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2007-03-13507 AGENDA A. CALL MEETING TO ORDER B. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE. C. BOARD MEMBERS ATTENDANCE: Chairperson Mack Worley Vice -Chairperson Jamie Gamiotea Member Bea Castorina Member Frank Irby Member Marsha Montesi Member Andrea Nelson Member Rennae Sweda Alternate Penny Revels Alternate Heather Hancock STAFF ATTENDANCE: Attorney John Cook Code Enforcement Officer Fred Sterling Code Enforcement Officer Herb Smith Secretary Sue Christopher D. Motion to dispense with the reading and approve Summary of Board Actions for: January 9, 2007. CITY OF OKEECHOBEE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MARCH 13, 2007 SUMMARY Pa e 1 of 4 CODE BOARD ACTION March 13, 2007 Code Enforcement Board meeting was called to order at 7:02 p.m. by Chairperson Worley. Present Present Present Present Absent with consent (Heather Hancock filled the seat for Member Montesi) Absent with consent (Penny Revels filled the seat for Member Nelson) Present Present Present Present Present Present Present Member Gamiotea moved to dispense with reading and approve Summary of Board Actions for January 9, 2007; seconded by Member Castorina. Worley - Yes Gamiotea - Yes Castorina - Yes Irby - Yes Sweda - Yes Revels - Yes Hancock - Yes Motion Carried March 13, 2007 - CEB Regular Meeting - Page 2 of 4 508 AGENDA REQUEST FOR THE ADDITION, DEFERRAL OR WITHDRAWAL OF ITEMS ON TODAY'S AGENDA. #04-026 Gloria & Mary Brown 800 Blk NW 12' Street #05-321 Roy McDonald NW 10 h St. & 10 h Ave. Request for fine reduction Ch 30 Sec. 30-43 Public nuisances CODE BOARD ACTION Code Officer Sterling requested the withdrawal of Case #04-025 Joe & Johnny Brown, Case #07-004 Anna Nicole, and Case #07-015 Robert Widner since all of these were in compliance. Code Officer Sterling gave testimony Case #04-026 was in process of being cleaned but was not finished. Member Irby moved to table Case #04-026 until the next regularly scheduled meeting; seconded by Member Gamiotea. Worley - Yes Gamiotea - Yes Castorina - Yes Irby - Yes Sweda - Yes Revels - Yes Hancock - Yes Motion Carried Member Gamiotea moved to remove Case # 05-321 from the table; seconded by Member Revels. Worley - Yes Gamiotea - Yes Castorina - Yes Irby - Yes Sweda - Yes Revels - Yes Hancock- Yes Motion Carried Code Officer Sterling testified Mr. McDonald had turned in the plans to the building department and paid the fee for the permit. Member Gamiotea moved to find Case #05-321 Roy McDonald now in compliance based on the testimony of Code Officer Sterling; seconded by Member Sweda. Worley - Yes Sweda - Yes Gamiotea - Yes Revels - Yes Castorina - Yes Hancock - Yes Irby - Yes Motion Carried 509 AGENDA Code Board discussion of changing from a board to a magistrate process. March 13, 2007 - CEB Regular Meeting - Page 3 of 4 CODE BOARD ACTION Attorney Cook stated the current trend in the state is to use a magistrate to hear code enforcement cases, instead of a code board, which seems to be working very well. The process is more efficient and flexible since a meeting could be called at any time if needed. He added that the City Council as a whole supports the magistrate process at this time; however, there is some reluctance because they realize the commitment which has been made by the code board members. Chairperson Worley asked if the City Council wanted the Code Board to give a recommendation or comments. Attorney Cook said they would take into consideration the Board's comments at the next City Council meeting or they could contact the Administrator at any time before the City Council meeting. Member Sweda felt much more investigation should be done before a decision was made. She suggested having the administrative staff do a spread sheet for a comparison of the different cities in Florida. She recommended to the board members they attend the City Council meeting to voice their opinion. Member Irby agreed board members should attend the City Council meeting or speak to the Administrator to share their thoughts. Mr. Irby said he could see the magistrate process working. Member Gamiotea felt strongly that going to a magistrate process would be taking control away from the people. He stated his purpose for being a board member was to assure that every individual was represented fairly. He felt this process would give control to an Attorney who would not take into consideration extenuating circumstances. Alternate Member Hancock thought there was a definite need for more consistency in code enforcement decisions. Although she agreed going to a magistrate could remove the human element. Alternate Member Revels said her main concern was that people who are financially or in other ways at a disadvantage could be put in a hardship situation with the enforcement of strict fines. Member Castorina mentioned that property owners who live out of town could find it difficult to physically appear before a magistrate for their case to be heard. Chairperson Worley stated he appreciated the opportunity to work for the betterment of the City as a member of the code board. However he recognizes a need for more forceful code enforcement measures and supports a magistrate process if it achieves that purpose. He admitted his frustrations when fines were set and then reduced. He told the Code Board he appreciated their efforts and encouraged them to voice their comments to the City Council. 510 AGENDA ADJOURNMENT - CHAIRPERSON WORLEY. 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 d ent. a CJL Mack Worley, .fah 'rperson ATTEST: _ y I Sue Christopher, S cretary March 13, 2007 - CEB CODE BOARD ACTION 4 of 4 There being no further items on the agenda Chairperson Worley adjourned the meeting at 7:37 p.m. The next regular Code Board Meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, April 10, 2007. AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLISHER OICEECHOBEE TIMES 106 S.E. Sth St., Okeechobee, FL 34974 (863) 763-7283 Published Weekly STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF OKEECHOBEF Before the undersigned authority personally appeared James A. Hughes, Jr., who on oath says that he is publisher of the Okeechobee Times, a newspaper published weekly at Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Florida: that the attached copy of advertisement, being a Cit Cod Enforc ment Board Meeting Cancellation Notice PO #013349 in the matter of City o e�h Cit of Okeechobee 55 SE Third Avenue Okeechobee FL 34974-2932 Court, In the a er in the issues of 03/08/2007 was published in said newsp p Affiantfurther. says that the said Okeechobee Times is a newspaper published at Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, and that said newspaper has her ;'ofore been continuously published in has said Okeechobee, Florida as a daily, weekly, or bi-we kly and office in been entered as second class mail matter at the p ost Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, for a period of one year next preceding the first publication of the attached copy of advertisement; and affiant further says that he has neither paid nor promised any person, firm or corporation any discount, commission or refund for the purpose of securing this advertisement for publication in the said newspaper. James . Hughes, Jr., (Publisher) I Sworn to and subscribed before me / this day of A.D. 2007 — as Notary Public t, . Commission#DD318481 (SEAL) " - pines: Jun 25,2009 gondcd?�' �Ifant}c Bonding Co., 'tnc 9:Ft)r cane• CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MEETING NOTICE 1S HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Okeechobee Code Enforcemem Board Meeting on Tuesday, March 13, 2007, 7:00 p.m. City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Ave, Rut 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. For a copy of the agenda contact Sue Christopher at the City Fire Department 763-4423. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if any person desires to appeal any decision made by the Code Enforcement Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Amer cans with Cisandities Act (ADA) and Florida Statute 286.26, persons with disabilities needing special accommodation to participate in this proceeding should contact Sue Christopher no later than two (2) working days prior to the proceeding at 863-763-4423; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call TDD 1-800-222-3448(voice)or 1-888-447.5620 (TTY). by: Mack Worley, Jr., CODE BOARD CHAIRPERSON Sue Christopher, Board Secretary Publish: 03/08/207 Okeechobee Tithes AFFIDAVIT OF PUBLISHER OKEECHOBEE TIMES 106 S.E. 5th St., Okeechobee, FL 34974 (863) 763-7283 Published Weekly STATE OF FLORIDA COUNTY OF OKEECHOBEE: Before the undersigned authority personally appeared James A. Hughes, Jr., who on oath says that he is publisher of the Okeechobee Times, a newspaper published weekly at Okeechobee in Okeechobee, Florida: that the attached copy of advertisement, being a Cancelled City Code Enforcement Board Meegino PO #013344 in the matter of City of Okeechobee City of Okeechobee 55 SE Third Avenue Okeechobee, FL 34974-2932 In the Court, was published in said newspaper in the issues of 02/08/2007 Affiant further says that the said Okeechobee Times is a newspaper published at Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, and that said newspaper has heretofore been continuously published in said Okeechobee, Florida as a daily, weekly, or bi-weekly and has been entered as second class mail matter at the post office in Okeechobee, in said Okeechobee County, Florida, for a period of one year next preceding the first publication of the attached copy of advertisement; and affiant further says that he has neither paid nor promised any person, firm or corporation any discount, rebate, commission or refund for the purpose of securing this advertisement for publication in the said newspaper. James/. Hughes, Jr., (Publisher) Sworn to and subscribed before me _ this day of�c�-�r�/ A.D. 2007 (SEAL) Notary Public cs rP�a Roseatee A. Brennan Carnmission #DD318483 Expires: Jun 25, 2008 9rFOF F o?; Bonded Thni " 3tIantic Bonding Co., Inc. CANCELLER CITY CODE ENFORCEMENT BbANDMILETING NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the City of Okeechobee Code Enforcement Board Meeting has been cancelled. The next regularly scheduled meeting will he on Tuesday, Mamh 13, 2007, 7:00 p.m. City Hall, 55 SE 3rd Ave, Rm 200, Okeechobee, Florida. The public is invited and encouraged to attend. For a copy of the agenda contact Sue Christopher at the City Fire Department 763-4423. PLEASE TAKE NOTICE AND BE ADVISED that if any person desires to appeal any decision made by the Code Enforcement Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, such interested person will need a record of the proceedings, and for such purpose may need to ensure a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Florida Statute 286.26, persons with disabilities needing special acconmrodation to participate in this proceeding should contact Sue Christopher no later than two (2) working days prior to the proceeding at 863-763-4423; if you are hearing or voice impaired, call TDD I-800-222-3448 (voice) or 1-888-447-5620 (TTY). by: Mack W lsy,lc, CODE BOARD CHAIRPERSON Lane Gansmtea, CMC, City Publish: 02108/2007 Okeechobee Times ------------------------------- ---