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7-14-15 Minutes.pdf v CITY OF ATLANTIC BEACH CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MINUTES 6:00 P.M.—July 14,2015 IN ATTENDANCE: Veda Harless, Chair Richard Komando, City Attorney Meade Coplan John Markee, Code Enforcement Officer John Stinson Jeremy Hubsch, Building& Zoning Director Richard Lombardi, Alternate Dayna Williams, Secretary ABSENT: Benjamin de Luna(Excused) Louis Keith(Excused) 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 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. 3. Adjournment There being no further discussion,the meeting adjourned at 6:45 p.m. Veda Harless, Chair fltsao. �. W Dayna I,.Williams, Secretary Minutes of the Code Enforcement Board on July 14, 2015 Page 3 of 3