HomeMy WebLinkAbout01-15-2019 MinutesSEBASTIAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
1201 Main Street, Sebastian, Florida 32958
Code Enforcement Division
CITY OF SEBASTIAN, FLORIDA
MINUTES
SPECIAL MAGISTRATE CODE ENFORCEMENT HEARING
JANUARY 15, 2019 AT 2:00 P.M.
1. The Hearing was called to order at 2:00 p.m. by Special Magistrate Kelley H.
Armitage.
2. Present: Special Magistrate Kelley H. Armitage, City Attorney James Stokes,
Code Enforcement Officer Richard Iachini, Administrative Assistant Janickie
Smith, Janet Graham, Technical Writer.
3. Ms. Smith swore in staff and all persons who would be speaking.
4. Hearing of Code Violation:
a. Case No. CE-18-039741
WILLIAM AND PHYLLIS STANLEY
1568 COWNIE LANE
Mr. Stokes read the docket for appeal of code violation . He called on the representative
of the Code Enforcement Division to give the background on the case. He then called
Richard Iachini, who identified himself, his position with the City, and length of service.
Mr. Iachini described that he drove by the property in question and observed that the
grass was over the acceptable height. The City then sent notice via Certified Mail to the
owner of record. That notice was returned to the City as undelivered. A letter of Notice
to Appear before the Magistrate was then sent. Mr. Iachini stated that he drove by the
property today, and the property is still in violation. The property was posted, and photos
were taken. He presented the photos to the Magistrate.
Mr. Stokes stated the violation is overgrowth of grass and weeds exceeding 10 inches.
Mr. Stokes then requested that, based upon the evidence and notice of today’s hearing
and the property owner not appearing, the finding of a violation be made, a daily fine of
$25.00 a day for 10 days be levied, permission be granted for t he violation to be remedied
by the City, and an administrative fee of $100.00 also be levied on the property. He also
requested that, if the situation becomes a repeated violation, the same findings will be
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applied to the property. He added that the City will continue to attempt to make contact
with the property owners.
So ordered by the Magistrate.
b. Case No. CE-18-027281
MICHAEL A. AND JEAN RAIMO
1252 WHITMORE STREET
Mr. Stokes read the docket for appeal of code violation. He then called on the
representative of the Code Enforcement Division to give the background on the case and
called Richard Iachini, who identified himself, his position with the City, and length of
service.
Mr. Iachini described that the City had received a complaint that the property had
overgrowth of vegetation and that the overgrowth was extending onto an adjoining
improved property. A Notice of Violation was sent via Certified Mail to the owner, giving
them a reasonable amount of time to respond. The property was also posted and photos
taken. The correspondence that was sent to the homeowner did not come back to the
City, and the City has no other way of contacting the homeowner. A letter of Notice to
Appear at this hearing was sent.
Mr. Stokes stated the Notices were sent to the address that is on record with the property
appraiser.
Mr. Stokes then requested that, based upon the evidence and notice of today’s hearing
and the property owner not appearing, the finding of a violation be made, a daily fine of
$25.00 a day for 10 days be levied, permission be granted for the violation to be remedied
by the City, and an administrative fee of $100.00 also be levied on the property.
Magistrate Armitage inquired what the remedy will be, as the overgrowth appears to be
Brazilian pepper trees. Mr. Iachini described that the branches extending onto the
adjoining property will be trimmed back to five feet from the property line.
So ordered by the Magistrate.
3. The hearing was adjourned at 2:07 p.m.