today, or $200 a day fine.
They'll give you a -- obtain the building permit or demolition
permit within 180 days or a $200 fine per day. And then he will have
365 -- total from today 365 days to complete all work or a $200 fine
per day will be assessed. And he has to notify code enforcement when
he's completed the work so they can come out and inspect.
MR. KELLY: Just to add, the board would like to see some kind
of progress, so please do not wait.
MR. MARTINEZ: Okay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Entiendo?
MR. MARTINEZ: Okay, thank you. Have a good day,
everybody.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The next case will be BCC versus
Jose Rodriguez, CEB No. CESD2008003864.
Cherie', you okay? We'll see how long this one goes and
possibly take a break around 10:30; is that okay?
THE COURT REPORTER: Yes, that's fine. Thank you.
MS. WALDRON: The investigator has just told me that they
would like to work out a stipulation agreement, so if we could bring
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April 23, 2009
this one back?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to amend the agenda. And we can
put that at the very end of hearings?
MS. WALDRON: That would be good.
MR. KELLY: To the end of hearings.
MR. DEAN: I'll second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nay?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Okay, we're going to move on to number four, BCC versus Ivan
and Marjorie Bloom and Charles T. Kennedy, CEB No.
CESD20080011995.
Sir? What we're going to do is you agreed to try to work out the
stipulated agreement, correct? No entiendo?
Can you translate for him, what we just did? Well, what we did
is -- can you translate for me? Very good.
He agreed to try to work out the agreement. So what we did is
we pushed his case to the end of the hearings, this section here. So
we're not going to hear him right now. You're going to go out with the
investigator and try to work on an agreement.
MR. BARERRA: My name is Juan Barerra (phonetic.)
Page 38
April 23, 2009
I looked at the project or at the structure and --
THE COURT REPORTER: I haven't sworn him in.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: This isn't --
MR. LARSEN: Is that Jose Rodriguez?
MR. BARERRA: This is Jose Rodriguez.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. We were just informed by the county that
Mr. Rodriguez wanted additional time to speak with the officer and to
work something out, rather than going to a hearing right now; is that
correct?
MR. BARERRA: Okay. Or we can go into the hearing. We have
a solution for the problem, that's the only thing.
MR. LEFEBVRE: Well, why don't you go work it out with the
investigator. It'd be much quicker. Then you can come back.
At the beginning, if you saw, that people came and stipulated,
they agreed to certain terms. That's what we're going to have you do.
And then you can come back after the hearings are all heard, okay?
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: You need to stay--
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go out with the investigator in the
hallway --
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: -- until the end.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: -- and then work it out and you can
come back to us.
MR. LARSEN: Recall the case.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, again, we're going to go to
BCC versus Ivan and Marjorie Bloom and Charles T. Kennedy, CEB
No. CESD20080011995.
Are you the investigator for the last case, too?
MR. MUSSE: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Oh, okay. All right, is this going to
be --
THE COURT REPORTER: Let me just swear you in.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
Page 39
April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: If you can just sit down, we'll be
with you in a minute.
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to violation of Collier
County Land Development Code 04-41, as amended, Section 10.02.06
(B)(l)(a); 10.02.06 (B)(l)(e); and 10.02.06 (B)(l)(e)(i).
Description of violation: Permit No. 86-2172 for a room addition
was expired without obtaining all the inspections and certificate of
completion.
Location/address where violation exists: 660 94th Avenue North,
Naples, Florida, 34108. Folio No. 6270764002.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Ivan and Marjorie Bloom, Charles T. Kennedy, P.O. Box
12379 Aspen, Colorado, 81612.
Date violation first observed: August 12th, 2008.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: October
21 st, 2008.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: November 6th,
2008.
Date of reinspection: February 17th, 2009.
Results of reinspection is that the violation remains.
I'd like to now turn it over to Investigator Jonathan Musse.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And just for the record, the
respondent is not in the room, correct?
MR. MUSSE: No, he's not.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. And after this case, you're all
set, you don't have any other cases, correct?
MR. MUSSE: Well, besides that one.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right. So you could work on the
agreement.
MR. MUSSE: Yeah.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, good, good.
MR. MUSSE: For the record, Jonathan Musse, Collier County
Page 40
April 23, 2009
Code Enforcement.
On August 12th, 2008, observed a single-family home with an
unpermitted dwelling unit. Spoke to the tenant who lived in the main
house. She stated the unit is being occupied by another tenant.
She gave me the number to a Mr. Bob Chapman, a realtor.
Attempted to call Mr. Chapman. No answer. Let a message.
I then got in contact with Mr. Charles T. Kennedy. I explained to
him the violation. He then referred me to Mr. and Mrs. Bloom.
Attempted to call. No answer. Left a message.
Checked CD Plus on property card and found Permit No.
9200008363 for a storage building which was the original plan for the
dwelling unit that was issued on June 22nd, 1992 and expired on
December 30th, 1992 without obtaining a certificate of completion.
September 26th -- I'm sorry, I do have pictures of the dwelling
unit that I would like to submit into evidence.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to accept the exhibit.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. MUSSE: On September 26th, 2008, met with Mr. Chapman
Page 41
April 23, 2009
at his residence located at 567 101st Avenue North and gave him all
the copies of the permits and documentation I had for this property in
question. Referred him to the building and permitting department to
ask him precisely what he needed to do that would bring the property
up to code.
October 16th, 2008, checked CD Plus, found no permits for the
dwelling unit. Sent Notice of Violation certified mail.
November 10th, 2008, sent out an e-mail to Alamar Finnegan of
building and permitting, requesting a permit meeting with Mr. Bloom
and Mr. Chapman.
December 18th, 2008, permit meeting was held at the main
office.
I came to the conclusion that a dwelling unit was not permissible
due to the fact that this property was just over 1,700 square feet. And
in order to have a dwelling unit, you would need at least 2,400 square
feet.
The only option was to convert the dwelling back to its original
plan and get it permitted for a storage building.
January 21st, 2009: Received a call from Mr. Chapman. He
stated that he's hired a contractor and is in the process of obtaining the
permit for the storage building.
February 17th, 2009: Had a second permit meeting with Mr.
Chapman and Rodney Moulder, the contractor of Royal Construction,
and the permitting staff. Went over again the details of the case and
explained to Mr. Moulder what he needed to do to reapply for the
storage building.
February 18th, 2009: Prepared the case to appear before the
Code Enforcement Board.
April 18th -- April 8th, 2009: Posted notice of hearing on
property and in courthouse, and spoke with Mr. Chapman, which is
the realtor. He stated that they're just so close to getting the permit by
affidavit for the storage building. So it should be done -- I think he
Page 42
April 23, 2009
requested like 60 days.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: When you say get a permit for the storage
building, do you mean to convert it to a dwelling or --
MR. MUSSE: No.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: -- keep it as a porch?
MR. MUSSE: To convert it back to a dwelling unit.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Thank you.
MR. MUSSE: Or I'm sorry, to a storage building.
MR. KAUFMAN: Is there anybody there now living in there?
MR. MUSSE: He says no, but if you see the pictures, there's a
bunch of clothes everywhere.
MR. LARSEN: Am I correct in assuming that Mr. Chapman is
the realtor?
MR. MUSSE: He's the realtor, yeah. He's actually very helpful.
He helped me a lot with the case.
MR. LARSEN: But you've had previous discussions with
Charles Kennedy?
MR. MUSSE: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: And what was Mr. Kennedy's position?
MR. MUSSE: He referred me to Mr. Bloom. And I've spoken to
Mr. Bloom once. And Mr. Bloom just said speak to Mr. Chapman.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Who's Mr. Bloom?
MR. MUSSE: He's the property owner.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Oh, okay.
MR. LARSEN: All right. No other questions.
MR. KELLY: Investigator, do you know if this is in lis pendens
or foreclosure?
MR. MUSSE: No, it's not.
MR. KAUFMAN: I'd like to make a motion that a violation
exists.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LA VINSKI: Second.
Page 43
April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Recommendation?
MR. MUSSE: Respondent is to pay operational costs in the
amount of $87.29 incurred in the prosecution of this case, and obtain a
Collier County building permit for any constructions, addition or
remodeling, and obtaining all inspections and certificate of completion
within "X" amount of days of this hearing or fine of "X" amount of
dollars will be imposed until violation's abated.
Or obtaining a Collier County demolition permit to remove this
illegal construction addition. Remodel to include inspections and
certificate of completion within "X" amount of days of this hearing or
a fine of "X" amount of dollars per day will be imposed until
violation's abated.
The respondent must notify code enforcement investigator when
the violation has been abated in order to conduct a final inspection to
confirm abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this order.
All costs of abatement will be assessed to the property owner.
Page 44
April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The permit that you state here in the
description of violation, was it for a room addition or for storage?
MR. MUSSE: It was for --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: It says for a room addition.
MR. MUSSE: It was for the -- well, when I issued the permit, I
was under the assumption it was a room addition, which it was,
because it was an added storage building at one point. But he
converted it to a dwelling unit.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Anyone want to --
MR. KAUFMAN: Let me take a stab at it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. KAUFMAN: Operational costs of$87.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And 29 cents.
MR. KAUFMAN: And 29 cents.
Sixty days to abate the violation, and $200 a day after that. Sixty
days.
MR. KELLY: Second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: So it's 60 and 60?
MR. KAUFMAN: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We have a second.
Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
Page 45
April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes. Thank you.
MR. KELLY: Break time.
MR. KAUFMAN: Break time.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Take a 10-minute break. Nice and
clean, from 10:20 to 10:30.
(Recess. )
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're going to call CEB metting
back to order.
Next case is BCC versus Kenneth C. Hill and Elizabeth 1.
Lefebvre Hill.
And just for the record, there is no relation, even though there's
not too many of us down here. But there's no relation.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I should ask how she pronounces it,
that will tell if there's any relationship. Because we all pronounce it
differently.
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: Lefebvre.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: See, no relationship.
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Department Case No.
2007100809, violation of Ordinance 2004-41, Sections
1 0.02.06(B)(1 )(a); 1 0.02.06(B)(1)( e); and 10.02.06 (B)(l)( e )(i),
Florida Building Code, 2004 edition, Section 105.1.
The description of the violation: Unpermitted additions made to
existing permitted carport in an unpermitted storage shed.
Unpermitted electrical in the storage shed.
Location/address where violation exists: 1392 Henderson Creek
Drive, Naples, Florida, 34114. Folio No. 00725200004.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Kenneth C. Hill and Elizabeth 1. Lefebvre-Hill, residing at
5806 Tollman Terrace, Madison, Wisconsin, 53711.
Date violation first observed: October 24th, 2007.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation:
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April 23, 2009
November 5th, 2007.
Date onlby which violation to be corrected: November 27th,
2007.
Date of reinspection: December 3rd, 2008.
Results of the reinspection is that the violation remains.
I would now like to present Investigator Azure Sorrels.
MR. OSSORIO: Good morning. For the record, Azure Sorrels,
Collier County Code Enforcement Investigator.
This is in reference to Case No. 2007100809, dealing with the
violations of unpermitted additions made to the existing permitted
carport and unpermitted storage shed with electrical, located at 1392
Henderson Creek Drive, Folio No. 00725200004.
Proof of service date was for November 5th, 2007. And I would
like to present Exhibit B, which would be seven photos.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to accept the exhibit.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LA VINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
MR. LARSEN: Have they seen it?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Have you seen the photos that she's
going to present?
MS. SORRELS: In the past, but not this morning. I can--
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: If you could, please.
MS. SORRELS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Make a note on the record that they
were shown to the respondents. Thank you.
Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those if favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
Page 47
April 23, 2009
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. SORRELS: Sorry about that, gentlemen.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: No problem.
MS. SORRELS: I'll show you the pictures first and -- to kind of
explain what we're looking at here.
But on the 24 -- yeah, the 24th of July, I had made a site visit to
address a complaint about rental units. And while I was on the
property, I had observed what we're going to look at right now. This is
a carport that was permitted back in 1993, and it was for the
measurements of 30 by 31.
On the north end of the carport, this is an addition that has been
obviously added onto.
And then the next, please.
And in the back of that addition you just saw was another
addition. And that is actually completely enclosed. And the door that
you would access that from would be inside the first addition.
On the south end of the carport is another addition. And as you
can see, it's completely enclosed with a door.
And here is a standalone shed that is also located south of the
carport and the additions that's on the property.
The next two photos are aerial shots from GIS. This one is for
2008, showing you what's existing there as of right now.
Right here is the standalone shed. What she's pointing at is the
standalone shed. And that -- like I said, this is a photo of what's there
at this present time.
And the next aerial is going to be from 1995. And it's not as
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April 23, 2009
clear. But you can kind of see a structure of some kind sitting
approximately in the same location back in 1985.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Which property are we looking at?
Could you point it out?
MS. SORRELS: Oh, sorry.
This one right here.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MS. SORRELS: And this -- you'll understand why I presented
these two aerials here in a second.
Upon research, as I had mentioned, we found a '93 permit for the
big carport. I could not find any permits for the additions or any of the
electrical.
This property had a lot of other things, so I did a lot of research
on it. And we had found permits all the way back to 1962.
Unfortunately none of those permits are for the standalone shed.
I do believe Mrs. Hill is going to state that, you know, from her
understanding the standalone shed has been there for quite some time.
In '75 I also -- I didn't bring in the photo, but in '75 there's an
aerial and it appears that there could very well be a shed in that same
location. However, it's very blurry and not clear enough.
Back in '68 the property was zoned -- well, let me stop here, I'm
kind of getting out of order here. Sorry.
The additions that are to the carport, Mrs. Hill has already hired
a contractor, she's willing to fix all the additions to meet the Land
Development Code and have them permitted.
Basically the reason why she wanted to have the hearing today is
she would like to keep the standalone shed. I have served the Notice
of Violation stating that it needed to be permitted, because I could not
find any permit. So we told her her best venue was to come here and
let you guys hear and make a decision on the standalone shed.
She's been very cooperative. There's -- like I said, there was
many other issues on this property. She has done everything we have
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April 23, 2009
asked her to do.
And again, like I said, she has a permit that was issued back in
March of 2009 for the additions to the carport. They have two
rejections on them, which I have informed Jim of today, and he's
going to -- and Jim being the contractor that she's hired -- and he is
going to address those rej ections to get the permit issued for that.
So back to the standalone shed. In '68 the property was zoned
R-4, and the setbacks at that time were seven and a half feet. Through
other research, our setbacks -- excuse me, that's from the side property
line.
In other research, we have found that our setbacks from side
property lines have never been less than five feet.
They had a survey conducted in February of2009, and the
survey shows that it's 2.8 feet -- the standalone shed is 2.8 feet from
the property line. Therefore, that's probably why we did not find a
permit, because it would never have been permitted with that setback.
And that's where we're at today.
We've had several meetings. We've been in communication.
And, you know, she would like you guys to make a determination on
that. So that's really all I have for you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The large structure towards the
bottom of the picture, is that the 30 by 31 carport? Where's the
carport?
MS. SORRELS: On that photo, it would not be there, because
that carport was not put in until '93. That's an '85 aerial.
And I actually tried to pull up those, but they go by 10-year
intervals. So it was '85 to '95 and then that was it. So all you see in '95
is the big carport with the additions.
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: Good morning. Azure's already
supplied so much information it's -- I'd better shorten mine up a little
bit.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Can you just state your name for the
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April 23, 2009
record, please.
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: Betty -- Elizabeth Lefebvre-Hill.
I appreciate the opportunity to present my case.
We purchased this property in May of2005, did an enormous
amount of cleanup on the property. It used to look like ajunkyard
when we started, now it's cleaned up and well kept. And we've been
very excellent and welcome neighbors.
Unfortunately, though, we inherited this zoning difficulty. As
Azure has mentioned, we've been very cooperative thus far doing
much of what was required, in addition to removing two travel trailers
-- or excuse me, two trailers that cost us an income of approximately
1,000 month.
Financially it's been a very, very difficult process for us.
We applied last year for a demolition permit for my husband
Ken and I to remove the two unpermitted storage sheds that were built
on the property, added on to the carport. We didn't argue the fact.
Our demolition request was denied because we weren't general
contractors and we didn't live on the property. It would have cost us
about $500 to have the materials hauled away, but that probably
would have been too quick and easy of a solution and financially
manageable for us, so we were told no exceptions to that.
So we started getting our estimates, realized we didn't have the
funds at that time, and so that's been the reason for our delay.
And now we finally have some funds to take care of it. Hired
Jim here, and he's been doing a great job pursuing getting what needs
to be done.
As Azure mentioned, we had the paperwork in, but twice the
permit has been rej ected.
So we're asking the board to grandfather in the standalone shed
on the property.
As I mentioned earlier in my letter at the last hearing, it's an old
metal shed/storage building that was there before the permitting
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April 23, 2009
process was even formalized in Collier County.
I have signed letters -- and I apologize I didn't get them to you
five days ahead, but I have signed letters from two old timers that
have been in that area for some time. And they both have signed and
dated to the effect that that shed's been there since at least since the
1960s.
So I am asking you to rule that you -- rule to grandfather in that
standalone storage building, given the evidence or lack thereof by the
county and taking into account these signed statements.
And we're certainly willing to bring the electric up to code on
that storage building, or remove it.
This whole ordeal has been very, very difficult with the negative
cash flow, the repairs and the zoning requirements. It's getting more
and more expensive for us.
Recently with this back permitting issue on the two additions, it's
getting more complex, becoming exorbitant for us in terms of
finances. So I'm asking the question, is it possible not only to ask to
grandfather in the standalone shed but also these two additions?
And I'll let Jim tell you a little bit more about what's been going
on there and the difficulty and our increasing costs. My flights down
here. What I think we could have resolved at $500 has become just
enormous and ridiculous.
MR. LARSEN: Have you shown those letters to the county?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Unfortunately I don't think this is the
venue to grandfather something in.
MR. LARSEN: Why don't you show the letters to the county.
MR. KELLY: I'm willing to stipulate that the letters exist, as it's
part of her testimony.
MR. LARSEN: I'd like to see them.
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: I did mention that I had them in hand. I
didn't specifically show them to her.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I think the Chairman has a good point,
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April 23, 2009
though. If this is any type of a zoning issue, then I don't think this is
our bailiwick.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right. I mean, the testimony is that
it's not within the boundary survey. It's encroaching.
We're not -- we cannot tell you to keep that there if it's
encroaching. We're not a variance committee. So -- and that -- I think
you're at wrong venue if you're looking for approval to keep it with
the current -- that would be a variance committee.
Go ahead.
MR. KELLY: This may be a discussion amongst the board, but
respectfully I disagree. I believe that we do have the authority to
decide whether a violation exists or does not. The testimony of an
investigator -- no offense, Azure -- is not the zoning department.
There's no letter, there's no surveys showing me that two and a half
feet is accurate. No offense again. But so far I've not been shown
enough testimony to say that that particular shed is in violation.
MS. SORRELS: Mr. Kelly, if I could answer just that. I do have
a survey, a copy of it that I can show you that the 2.8 feet is there. And
I can also show you the '65 zoning regulations that would show that
would be seven and a half feet for setback lines.
MR. KELLY: Well, I apologize for my rant. And I'd like to
admit that into evidence. If that's okay, I'll make a motion to admit.
That will help just prove a point then.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Can we all second that?
MR. LARSEN: Ms. Waldron, can you put the letters up, please.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do we have to accept that as --
MR. LARSEN : Well, you just said it was part of her testimony.
MR. KELLY: Well, which one is this? Is this the--
MR. MOYER: The letters.
MS. SORRELS: The letters.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Would you like to accept that?
MR. LARSEN : Would you like to put that into evidence, please?
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April 23, 2009
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: Yes, please.
MR. LARSEN: Okay, do you have any objection?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. LARSEN: I move we accept the evidence.
MR. DEAN: I'll second that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. SORRELS: The first thing that I'll put on the screen will be
the survey that was given to me by the contractor Jim, and it was dated
February 23rd, 2009.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. Well, we're looking at the letters first.
MS. SORRELS: Oh, sorry.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Has everyone read that?
MR. LARSEN: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do we need to have this entered as
evidence?
MR. KELLY: Unless it was marked for original --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Would you like to enter this as
evidence?
MS. SORRELS: Yes, please.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Has the respondents -- have they
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April 23, 2009
seen it?
MS. SORRELS: I'm assuming so. This is the same survey that
was provided to them from the contractor Jim. So I believe she has a
copy as well.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Is that correct?
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: That's correct.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, very good.
We'd like to have a motion.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to accept.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. KELLY: This is a much better view than those aerials.
MR. LARSEN: So Jim, what are we looking at?
MR. MOYER: What we're looking at here in this lower section
is the building that she is talking about. The standalone shed is right
here. It's 21 by 8 feet.
THE COURT REPORTER: Mr. Moyer, excuse me, could you
speak on the microphone.
MR. KAUFMAN: Could you give us your name and the
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April 23, 2009
company that you represent?
MR. MOYER: My name is Jim Moyer. I represent Florida
Built-Rite.
What we're looking at here is this is the standalone shed that's
used strictly for storage. It does have electric to it. They could either
be brought to code or eliminated. That's a pretty easy situation.
These two -- this building here is an attachment to this original
building that was permitted. And I am under the belief that the
building -- this attachment that we're now permitting was built at the
same time, but they just didn't apply for the permit. You can tell by the
age of the concrete, the stress on the steel, and it has all deteriorated in
the same fashion. So it isn't anything new that has been added.
This too is just used for storage. It has an enclosure on this end
but it's just strictly storage. There's no one -- no occupants or anybody
living in that storage.
MR. KAUFMAN: How close is that corner to the property line?
MR. MOYER: This corner here?
MR. KAUFMAN: No, on the other side.
MR. MOYER: This corner here is -- I think it's 4. -- 4.7 is this
corner right here. From this property line to this corner is 4.7.
What we are doing now is -- in the permitting process is what
we've done is we've hired Cronin Engineering to establish that the
buildings will meet wind load and the current code now.
If we are unable to permit this little section here, we will remove
it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further testimony?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any questions from the board?
MR. KAUFMAN: I have one question. Maybe I'm missing
something. But ordinarily on a title search, don't they show on title
searches any encroachments on property on that survey?
MS. SORRELS: That I could not speak for. I do not know.
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April 23, 2009
MR. DEAN: Absolutely.
MR. LARSEN: Jim, this building, the large building with the
unpermitted extension, can you estimate the age of that?
MR. MOYER: They have said that it was permitted in '95. It
looks like it's older than that to me.
MR. LARSEN: All right. And the small standalone shed, could
you estimate whether or not that exceeded, you know, construction in
the 1980s?
MR. MOYER: In my estimation this standalone shed has been
there a lot longer than this building that was permitted.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. What's the -- what construction materials
were used in that standalone shed?
MR. MOYER: It's a metal corrugated shed, metal roof. Metal
corrugated shed.
MR. LARSEN: Is it on a concrete slab?
MR. MOYER: I believe it is. Is it on concrete -- no, it's not. It's
not. These are on concrete slabs, this is not. This is just on a dirt floor.
MR. LARSEN: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Kaufman, are you all set with
your questions?
MR. KAUFMAN: Uh-huh.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Kelly?
MR. KELLY: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any other further discussion,
questions from the board?
MR. LARSEN: Well, I mean, discussions.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Questions.
MR. LARSEN: Well, I have some discussion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, go ahead.
MR. LARSEN: I guess the question is whether or not the code
requiring permits required that small standalone shed to have a permit
prior to construction. Now, you're saying in that standalone shed there
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April 23, 2009
is electrical?
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: That's correct.
MR. LARSEN: All right. So my question to the county is, if it
was actually built in the 1960's, would it have required at any point
prior to or after construction of that standalone shed a permit?
MS. SORRELS: Gentlemen, if you let me present 1965 zoning
regulations, that will answer both yours and Mr. Kelly's questions.
MR. LARSEN: Okay.
MS. SORRELS: Would you like me to read it and then present it
on the thing, or would you like me just to put it down there and let you
guys read it?
MR. LARSEN: Why don't you put it down on the ELMO and
then we'll--
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Well, it might be good to read it into
the record.
MR. LARSEN: Yeah, but she could put it down so we can read
along with her.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MS. SORRELS: Okay, I will try to do that. Let me get the
microphone from him so I can stand over there.
The first sheet you're going to see is the actual cover of the 1965
coding zone -- county zone regulations.
The next page that you're going to see is R-4-A, which is circled
on the paper, use regulations. This is indicating what the uses on the
property can be in 1965.
I just wanted to show you that that was the section for that
zonIng.
And then the next page would be C, which is the area
regulations. Minimum lot size shall be 4,000 square feet. Number two
that is circled it says, minimum lot width at building line shall be 40
feet with front yard of 25 feet and a minimum size yard of seven and a
half feet. Rear yard must be sufficient to take care of septic tank and
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April 23, 2009
drain field.
And I do believe if you go down -- give me a second to scan. On
this page it's number seven. It states -- can you see it -- a permit shall
be required for installing mobile and/or trailer home and for the
construction of any structure thereto. Said permit shall be obtained by
county authorities who shall be authorized to receive a fee for the
issuance of said permit.
The county shall have the authority to revoke or refuse -- to
issue a permit to any mobile home trailer that's -- or attached structure.
But I guess what I wanted to point out is that it does say the
construction of any structure.
Does that answer your question?
MR. LARSEN: Well, it says any structure per tenant thereto. Is
this a mobile or a trailer home?
MS. SORRELS: No. Correct, it's not attached to that, no.
MR. LARSEN: But is the main structure on the property a
mobile home or a trailer home?
MS. SORRELS: There was at one time.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: But these appurtenances aren't attached to
a mobile or a trailer is what he's saying; is that correct?
MS. SORRELS: No, they were not attached, no.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: That's the intent of this paragraph.
MS. SORRELS: Okay, understood.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: I feel it is.
MR. LARSEN: Right. But the main house, is it a mobile home
or a trailer home?
MS. SORRELS: No, the main house is not.
Gentlemen, I'm sorry, I'm just trying to scan through here to
make sure that I can't answer your question further.
MR. LARSEN : Well, look at number lOon the area regulations.
Could you move that up a bit.
MS. SORRELS: This one? Minimum lot size for single-family
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April 23, 2009
residence for the minimum building size living area.
MR. LARSEN: So the setbacks apply whether or not it's a
mobile home or not.
MS. SORRELS: Correct.
MR. LARSEN: Same setback. And your contention is on a
survey it shows the storage shed to be 2. whatever feet from the
property line.
MS. SORRELS: Correct.
MR. MOYER: If I could add something.
How I see that when I read -- and maybe you could tell me if I'm
wrong. We were reading for mobile homes and anything attached to
the mobile homes had to be seven and a half feet from the property
line. This is a standalone shed that's not attached to anything.
MR. LARSEN: Well, my understanding of the word appurtenant
is something that is in conjunction with or on the property associated
with the other mobile home or trailer home. Does not necessarily have
to be attached.
Maybe the counsel for the board has a different interpretation
but, you know, I question the applicability. Because that was for
mobile or trailer homes and it's not a mobile or trailer home.
But the area regulations with the setback don't seem to pertain
just to mobile or tenant homes, because they talk about a family
residence. And that was the -- what I was trying to key in on on
number 10 where it said for single-family residence, which would be
in the same article or chapter.
MR. MOYER: Right. And how I'm familiar with commercial or
more than residential property is that there are some situations, and I
don't know whether this is the situation, you can build right to the
property line on commercial property.
MR. LARSEN: On commercial property, I agree with you.
MR. MOYER: This is a -- the residence is a four-plex is what it
IS now.
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April 23, 2009
MR. LARSEN: Was it always a four-plex?
MR. MOYER: Originally I think it was built as a shelling house,
converted to a four-plex.
MS. SORRELS: To clarify that, a '62 permit was issued for an
oyster house.
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: I think you're looking correctly at the
issues. It appears that the principal structure is a house. And the
question is whether or not the 7.5 setback applies to an accessory use.
And it appears to me that the language is unclear.
Ms. Sorrels put up the R-4 standards, and there's also a reference
to the R -1 standard, I don't know that you've seen that, as to the main
residence. And frankly, I don't recall whether or not it said attached
appurtenant, you know, attached to the trailer or mobile home without
her putting it back up.
But again, I think the issue that you're identifi -- you seem to be
identified as the accessory use in setback.
MS. SORRELS: Can I make a clarification on something? I
think the confusion came into play when I had read that the county
would require a building permit. And it was into the statement stating
that it was in conjunction with a travel trailer.
Set that aside, okay. So as right now I'll say that I don't have in
front of me any proof saying that it would need a permit in that time
frame in 1965.
But the setbacks -- again, I'm holding it up and I'll put it back on
the --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're not looking at setbacks. That's
not the case.
MS. SORRELS: But I think the setbacks were -- my
understanding, you guys are questioning the setbacks as they are
connection -- if the shed was being in connection to a travel trailer.
And that would not matter in 1965.
Because the use regulations on this, any use permitted in R-3
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April 23, 2009
district, the installation of mobile home and travel trailers for
residential use, adjacent structures are to be limited to those which
complement trailer and must exceed 25 of the lot area. Commercial
trailer parks, horticulture nurseries, tourist camps, motels, fish houses
and marinas.
The very next section is going into the minimum lot line. Lot
width at building line shall be 40 feet with front yard of 25 feet and a
minimum side yard of seven and a half feet.
So if the shed was put there in '65 with, let's just say the oyster
house, it would have to meet the seven and a half setback lines.
Because that is an approved use for that property.
MR. LARSEN: Right, I understood that. I'm just -- you know,
I'm trying to match it up with the violation that they were noticed on,
which was basically an unpermitted addition made to an existing
permitted carport and an unpermitted storage shed. Unpermitted
electrical and storage shed.
So the question now is in regard to the storage shed whether or
not a permit was required.
Now, in regard to the violation, that's all we have to go on. It
says unpermitted. It doesn't say unpermitted for setback, it doesn't say
unpermitted for, you know, uses of storage shed or for construction.
And, you know, it's unfortunate in that regard, because basically
they may have intent to say that you can construct it without a permit.
Now they have a full back argument which is that basically it's too
close to the property line. And they've shown us evidence that back in
1965 there was at least some requirement that it be set back from the
side of, what is it, seven and a half feet?
MS. SORRELS: Correct, sir.
MR. LARSEN: Seven and a half feet.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's not what we're looking at
here. We're not looking at setback here. We're looking at strictly is it
permitted or unpermitted.
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April 23, 2009
MS. SORRELS: Understood. And can I make a comment with
that?
With the regulations being written for 1965, the only way for us
to ensure that the regulations were being followed would be that a
permit would be required for inspection.
So with that being said, it would need a permit. That would be
the only way we would be able to verify that those regulations from
1965 were being followed.
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: And may I make a statement at this
time?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Absolutely.
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: I just wanted to say, when I had asked
Azure about when historically did the permitting begin to be
something that was required in the county and pretty formalized, and
she responded she thought about the 1960's.
So when I approached these two people that had been there for a
long time and took me a long time to find them, I really just asked
them to make a statement from the Sixties.
My belief is it was there even longer than that. So I just went to
the Sixties for that purpose. And I could certainly go back to them and
ask them how far prior to that time they thought it was there.
But I think it's been there a long time. I think the house was built
in the Forties. So I just think it was there before the -- before a lot of
the permitting requirements were necessary.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead, Mr. Kaufman.
MR. KAUFMAN: My question is along the lines that you just
mentioned. If this was built before '65, then the '65 regulations that
you have here, they probably don't come to play.
Do we have any idea what regulations existed before 1965?
MS. SORRELS: The zoning regulations that I have found go
back to '65 is the most complete zoning regulations that I have found.
If there's others out there, I'm not aware of them.
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April 23, 2009
I have researched everything that's been available to me, and the
only difference in setbacks were very minimal. And in 1975 the side
setbacks only went down to five feet. That I do not have with me, but
that was the only difference that was in the setbacks from that time
until now.
MR. KAUFMAN: So then it is possible that if this was built in
1950, for instance, there were no rules at that time on where this
structure could be located.
And do we know when the main structure was built?
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: From an insurance document I looked
at recently, it was in the Forties.
MS. SORRELS: Understood. We have --like I said, I've done
extensive research on this property, and I have a permit from '62
showing an oyster house.
Do I have anything prior to that? No, I do not. But I can only
also talk about what I can prove. And an aerial is -- I have an aerial
showing that there was some kind of structure at least on the property
in the same general area back in 1975.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion from the
board? Questions?
MR. KAUFMAN: Do you have to separate now that storage
building from the other parts -- the other buildings that need to be
permitted and completed?
MR. MOYER: Right now we are not even addressing the
standalone storage shed as permitting. We're not addressing that as in
the permit process.
MR. KAUFMAN: No, but as far as this complaint is concerned
from the county's perspective, is this two items or is this one item?
MS. SORRELS: It's going to be one item. They're both
accessory structures that are not permitted.
The distance that sets between that structure and the other
structures on the property, those setbacks are fine. So it would -- as for
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April 23, 2009
being too close to another structure, it would not be a problem. It's just
the property line is what's prohibiting them to obtaining a permit to
today's standards or even to the standards of 1965.
MR. KAUFMAN: So if we were to find that that structure that's
in question now was built in the Forties and there were no permits at
that time, et cetera, what would that do to the other buildings as far as
this particular case is concerned?
MS. SORRELS: It would -- we would pursue the other building.
Because the other building is clearly put in place in '93 with a permit
and the additions were done either at the same time, shortly after the
construction of the carport. So we would still pursue that.
MR. KAUFMAN: So then taking that further, an existing -- the
existing buildings, excluding that, I guess everybody is in agreement
that there is work to be done and they need to be permitted.
So from that perspective, you have to find that a violation does
exist. And I'd like to make that as a motion.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Further discussion.
I just want to make it clear, these are not residential buildings,
these are storage buildings?
MS. SORRELS: That is correct, sir.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead, Mr. Kelly. Go ahead.
MR. KELLY: My discussion would be if that standalone storage
building -- if we felt that that was not in violation, how do you
separate the two out on this particular case?
MS. SORRELS: We would continue -- the case would remain
open until the other violations were abated with being permitted or
removed. And that would just be noted on the case that the ruling of
the Code Enforcement Board was of this. And that would basically
say the violation according to your rule is there or is allowed to stay or
you don't see it as a violation or whatever.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Kaufman, could you restate
your motion?
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April 23, 2009
MR. KAUFMAN: I find that being the other buildings are in
violation, that we find it in violation.
And then I guess when we get to the point of what are the
remedies, I guess maybe then at that point you can separate it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Well, I think you need to separate it
now. Because is it in violation or not? What is in violation, what is
not? So that has to be separated.
MR. KAUFMAN: Well, the whole scope of the complaint shows
several different things. If one of those things is in violation, then you
have to find that it's in violation, I would think. Otherwise, if you find
it's not in violation, everything is removed.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I think what the investigator was just
saying is that let's say you make a motion that the storage said is not in
violation, but everything else is in violation, they would work to
remedy the other items that are in violation, but not the structure.
MR. KAUFMAN: That would be fine. I would modify my
motion to that effect.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: So there is not a violation in regards
to the unpermitted electrical and storage shed and the unpermitted
storage shed, but there is a violation regarding the permitted carport.
MR. KAUFMAN: Correct.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: With the addition. Okay.
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Yeah, and that's correct, we can
proceed that way and either find no violation or dismiss the charges as
to the storage shed.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I have a second?
MR. KELLY: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
MR. LARSEN : Yes, I'd like to have some further discussion.
Are you saying that the electrical as well in the storage shed is
fine and that basically anything to do with the storage shed? Because I
don't think there any testimony about the age or the quality of the
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April 23, 2009
electrical or whether or not that required a permit. And that I'm a little
concerned about.
I understand not finding the storage shed, but in regard to the
electrical in the storage -- because I read this as being unpermitted
additions made to an existing permitted carport; second, an
unpermitted storage shed; and third, an unpermitted electrical in the
storage shed.
So I just want a clarification on the motion. Does that include or
does not include finding a violation as to the electrical in the storage
shed?
MR. KAUFMAN: Well, further discussion.
If the shed required no permitting, say it was built in 1949,
anything that was done in there didn't require a permit. So how do you
now -- I would assume that that would be grandfathered then.
MR. LARSEN: Unless they added the electrical at a later time.
MR. KAUFMAN: That's correct. I don't know that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The contractor stated that it wouldn't
be a problem to disconnect the power to the shed, correct?
MR. MOYER: That is correct. The power into the shed looks to
be -- it appears to be to code. It appears to be in excellent condition,
that there's no harm or safety issue there. But if it's the board's wishes
that we disconnect the power, we would do that.
MR. LARSEN: Or get a permit for it within the time permitted
by the board.
MR. LA VINSKI: Yeah, I would agree that the electrical is a
separate issue, and especially in a metal building, it makes me a little
more nervous, that that ought to be dealt with, either permitted or
removed.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: The first would have to be amended
to include that.
MR. KAUFMAN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That the shed is permitted, but the
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April 23, 2009
unpermitted electrical in the shed has to be brought up to code or
removed.
MR. KAUFMAN: Okay.
MR. LARSEN: That there's a violation with regard to the
existing carport. There's no violation in regard to permitting of the
storage shed but there is a violation as to permitting of the electrical in
the storage shed.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Correct.
MR. KAUFMAN: Correct.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Amended first, do I hear an
amended on the second?
MR. KELLY: Amended second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right, any further discussion?
Lionel?
MR. L'ESPERANCE: None.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a vote in favor? All in
favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. MOYER: Thank you.
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Recommendation.
MS. SORRELS: I want to first make sure I understand what you
guys just did. Weare claiming that there is a violation to the additions
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April 23, 2009
of the carport, correct?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's correct.
MS. SORRELS: We are saying that the standalone shed it is not
a violation, correct?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's correct.
MS. SORRELS: We are questioning the electrical that is going
to the storage shed, correct?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's correct.
MS. SORRELS: Okay. Before I proceed with a
recommendation, I need to present something to you. I'm not a
permitting technician, but I want to make you aware that there is a
possibility if you ask them to permit the electrical to that storage shed,
that it might be declined because the permitting department's going to
question why the electrical going to that shed is not permitted.
MR. KELLY: I don't think it's an issue. They'll just have it
removed then.
MS. SORRELS: Okay. I just wanted to make sure that that was
at least brought to your attention that there is that possibility that if
you had asked them for electrical permitting that it could very well be
declined.
MR. KELLY: That's a very good point. Thanks for bringing that.
That is a good point.
MS. SORRELS: All right. Now, with the little altercations (sic)
of what you guys ruled on, I've got to adjust my recommendation.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yeah, I kinda figured that.
MS. SORRELS: First we'll start out with of course the
operational cost of $87.29 paid within 30 days of this case -- or excuse
me, I should say 30 days of this hearing. I apologize.
The respondents are to obtain all required building permits,
inspections and certificate of completion within whatever you guys
rule on days and the fine. And that will be for the unpermitted
additions to the existing carport -- permitted carport.
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April 23, 2009
Is that all agreed? Okay.
They will have whatever time frame you guys issue. The fine
will be imposed for each day the violation remains after that time.
Obtain -- the respondents also have the opportunity to obtain a
demo permit, demolish unpermitted structures and obtain all required
-- and let me go back and say unpermitted additions to carport.
Because we're not going to require them to do anything with the
standalone shed, correct?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Except for the electrical.
MS. SORRELS: Except for the electrical, okay.
So do you want me to go back to the first one then and put in
electrical permit?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes.
MS. SORRELS: Okay, back to number one, obtain building
permits, inspections and certificate of completion for all unpermitted
additions to carport, and obtain if possible an electrical permit with
inspections and certificate of completion for the electrical going to the
standalone shed within so many days and the fine that you guys have
issued.
Back to --
MR. LARSEN: Or remove same.
MS. SORRELS: Correct. And that would be number two option
would be to obtain a demo permit -- demo the unpermitted addition
structures and obtain a demo permit for removing of the electrical
that's existing to the standalone shed.
MR. MOYER: You won't need a demo permit to remove the
electrical. They won't require that.
MS. SORRELS: I can't speak for that. I know in past cases it has
been to ensure that the electricity is capped off properly to wherever it
leads to.
MR. MOYER: Okay, well, that's fine. W e'llleave it like that
then.
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April 23, 2009
MS. SORRELS: If they don't need a demo permit, that's fine, but
that's not for me to say. That's the building department.
The third part would be the respondent must notify the code
enforcement investigator when the violation has been abated in order
to conduct a final inspection to confirm abatement. If the respondent
fails to abate the violation, the county may abate the violation and use
the assistance of the Collier County Sheriffs Office to enforce the
provisions of this order and assess all abatement costs incurred by the
county .
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Can you put that up on the screen,
please.
MR. KELLY: Sir, do you know approximately how long it's
going to take you to get all of the setback information, permits and
everything taken care of on those additions?
MR. MOYER: We have applied for a permit 3/31 of this year.
We have ran into several difficulties of issues of -- and it's mainly
communication issues. I mean, I get most of my information from
Azure, that she seems to be able to have the information quicker than I
can get it or receive it.
We've -- I can't tell you that. I would like to have it done
tomorrow. I don't know that that's feasible.
MR. LARSEN: How much time do you think you're going to
need?
MR. MOYER: I think she would request 90 days.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Is that a recommendation, Mr.
Kelly?
MR. KELLY: I was thinking 120, just because these are storage
sheds and in case there's any other additional snags.
MR. MOYER: You know, I think you're very wise in that
decision. Even though that we have went through the permit process,
we still have -- we have done this through affidavit by engineering,
and we were required to do some work on the premise just to bring
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April 23, 2009
them up to the current code. So I appreciate that.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: How about a fine, per day fine?
MR. LARSEN: I was thinking $100 per day. 120 days sounds
satisfactory .
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Do I hear that in a motion,
Mr. Kelly?
MR. KELLY: I'll make a motion that a violation exists to the
additions to the carports, and electrical service to the standalone shed.
The recommendation: The Code Enforcement Board orders the
respondent to pay $87.29 in operational costs that have been incurred
in the prosecution of this case within 30 days, and abate all violations
by: Number one, obtain permit, inspections, certificate of
completion/occupancy within 120 days or a fine of $100 per day until
all -- will be imposed each day the violation remains to the additions
to the carport.
Number two: Or obtain a demo permit, demolish unpermitted
additional structures, and obtain all required inspection and certificate
of completion/occupancy within 120 days of the date of this hearing or
a fine of $100 per day will be imposed each day the violation remains.
Number three: Permit or remove electrical service to the
standalone storage shed within 120 days, or a fine of $100 per day will
be imposed each day the violation remains.
Number four: Notify -- the respondent must notify the code
enforcement investigator when the violation has been abated in order
to conduct a final inspection to confirm abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this order.
And all --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Agrees all costs --
MR. KELLY: -- agrees all incurred by this abatement will be
charged against the property owner.
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April 23, 2009
MS. SORRELS: I apologize for my chicken scratch. It just say,
and assess all abatement costs incurred by the county to the property.
MR. KELLY: To the property owner.
Did you get that, Cherie'?
THE COURT REPORTER: I did.
MR. DEAN: Yeah, sure.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We have a motion. Do I hear a
second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LAVINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. LEFEBVRE-HILL: Thank you, gentleman, and ladies.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're going to be moving on to
BCC versus Allen W. Fuller and Barbara A. Davis, CEB No..
CESD200800 1 0447. And there's one other case, too.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Department Case
CESD20080010447.
Violation of ordinance Florida Building Code 2004 edition,
Chapter 1, Section 105.1, and Land Development Code 04-41, as
amended, Section 10.02.06 (B)(l )(a), and 10.02.06 (B)(l)( ei).
Page 73
April 23, 2009
Description of violation: Residence on agricultural property has
been altered, added to, converting structure to a two-story duplex
structure with structural plumbing and electrical alterations without
obtaining required building permits.
Location/address where violation exists: 267 Price Street,
Naples, Florida, 34113. Folio 00730160003.
Name and address of opener/person in charge of violation
location: Allen W. Fuller and Barbara A. Davis, residing at 265 Price
Street, Naples, Florida, 34113.
Date violation first observed: April 16th, 2008.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: July 17th,
2008.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: August 11th, 2008.
Date of reinspection: February 26th, 2009.
The results of the reinspection is that the violation remains.
I would like to now present Investigator Azure Sorrels.
MS. SORRELS: For the record, Azure Sorrels, Collier County
Code Enforcement Investigator.
This is in reference to CESD200800 1 0447, dealing with the
violations of a stilt residential structure that has been altered, added to,
converting the structure to a two-story multi-family duplex structure
with electrical, structural and plumbing alterations without first
obtaining all required building permits, located at 267 Price Street,
Naples, Florida, 34113. Folio No. 00730160003.
Proof of service was July 25th, 2008.
And I would like to present Exhibit B, with six photographs.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Have the photos been show to the
respondent?
MS. SORRELS: No.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Ma'am, you might want to bring the
microphone down so we can hear you. Just bend it. That's it. That's
fine, it won't break.
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April 23, 2009
Okay, do I hear a motion?
MR. DEAN: Motion we accept the photos.
MR. KELLY: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. SORRELS: I do apologize again for that, gentlemen.
On 4/16/08 I was on the property addressing another complaint
about rental units on the property that were not registered as rental
units.
In addressing this complaint, it evolved into the violations that
we're going to be talking about today, which is again the unpermitted
alterations/additions to an existing permitted stilt home that is on the
property.
I met with Mr. Fuller, the husband to Mrs. Fuller. And on my
initial visit -- and I explained to him what I -- what violations I had
observed.
He provided me with some of the history on the property. I
would like to say that they had informed me that this property was
bought by him and his wife as-is, so this is something not of their
doings.
He did inform me that the stilt -- or the residential structure that
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April 23, 2009
was on the property had been put there in approximately 1985 and he
had informed me that it was actually moved from another location to
that location.
Upon research of all the computer programs and the property
cards that we have accessible to us, I found an '85 permit for the
relocation of the structure. I believe it was moved from Lakeview
Drive to Price Street.
The permit shows that it's a 994 square foot structure. And the
property card indicates that it's a stilt home with piers and wood
frame.
And actually, can you go ahead and show the picture? I'm sorry.
The first picture you're going to see is a distance shot. Sorry for
not being able to get a clearer picture. But it's a beautiful piece of
property with lots of vegetation.
But as you can see, there's two sets of staircases going up to the
second floor, and you can see that the bottom floor is completely
enclosed. And again, this was a stilt home.
The next picture.
This is just showing the stairs and then the entryway to the top
floor, which was being rented at the time.
And this will be the doorway entrance to the bottom floor. And
at the time was also being rented.
And this is a photo showing two AC units that are providing
central air to both floors. Thank you.
Being that I found the '85 permit, our permitting is pretty well
organized in the Eighties, and I was unable to find any permits
indicating that the bottom part of the stilt home had been enclosed,
turning it into residential living space.
Also, being that the flood zone that they are in, FEMA would
not allow livable space on this property. Therefore, permits would not
have been issued anyway.
I kept Mr. Fuller and his wife up to date as much with the
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April 23, 2009
progress of the case, the research that we found.
Unfortunately this case has caused them a financial hardship and
I'll let her explain that. But they pretty much informed me that there
would be no way they could abate the violation, whether it's to permit
it or remove the unpermitted additions. So that's what I have for you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: My name is Barbara Davis-Fuller. My
husband was here this morning, but because we didn't know what time
we were going to be called, he needed to get back to work. And I've
got all the paperwork here.
As to what Ms. Sorrels has said, when we bought the property I
left my job and I stayed on the property one year and worked it
myself.
All these buildings that were there on the property were there. It
was an elderly woman and her son. She was confined to a wheelchair.
Her son was in a wheelchair/walker. He had a terrible motorcycle
accident.
Everything that you see on the property was there. I did not
enclose -- her husband was a plumber. I don't know when the man
passed away. He did all the plumbing on the property. The son lived
in a trailer. He wouldn't let us in the trailer to see it prior to buying this
piece of property so I had no idea what the inside looked like.
The main house -- picture two people incapacitated and the place
is a disarray, mess, filthy. They had farm animals on the property.
Some we found homes for, some we kept. And, you know, cleaned it.
It took a good year to clean it out.
What brought about this catastrophe was we had another piece
of property in River Wood where we are living now. I had some irate
neighbors that lived next door to me and this is what caused and
brought Ms. Sorrels out to this property.
We live there all year. And the only way we could stay on this
property was to rent -- now she, the elderly woman, had all these
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April 23, 2009
places rented. Like I said, her son lived in the trailer, she had a young
couple in the back.
Downstairs in the bottom floor was not rented because whoever
was there left and the son collected garbage, wheelchairs; it was just
loaded with garbage from top to bottom. It took me months to clean it
out.
Put new peel and stick tile on the floor, cleaned it up, painted,
corked, that I could rent it. And that was the only way we could
survive there was renting all these little houses plus the trailer.
When Ms. Sorrels came out and she said, you know, it's a
violation, she got a phone call and this is agricultural, you cannot rent.
Told all my tenants, everybody had to get out. I got the papers on July
10th. July 16th we went to the lawyer, Richard Hollander, Miller and
Hollander on Shadowlawn Drive. He told me -- we told him what
happened. He said immediately take your house off the market in
River Wood, because it was up for sale. Immediately take it off the
market. I had to give him a $1,500 retainer right then and there. He
said and move to River Wood. And everybody has to leave the
property .
So we informed them that everybody has to leave.
So it is in bankruptcy . We were at the lawyers yesterday. And it
would have been done yesterday and I would have had a case number,
but we had to go through this little counseling thing that's on the
telephone in order for them to give you a number. And the girl did not
fax it in yesterday. So after sitting at the lawyer for an hour yesterday,
he had still not received it. So we have to redo it again.
But all the papers are filed. I have all the lawyer papers here.
MR. LARSEN: Are you saying that a bankruptcy case was
fil ed?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Foreclosure, bankruptcy, yeah.
We've been out of there since July 16th. Whatever the lawyer
told us to do, that's what we did.
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April 23, 2009
MS. SORRELS: Can I make a clarification? The -- they are not
actually in bankruptcy, because it has not been filed with the Clerk of
Courts. There's no case, there's nothing saying that there is an open
bankruptcy case.
As for the foreclosure, there's only a lis pendens at this time.
MR. LARSEN: You understand what the officer said was that
basically when she checked -- and when did you check?
MS. SORRELS: Yesterday.
MR. LARSEN: That as of yesterday there was not a bankruptcy
case filed.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: No.
MR. LARSEN: So did you file it between when she checked
yesterday and this morning?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Well, I have to go there today because
I received more papers yesterday.
MR. LARSEN: Because what's the situation if there's a
bankruptcy case filed on your ability to move forward with this case?
MS. SORRELS: I'm going to let Ms. Waldron answer that. This
is what her job is.
MS. WALDRON: If the bankruptcy is filed and we do have a
case, we can't move forward at this time.
MR. LARSEN: And that's because there's an automatic stay in
the bankruptcy court, right?
MS. WALDRON: Right.
MR. LARSEN: So how do we confirm whether or not she's in
banlcruptcy?
MS. WALDRON: Well, I believe Ms. Sorrels has talked to the
attorney yesterday and said that the hearing was pushed off. So there
is not officially a case at this time.
So as per our policy, we move forward.
MR. LARSEN: All right, you understand what they said?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I've got a question for you. Did you
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April 23, 2009
live next door to this property, or do you currently live next door to
this property?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: On Price Street?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: No, we owned a home in River Wood
Estates. 278 River Wood Estates. And then we bought this property on
Price Street, 26 --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: 267, correct?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: 26 -- yeah.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But is your address 265 Price Street?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: It's two pieces of property. It's two and
a half acres. And that's -- it's two addresses, but that's --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. That's what I was --
MR. LARSEN: Where is Price Street located?
MS. SORRELS: It's off Barefoot Williams Road. It's over in
East Naples. Probably to say Eagle Creek, it would be behind Eagle
Creek.
MR. LARSEN: Behind Eagle Creek.
MS. SORRELS: Correct.
MR. LARSEN: Okay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further questions from the
board?
MR. KAUFMAN: Are we hearing this case and the next one --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's correct.
MR. KAUFMAN: -- separately?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes.
MR. KAUFMAN: Okay, I'd like to make a motion that the
violation exists.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LA VINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
Page 80
April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Order -- not order. Do you have a recommendation?
MS. SORRELS: Yes, sir.
The county recommends that the respondent pay all operational
costs in the amount of $ 8 8 .14 incurred in the prosecution of this case
within 30 days of the hearing.
Respondent must obtain all required Collier County building
permits, inspections and certificate of occupancy for described
structure/improvements within however many days. The fine will be
imposed each day the violation remains after the compliance date's
passed.
Two would be to -- respondent to demolish said improvements,
returning the structure to its original permitted state by obtaining a
Collier County demolition permit, inspections and certificate of
completion. And then the rest would be days and fines.
The respondent must notify the code enforcement investigator
when a violation has been abated in order to conduct a final inspection
to confirm abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation and may use the assistance of Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this order and assess all
abatement costs incurred by the county to the property owner.
Page 81
April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Anyone like to take a shot at this?
MR. KAUFMAN: I'll take a stab.
Given the fact that the paperwork that you have in front of you
hasn't been processed yet, I think that 90 days would certainly give
enough time to work whatever is going to happen out. So I'd like to
submit 90 days and $200 a day fine after the 90 days.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. For both of the --
MR. KAUFMAN: For those two fill-in-the-blanks.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LA VINSKI: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Okay, could you explain to me now? I
have to go to the lawyer today after I leave here, so I'm going to get
paperwork from -- how does this work? I don't understand. .
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Well, actually, the paperwork, you'll
receive it probably via mail, correct, after I sign the orders?
MS. WALDRON: Correct.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Which would be next week.
MS. WALDRON: And I think what she's referring to is her
bankruptcy, correct?
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April 23, 2009
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Right.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right.
MS. WALDRON: If you could provide Ms. Sorrels, with your
information.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Okay. So because yesterday he didn't
have this faxed paper from the counseling thing that we did, if he has
it today, today's Thursday, say he says to me come in Monday and
sign the papers.
MR. LARSEN: Okay, what the board has done is it approved the
motion by one of its members. And in that motion it said that you have
90 days to get a permit for the use of the premises as it is.
If you can't do that within 90 days, then you have the option of
going in and getting a permit to demolish it within 90 days.
If you don't do either one of those, then what's going to happen
is you're going to get fined $200 per day until there's some compliance
with the order.
But that young lady standing next to you is actually an attorney
-- sitting next to you. She's an attorney. And she's going to prepare an
order. And that order is going to be signed by the chairman. And then
a copy of the order is going to be served on you by mail, okay?
So what you've got to do is you've got to bring that down to Mr.
Hollander and give it to him. So it's not going to hold up filing your
bankruptcy. And he'll know what to do with it from that point. Okay?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Even if we per se go say Monday and
sign these papers, when I receive this paper I just hand it to Mr.
Hollander?
MR. LARSEN: That's correct. And he'll know what to do with it.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Okay.
MR. LARSEN: All right, it will be part of your bankruptcy case.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Okay.
MR. LARSEN: Okay?
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Yeah, an oral decision has been made
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April 23, 2009
and I will be placing that in the form of an order which will be mailed
to you. So you do need to let Mr. Hollander know what transpired
today.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Is there a number that I need to give
him or something, a case number?
MR. KELLY: Azure, can you --
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Do you have a copy of your notice of
the hearing?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Yes.
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Okay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That has your case number.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Should I give him -- I got these papers
in the mail. Should I give him these?
MR. LARSEN: Yes.
MR. KELLY: Azure, can you give her the recommendation?
Just write in the Ope costs, the days and the fine per day?
MS. SORRELS: Absolutely.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: I got the two things here. So when I go
today, I just hand him these?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right. She's also going to give you
what we have right in front of us. If you look right up there on the
screen --
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Okay.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: -- that's what you're going to get.
She's going to fill it out, write out what we just -- it would be $88.14
incurred in the prosecution of the case, and then it's going to be for
number one, 90 days from the date of this hearing or a $200 fine. If
you want to look up there, you can follow along with me.
And then number two, the first blank, you have another 90 days
or $200 per day will be imposed. So she'll fill that out in -- she'll write
it out, what -- fill in the blanks, and then you can take that to the
attorney.
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April 23, 2009
But then additionally will be mailed to you more information.
You'll probably receive that next week sometime, end of next week,
beginning of the following week, correct?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: So should I tell him this is coming --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Well, with this --
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: No, that he waits for me to sign? I
mean --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I can't advise you on how to proceed
with your bankruptcy. It's--
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Oh, okay. I don't know.
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Your attorney will advise you, but you
need to inform of what transpired.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Okay. All right. So I give the attorney
this paper also?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That's correct. And then your name.
The investigator's names on it, correct?
MS. WALDRON: (Nods head affirmatively.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: On a notice and everything, your
name's on the notice.
MS. SORRELS: Correct, yes.
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: So if there's any further questions,
you can -- he can contact code enforcement, all right?
We're going to proceed on to the next case. And everything we
just said would apply obviously to this case, too, regarding notifying
your attorney and so forth.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: I'm the next case, too?
MR. LARSEN: Yes, the mobile home.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We have two cases.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to Department Case
CESD20080010474, violation of Ordinance Florida Building Code,
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April 23, 2009
2004 edition, Chapter 1, Section 105.1, and 04-41, the Land
Development Code, as amended, Section 10.02.06 (B)(l)(a).
Description of violation: Mobile home placed on property with
utility connections without first obtaining all required building
permits.
Location/address where violation exists: 267 Price Street,
Naples, Florida, 34113. Folio No. 730160003.
Name and address of owner/person in charge of violation
location: Allen Fuller and Barbara Davis, residing at 265 Price Street,
Naples, Florida, 34113.
Date violation first observed: April 16th, 2008.
Date owner/person in charge given notice of violation: July 17th,
2008.
Date on/by which violation to be corrected: August 11 th, 2008.
And date of reinspect ion: February 26th, 2009.
Results of reinspection is that the violation remains.
I would like to now present Investigator Azure Sorrels.
MS. SORRELS: Azure Sorrels, Collier County Code
Enforcement Investigator.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20080010474, dealing
with the violations of a mobile home placed on property with utility
connections without first obtaining all required building permits.
Located at 267 Price Street, Naples, Florida, 34113. Folio No.
00730160003.
Proof of service was received July 25th, 2008.
I would like to present case evidence in the following exhibit,
Exhibit B, which is five photographs. And the respondent did see
them.
MR. KELLY: Make a motion to accept the exhibit.
MR. LARSEN: I second it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. SORRELS: On the same day that I had made the site visit
regarding the other case, which was the 16th of -- here the case was
broken off, so this date doesn't really comply to what she said. But
since the case was broken off, we put that date it was broken off.
4/16/08 was on the property. I had addressed the -- spoke with
Mr. Fuller, met him on-site, had spoken with him regarding the
violation of what I observed, which was a mobile home that was on
the property.
The reason why I questioned if it was permitted or not was
because the property is zoned agriculture. Agriculture property does
not allow a mobile home on the property when there's already a
principal structure on the property. In which there is, which would be
the two story multi-family home you saw in the prior case.
The only other time they're allowed to remain is if the mobile
home is being utilized in active, agricultural use, which it was not, it
was being as the residential unit rented out.
I informed him of the violation. I also did my research to verify
there was no permits issued for the placement of the mobile home.
The aerial photos that I have -- well, actually, let me show you
the mobile home.
This is just the front part where the entrance is for the residence.
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April 23, 2009
The rear of the mobile home with the addition. And also note
that you can see the plumbing and everything.
And then the picture showing the sewage pipe running from the
property -- or excuse me, from the mobile home to its location and a
septic tank.
This is -- I do apologize, it's kind of small. This is the current
view, aerial view of the property, 2008. And I'll point out with my
finger where the mobile home is located.
Where my finger's at is where the mobile home is in place.
I want to also make note, because it actually had come up prior
about if she resided. The property that's highlighted is 265 which is
where she resided. This property was broken into two separate parcels.
This is 267 back here where the two-story structure was. And this is
the mobile home, which is actually located by the driveway for 267.
This is an aerial photo from 1985. And in the location that we
just saw the mobile home, you can see there is no -- there's a bare spot,
but there is no mobile home on-site. So I am estimating that the
mobile home was put in place somewhere between -- after 1985 to
200 -- actually, I do apologize, I think that other aerial was 2001.
Is that correct?
MS. WALDRON: 2002.
MS. SORRELS: 2002. My apologies, 2002.
And again, at research I have no permits showing that it's
allowed to be on the property, and plus the use would not allow it to
remain either.
And the same situation as what I had said with the Fullers, it's a
financial burden. And you know the process that she's already going
through. And that's all I really have.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: What is the -- where is the two and a
half acres? What's -- is it just the highlighted part?
MS. SORRELS: That -- I highlighted that to get to the location. I
should have taken that off. But that's 265.
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April 23, 2009
At one point in time, and I don't know when, but at one point in
time that was all one parcel. And then --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: What was all one parcel? I mean,
there's three or four different --
MS. SORRELS: From this point, and continues on back to
wherever it ends, just a straight line back. Of course it would come
over to this line and straight down.
So what has been broken off is this -- it's been basically divided
in half. This is 267, this is 265.
This little section that you see right here does not have an
address. It's part of 267. It's their access. It's an access road.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But it looks like that mobile home,
as it stands right now, is the -- the property line dissects that mobile
home.
MS. SORRELS: The property lines on the GIS aerials
unfortunately are not completely accurate, correct.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: May I say one thing?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Absolutely.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: The picture that you had shown before,
Azure, remember I had that little tiny travel trailer?
MS. SORRELS: Yes.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: That's what that piping was for. Not for
the blue trailer. Because the husband -- like I said, that was there.
I had a guy, he lives in his little travel trailer, and he loved it
there so much, he asked if he could rent a little spot. So for a few
hundred dollars he rented.
We did hook him up electrically to the trailer because it had
electric. We did hook him up with a big pipe. I don't know if we were
supposed to do that or not but my husband said oh, yeah, we can do
that, whatever. So they did it.
But that, when Azure came out, she said he can -- the trailer
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April 23, 2009
could stay but he cannot live in it. So we thought, oh, my God, we
don't want to get in trouble, I'm sorry, you've got to go.
So because that that was the man's home, he left. So that picture
that you see, that was a sewage pipe for that little travel. It was not --
because the husband, I told you, the lady's husband, before he passed
away did all the plumbing and -- because he was a plumber. So
whether he had permits for anything, I don't know. But the trailer had
plumbing for washer, dryer, plumbing for dishwasher and all the water
utilities inside the trailer.
So that big long pipe that you see there, that was for that little
travel trailer.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Could you tell where that pipe was
going to? What structure?
MS. SORRELS: There was a similar piping that did go to the
travel trailer that was on the property. I'm not a plumber so I wouldn't
know --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But this up here --
MS. SORRELS: It passes right by the mobile home. I'm going to
say that it -- their sewage from the mobile home probably connects
into that and follows to the sewer -- the septic, excuse me.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Because once we did -- the man left,
then we removed that pipe.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further questions of the board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do you have any further statements
to make?
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: No, thanks.
MR. KAUFMAN: I'd like to make a motion that a violation
exists.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. LA VINSKI: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
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April 23, 2009
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Recommendation?
MS. SORRELS: County recommends that the respondent pay all
operational costs of$87.57 incurred in the prosecution of this case
within 30 days of this hearing.
Respondent obtain all required Collier County building permits,
inspections and certificate of occupancy for the mobile home within
however many days of the hearing, or a fine will be imposed for each
day the violation remains.
Respondent may obtain a demolition permit and demolish said
structure, followed by required inspections and receive certificate of
completion within the days given of this hearing or a fine will be
imposed 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 abatement.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this order. All abatement
costs incurred by the county will be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. Kaufman?
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April 23, 2009
MR. KAUFMAN: Fill in the blanks. Ninety days, as we did in
the past case, $200 a day fine.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: What was the operational costs once
again?
MS. SORRELS: 87.57.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Oh, okay.
MR. LARSEN: And you broke out the operational costs between
the two different violations, or is that a --
MS. SORRELS: Broken out in two different violations, sir.
MR. KAUFMAN: No sales. Two for one.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right. We have a motion. Do I
hear a second?
MR. LA VINSKI: I'll second it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
If you can just fill in the blanks and hand them to her so she can
hand them to her attorney.
MS. SORRELS: Yes, sir, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Thank you very much. We're all set.
MRS. DAVIS-FULLER: Thank you, sir.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'm going to bring up again BCC
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April 23, 2009
verse Jose Rodriguez, CEB No. CESD20080003864.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Were you able to come up to a
stipulated agreement?
MR. MUSSE: (Indicating thumbs up.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All right, very good.
Would you like to read it in the record?
MR. MUSSE: Sure. This is in -- for the record, Jonathan Musse,
Collier County Code Enforcement.
This is in reference to Case No. CESD20080003864, Board of
County Commissioners versus Jose Rodriguez, in dealing with a
bedroom and bathroom addition located at 607 Glade Street,
Immokalee, Florida, 34142. Folio No. 6385740007.
The respondent and the county has entered into a stipulated
agreement, and has agreed to pay operational costs in the amount of
$86.71 incurred in the prosecution of this case. And abate all
violations by obtaining a Collier County building permit, inspections
and certificate of completion within 120 days of this hearing or a fine
of $200 per day will be imposed until violation's abated.
Or obtaining a Collier County demolition permit, inspections
and certificate of completion within 120 days of this 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 investigator to perform site
inspection to confirm compliance.
If the respondent fails to abate the violation, the county may
abate the violation and may use the assistance of the Collier County
Sheriffs Office to enforce the provisions of this agreement. All costs
of abatement will be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: One thing I don't think I heard was
number one, that it would be paid within 30 days of this hearing. I
don't think that was --
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April 23, 2009
MR. MUSSE: So repetitious that I just said it unconsciously. So
if it's not on there, I could add it and have him initial it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: That would be very good.
MR. MUSSE: And again, all costs will be assessed to the
property owner, I have to add that as well.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Make sure they do initial both
of those.
Any further discussion -- or any discussion?
MR. DEAN : Well, I guess I'd like to ask if this property is
occupied.
MR. MUSSE: No, it's not.
MR. DEAN: Nobody lives there at all?
MR. MUSSE: No.
MR. DEAN: Why is that? They built it for that purpose, now
you're telling me nobody's there, but --
MR. MUSSE: Because it's in really bad shape. The roof is
falling off.
MR. DEAN: Okay, so it's not habitable.
MR. MUSSE: No.
MR. DEAN: Okay, thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And he has agreed to the stipulated
agreement?
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Yes, he has. I explained it and I
read it over, so he understands what needs to be done.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, very good.
Any further discussion, questions from the board?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. KAUFMAN: I'd like to make a motion that we accept the
county's recommendation and stipulation.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: With the few changes --
MR. KAUFMAN: Yeah.
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Before you leave, if you can have -- there's just a couple minor
changes we made. And the one change -- two changes we made. One
was that the fine would be paid within 30 days, okay? And the other
one was -- if you can just repeat for me the last one? All the costs --
MR. MUSSE: All costs will be assessed to the property owner.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, very good. I'd just like to
have him in it -- if you can explain it to him and then initial.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Okay.
Will he receive the recommendations by mail or --
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: -- writing, in writing?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: That way it's clear and we don't
have to come back.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes. What happens is the attorney
writes up the orders, I sign them, and that's usually done by beginning
to mid next week. And then they're sent out. So you'll probably see
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April 23, 2009
them by the end of next week or the beginning of the following week,
all right? But you will have 90 days from today.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Okay. We went this morning and
applied for a demo permit, so it will be taken care of.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: It's in the works. Okay, excellent.
Thank you very much.
INTERPRETER LOCANO: Thank you.
MS. WALDRON: Mr. Chair, can we take a 10-minute break?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We can.
(Recess. )
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Call the Code Enforcement Board
meeting back to order.
Next case is BCC versus John Cowden, CEB No. 2007050845.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to violation of Collier
County Ordinance 04-41, the Land Development Code, as amended,
Sections 1 0.02.06(B)(1)( a); 1 0.02.06(B)(1)( e); and 10.02.06
(B)(l)( e )(i). And the Florida Building Code, 2004 Edition, Section
105.1.
Location of violation: 413 San Juan Avenue, Naples, Florida,
34113. Folio No. 52454760009.
Description of violation: Electrical boatlift added to existing boat
dock without first obtaining all required Collier County permits.
On March 27th, 2008 the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent was
found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to correct
the violations. See the attached order of the board OR 4347, Page
0590 for more information.
The respondent has complied with the Code Enforcement Board
orders as of February 13th, 2009.
The county's recommendation is to issue an order imposing lien
for fines at a rate of $200 per day for the period between April 27th,
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April 23, 2009
2008 to February 13th, 2009, 293 days, for the total of $58,600. The
operational costs of $328.52 have been paid.
The total recommended lien amount is $58,600.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Can you just explain, that original
lien, we have a stipulated agreement between BCC and Brien Spina,
and now we have -- the case is John Cowden. Was it a transfer,
property transfer?
MS. SORRELS: Yes. The property was sold after the order was
gIven.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, very good. Go ahead, sir.
MR. SCOFIELD: Okay. For the record, Rocky Scofield,
representing John Cowden.
This is a -- this was a violation of a dock -- boatlift that was
added onto an existing dock that was permitted back in 1980. The
boatlift was put in without a permit under the previous owner.
As you heard, the code enforcement took action against Mr.
Spina, the previous owner. And while he was trying to permit this
without any outcome out of that, the home was for sale. It was sold to
Mr. Cowden. Mr. Cowden was made aware of the violation.
And so while the action -- while everything was going on, Mr.
Cowden purchased the home. And at that time, right as he was
purchasing the home, while he was going through the motions, he
contacted our office, Turrell, Hall and Associates. We do a lot of these
things. We do a lot of the marine permitting. And I do a lot of cases in
this which are after-the-fact or violations, not only through the county
but the state and the federal government. So this is a common thing
that happens.
So Mr. Cowden says, I need to get this thing corrected.
We've been in contact with the county the whole time saying
that we're working on the DEP and Corps of Engineer permits, which
we have to get first. And then we come to the county and apply for a
boat dock extension petition through the Planning Commission.
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April 23, 2009
Well, these things take a lot of time for the DEP and Corps. We
thought we had our permits back in October of last year. The state at
that time said you don't comply with the proprietary issues, because
it's in an aquatic preserve, that part of Isles of Capris. It's the sovereign
submerged lands. So we dealt with the sovereign submerged lands
issue with them; finally got a permit January of this year.
In February -- so this thing obviously drug out a long time. The
county said it's time, it's gone on too long, we need to bring this to an
end.
So the first part of February, Mr. Cowden removed the boatlift.
We're still in the county. We're right now in the cycle to have a
hearing for a boat dock extension so we can put a lift back. We've had
to do dock modifications because of the state requirements in aquatic
preserve. We're going to have to do that. So that will all come under
the same thing. And hopefully in the next month or two we're in the
queue here. We'll get the boat dock extension heard and be able to put
the lift back.
The problem has been abated. The operational costs have been
paid. The owner has always acted in good faith trying -- the new
owner, in trying to get this done. We've been undergoing -- which I
just explained to you. And we're requesting that no fines be imposed
on Mr. Cowden.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: What's the county's position?
MS. SORRELS: We don't object to the fines being waived.
MR. LARSEN: Let me ask. I'm sorry, I didn't get your name.
MR. SCOFIELD: Rocky Scofield.
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Scofield, when were you first retained?
MR. SCOFIELD: Pardon me?
MR. LARSEN: When were you first retained?
MR. SCOFIELD: When we were first retained. I believe it was
March of'08.
MR. LARSEN: March of'08. And our order is April of'08,
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April 23, 2009
right?
MR. SCOFIELD: Yes, sir, that was for Mr. Spina.
MR. LARSEN: Right.
And when did you first make application?
MR. SCOFIELD: To the state and --
MR. LARSEN: Any entity to obtain permits.
MR. SCOFIELD: Do you have that information here?
MR. LARSEN: Just generally.
MR. SCOFIELD: Okay. Well, he contacted us in March of'08.
We start -- it usually takes us about a month to get the permit
applications ready to go. And then we applied to the state probably
within a 60-day period after that.
MR. LARSEN: Really, my question is geared towards, you
know, this order was dated April 2nd, 2008.
MR. SCOFIELD: Right.
MR. LARSEN: And that's when the time started to run.
And my question is, is basically in and around that time was
application made in good faith by --
MR. SCOFIELD: Yes, sir.
MR. LARSEN: -- either Mr. Spina or Mr. --
MR. SCOFIELD: By Mr. Cowden, it was.
MR. LARSEN: And it was just a matter of processing and that's
why the delay occurred?
MR. SCOFIELD: That's correct. Normally it takes us five to six
months to get a state and federal permit. And this time it took longer
because of the aquatic preserve issues.
MR. LARSEN: All right. And I'm not sure the board, when we
issued this ordered, had a sufficient amount of information pertaining
to the process or the number of entities that needed to be applied to.
MR. KELLY: Actually, we did. If I can comment to that.
I remember it was either Todd or Mr. Hall was here himself and
commented and told us ahead of time this is going to be a long
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April 23, 2009
process.
MR. LA VINSKI: Do you know, sir, if there was any
compensation between the seller and the buyer, knowing that this
thing was hanging out there? Did they -- did the current owner get any
ability to back charge this to the current owner?
MR. SCOFIELD: Not that we're aware of. I'm sure -- you know.
MR. LARSEN: Well, my point being, you know, we gave him
120, and it doesn't seem like 120 days was sufficient.
MR. KELLY: Not at all.
MR. LARSEN: And, you know, I just want to ascertain whether
or not they acted in good faith, and it seems like they have.
MR. SCOFIELD: Yes. As I said, we do these things a lot of
time, we contact the DEP because normally they put us into a consent
order. And they say they want to impose fines.
As long as we're working on application, they're okay with it.
We kept the county informed, but obviously this drug out so long.
And in February, we just ripped the lift out to abate it.
MR. LARSEN: And I think that's reflected in that Ms. Sorrels is
not really vigorously, you know, contesting your application here.
So my motion would be -- I'm sorry, if there's not anymore
discussion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a motion?
MR. LARSEN: My motion would be to abate the fines.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. KELLY: Second.
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
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April 23, 2009
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. SCOFIELD: Thank you.
MS. SORRELS: Thank you, gentlemen.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next case will be BCC versus
Florida Metal Master's, Inc. CEB No. 2007094640.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to violations of Collier
County Ordinance 04-41, the Land Development Code, as amended,
Sections 1 0.02.03(B)( 5).
Violation location: 4443 Arnold Avenue, Naples, Florida. Folio
No. 00279520007.
Description of violation: Airplane fuselage, granite marble slabs
and dumpster in parking area intended for vehicular parking, violating
Site Development Plan 99-125.
On September 25th, 2008, the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent was
found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to correct
the violation. See the attached order of the board OR 4398, Page 3846
for more information.
The respondent has complied with the Code Enforcement Board
orders as of April 1 st, 2009.
The county's recommendation is to issue an order imposing lien
for fines at the rate of $100 per day for the period between March
21st, 2009 to April 1st, 2009,12 days, for the total of$1,200.
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April 23, 2009
Operational costs of $87.44 have been paid.
The total recommended lien amount is $1,200.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Go ahead, sir.
MR. TRAPASSO: Basically we removed the fuselage. The
dumpster was in an unused drive area, and we inadvertently didn't
have that moved to the other side of the property. And that's basically
what happened.
As soon as we were informed by code enforcement, the
dumpster was pulled out of there.
MR. LARSEN: Good morning, Mr. Trapasso. I must admit, I
kind of miss the fuselage when I drive by there.
MR. TRAPASSO: I miss the parking under it.
MR. LARSEN: Yeah.
All right, I'd make an application to abate the fines on this,
because I think they acted in good faith, and especially when
contacted.
MR. BOX: We have no objection to that.
THE COURT REPORTER: Excuse me, what is your name?
MR. BOX: My name is Investigator Box, Code Enforcement,
Collier County.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second that motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. TRAPASSO: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next one. There was discussion of
pulling it, correct? BCC versus Washington Mutual Bank?
MS. WALDRON: Yeah, I think that we are okay. We did serve
Washington Mutual Bank and we do have a certified mail return
receipt signed by them.
MR. DEAN: Did they pay the money?
MR. McCARTHY: I'm here.
MS. WALDRON: Oh, okay, come on up.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Very good.
CEB No. 2007050259.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
THE COURT REPORTER: May I have your name, please.
MR. McCARTHY: Daniel C. McCarthy. M-c-C-A-R-T-H-Y.
Like Senator Joe.
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to violations of Collier
County Ordinance 04-41, the Land Development Code, as amended,
Sections 10.02.06 (B)(l)(a), and 10.02.06 (B)(l)(e)(i), and the Collier
County Code of Laws and Ordinances, Section 22, Article 2, Section
106.1.2, and the Florida Building Code, 2004, Section 105.1.
The location of the violation: 6061 Painted Leaf Lane, Naples,
Florida. Folio 38163440003.
The description of the violation was improvement of property
without valid Collier County building permit.
On July 31 st, 2008, the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent was
found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to correct
the violation. See the attached order of the board OR 4385, Page 0719
for more information.
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April 23, 2009
The respondent has complied with the Code Enforcement Board
orders as of February 24th, 2009.
The county's recommendation is to issue an order imposing a
lien in the amount -- for fines at the rate of $100 per day for the period
between September 30th, 2008 to February 24th, 2009, 148 days, for
the total of$14,800. Operational costs of$89.75 have not been paid.
The county's recommendation is to impose a lien for the total of
$14,889.75.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Mr. McCarthy, your relationship to
Washington Mutual Bank, please?
MR. McCARTHY: I represent Watson Title, which is
Washington Mutual-- actually it's Fannie Mae. They're the ones that
currently have the property.
They have a buyer for this property.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Correct.
MR. McCARTHY: We just -- we need to clear the lien.
The lis pendens in this case was -- this obviously is a foreclosure
case. You folks have been through this enough time to already know
this.
The lis pendens was filed on the 14th of February of2008, well
before your lien was imposed.
The prop -- the Washington Mutual finally got title to the
property on September 16th of 2008. I have copies of the -- they have
the recording information on them. I don't think there's any dispute
about that.
The board's lien was issued in the interim period of time there,
subject to the lis pendens.
They'd like to deliver the property free and clear. They'd --like I
say, they have a contract on it.
They're prepared to pay your operational costs, they don't have a
problem with that at all. Otherwise, they just have to go back to court
and get an amended foreclosure order, which is not very effective for
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April 23, 2009
anybody.
MR. KELLY: Are you prepared to pay the operational costs
today?
MR. McCARTHY: I can't, sir. I don't write the checks, if you
will. But I have authority to make that assertion. And that's already
proposed in the application, I believe.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Well, that would have to be made at
closing anyways.
MR. KELLY: Right, I was saying if that was paid and we
decided to waive the fines, you would have a completely clear title.
Because nothing to this point has been filed against the title.
MR. McCARTHY: It's -- for whatever reason, they think there is
a -- the lien's actually been placed at this point.
MR. LARSEN: Yes.
Ms. Flagg, that's my understanding is that there's, you know, a
cloud on the title because of this, right?
MS. FLAGG: That's correct. Once the fines are accruing, which
the fines are accruing, they can't provide a clear title.
MR. LARSEN: Okay.
Mr. Morad, what's the nature of the underlying violation on this?
MR. MORAD: I'm sorry?
MR. LARSEN: What was the nature of the underlying violation?
MR. MORAD: Okay. For the record, Ed Morad, Code
Enforcement Investigator.
It was improvement of property without permits.
MR. LARSEN: Was it a structure or addition?
MR. MORAD: It was a carport that was enclosed and a
standalone shed type structure.
MR. LARSEN: And that's been taken care of?
MR. MORAD: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: And Ms. Flagg, in regard to the banks that--
they're called REO property now, what's the county code enforcement
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office's position with regard to these imposition of fines?
MS. FLAGG: What the respondent will need to do is to pay ops
costs, because that is something that cannot be waived by the board.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And is the county objecting to the
abatement of fines in light of the fact that this is going to be sold?
MS. FLAGG: No, sir.
MR. LARSEN: I'll make a motion to abate the fines.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
MR. KELLY: Should we put in that motion that the operational
costs still remain?
MR. LARSEN : Yeah, we're just abating the fines, not the
operational costs.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We can't abate the--
MR. LARSEN: I guess you were saying that for clarification for
the attorney preparing the order, correct?
MR. KELLY: Correct.
MR. LARSEN: Okay.
MR. McCARTHY: Could somebody kindly--
MS. ASHTON-CICKO: Did you want to put a time period by
which they're to pay the fines -- or the operational costs?
MR. KELLY: It's going to be a lien on the property. I don't think
we can put a date on it.
MR. LARSEN: On or before closing.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right.
MR. McCARTHY: Can somebody tell me how much they are,
by any chance?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: $89.75.
MR. McCARTHY: Thank you very much.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Call the question, Mr. Chairman.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. KELLY: Aye.
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
MR. DEAN: I oppose.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: One nay.
MR. DEAN: One nay.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Mr. Chairman, at this time I have a prior
engagement and I'll have to depart the hearing.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay. Make a notice of record Mr.
L'Esperance has left the building.
MS. FLAGG: If I may bring a point to the board. Heidi, at this
point, once a lien is imposed, it would require the Board of County
Commissioners to give approval to remove that lien for the operational
cost. Is there an option that this gentleman could pay the ops cost
before the lien is imposed? Otherwise, if you have a buyer, it's going
to significantly delay the sale of the property.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Why would it delay?
MR. KELLY: That's what I was trying to say, they have to go in
front of the BCC to --
MS. WALDRON: Every time a lien's filed, we have to bring it
to them. We have to set it on an agenda. They have to give us
permission to release the lien.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: But a release of the lien would be at
least closing if they --
MS. WALDRON: No.
MR. DEAN: If it's paid.
MS. WALDRON: No. Because it's still part of our orders and it's
still on the Clerk of Courts' records, and we have to release that.
MR. DEAN: Can I ask one question? If a lien is paid at closing,
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dollar amount, okay, that's satisfied. You're obligated to release if it's
paid.
MR. KELLY: Right, but they won't --
MS. WALDRON: But what we're saying is in order for us to
release it, we have to bring it in front of the Board of County
Commissioners. They have the ultimate authority to do that.
MR. LARSEN: But what we're saying is, Watson Title
Company can collect the money on or before closing.
MR. DEAN: Right.
MR. LARSEN: They can then ensure title, and they basically
follow up and get a release at a later date, correct?
MR. McCARTHY: Yes, sir, that's exactly what happens.
MR. LARSEN: Okay.
MR. McCARTHY: As long as we know it's happening, that's all
that really needs to --
MR. LARSEN: Okay.
MR. McCARTHY: Thank you very much. Appreciate it.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We're all set.
Next case will be BCC versus Frank Paz. CEB No. 2006081159.
(Speaker was duly sworn.)
MR. LEFEBVRE: Respondent's not present, correct?
MS. O'FARRELL: No.
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to violations of Collier
County Ordinance 04-41 of the Land Development Code, as amended,
Sections 3.05.01(B).
Location of violation: 2864 1 Oth Avenue Southeast, Naples,
Florida. Folio 4098650006.
Description of violation: Property has been cleared in excess of
one acre without required permits.
On October 31 st, 2008, the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent was
found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to correct
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April 23, 2009
the violation. See the attached order of the board OR 4407, Page 1775
for more information.
The respondent has not complied with the Code Enforcement
Board orders as of April 23rd, 2009.
The county's recommendation is to issue an order imposing a
lien for fines at a rate of $100 per day for the period between January
30th, 2009 to April 23rd, 2009, 84 days, for the total of $8,400.
Fines continue to accrue.
Operational costs of $86.43 have not been paid.
The total recommended lien amount is $8,486.43.
MR. LARSEN: Mr. Chairman, may I?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: Ms. O'Farrell, you submitted an affidavit of
noncompliance to the board and everything in that is true and correct?
MS. O'FARRELL: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: All right. So they're not in compliance. They
didn't pay their operational costs and they didn't pay any of the fines,
right?
MS. O'FARRELL: Right.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. I make a motion basically find -- to
impose the fines.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. KELLY: And the lien.
Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
MR. KAUFMAN: One point.
Have you been in contact with them at all?
MS. O'FARRELL: No. They have not made any contact with me
and I have not been able to find them. The house is not in foreclosure,
and the last time I was there I posted the house and got kind of
creeped out because there were cars parked right up to the door. So I
wasn't going to knock on the door and find out if they were at home.
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April 23, 2009
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: We have a motion, we have a
second. Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MS. O'FARRELL: Thank you.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next one would be BCC versus
Baby Boy Gallegos, CEB No. CEPM20080016779.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to violation of Collier
County Code of Laws and Ordinances, 200458, Section 12.
Violation location: 2401 Eden Avenue, Immokalee, Florida.
Folio 30731920005.
Description of violation: A derelict home declared to be a
hazardous and dangerous building through property inspection by a
certified official.
On February 26th, 2009 the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent was
found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to correct
the violation. See the attached order of the board, OR 4434, Page
1371, for more information.
The respondent has complied with the Code Enforcement Board
orders as of April 1st, 2009. The county's recommendation is to issue
an order imposing a lien for fines at the rate of $500 per day for the
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April 23, 2009
period between March 14th, 2009 to April 1st, 2009, 19 days, for the
total of $9,500.
Operational costs of $87.57 have not been paid. The total
recommended lien amount is $9,587.57.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: You had some work that was
supposed to be completed by the 13th of March; is that correct?
MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: What's your reason for not having it
done by then?
MR. GALLEGOS: Well, two reasons. We were here about nine
months ago for a different project on 1318 South Bridge Street, which
has become a financial burden. We're getting that wrapped up.
The second reason, we tried to get someone in a reasonable
amount of time within the laws and everything to get it knocked down.
We finally got a construction company to knock it down. So we pulled
a permit. We met with Mr. Snow, or -- I can't remember her name.
Marsha, the lady --
MR. SNOW: Maria Rodriguez.
MR. GALLEGOS: Maria Rodriguez. We met with her out in the
office in Immokalee. We got the permit in sufficient enough time for
us to get the money to knock the building down. I think we've
complied, you know, in the amount of time that we had to knock it
down. You know, we tried to knock it down as fast as we could with
what money he had in getting a construction company with a
reasonable amount of money to knock it down.
MR. KELLY : We only gave them 15 days.
MR. LARSEN: Right, I remember this case. This was -- we
imposed a heavy fine and a short period of time to get action out of
them. It seems like we did get action out of them. It's no longer -- it
was mulch, right?
MR. SNOW: Yes, sir, that's correct.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. And everything is in full compliance?
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April 23, 2009
MR. SNOW: Yes, sir, that is correct.
MR. LARSEN: All right. I make an application --
MR. SNOW: The operational costs, sir. We just need the
operational costs in their fine.
MR. LARSEN: Okay.
MR. KELLY: Is there any way you could pay those today,
87.57?
MR. GALLEGOS: Yes. Where would I pay them and I'll pay
them today.
MR. KELLY: If we see a check go across, we don't have to --
we can just abate everything right now.
MR. GALLEGOS: Okay. I mean, can I run to my truck and get
the check?
MR. KELLY: What do you want to do?
MR. GALLEGOS: Or can I pay cash for it? Where do I pay
cash? Or you can't pay cash.
MR. SNOW: Sir, we recommend -- the county recommends--
obviously anything the board -- we agree with anything the board
does. But they tried to be compliant. And again, with the financial
situation, they got them out there as soon as they can, and they were
keeping an eye on the property also, so we have no objection.
MR. LARSEN: You have to pay the operational cost. You have
to pay them now. Otherwise what we'll do is we'll abate the fine but
you could still have the lien for the operational costs until you pay
them.
Can you pay those operational costs now or within the next 10 or
15 minutes?
MR. GALLEGOS: Yes.
MR. LARSEN: Okay. So what we'll do is we'll hold in abeyance
the motion, we'll go do the rest of the calendar, go take care of your
business and we'll just pass you to the end of the calendar.
MR. GALLEGOS: Okay.
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April 23, 2009
MR. LARSEN: Or the agenda.
MR. KELLY: I make a motion that we move the ruling on this
case to the end of our agenda today.
MR. LARSEN: I second that motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
Next one would be BCC versus Horse Creek Partners, LTD.
CEB No. 2005090022.
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
MS. WALDRON: This is in reference to violation of Collier
County Ordinance 04-41, the Land Development Code, as amended,
Sections 9.03.03(D)(1)(d), 9.03.03(D)(2A+B), 9.03.03(D)(5),
1 0.02.06(B)(2)( a), and 1 0.02.06(B)(2)( d)(ix).
Location of violation: 102 Palm River Boulevard, Naples,
Florida. Folio 65220000100.
Description of violation: Nonconforming sign erected prior to
1991 and exists beyond the amortization schedule regarding
conformity to current code and not properly maintained according to
code.
On November 29th, 2007, the Code Enforcement Board issued a
finding of fact, conclusion of law and order. The respondent was
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April 23, 2009
found in violation of the referenced ordinances and ordered to correct
the violation. See the attached order of the board OR 4309, Page 1347,
for more information.
And a note, there are some changes on this executive summary
that I will read.
The respondent has complied with the Code Enforcement Board
orders as of April 17th, 2009.
The county's recommendation is to issue an order imposing a
lien for fines at the rate of $150 per day for the period between
December 1st, 2008 to April 17th, 2009, 138 days, for a total of
$20,700. Operational costs of $536.32 have been paid. The total
recommended lien amount is $20,700.
MR. HANCOCK: Good morning, Mr. Chairman, members of
the Code Enforcement Board.
Many of you may recall we stood before you in December of
2007 and you provided us 12 months time to bring a sign into
compliance that was constructed in the Sixties.
We proceeded with that, filed the necessary variance
applications. Due to two delays in the review process, that matter was
not heard by the Board of County Commissioners until January of this
year.
The board did hear and approve on January 27th necessary
variances to replace the sign. My client applied for a sign permit two
days later on January 29th. The permit was issued on February 12th.
The former sign was taken down and a new sign installed 30 days
later, completed on March 12th, and the sign was C.O.'d on April
17th.
This has a four-plus year history. Mr. Snow is anxious to get this
file off his desk. My client is anxious to stop paying for my time to
appear before you. And what we seek today is an abatement of the
fines, because we have proceeded over a long course of time in a very
difficult situation. At one point the county attorney's office and the
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April 23, 2009
planning staff didn't even know how to handle this. We applied new
waters and there was even a change to the Land Development Code
that affected what variances were being requested while we were in
process.
So we simply request abatement of the fines. The issue has been
addressed. The new sign is up. The material effect is something that
looks exactly like what used to be there but five feet shorter after only
four years and tens of thousands of dollars.
MR. LARSEN: Sir, what's your name?
MR. HANCOCK: My name is Tim Hancock with Davidson
Engineering.
MR. LARSEN: How say ye, Mr. Snow?
MR. SNOW: Well, sir, I'll tell you, Mr. Hancock and his firm
were very, very diligent in what they were trying to do. This had to go
before the CCPC, it had to go before the Board of County
Commissioners, they had to go for variances, and it was just -- took
longer than the board initially thought. And they were diligent in what
they were trying to do.
And as always, we would agree with anything the board decides,
but we would recommend abatement also.
MR. LARSEN: In that respect, I would make a motion to abate
the fines in this matter in light of the fact that the operational costs
have been paid and they're in compliance.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: I'll second the motion.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. KELLY: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
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April 23, 2009
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. SNOW: Thank you, the board.
MR. HANCOCK: Thank you.
Mr. Snow, we thank you.
MR. LARSEN: Sorry to keep you all morning.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: And part of the afternoon.
MR. LARSEN: And part of the afternoon.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any new business?
MR. LARSEN: Yes. I've got to alert the board that for the June
meeting I shall be absent.
MR. KELLY: Unacceptable.
MR. LARSEN: So I'm asking permission to be excused.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: You don't need permission from us.
MR. DEAN: The secretary will okay you, I'm sure.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Did you want to talk about the
program you're working on?
MS. FLAGG: Sure. We're actually -- if it would please the
board, we're working with a couple of different groups. The
community task force are up and running and the community
members participation in all the agencies has been just phenomenal.
We're over 300 foreclosure cases that we're working right now,
and we have many more than that on the community caretaking list,
cases that have been abated that were previously code violations by
the banks.
In addition, the cases that you saw today, just the six hearings
that you had today, four of those six, 67 percent of the cases, were
cases wherein the violations occurred prior to the purchase of the
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April 23, 2009
property .
Recognizing this as the -- early on when we met with the board
to talk about this, subsequent to that we've been meeting with
community members, and also Naples Area Board of Realtors, to
share with them the experience that both the Code Enforcement Board
and the special magistrate have had with this where people are
spending their life savings in a lot of cases, purchasing a home,
thinking that that three inches of paperwork that they signed covers
them in terms of their buying a home that is within code requirements,
and then finding out later, sometimes as early as 24 hours later, that
the home is not in code compliance and they're facing tens of
thousands of dollars of abatement costs to abate the violation.
The good news is that after explaining the situation to a
sub-committee with the Naples Area Board of Realtors, they all
agreed and the board subsequently passed a motion to support
addressing this issue.
So the final conclusion about how the issue is going to be
addressed will ultimately be made, probably by the Board of County
Commissioners.
But the big picture is that everyone involved that we've talked to,
once we've presented the case, fully understand now that there is a
significant issue with people purchasing homes in good faith, not
realizing that all that paperwork that they're signing and the title
search that they do and the home inspection that they receive doesn't
cover the inspection of a property as to whether it meets code or not.
So we anticipate at the end of next month that there will be right
now tentatively scheduled a presentation to the Board of County
Commissioners about this situation.
In closing, the code enforcement investigators have been divided
into districts. There are five code district supervisors. And so in the
county there's five districts and they each now have a team that reports
to the district supervisor.
Page 11 7
April 23, 2009
And the cases -- we're in the process of transitioning the cases,
so that if you have a case in Immokalee, it will be handled by the
Immokalee district supervisor and the assigned team members.
So that change has taken place. It's worked really well. And now
the district supervisors are working with their team members to get all
the cases properly transitioned over to be handled by district.
MR. LARSEN: Excellent.
MR. DEAN: Very good.
MR. LARSEN: Now, if I had a client who wanted to buy a
property and I wanted the code enforcement officers to inspect that
property, who do I contact?
MS. FLAGG: We have the ability and we are doing it for some
folks. They can call the code enforcement department to request a
code inspection. They would just need the approval of the current
property owner to conduct that inspection.
I would tell you, one of the other things that we're working with
is encouraging a private market solution to this situation where there's
lots of folks that with some training could also conduct a code
inspection. And so we -- in speaking with NABOR, we've also been
encouraging a private market solution.
The goal is, is to make sure that no one purchases a piece of
property that has code violations on it, at least without them knowing.
MR. LARSEN: Great.
MR. DEAN: You know, when somebody gets a mortgage, isn't
that culled out, any of that?
MS. FLAGG: No, sir. There's nothing unfortunately -- what
happens is if there's an open code case when they do the title search,
they do contact code enforcement to find out if there's an open code
case. If there's an open code case, it does stop the transaction. And
then typically what we're finding now is that the banks have to abate.
I'll share with you that a year ago we were doing probably five
to eight lien searches for code cases a day. Now we're over 60 lien
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April 23, 2009
searches a day. What that means is that the foreclosures -- we're over
10,000 foreclosures in Collier County right now. We had more than
1,000 new foreclosures in January, more than 1,000 new in February,
and more than 1,600 new foreclosures in March.
So we are in what was anticipated a second wave of
foreclosures. The number of foreclosures in Collier County is
. .
IncreasIng.
However, what we're also seeing is that people are buying these
foreclosed properties from the bank. If the -- if somebody through the
community task force teams, which is really where these calls are
coming in, the community task force teams. There's five teams that are
assigned to each district which correspond with the code enforcement
districts and the sheriffs office districts.
If a property is identified, such as a vacant, abandoned property
is identified by the task force team, we open up a code case. If the
bank at that point finds a buyer for that property when the title
company calls code and says are there any open code cases, we
respond yes, everything stops until the bank abates the violation.
But if there is not an open code case on the property, the
property will get sold with code violations on it. And that is what--
these cases, 67 percent of the cases that you saw today, because there
was not an open code case on the property, they bought the property
thinking it was fine and then later learned that there were code
violations on the property.
MR. DEAN: And in Florida it's the buyer's responsibility.
MS. FLAGG: In the -- there are many communities throughout
the United States that have taken and created local laws to address
that. Collier County does not have one.
One of the things that NABOR is looking to do is to do a
voluntary by informing. Our biggest challenge was to work with folks
to get them to understand that this really is an issue in Collier County.
And code enforcement's developed a brochure, it's in draft form
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April 23, 2009
right now, but what it does, we're going to work with the community
to explain to them that when they purchase a piece of property that
there's no guarantee that there aren't code violations on it, and to be
informed before they purchase the property.
Because what we're finding, these cases that you heard today,
when you ask them such as the one case where they've had to declare
bankruptcy as a result of this code case, you asked them, they said but
the paperwork we signed was three inches thick and we thought that in
that was covered verification that the property was in compliance with
code. And in that case it was structures on an ago zoned property, so
they would have never been able to get permits for that property.
MR. DEAN: See, a lot of states have seller disclosure. And that's
where these people come here from other states thinking they're
protected and they're not. Because where they come from, a lot of
them have that seller disclosure and they have recourse back to that
seller. Where here it runs with the land and it's not --
MS. FLAGG: Well, there is disclosure requirements. And maybe
Mr. Lefebvre could speak to that, because I know this is his
profession.
MR. DEAN: I've heard that too, but I heard they're not very
good.
MS. FLAGG: Well, there are disclosure. I think that the big
picture is that everyone seems to be on the same page now, that we do
have an issue and we need to work hard to educate potential buyers
that they need to be assured through a pre-sale code inspection,
preferably a private market solution, to have that inspection done
before purchasing the property, or they may face code issues in the
future.
MR. LARSEN: A lot of the communities up north that have this
kind of trigger mechanism is that basically before a transfer can occur
you have to get a new C. ofO. And so at that time they have
inspectors come out and they look at the structure, and they won't
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April 23, 2009
issue a C. ofO. if there's any violations. Unfortunately that's not the
way it occurs here. Here we've got more of like a New York standard
where they issue a C. ofO. on a structure, the C.O. could go back to
the original date of completion, you know. And I think it has to
change.
MR. DEAN: Also, I might add, where I come from you don't go
to closing unless you have an attorney. And it's unfortunate a lot of
people here go without an attorney. And it doesn't make sense
representing yourself.
MS. FLAGG: Well, I think for us, we're not trying to solve the
issue. We -- our goal was to bring the issue forward. Whether it's
solved through a voluntary code inspection or some other means, that's
not our call to make.
What our goal was, after seeing the number of cases come before
the Code Enforcement Board and the special magistrate where more
than 50 percent of the cases that you all consistently see are cases
where folks bought property believing that it was within the
requirements, code requirements, and then later learning.
And what we're also seeing is that the folks that are being
foreclosed on, knowing that they made illegal additions, they're
actually calling code once that house sells. Because it's an interesting
economy we live in right now and there's some pretty angry folks.
So our code cases are going off the charts in terms of the number
of cases that are getting reported. So we're just spending a lot of time
helping people understand that that massive amount of paperwork they
signed does not include verification that the property is in compliance
with the codes.
And the most often things we see, which is what we're putting in
the brochure, if you step four inches down and it looks like it was a
garage, it most likely is not permitted, even though it's been made into
a bedroom or made into a family room.
A more difficult one to pick out is a lot of the cases that you've
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seen, it was a lanai and it was permitted as a lanai, but the situation is
is that they've run electric in there, bought the blocks, blocked it in,
put trusses over it, typically all unpermitted, and created a family
room out of it.
And it's -- particularly for new home buyers to walk in, if you're
not familiar with that, you wouldn't really necessarily pick that out.
Certainly stepping four inches down into a bedroom or a family room,
that should send out some signals.
We've seen cases that the garage door is intact on the outside of
the structure, but when you walk into the -- what is permitted as a
garage, they put drywall around, sometimes even leaving the garage
rails in place and then just dry walled around the rails.
So the main -- certainly our main focus is to work with our
community members, particularly now, because we have so many
foreclosures happening in selling that folks need to understand when
they're buying these foreclosures to be very careful to make sure that
the property is in compliance with the codes.
MR. LARSEN: Thank you very much.
MR. KELLY: Did Baby Boy Gallegos pay the Ope costs?
MS. WALDRON: He's on his way getting a money order as we
speak.
MR. KELLY: I have to go. See you next month.
MR. LEFEBVRE: We still have a quorum, so --
MR. DEAN: Keep 'em flying.
MR. LARSEN: I've got to get going, too.
MS. FLAGG: There's one item, it's under reports, the rules and
regulations.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Right.
MS. FLAGG: There's one minor change that needs to be made to
that.
MR. LARSEN: Do we have anybody speaking on that today?
MS. WALDRON: Jeff Wright will be--
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CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: You need to state --
MR. DEAN: What page is that?
MS. WALDRON: The issue in question is on Page 6, I believe.
Am I correct, Jeff?
MR. WRIGHT: Yes.
MS. WALDRON: Yeah, Page 6.
MR. WRIGHT: Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman. Jeff Wright for
the record, Assistant County Attorney.
As you know, there's a workshop held on your rules. A joint
workshop, I believe, with the special magistrate. And there are a few
what appear to be minor changes.
Specifically the board -- this board recommended a change to
their order of business, which was not deemed problematic at all. And
a couple of other changes that were not problematic.
The only one that I want to focus on is on Page 6, and it was the
change of one word, from will to may. And it was brought to our
attention that the list that follows, letter A through S, does not contain
items that are always discretionary.
Just as an example, the administration of the oath I believe is on
there. And once this was brought to our attention, we felt kind of
obligated to get it right.
MR. LARSEN: So Mr. Wright, do we have to change it back
from may to shall or will?
MR. WRIGHT: Well, the recom -- I spoke with my boss, the
County Attorney, before this and I asked what's the best way to handle
this. And he said, well, since the original rule change was done in a
workshop setting we could -- the best way to do this is to put it on the
next agenda, call it another workshop, notice it as we would any other
workshop, and make sure that we get the same level of public input on
this change.
And in going through these, it might actually be good. And my
recommendation would be to have the workshop focused specifically
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on Items A through S, beginning on Page 6. And I guess any other
changes. I don't want to preclude the board from making it better. But
that would be the recommended focus.
MR. LARSEN: Can we take a vote right now to leave it the
following procedures will be observed at hearings before the board, or
we can't do that?
MR. WRIGHT: Well, I'm not going to prohibit it. I don't have
that ability. But I think that the safer way to go, now that this is on our
radar and we've noticed some flaws in it, would be to really give it a
good look. And there's a lot of mays and -- for example, L, the right to
present rebuttal evidence is discretionary with the board. All these
things should probably be sorted into these are the things that are
required and these are the things that are discretionary. So you can
vote as you suggested, but it might run into the same --
MR. LARSEN: No, I just thought if it was just that one issue.
But if you have other issues to address, I agree with you that it's better
to do it at an opportunity when we have more members here and of
course when we have more of an opportunity to discuss it.
MR. WRIGHT: So in the meantime, until the BCC is okay with
the changes, the existing rules and agenda format will apply.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay.
MR. WRIGHT: And also, if there are no other questions on that,
I just wanted to let you know that we're available if there's any
questions about the procedures for foreclosure, how we handle this,
the disclosure requirements.
One thing I wanted to make the board aware of, Chapter 162.06,
Subsection 5 contains disclosure requirements for somebody who's
been cited and has a hearing coming up and they want to convey the
property. And there's potential for fraud there if they don't make these
disclosures. So I just wanted to highlight that and piggyback on the
last conversation that was going on.
MR. LARSEN: Thank you.
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MR. WRIGHT: Thanks very much.
MR. DEAN: Thank you.
MS. WALDRON: So we'll set the discussion for the rules and
regulations for the May 28th --
MR. DEAN: Yes.
MS. WALDRON: -- meeting?
MR. LARSEN: Fine.
MR. DEAN: Very good.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do we need to swear him in again?
(Speakers were duly sworn.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: You have received the check? Okay,
very good.
MR. LARSEN: All right, I renew my motion to abate the fines,
now that the operational costs have been paid.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Do I hear a second?
MR. DEAN: Second.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any further discussion?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
MR. L'ESPERANCE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Any nays?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Motion passes.
MR. LARSEN: Congratulations.
MR. SNOW: Thank you, Board.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Okay, we already consented to
move the cases to county's office.
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The next meeting -- any comments?
(No response.)
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Next meeting will be May 28th. Do
I have a --
MR. DEAN: Motion to adjourn.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Second?
MR. KAUFMAN: Second.
MR. DEAN: Mr. Chairman, you're seconding my motion?
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: I'm -- no, I didn't.
I'm sure there's no discussion.
All those in favor?
MR. DEAN: Aye.
MR. LARSEN: Aye.
CHAIRMAN LEFEBVRE: Aye.
MR. KAUFMAN: Aye.
MR. LA VINSKI: Aye.
*****
There being no further business for the good of the County, the
meeting was adjourned by order of the Chair at 12:49 p.m.
COLLIER COUNTY
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
GERALD LEFEBVRE, Chairman
These minutes approved by the board on
as presented or as corrected
Transcript prepared on behalf of Gregory Reporting Service, Inc., by
Cherie' R. Nottingham.
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