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06-20-1990 - Special ,I (.) (j (\",C\:'-l)"\ CITY OF EDGEWATER CITIZENS CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD SPECIAL MEETING WEDNESDAY, 3UNE 20, 1990 7=00 P.M. CONFERENCE ROOM, CITY HALL CALL TO ORDER: Chairwoman Maureen Borner, called to order a special meeting of the Citizens Code Enforcement Board at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 20, 1990. ROLL CALL: Members present were Mr. Christian, Mr. Cowan, Mrs. Cucanich, Mrs. Strong and Chairwoman Mrs. Borner. Mr. Lange was excused and Mr. Kozlowski was absent. Also present were Jose' Alvarez, City Attorney, Councilwoman GiGi Bennington, Don Bennington, Mark Karet, Director of Planning and Zoning, Pat Di Leva, Code Enforcement/Safety Director and Sondra Meager-Pengov, Secretary. ORIENTATION WORKSHOP: Mr. Alvarez, City Attorney, addressed the board and stated, due to new board members a training session is appropriate so everyone better understands the Board's functions. Mr. Alvarez introduced Maureen Sikora, Attorney whose background consists of being an Assistant City Attorney in Orlando, Florida, Assistant County Attorney in Orange County Florida and Brevard County. Her primary function was code enforcement. Ms. Sikora is now City Attorney for Port Orange, Florida. She is well known for her lectures in code enforcement to various professional organizations. Ms. Sikora briefly described some of her experiences with code enforcement then showed a video tape produced by the Florida League of Cities to the board. The tape gives an introduction to code enforcement and shows situations involving code enforcement cases. Some of the valuable suggestions were: modify or resend a fine if violation has been corrected; foreclosure may occur if the violation is not corrected after three months; homestead property can not be foreclosed; violations already in compliance must be approved by motion from the Board. After showing the video tape, Ms. Sikora gave an update of what the Florida Statutes (see attached) allows after revision of the legislature last year. Ms. Sikora discussed with the board their responsibilities as a board member and answered questions. AD30URNMENT: There being no further discussion a motion was made and accepted to adjourn. The meeting adjourned at 9:20 p.m. Minutes respectfully submitted by: Sondra Meager-Pengov, Secretary Citizens Code Enforcement Board /SMP ~ , . i/~ I COUNTY '-MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT Ch. 162 CHAPTER 162 COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT PART I LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARDS (55. 162.01-162.13) PART II SUPPLEMENTAL COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CODE OR ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES (5.162.21) 162.04 Definltions.-As used in ss. 162.01-162.13, the term: (1) 'Local governing body' means the governing body of the county or municipality, however designated. (2) 'Code inspector' means any authorized agent or Short title. employee of the county or municipality whose duty it is Intent. to assure code compliance. Applicability. (3) 'Local governing body attorney' means the legal Definitions. counselor for the county or municipality. Local government code enforcement boards; (4) 'Enforcement board' means a local government code enforcement board. _,y',v(5) 'Repeat violation' means a violation of a provision of a code or ordinance by a person whom the code en. forcement board has previously found to have violated the same provision within 5 years prior to the violation. HIIlOI)'.-I. I, ch. 80-300; I. 4. ch. 82-37; S. 10. ch. 83-216; s. 3. ch. 86-201; s. 3. ch. 89-268. Nol..-FOlmer s. 166.054. PART I LOCAL GOVERNMENT CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARDS 162.01 162.02 162.03 162.04 162.05 162.06 162.07 lii2.08 162.09 162.10 lii2.11 162.t2 162.13 organization. Enforcement procedure. Conduct of hearing. powers of enforcement boards. Administrative fines; liens. Duration 01 lien. Appeals. Notices. Provisions of act supplemental. 162.01 Short title.-Sections 162.01-162.13 may be clled as the 'Local Government Code Enforcement Boards Act: 14&1101)'.-1.1. ch. 80-300; s. 72, ch. 81-259; s. I, ch. 82-37. MoII.-FOImer s. 166.051. :\ 162.02 Intent.-It is the intent of this part to pro- mole, protect, and improve the health, safety, and wel- !are of the citizens of the counties and municipalities of mis state by authorizing the creation of administrative ooards with authority to impose administrative fines and other noncriminal penalties to provide an equitable, ex- peditious, effective, and inexpensive method of enforc- .ng any codes and ordinances in force in counties and municipalities, where a pending or repeated violation :ontinues to exist. 1111101)'.-1. I, ch. 80-300; s. 2. ch. 82-37; s. I. ch. 85-ISO; I. I. ch. 86-201; s. t '" 89-268. MoII.-FOlmer s. 166.052. f 162.03 Applicability.- (I) Each county or municipality may, at ils option, crcale or abolish by ordinance local governmenl code cnlorcement boards as provided herein. ../' (2) A charter county, a noncharter county, or a mu- nICipality may, by ordinance, adopt an alternate code l.'nforcement system which gives code enlorcement ooards or special masters designated by the local gov- l.'tnlng b?dy, or both, the authority to hold hearings and assess. fl~es against violators of the respective county or mUnicipal codes and ordinances. , ~I.'..~-", 1.2. ch. 80-300; s. 3. ch. 82-37; I. 2, ch. 86-201; I. I. ch. 87-129; . ~" ..-268, NoIe.-FOlmet s. 168.053. .; .'; .,. ~ ,:~.r . It' }il ;"i ~r ~ I .' . ::' 162.05 Local government code enforcement boards; organlzation.- (1) The local governing body may appoint one or more code enforcement boards and legal counsel for the enforcement boards. The local governing body 01 a county or a municipality that has a population of less than 5,000 persons may appoint five-member or seven- member code enforcement boards. The local governing body of a county or a municipality that has a population equal to or greater than 5,000 persons must appoint sev. en-member code enforcement boards. TheJocal gov. erning body may appoint up to two alternate members for each code enforcement board to serve on the board in the absence of board members. . (2) Members of the enlorcement boards shall be res. idents of.the municipality, in the case of municipal en. forcement boards, or residents of the county, in the case of county enforcement boards. Appointments shall be made in accordance with applicable law and ordinances on the basis of experience or interest in the subject mat. ter jurisdiction of the respective code enforcement board. The membership of each enforcement board shall, whenever possible, include an architect, a busi. nessman, an engineer, a general contractor, a subcon. Iractor, and a realtor. (3)(a) The initial appointments to a seven-member . code enforcement board shall be as follows: 1. Two members appointed for a term of 1 year each. 2. Three members appointed for a term of 2 years each. 3. Two members appointed for a term of 3 years each. (b) The initial appointments to a five-member code enforcement board shall be as follows: 929 Ch. 162 COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT F.S. 1989 , ..""." I not corrected by the time specified for correction by the code inspector, the case may be presented to the en. forcement board even if the violation has been corrected Two members appointed for a term of 3.years prior to the board hearing, and the notice shall so state. _'J.::' (3) If a repeat violation is found, the code inspector . . ,. shall notify the violator but is not required to give the vio- -. ;, Thereafter, any appOIntment shall be made for a term of lator a reasonable time to correct the violation. The code. " ~ 3 years.. ., inspector, upon notifying the violator of a repeat viola,': .:" l"~ (~) The local governl~g body of a county or a mUnlCI- tion, shall notify an enforcement board and request a' .., \ l . pahty that has a population 01 less than 5,000 persons hearing. The code enforcement board, through its clen. ')., may reduce a seven-mem~er code enforc~m~nt board cal staff, shall schedule a hearing and shall provide no- .: I.- to five mem~ers upon the simultaneous eXpiration of the tice pursuant to s. 162.12. The case may be presented~'" ~.'. terms of office of two members ~f the board. to the enforcement board even if the repeat violation has' . I.;: :i. (d) A memb~r may be reappointed upon approval of been corrected prior to the board hearing, and the no- " the local gover~lng body, . ,tice shall so state. ' (e) An appointment to fill any ~acancy on an enfo~ce- _:~ (4) lithe code inspector has reason to believe a vio, ment boar~ shall be for the re":lalnder of the unexpired lafon presents a serous threat to the pubrc health term of office. II any member falls to attend two of three I ~. . .. I .' successive meetings without cause and without prior safe~y, a~d welfare or If the v~olatlon IS Irreparable or l/re. approval of the chairman, the enforcement board shall verslble In nature, t~e code.lnspector shall,make ~ re~' declare the member's ollice vacant, and the local gov- so~able effort to notify the violator and may Imme~lale Y erning body shall promptly fill such vacancy, notify t~e enforcement board ~nd request.a heann~. HlllOry. s. I, ch. 80-300. s. 5. ch, 86-201. s. 1. ch. 87-391. s. 5. ch. B9 2€B (f) The members shall serve in accordance with or- Holl.-Former s. 166.056. dinances of the local governing body and may be sus- pended and removed for cause as provided in such ordi- nances for removal of members of boards, (4) The members of an enforcement board shall elect a chairman, who shall be a voting member, from among the members of the board. The presence of four or more members shall constitute a quorum of any sev. en-member enforcement board, and the presence of three or more members shall constitute a quorum of any five-member enforcement board. Members shall serve without compensation, but may be reimbursed for such travel, mileage, and per diem expenses as may be authorized by the local governing body or as are other. wise provided by law. . (5) The local governing body attorney shall either be counsol to an enforcement board or shall represent the municipality or county by presenting cases before the enforcement board, but in no case shall the local govern. ing body attorney serve in both capacities. Hlllory.-I. I, ch. 80-300; s. 5. ch. 82-37; I. 4. ch. 86-201; s. 2. ch, 87-129; s. 4. ch. 89-268. Holl.-Former I. 166.055. 1. 2. each. 3. each. One member appointed for a term of 1 year. Two members appointed for a term of 2 years . 162.07 Conduct of hearing.- ,;.:: (1) Upon request of the code inspector, or at,such other times as may be necessary, the chairman of an en. fo'icement board may call a hearing of an enforcement . board; a hearing also may be called by written notice signed by at least three members of a seven-member enforcement board or signed by at least two members of a five-member enforcement board. Minutes shall be kept of all hearings by each enforcement board, and all hearings and proceedings shall be open to the public. The local governing body shall provide clerical and ad. ministrative personnel as may be reasonably required by each enforcement board for the proper performance 01 its duties. (2) Each case before an enforcement board shall be presented by the local governing body attorney or by a member of the administrative staff of the local governing body. (3) An enforcement board shall proceed to hear the cases on the agenda for that day. All testimony shall be under oath and shall be recorded. The enforcement 162.06 Enforcement procedure.- board shall take testimony from the code inspector and (1) It shall be the duty of the code inspector to ini- alleged violator. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply. tiate enforcement proceedings of the various codes; but fundamental due process shall be observed and however, no member of a board shall have the power to shall govern the proceedings. initiate such enforcement proceedings. (4) At the conclusion of the hearing, the enforce- (2) Except as provided in subsections (3) and (4), if ment board shall issue findings of fact. based on eVI' a violation of the codes is found, the code inspector shall dence of record and conclusions of law. and shall issue notify the violator and give him a reasonable time to cor. an order affording the proper relief consistent with pow' rectthe violation. Should the violation continue beyond ers granted herein. The finding shall be by motion ap' the time specified for correction, the code inspector proved by a majority of those members present and vot. shall notify an enforcement board and request a hearing. ing, except that at least four members of a seven- The code enforcement board, through its clerical staff, member enforcement board, or three members of a five- shall schedule a hearing, and written notice of such member enforcement board must vote in order for the hearing shall b~ ha,nd delivered or m~i1ed as provided in .v. action to be official. The ord~r may include a notice thal s. 162.12 to said vlol~tor, At the ophon of the code en. i~,_must be complied with by a specified date and t~al forc~me!"t board, r.'otlce may.addl~lonally be ,s,erved by ?f!ne may pe.imp<;>sed if the order is not complied with pu~hc~tton or posting as prOVided In s. 162.12l.'1f th!LVio' by said d~te. A certified copy of such order may be rec' lahon IS corrected and then recurs or if the violation is orded in the public records of the county and shall con' 930 ... ~ o .....-.~....MlMt" J::!~"," ~ I COUNTY OQNICIPAL CODe ENFORCEMENT Ch. 162 ;' :$. 1989 -- slilute notice to any subsequent purchasers. succes. sors'in interest. or assigns if the violation concerns real roperty, and the findings therein shall be binding upein fhe violator and, if the violation concerns real property, any subsequent purchasers. successors in interest; or assigns. If an order is recorded in the public records pur. -suant to this subsection and the order is complied with by the date specified in the order, the enforcement bOard shall issue an order acknowledging compliance that shall be recorded in the public records. A hearing is not required to issue such an order acknowledging compliance. H!llory.-S. I. ch. 80-300; I. 6. th. 82-37; I. 44, th. 83-217; I. 6, th. 86-201; I. 6 th. 89-268. . Noll.-Former I. 166.057. 162.08 Powers of enforcement boards.-Each en. forcement board shall have the power to: . (1) Adopt rules for the conduct of its hearings. (2) Subpoena alleged violators and witnesses to its hearings. Subpoenas may be served by the sheriff of the county or police department of the municipality. ~......(3) Subpoena evidence to its hearings, (4) Take testimony under oath. (5) Issue orders having the force of law to command whatever steps are necessary to bring a violation into compliance. Hlllory.-I. I, th. 80-300; s. 7, ch. 82-37; I. 7. ch. 86-201: s. 7, ch. 89-268. Noll.-Former s. 166.058. I , I I I I . . 162.09 Administrative fines; liens.- (t) An enforcement board, upon notification by the code inspector that an order of the enforcement board has not been complied with by the set time or, upon find- Ing that a repeat violation has been committed, mayor. der the violator to pay a fine in an amount specified in this section for each day the violation continues past the date set by the enforcement board for compliance or, in the case of a repeat violation, for each day the repeat violation continues past the date of notice to the violator of the repeat violation. If a finding of a violation or are. peat violation has been made as provided in this part, a hearing shall not be necessary for issuance of the or. der imposing the fine. , v'" (2)(a) A fine imposed pursuant to this section shall I not exceed $250 per day for a first violation and shall not exceed $500 per day for a repeat violation. .. '(b) 'In determining the amount of the fine, if any, the enforcement board shall consider the following factors: 1. The gravity of the violation: 2. Any actions taken by the violator to correct the VIOlation; and 3. Any previous violations committed by the viola. lor. (c) An enforcement board may reduce a fine im' posed pursuant to this section. (3) A certified copy of an order imposing_a fine..may _ be_r~~~!9~9 ,.l!l,the. PLJblic. record.s.-arid' t.Qere!ltter shall C-onslltute a lien against the land on which the violation ~ishnind'upon any -either real or personal property oNned by the violator. Upon petition to the circuit courl, such order may be enforced in the same manner as a Court judgment by the sheriffs of this state, including IOvy against the personal property, but such order shall not be deemed to be a court judgment except for en. forcement purposes. A fine imposed pursuant to this '1... part s~~,~.~I)!1.!iQlJ~ ~9.;~29(g~, u~.\!U~'~::~i~I~~9.r. co.mes, il}to .,._ compliance or until judgment IS rendered In a SUit to fo(llClosEr"Off11'Iien filed pursuanrl<fthis'section, which. ever occurs 'first. Aller 3 months from the filing of any s'uch lien which remains unpaid, the enforcement board fnaiauthorize the local governing body attorney to fore. close on the lien. No lien created pursuant. to the provi. sions of this part may be foreclosed on real property which is a homestead under s, 4. Art. X of the State Con. stitution. Hlltory.-s. I, ch. 80-300: $. 8, ch. 82-37; I. 2, th. 85-150; I. 8, ch. 86-201; s. 2. th. 87-391; I. 8. ch. 89-268. Noll.-FOlmer s. 166.059. :sl ~; .~ .~ ,~ ,'t~ .;.4 , -:1 ~;~ ..' ~ 162.10 Duration of lien.-J~!.9I!.~.rI provided unC!ert~e Local Government Code Enforcement Boards Act shall continue for a p'Eiriocflonger than-20 years afte(lhi3'cerli. fied copy of an order imposing a fine has been recorded, unless within that time an action to foreclose on the lien is comm~nced in a court of competent jurisdiction, In an action to foreclose on a lien, the prevailing party is enti. tled "to 'recover all costs, including a reasonable attor- ney's fee, that it incurs in the foreclosure. The continua- tion of the lien effected by the commencement of the ac- tion shall not be good against creditors or subsequent purchasers for valuable consideration without notice, unless a notice of lis pendens is recorded. Hlltory.-I. 9, ch. 82-37; I. 9, th. 86-201; I. 9, th. 89-268. \( ;. 162.11 Appeals.-An aggrieved party, including the local governing body, may appeal a final administrative order of an enforcement board to the circuit court. Such an appeal shall not be a hearing de novo but shall be Iim' ited to appellate review of the record created before the enforcement board, An appeal shall be filed within 30 days of the execution of the order to be appealed. Hlltory.-I. 1. ch. 80-300; s. 10, ch. 82-37; s. 3. ch. 85-150; s. 10, ch. 86-201. Noll.-Former I. 166.061. 162.12 Notices.- (1) All notices required by this part shall be provided to the alleged violator by certified mail, return receipt re- quested; by hand delivery by the sheriff or other law en. forcement ollicer, code inspector, or other person desig- nated by the local governing body; or by leaving the no. tice at the violator's usual place of residence with any person residing therein who is above 15 years of age and informing such person of the contents of the notice. .',' (2) In addition to providing notice as set forth in sub- section (1), at the option of the code enforcement board, notice may also be served by publication or posting, as follows: -~ ,,"'-'" .. (a)1, Such notice shall be published once during each week for 4 consecutive weeks (four publications being sufficient) in a newspaper of general circulation in the county where the code enforcement board is locat- ed. The newspaper shall meet such requirements as are prescribed under chapter 50 for legal and official adver- tisements. .' 2. Proof of publication shall be made as provided in ss. 50.041 and 50.051. (b)1. If there is no newspaper of general circulation In the county where the code enforcement board is 10' 931 Ch. 162 COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT F.S, 19~ cated, three copies of such notice shall be posted for at least 28 days in three different and conspicuous places in such county, one of which shall be at the front door of the courthouse in said county. :' 2. Proof of posting shall be by affidavit of the per. son posting the notice, which affidavit shall include a copy of the notice posted and the date and places of its posting. (c) Notice by publication or posting may run concur- rently with, or may follow, an attempt or allempts to pro. vide notice by hand delivery or by mail as required under subsection (1). Evidence that an allempt has been made to hand deliv. er or mail notice as provided in subsection (1), together with proof of publication or posllng as provided in sub. section (2), shall be !!ufficientto show that the notice reo quirements of this part have been met, without regard to whether or not the alleged violator actually received such notice. HI.tory.-s. I. ch. 80-300; s. 11. ch. 86-201;..3. ch. 87-391; s. 10, ch. 89-268. Not..-Fotrnel I. 168.062. 162.13 Provisions of act supplemental.-f1 is the legislative intent of ss. 162.01-162.12 to provide an addi. tional or supplemental means of obtaining compliance with local codes. Nothing contained in ss. 162.01- 162.12 shall prohibit a local governing body from enforc. ing its codes by any other means. HI.tory.-s. 11. ch. 82-37. PART II SUPPLEMENTAL COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CODE OR ORDINANCE ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES 162.21 Enforcement of county or municipal codes or ordinances; penalties. I..... y: .i{ ~.j". ~~.., ~. ~.: (..'~ ;: ,.. .. .. i' I I I 162.21 Enforcement of county or municipal codes or ordinances; penaltJes.- (1) As used in this section, .code enforcement offi. cer" means any designated employee or agent of a county or municipality whose duty it is to enforce codes and ordinances enacted by the county or municipality. (2) A county or a municipality may designate certain of its employees or agents as code enforcement offi. cers. The training and qualifications of the employees or agents for such designation shall be determined by the county or the municipality. Employees or agents who may be designated as code enforcement officers may include, but are not limited to, code inspectors, law en. forcement officers, animal control officers, or firesafety inspectors. Designation as a code enforcement officer does not provide the code enforcement officer with the power of arrest or subject the code enforcement officer 10 the provisions of ss. 943.085-943.255. Nothing in this section amends, alters, or contravenes the provisions of any state-administered retirement system or any state- supported retirement system established by general law. (3)(a) A code enforcement officer is authorized to is. sue a citation to a person when, based upon personal investigation, the officer has reasonable cause to be. lieve that the person has committed a civil infraction in . violation of a duly enacted code or ordinance and that the county court will hear the charge. (b) Prior to issuing a citation, a code enforcement 01. ficer shall provide notice to the person that the person has commilled a violation of a code or ordinance and shall establish a reasonable time period within which the person must correct the violation. Such time periOd shall be no more than 30 days. It, upon personal investigation. a code enforcement officer finds that the person has nor corrected the violation within the time period, a code en. forcement officer may issue a citation to the person who has committed the violation. A code enforcement officer does not have to provide the person with a reasonable time period to correct the violation prior to Issuing a cita. tion and may immediately issue a citation if the code en. forcement officer has reason to believe that the violation presents a serious threat to the public health, safety, or welfare, or if the violation is irreparable or irreversible. (c) A citation issued by a code enforcement officer shall be in a form prescribed by the county or the municl' pality and shall contain: 1. The date and time of issuance. 2. The name and address of the person to whom the citation is issued. 3. The date and time the civil infraction was com. milled. 4. The facls constituting reasonable cause. 5. The number or section of the code or ordinance violated. 6. The name and authority of the code enforcemenl officer. 7. The procedure for the person to follow in order to pay the civil penalty or to contest the citation. 8. The applicable civil penalty if the person eleclS to contest the citation. 9. The applicable civil penalty if the person elects not to contest the citation. 10. A conspicuOl~~ statement that if the person falls to pay the civil penalt'y within the time allowed, or fails to appear in court to contest the citation, he s~all .be deemed to have waived his right to conlest the Citation and that, in such case, judgment may be en!ereo against the person for an amount up to the maximum civil penalty. (4) After issuing a citation to an alleged violator. a code enforcement officer shall deposit the original clla' tion and one copy of lhe citation with the counly courl (5) A county or a municipality is authorized to en. force codes and ordinances under the provisions of tM section and may enacl an ordinance establishing proce. dures for the implementation of such provisions, IncluO' ing a schedule of violations and penalties to be as' sessed by code enforcement officers. If a county or mu. nicipality chooses 10 enforce codes or ordinances undel the provisions of this section, each code or ord.ina~ce o~ the ordinance enacted by the county or muniCipality es tablishing procedures for implementalion of this secllOn shall provide: . (a) Thai a violation of a code or an ordinance is a CIVil infraction. (b) A maximum civil penalty not to exceed ~5.00. . (c) A civil penalty of less than the maximum CIvil pen 932 ...- --.-----ra________~-.._..~....,_I'..._~..~ '. o F.S.1989 - COUNTY OR MUNICIPAL CODE ENFORCEMENT : ~ .' allY if the person who has committed the civil infraction does not conlestthe citation. (d) For the issuance 01 a citation by a code enforce' ment officer who has reasonable cause to believe that a person has commilled an act in violation of a code or an ordinance. (e) For the contesting of a citation in county court. (f) Such procedures and provisions as are neces. sary to provide lor the enforcement of a code or an ordi- nance under the provisions of this section. ::k (6) Any person who willfully refuses to sign and ac. , cept a citation issued by a code enforcement officer shall be guilty of a misdemeanor of the second degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or s. 775.083. (7) The provisions of this section shall not apply to . > the enforcement pursuant to ss. 553.79 and 553.80 of building codes adopted pursuant to s. 553.73 as they apply to construction, provided that a building permit is eilher not required or has been issued by the county or the municipality. For the purposes of this subsection, .building codes. means only those codes adopted pur- suant to s. 553.73. (8) The provisions of this section are additional and supplemental means of enforcing county or municipal codes or ordinances and may be used lor the enforce- ment of any code or ordinance, or for the enforcement of all codes and ordinances. Nothing contained in this section shall prohibit a county or municipality from en- forcing its codes or ordinances by any other means. Hlllory.-I. II, ch. 89-268. ..i:~ :i~. )i. .t. .. ..< 933