2002-01-08315
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
CODE ENFORCEMENT/CITY COUNCIL JOINT WORKSHOP
SUMMARY OF DISCUSSION
JANUARY 8, 2002
AGENDA
A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
B. CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MEMBERS, MAYOR,
COUNCIL MEMBERS AND STAFF ATTENDANCE:
Chairperson Marsha Montesi
Vice -Chairperson Mack Worley, Jr.
Member Linda Ballinger
Member Jamie Gamiotea
Member Andrea Nelson
Member Harrison O'Connor
Member Rennae Sweda
Alternate Lori Creech
Alternate Isabel Weisser
Attorney John Cook
Secretary Sue Christopher
Code Enforcement Officer Chief Tomey
Code Enforcement Officer Bob Hillery
Mavor James E. Kirk
Council Member Noel Chandler
Council Member Clayton Williams
Council Member Robert Oliver
Council Member Dowling R. Watford, Jr.
City Administrator Bill L. Veach
Deputy Clerk S. Lane Gamiotea
DISCUSSION
January 8, 2002 Code Enforcement Board workshop was called to order at 6:05 p.m. by
Chairperson Montesi.
Secretary Christopher called the roll:
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent with consent
Present
Present
Present
Absent with consent
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
318
CITY OF OKEECHOBEE
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
SUMMARY
JANUARY 89 2002
AGENDA
A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER
B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
C. BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDANCE
Chairperson Marsha Montesi
Vice -Chairperson Mack Worley, Jr.
Member Linda Ballinger
Member Jamie Gamiotea
Member Andrea Nelson
Member Harrison O'Connor
Member Rennae Sweda
Alternate Lori Creech
Alternate Isabel Weisser
STAFF ATTENDANCE
Attorney John Cook
Secretary Sue Christopher
Code Enforcement Officer Chief Tomey
Code Enforcement Officer Bob Hillery
D. Motion to dispense with the reading and approve Summary of Board
Actions for: December 11, 2001.
REQUEST FOR THE ADDITION, DEFERRAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF
ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA.
CODE BOARD ACTION
January 8, 2002 Code Enforcement Board meeting was called to order at 7:08 p.m. by Chairperson
Montesi.
Pledge of Allegiance
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Present
Absent w/consent
Present
Present
Present
Present
Member Ballinger moved to dispense with reading and approve Summary of Board Action for Decembe:
11, 2001, seconded by Member Gamiotea.
Motion carried unanimously.
January 8, 2002 - CEB Re¢ular Meeting -Page 2 of 3
AGENDA
00-01-01 Marvin Brantley Sec. 8-2 Responsibility of owners, agents
1811 S. Parrott Avenue and tenants
Okeechobee, FL 34974
CODE BOARD ACTION
Testimony was given by Bessie Brantley (Marvin's mother) that a lot of the junk out front belongs to
other people and within one week they should be able to move it all.
Testimony was given by Marvin Brantley that this was his busy season and he is trying to clear stuff out
of the back and keep the front looking decent and that he was keeping it as clean as he could.
Member Worley addressed the board saying he goes by this property two or three times a week and it is
progressively getting back to the point that was andmhis
opinion Boards objectiv1 -01 is in violation e to
to put Mr. Brantley out of
Member Nelson stated that it was not the Code Enforcement
business, but to make him clean up his property.
Member Worley moved to have the City Attorney proceed with all expedience in the foreclosure
proceedings, seconded by Member O'Connor.
The floor was open for discussion as to whether the Code Board wanted to recommend to the City
Council that they foreclose on Marvin Brantley's property. Member Ballinger asked it there were any
other possible options. Administrator Veach stated the amount of the lien was $155,000.
Member Sweda asked Mr. Brantley why the junk could not be placed behind the fence.
Joe Varna.dore with the Economic Council addressed the board stating that the laws, rules and ordinance;
needed to be applied to everyone equally.
Montesi - No
Worley - Yes
Ballinger - No
Gamiotea - No
Nelson - No
O'Connor - Yes
Sweda - No
Motion Denied
Member Sweda moved that Case # 00-01-01 be put on the agenda for the next regular meeting, seconder
by Member Ballinger.
Montesi - Yes
Worley - Yes
Ballinger - Yes
Gamiotea - Yes
Nelson - Yes
O'Connor - Yes
Sweda - Yes
Motion Carried
2002 - CEB Regular Meeting - Page 3 of 3
320
AGENDA
ADJOURNMENT - CHAIRPERSON MONTESI
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if a person decides to appeal any decision
made by the Code Enforcement Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting,
he/she may need to insure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record
includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. A tape recording
of this meeting is on file in the City Clerk's Office.
Marsha Montesi, Chairperson
ITTEST:
Sue Christopher, Sec etary
CODE BOARD ACTION
Member Worley moved to adjourn, seconded by Member Ballinger. Meeting adjourned at 7:55 p.m.
2002 - Code Enforcement/City Council JointWorkshop - Page 2 of 3
.316
11 AGENDA L- DISCUSSION 11
C. NEW BUSINESS - Discuss Code Enforcement Procedures.
1
Attorney Cook explained that the Code Enforcement Board had scheduled this workshop to review
newly adopted code enforcement procedures. The City Council was invited to attend the workshop
so that both boards would have an opportunity to meet and discuss how improved and unimproved
properties would be cited in the future.
Councilman Watford addressed the Board/Council stressing the need to clarify what is to be
considered improved or unimproved property. Also, the Code Enforcement Officer needed to use
good judgement.
Member Worley stated the determination of improved or unimproved property should go back to the
time the property was originally developed. Therefore, unimproved property means property that has
not been subdivided and a street put in front of it.
Councilman Watford disagreed and suggested the determination should be based on whether a
structure had been built or whether there was some type of activity on the property.
Member Gamiotea said the surrounding property needed to be taken into consideration, it may create
a buffer zone to keep certain things from being seen. We might have to make decisions on a case by
case basis. Chairperson Montesi agreed and commented that if there are complaints from neighbors
regarding vagrants, or dumping of trash, then there is a problem. But that it was unnecessary to go in
and clean out all property in the City. Councilman Oliver said the basic problem is that each person
has an opinion on what they think looks best. Member Worley stated there is a vast difference in
landscaping and what is considered an overgrown lot. He said as a member of the Code Board he
or the community nave a better appearance.
Member Weisser mentioned the need to clarify how areas such as Blue Heron were to be handled.
She said although there are lots in Blue Heron that do not have a structure on them, they still need to
be kept from becoming overgrown.
317 Tanuary 8.2002 - Code Enforcement/City Council Joint W
3 of 3
AGENDA
ADJOURNMENT - CHAIRPERSON MONTESI
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if a person decides to appeal any decision
made by the Code Enforcement Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting,
he/she may need to insure that a verbatim record of the proceeding is made, which record
includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. Tapes are for the sole
purpose of backup for official records of the department.
Mars Montesi, (Chairpe son
ATTEST:
Sue Christopher, Secretary
DISCUSSION �l
Mayor Kirk stated we have to give the Code Enforcement Officer some direction, not just tell him
to use his own discretion. He suggested the Code Board make a recommendation to the City
Council as to what they think the definition of improved and unimproved property should involve
as well as the type of cases that need to be heard before the Code Board and the type of cases that
could be handled by issuing a citation. Then the City Council will consider the recommendation
and take the appropriate action when necessary.
Chairperson Montesi opened the floor to the public for comments. Two members of the public
addressed the board. Dale Reiss commented he felt some areas would look worse if they were
cleaned, because the vegetation hides industrial areas or other unsitely areas. Tom Elmore said
leaving trees is one thing, but you should at least keep improved property mowed and cleaned.
Allowing everyone to let there property grow up saying it is a noise buffer is not right. He
suggested to stick with the laws that are currently on the books and let the Code Enforcement
Officers do their job.
Member Worley moved to adjourn, seconded by Member Ballinger. Meeting adjourned at 7:00
p.m.
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