Agenda Packet CEB 9-8-15.pdfCITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD
CITY HALL, COMMISSION CHAMBER
SEPTEMBER 8, 20159 6:00 PM
Call to Order
Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag
Roll Call
1
2
3
AGENDA
Approval of Minutes of the Regular Meeting of July 14, 2015.
Administration of Oath to Defendants /Witnesses.
Old Business
CASE ID NAME & ADDRESS
13- 00000727 Obi Dorsey
14 -1244 Southeast Property Investment Network
P.O. Box 9567
Tampa, F133674
CASE ID
13- 00000724
13- 00000860
14 -1300
NAME & ADDRESS
P. Campbell Ford, Esq
132 Belvedere St.
VIOLATION
IPMC 302.4 Weeds. All premises and exterior
property shall be maintained free from weeds or
plant growth in excess of twelve (12) inches. All
noxious weeds shall be prohibited. Weeds shall be
defined as all grasses, annual plants and vegetation,
other than trees or shrubs provided; however, this
term shall not include cultivated flowers and
gardens.
IPMC 304.7 Roofs and drainage. The roof and
flashing shall be sound, tight, and not have defects
that admit rain. Roof drainage shall be adequate to
prevent dampness or deterioration in the walls or
interior portion of the structure. Roof drains,
gutters, and downspouts shall be maintained in
good repair and free from obstructions. Roof water
shall not be discharged in a manner that creates a
public nuisance.
VIOLATION
IPMC 301.3 Vacant Structures and Land
IPMC Sec 109.2 Temp Safeguards Board and
Secure
IPMC SEC. 108.1.5 3 Unfit for Human Habitation
CASE ID NAME & ADDRESS
12- 00000907 William R Blackard Jr
1595 Beach Ave
4, New Business
CASE ID NAME & ADDRESS
14 -1288 Michael L Altee
1202 Jasmine St
5. Miscellaneous Business
None
Adjournment
VIOLATION
IPMC Sec. 304.7 Roofs and Drainage
IPMC Sec. 304.10 Stairway,Deck,Porch,Balco
IPMC Sec. 304.6 Exterior Walls
IPMC Sec. 304.2 Protective Treatment
IPMC Sec. 302.3 Sidewalks and Driveways
IPMC Sec. 304.4 Structural Members
VIOLATION
IPMC 301.3 Vacant Structures and Land
IPMC Sec. 302.4 Weeds
Please Note: This meeting will be live - streamed and videotaped and can be accessed by clicking on the Meeting Videos
tab located on the home page of the City's website at www.coab.us.
In accordance with the provisions of Florida Statute, Section 286.0105, if a person decides to appeal any decision made
by the Board with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, he /she will need a record of the proceedings and for
such purpose 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.
In accordance with the provisions of Florida Statute, Section 286.26, persons with disabilities needing special
accommodation to participate in this meeting should contact the Code Enforcement Board Secretary at (904) 247 -5810
no later than 48 hours prior to the meeting.
DRAFT
CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH
CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MINUTES
6:00 P.M. — July 14, 2015
IN ATTENDANCE:
Veda Harless, Chair
Meade Coplan
John Stinson
Richard Lombardi, Alternate
ABSENT:
Benjamin de Luna (Excused)
Louis Keith (Excused)
Richard Komando, City Attorney
John Markee, Code Enforcement Officer
Jeremy Hubsch, Building & Zoning Director
Dayna Williams, Secretary
Secretary Dayna Williams read the roll, finding a quorum was present.
Chair Veda Harless called the meeting to order at 6:00 p.m., followed by the Pledge of
Allegiance to the Flag.
1. Approval of Minutes
Motion: Approve the minutes of the Code Enforcement Meeting of January 13, 2015.
Moved by Coplan, Seconded by Stinson
The motion was approved unanimously.
2. Miscellaneous Business
A. Introduction to the new Code Enforcement Officer.
Building and Zoning Director Jeremy Hubsch introduced himself and the new Code Enforcement
Officer, John Markee, to the Board. John Markee greeted the Board members and described his
background experience and desire to serve the City as the new Code Enforcement Officer.
Mr. Markee stated he had recently attended the conference for the Florida Association of Code
Enforcement in Naples, Florida. He stated there were a lot of excellent training opportunities
during the week and two topics that caught his attention were hoarding and Sovereign Citizens.
He stated the lecture on Sovereign Citizens, given by a police detective from South Florida, was
particularly exceptional. Mr. Markee stated he is catching up on the backlog of cases, as well as
maintaining current calls and cases and making his own personal rounds. Mr. Markee stated he
welcomed any input or suggestions from the Board regarding any tweaks or changes they may
like to see.
B. Open Discussion.
Chair Harless welcomed John and said they were looking forward to the first meeting. She
stated Debbie White did a great job and the presentation Debbie initiated has worked well for the
Board. Ms. Coplan asked John if he was going to follow the protocol that Ms. White had
initiated and he stated yes. He reiterated that he was open to any suggestions from the Board to
make the process as smooth and efficient as possible.
Mr. Lombardi said he had a small request, if the group agrees. He stated at the beginning of each
case, Ms. White would present pictures and bullet point what had happened. Mr. Lombardi
stated the Board was always given the full minutes and much more detailed information than he
really wanted. He stated if they could get a quick summary to read before coming to the
meeting, similar to the bullet points, instead of having to read two hundred pages it would be
really helpful. Discussion ensued.
The Board members had differing opinions as to how much information they received, but were
willing to compromise. Chair Harless asked Mr. Markee if he was able to query a report that
would give detail and summary then it would satisfy everyone. Mr. Markee stated the overall
goal is to take the ideas the Board brings to the table and see what is feasible or not feasible with
the program he is using.
Ms. Coplan asked Mr. Markee if he received any suggestions from the meetings he attended.
Mr. Markee stated one of the big issues was Sovereign Citizens and the threat they pose. He
stated they have been categorized by the FBI as domestic terrorists. Mr. Stinson asked Mr.
Markee to explain what he means by Sovereign Citizens so the Board could follow his
discussion. Mr. Hubsch asked Mr. Komando to cover the subject.
Mr. Komando stated there is a group of individuals, widespread across the country, that have
decided they do not want to subscribe to the laws of our country. In such, they declare
themselves to be Sovereign Citizens and not subject to any law, Ordinances, etc. As such, they
claim to be immune from any type of criminal prosecution. He stated Sovereign Citizens have
been known, in the middle of a foreclosure, to deed their property to a Sovereign Citizen Group
free and clear, and claim the property is no longer subject to the mortgage foreclosure. He stated
some have even filed false deeds with the Property Appraiser's Office.
Mr. Komando added, that is why law enforcement has taken a very serious look at the group that
categorizes themselves as Sovereign Citizens. He stated it is becoming an increasingly visible
issue to State and Local Government. Mr. Komando stated there are known Sovereign Citizens
in the Atlantic Beach area.
Mr. Stinson asked Mr. Markee to provide some insight into how they recommend dealing with
Sovereign Citizens, Mr. Markee stated the biggest recommendation, if needed, was to work in
conjunction with law enforcement as a Code Enforcement Officer.
Mr. Komando stated they have been known to file lawsuits against individual Board members
claiming damages and will make up a number in the hundreds of billions of dollars. Ms. Coplan
stated she believes they would not come to a hearing, and Mr. Komando stated most do not. He
stated most will file paperwork and they will file it with any venue that accepts paperwork, such
as City Clerk's, Clerk of Courts, etc. Mr. Komando stated because they do not traditionally
subscribe to the Sovereignty of our Government, they do not show up.
Discussion ensued.
Ms. Coplan asked Mr. Markee about the meeting in September and if the number of cases to be
heard was overwhelming. Mr. Hubsch stated if the agenda is looking really full by August, they
could send an email to the Board to ask if they would be open to having a second meeting in
Draft Minutes of the Code Enforcement Board on July 14, 2015 Page 2 of 3
October to clear it out. Chair Harless stated that would be her preference and the Board was in
agreement. Mr. Hubsch stated they would send out a status update when they get an idea of how
the agenda looks.
Ms. Coplan opened up a discussion of the way the City handles Code Enforcement properties,
specifically those in the foreclosure process. She discussed sending notices out to everybody
that has a vested interest in the property. Mr. Komando stated we do notify as many people as
we know that might have an interest in the property, including banks. He stated Ms. White
traditionally did not get a lot of response from the banks until the bank had already gone through
the foreclosure process and wanted to clean up the title before they could sell the property.
Discussion ensued.
Chair Harless asked Mr. Hubsch if he had put anything in the budget to take care of properties
that are not being maintained. Mr. Hubsch stated Ms. White had been looking for money to pay
a contractor to mow an overgrown yard or to board up a house. He stated he had to have the
budget in about the same time Mr. Markee was in transition, so Code Enforcement was not
included in the budget. Mr. Hubsch stated he would look into it and see if there were funds
available to add to the budget.
Ms. Coplan asked if it was possible to send out flyers to homeowners explaining what was
expected of them to keep the City beautiful. Mr. Hubsch stated if we have the ability to, we
could create a tri -fold pamphlet to include with the water bill, along with the monthly newsletter.
He stated he would look into it. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Stinson asked Mr. Hubsch, based on the strengthening of the Tree Ordinance, if those kind
of issues would be brought before the Code Enforcement Board. Chair Harless asked Mr.
Hubsch to elaborate on the Tree Ordinance. Discussion ensued.
Mr. Stinson stated he was currently in the middle of a campaign for the City Commission and the
possibility of his departure and the subsequent vacancy it may create for the Board. Discussion
ensued regarding the current vacancies on the Board and the Board members stated they would
spread the word and try to recruit some new candidates.
Chris Jorgensen stated he would like to see the agenda for the Code Enforcement Board listed on
the City's website. Secretary Dayna Williams stated it is available online to preview. Mr.
Jorgensen addressed past discussions regarding how to calculate a fine. Chair Harless asked if
he was referring to the administrative costs, and he stated yes. Discussion ensued.
I Adjournment
There being no further discussion, the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m.
Veda Harless, Chair
Dayna L. Williams, Secretary
Draft Minutes of the Code Enforcement Board on July 14, 2015 Page 3 of 3