Minutes 08-16-17MINUTES OF THE COMMUNITY STANDARDS SPECIAL MAGISTRATE
CODE COMPLIANCE/LIEN REDUCTION HEARINGS
HELD IN COMMISSION CHAMBERS, CITY HALL, 100 E. BOYNTON BEACH BLVD.
BOYNTON BEACH, FLORIDA, ON WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 16, 2017, AT 9 A.M.
PRESENT:
Carol Dutra Ellis, Community Standards Special Magistrate
Vestiguerne Pierre, Community Standards Supervisor
Norma Loth, Community Standards Assistant
I. CALL TO ORDER
Carol Ellis, Community Standards Special Magistrate, called the Hearings to order at
9:05 a.m., and explained the magistrate's role and the hearing procedures. Pursuant to
Florida Statute, all orders are appealable to the Circuit Court in Florida and not the City
Commission. Also, that a fine will be imposed if the violation(s) are not corrected by the
deadline.
11. SWEARING IN OF WITNESSES AND INTRODUCTION
Ms. Loth administered an oath to all those intending to testify.
III. CHANGES TO THE AGENDA
There were no changes to the agenda.
IV. ROLL CALL
V. NEW BUSINESS
Case Hearings
Case No. 17-1073
Property Address:
Type of Property:
Violation(s):
Dwight M Simmons
2111 NE 3rd Ct
Single-family, homesteaded
SECT 4-4 Manner of keeping
SECT 4-6 County registration
SECT 4-37 Rabies vaccinations
Officer Roehrich presented the case, which is a citizen complaint. The initial inspection
date was June 19, 2017. Not a repeat violator. Initial verbal notice was February 23,
2017. Written notice via Code Process on June 19, 2017. Two days were given to
Minutes
StandardsCommunity .
Boynton
comply. Date notice posted on property August 4, 2017. Officer Roehrich gave history
going back to 2015, though complaints go back to 2011. Animals (pit bulls) do not belong
to Mr. Simmons, but have belonged to various tenants. On February 23, 2017, a
complaint involved two dogs chained on the property with a deceased puppy laying in the
yard, but dogs were gone when Officer followed up. On June 19, 2017, a tethered dog
complaint found the dog unlawfully crated in the back yard. Upon speaking with tenant,
the confinement issue was resolved, but still no vaccinations or registration. Mr. Simmons
was advised that he could be held responsible for these multiple violations on the property
because of their egregious nature. Officer Roehrich showed photos to Ms. Ellis. Tenant
has rescheduled a free sterilization/vaccination/ license tag program for August 17, 2017.
Assuming the appointment is kept, the tenant will be in compliance with two of the three
violations, and as long as the dog is not crated or tethered outdoors, there would be full
compliance. City recommended a Cease & Desist Order, five days for compliance, or
$500 a day.
Dwight Simmons, owner, understands the violations, had spoken with the tenant and
was told everything was taken care of, so thought the matter was over. Officer Roehrich
stated the tenants are uncooperative. Animals cannot be removed from the premises
unless they are neglected or cruelly treated per State law. Ms. Ellis questioned Officer
Roehrich on the ongoing violations over the years involving numerous tenants and dogs,
wanting to impose a stronger penalty in this case; Officer Roehrich said options are limited
by law and that is why the property owner has now been involved in the matter,
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis granted the Cease & Desist Order, with five days for
compliance or $500 a day per occurrence.
Case No. 17-1027
Boynton Beach Mall (cited tenant: Paradise Boutique)
Property Address:
801 N Congress Ave
Type of Property:
Commercial
Violation(s):
NFPA 101 7.9.2.1
Non-functional emergency lights
CO CH 9 SECT 9-22C
Unpaid annual fire inspection fees and associated fines.
NFPA 1 1.11.1.6.2
Daisy -chain and piggy -back surge protectors
NFPA 101 7.10.5.2.1
Non-functional illumination of exit lights
NFPA 101 8.3.3.3
Non -closing fire doors
NFPA 101 37.3.5.3
Uncertified and unhung fire extinguishers
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton Beach, Florida August 16, 2017
John Moore, Assistant Fire Marshal, presented the case, which is upon routine inspection.
Initial inspection January 13, 2017. It is not a repeat violator. Initial written notice was
January 13, 2017. Twenty-one days given to comply. Date notice sent Certified Mail was
July 7, 2017. There were six re -inspections from original inspection in January. Property
last inspected July 5, 2017. It is a health and safety hazard. City recommended 20 days
from printed order for compliance, or $300 a day. Ms. Ellis asked for specifics of the
violation, re -inspections were stopped July 5 and code enforcement begun. There were
five old/used/non-certified fire extinguishers.
Marie Bien-Aime, owner of business, claimed the original notices were not given to her
by her employees, but upon learning of them spoke with Mr. Moore and cured all
violations within two weeks. Mr. Moore saw the documentation for the first time the
morning of the hearing. A verification visit can be conducted immediately, but the unpaid
annual inspection fees and all associated costs for the six re -inspections remain. Ms.
Bien-Aime asked for leniency on fees as business is very bad at the moment. Total
amount of the fees is $400. Ms. Ellis explained there would be no leniency on the fees
because of the public safety issue.
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis ordered 20 days compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $300 a day.
Case No. 17-1037 Boynton Beach Mall (cited tenant: A+ Staffing)
Property Address: 801 N Congress Ave, Suite 397
Type of Property: Commercial
Violation(s): NFPA 101 7.9.2.1
Non-functional emergency lights
CO CH 9 SECT 9-22C
Unpaid annual fire inspection fees and associated fines.
John Moore, Assistant Fire Marshal, presented the case, which is upon routine inspection.
Initial inspection March 3, 2017. It is not a repeat violator. Initial written notice was March
3, 2017. Twenty-one days given to comply. Date notice sent Certified Mail was July 7,
2017. Signed green card dated July 19, 2017. There were four re -inspections from
original inspection in March. Property last inspected August 15, 2017. It was a health
and safety hazard. City recommended 30 days from printed order for compliance, or
$150 a day.
Edward Boylan, mall manager, stated cooperation with Mr. Moore to get tenant to
comply with violations. For the record, the party cited was the Administrative Suite 295
for Boynton Beach Mall.
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton Beach, Florida16, 2017
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis ordered 30 days compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $150 a day.
Case No. 17-1038 Boynton Beach Mall (cited tenant: Aeropostale)
Property Address: 801 N Congress Ave, Suite 365A
Type of Property: Commercial
Violation(s): NFPA 101 7.9.2.1
Non-functional emergency lights
CO CH 9 SECT 9-22C
Unpaid annual fire inspection fees and associated fines.
NFPA 13 13.6.2.7.3
Fire sprinkler conceal plates and escutcheons
John Moore, Assistant Fire Marshal, presented the case, which is upon routine inspection.
Initial inspection February 14, 2017. It is not a repeat violator. Initial written notice was
February 14, 2017. Twenty-one days given to comply. Date notice sent Certified Mail
was July 7, 2017. Signed green card by Boynton Beach Mall. There were five re -
inspections from original inspection in February. It is a health and safety hazard. City
recommended 30 days from printed order for compliance, or $200 a day.
Edward Boylan, mall manager, stated cooperation with Mr. Moore to get tenant to
comply with violations.
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis ordered 30 days compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $200 a day.
Case No. 17-651
Property Address
Type of Property:
Violation(s):
TSM Investments LLC
3265 E Palm Drive
Single-family, homesteaded
105.1 of Florida Building Code,
Beach Amendments
CO CH15 SECT 15-120D INCL
CO CH13 SECT 13-16
CO CH13 SECT 13-7 INCL
CO CH10 SECT 10-56D
2014 Edition of Boynton
CO CH10 SECT 10-58A and D
CO CH10 SECT 10-59A, C and E
CO CH10 SECT 10-60D
Bring home to a safe and sanitary condition. Obtain all
required building permits, structural, electrical, and
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton i , 2017
mechanical repairs required for home to be up to building
code. Certificate of Use and Business Tax License
required for rental of home. Sod front yard and swale
areas, remove all outside storage, trash and debris.
Address number must be on house, using no less than
four -inch numbers visible from the street. Repair or
removed broken fence surrounding the property.
Officer Weixler presented the case, which is a citizen complaint. The initial inspection
date was April 18, 2017. It is not a repeat violator. Initial written notice was April 18, 2017.
Five days given to comply. Date notice sent Certified Mail June 8, 2017. Green card
signed June 14, 2017. Tenant left residence on May 9, 2017. Property last inspected
August 15, 2017. Violations still exist. City recommended 30 days from printed order for
compliance, or $50 a day. Ms. Ellis asked for specifics of the violations. Officer Weixler
did not have access to the home, may have spoken with new tenant on the lawn. Owner
stated the home is for sale, and was told he must disclose all the violations to the new
owner.
Solomon Gloude, owner's representative, presented a signed authorization of agent
form and stated the work was in process when the owner purchased the home, and most
of the work inside the home has been completed. The fence has not been fixed, but the
debris is gone. The house numbers are not yet up. Four people (no children) are
currently living in the house with a one-year lease. Mr. Gloude had pictures on his phone
of interior of house, claiming the house is safe and clean. The house was for sale, but
fell through. Application has not yet been made for COU/BTR. Ms. Ellis shortened the
compliance time to 15 days, numbers must be on house within 48 hours, and all other
violations cured within 15 days.
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis ordered 15 days compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $50 a day.
Lien Reduction Hearings
Case No. 11-2475 Boynton Beach Heights Realty
Property Address: 327 SW 2nd Ave
Type of Property: Vacant Lot
Violation(s): For Code Sections as stated
Officer Pierre presented the case. Notice of violation was September 9, 2011. Code
compliance hearing date was November 16, 2011, and no one appeared. The Code
compliance date was November 26, 2011, or $100 a day. Date complied June 10, 2013.
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton each, Florida August16,2017
There are 561 days of non-compliance at $100 a day for a total fine of $56,100 plus $100
administrative fee; however, City received surplus of $42,715.62, remaining balance is
$14,018.50.
Gabriel Cernea, owner, was present and is the current owner. The property was
purchased through tax deed auction, paying approximately $50,000. $40,000 of that
balance has come to the City. Also paid approximately $2,300 for hard costs incurred by
the City, $2,00043,000 to remedy the violations on the property, which was done within
a few weeks of acquiring the property. Intention is to build a four-bedroom, three bath,
2,500 square feet house. Mr. Cernea asked for lien to be reduced to minimum allowed.
Discussion with Staff followed regarding surplus funds and the lien reduction process.
Mr. Cernea was informed there is no negotiation power over how surplus funds are
distributed, which is the County's rule.
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis reduced the lien to $1,000 plus $730.15 administrative fees.
Case No. 13-2320 Fairhomes Turquoise Waters Property LLC
Property Address: 8008 Red Reef Lane
Type of Property: Single Family
Violation(s): For Code Sections as stated
Officer Pierre presented the case. Notice of violation was November 8, 2013. Code
compliance hearing date was January 15, 2014, and no one appeared. The Code
compliance date was January 25, 2014, or $100 a day. Date complied May 23, 2017.
There are 1,213 days of non-compliance at $100 a day for a total fine of $120,300 plus
$730.15 administrative fee.
Natalie Ruskay, agent for owner, was present, stating the owners of the property are in
UK, corporate offices are in Canada, mail gets routed eventually to the local office;
believes there was a clerical error, that the notice sent to the owner never made it to the
local office. Once the issue was determined, the property was immediately brought into
compliance. The owners own quite a bit of property in the area and all are in compliance.
The property was quitclaimed to another entity in 2015 for financial purposes.
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis reduced the lien to $5,000 plus $730.15 administrative fees.
Case No. 14-643
Property Address:
Type of Property:
Violation(s):
Thomas Killea
736 West Ocean Avenue
Single-family
For Code Sections as stated
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton Beach, Florida , 2017
Officer Pierre presented the case. Notice of violation was March 24, 2014. Code
compliance hearing date was July 16, 2014, and no one appeared. The Code compliance
date was July 26, 2014, or $25 a day. Date complied February 3, 2015. There are 191
days of non-compliance at $25 a day for a total fine of $4,775 plus $730.15 administrative
fee.
Bernadine Jones, representative of Prodigy (new owner), was present, stated
Thomas Killea was previous owner. Approximately $30,000 has been spent thus far on
a work in progress. Property was purchased for $137,500, market value is $160,000.
William Fernandez, asset manager, also involved in purchase of home, has been
working with Code Enforcement and gave an overview of what has been done to date.
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis reduced the lien to $500 plus $730.15 administrative fees.
Case No. 16-655 Thomas Killea
Property Address. 736 West Ocean Avenue
Type of Property: Single-family
Violation(s): For Code Sections as stated
Officer Pierre presented the case. Notice of violation was March 28, 2016. Code
compliance hearing date was May 18, 2016, and no one appeared. The Code compliance
date was May 28, 2016, or $500 a day. Date complied August 9, 2017. There are 437
days of non-compliance at $500 a day for a total fine of $218,500 plus $730.15
administrative fee.
Bernadine Jones, representative of Prodigy (new owner), was present, stated
Thomas Killea was previous owner. [Related case 14-643.]
Decision
Based on testimony, Ms. Ellis reduced the lien to $5,000 plus $730.15 administrative fees.
Fine Certification Hearings
Case No. 17-1114
Property Address:
Type of Property:
Violation(s):
Go Ka Hock & Go Jeanne
301 W Boynton Beach Blvd
Commercial Property
For Code Sections as stated
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton c, Florida August16, 2017
Officer Cain presented the case, which is a City referral. The initial inspection date was
June 23, 2017. It is not a repeat violator. No health and safety hazards. City
recommended 30 days for compliance at $100 a day..
Decision
As no one appeared, Ms. Ellis ordered 30 -day compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $100 a day.
Case No. 17-272
Pauline Morgan
Property Address:
2020 NW 2nd Court
Type of Property:
R1 Single Family
Violation(s):
For Code Sections as stated
Officer Weixler presented the case. Case has complied.
Case No. 17-1056
Sean W Dalton
Property Address:
124 SW 11th Ave
Type of Property:
R1 A Single Family
Violation(s):
For Code Sections as stated
Officer Weixler presented the case. City recommended a 30 -day compliance, or $150 a
day.
Decision
As no one appeared, Ms. Ellis ordered 30 -day compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $150 a day.
Case No. 17-490 Vadim & Anna Sharyshev
Property Address: 198 SE 27th Court
Type of Property: R2 Duplex
Violation(s): For Code Sections as stated
Officer Guillaume presented the case. City recommended a 30 -day compliance after the
printed order, or $100 a day.
Decision
As no one appeared, Ms. Ellis ordered 30 -day compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $100 a day.
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton Beach, Florida August , 2017
Case No. 17-752 Anacel LLC
Property Address: 1601 NW 31d Street
Type of Property: R1 Single Family
Violation(s): For Code Sections as stated
Officer Guillaume presented the case. City recommended a 30 -day compliance after the
printed order, or $100 a day.
Decision
As no one appeared, Ms. Ellis ordered 30 -day compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $100 a day.
Case No. 17-786
Vincent Rosmene
Property Address:
109 SE 29th Ave
Type of Property:
R1AA Single Family
Violation(s):
For Code Sections as stated
Officer Guillaume presented the case. City recommended a 10 -day compliance after the
printed order, or $150 a day.
Decision
As no one appeared, Ms. Ellis ordered 10 -day compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $150 a day.
Case No. 17-733
Lawrence Durane
Property Address:
2219 NE 1St Lane
Type of Property:
R1 Single Family
Violation(s):
For Code Sections as stated
Officer Hart presented the case. This is a health and safety hazard.. City recommended
a 21 -day compliance after the printed order, or $150 a day.
Decision
As no one appeared, Ms. Ellis ordered 21 -day compliance as stated on the Board Order,
or $150 a day.
Fine Certifications
Officer Cain stated the following cases complied, no fine:
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton Beach, Florida August 16, 2017
Item
Case No.
Respondent
29
17-531
Palm Beach Housing Authority
31
16-537
Rosena Luberisse
32
16-635
Wahoo LLC
33
16-1176
Wahoo LLC
37
17-316
Grady & Leonard Frederick
Officer Cain asked to table the following cases to September 20, 2017:
Item Case No. Respondent
20 17-1151 Johnny Marcandy
38 15-616 301 North Federal Way LLC
Officer Cain specified the following as a nuisance abatement:
Case No. 14-817 Shawn Maesel
Property Address: 816 S Seacrest Blvd
Type of Property: Single-family
Violation(s): For Code Sections as stated
Officer Weixler presented the case. Case started April 7, 2014. It is a vacant property.
Lien recorded July 30, 2014. Was previously overgrown and building is not secure.
Owner was notified and the overgrown portion has complied. However, there is still an
open window, and owner needs to secure the home.
Decision
As no one appeared, Ms. Ellis issued an abatement order effective immediately.
The following cases have been removed:
Item
Case No.
Respondent
3
17-496
Martha & Perry Price
4
17-538
Roger Oriston & Tamma Saul
12
17-439
Craig D Earnhart
14
17-563
PAD Properties LLC
16
17-704
Cheryl Taylor
18
17-764
Elienne Etienne
34
16-1657
Leona Lewis Est
35
16-1708
AIG Enterprise Corporation
43
15-2331
Meridian Trust LLC
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Meeting Minutes
Community Standards Special Magistrate Hearings
Boynton Beach, Florida
The following cases have complied:
Item
Case No.
Respondent
7
17-1155
Ronald E Ives Jr.
15
17-652
Karen Bush
21
17-1173
EG Real Estate Inv LLC
22
17-1178
Brownstone Development LLC
23
17-1275
Margarita Cruz
25
17-1278
Fred & Gloria Askins
26
17-515
Bibianne J Seraphin
28
17-854
Monika Lembit
Officer Cain read the following into the record:
"The City is requesting that the fines be certified in the following
cases. All the violators have been provided Notice of today's hearing,
with Proof of Notice filed in the record with the Board Clerk. At this
time, no one is present in Chambers for any of the cases f am
requesting for certification at this time. All of the cases have been re-
inspected prior to today's hearing and each case remains in non-
compliance.
The following cases are requested for certification at this time in the
amount established by the Board in the Orders of Violation for each
case, with the amount as set forth on the docket".-
Page
ocket".
Page
Case No. Fine Amount
36
17-310 $
39
16-1127 $
VI.
ADJOURNMENT
Ms. Ellis concluded the hearing at 10:20 a.m..
[M. Moore, Prototype Inc.]
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