[7:36] 33 is 11.
[7:37] 11 and 6.
[7:39] And 13 is page 6.
[7:40] And 26 was there.
[7:48] Okay, it is now 1:33, Thursday, the 30th
day of July.
[7:51] This meeting of the City of Largo Code
Enforcement Board is called to order.
[7:57] Please turn off any device that may
interrupt this meeting at this time.
[8:02] Cell phones on silent, please. Thank you.
[8:05] Uh, please stand for the Pledge of
Allegiance.
[8:08] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America,
[8:09] and to the republic for which it stands,
one nation under God, indivisible,
[8:11] with liberty and justice for all.
[8:13] I pledge allegiance to the flag of the
United States of America and to the
[8:19] United States of America and to the
republic
[8:19] for which it stands, one nation under God,
indivisible,
[8:24] with liberty and justice for all.
[8:26] All right. We have the
[8:31] minutes of the May 28th,
[8:36] 2026 meeting ready for
[8:40] approval?
[8:42] Move to approve. Second.
[8:44] Okay, I've got a motion by Ms. Smith, a
second by Ms. Hoskins. All in favor say
[8:49] second by Ms. Hoskins. All in favor say
aye.
[8:50] Aye.
[8:50] Any opposed?
[8:51] Abstain. I hadn't read it.
[8:53] Did you get that, Ms. Gooch?
[8:56] I heard that.
[8:57] All right, motion passes. Thank you very
much.
[9:02] All right, does staff have any changes to
the agenda
[9:07] today?
[9:07] Yes, thank you, Code Enforcement Board.
[9:11] Louis Cruz, Chief Code Officer,
representing the City of Largo.
[9:16] Um, we do have a few here.
[9:19] It is going to be case number 17, that's
going to be CER-26-00361,
[9:25] Dominic Christian Dunsmore, Ashley Mae
Dunsmore, at 3097 Brookfield Drive,
[9:31] Largo, Florida 33771.
[9:33] That case will not be heard,
[9:36] and I'll go through a few other ones here
that will not be heard as well.
[9:42] Okay.
[9:43] The next one's going to be case number 22—
or excuse me,
[9:50] item number 22, case number CER-26-00325,
Joshua L.
[9:56] Vandemark and Marianne Z.
[9:59] Nieves Vandemark at 2042 Georgiana Street,
Largo, Florida 33774.
[10:07] Item number 27, case number CER-26-00383,
[10:12] Bruno Maganza at 2245 Kent Drive North,
Largo, Florida 33774.
[10:19] Item number 30, That's going to be case
number CER-26-00416,
[10:27] Douglas F. Brown and Deborah B.
[10:31] Brown at 723 20th Street Southwest, Largo,
Florida 33770.
[10:38] Item number 34, that's case number
CEC-26-00099.
[10:44] That's Town Center Plaza, LLC at 1600
North Missouri Avenue,
[10:51] Largo, Florida 33770.
[10:54] Thank you.
[10:55] 770. And we have a few additional ones
here to add.
[11:01] Please go to page 8.
[11:04] And that's going to be item number 42.
[11:08] That's going to be case number
CER-25-00316,
[11:14] Ronald Vigenault and Lauren Moniz.
[11:18] At 1133 Hickory Drive, Largo, Florida
33770.
[11:23] Please go to page 9. That's going to be
item number 19.
[11:30] That's going to be case number
CER-26-00225.
[11:36] Yes.
[11:36] Haseko Group LLC at 1106 Melba Court,
Largo, Florida 33770.
[11:42] On that same page, that's going to be item
number 20.
[11:48] That's case number CEC-26-00048, Carley
Properties, LLC,
[11:53] at 1509 Clearwater Largo Road North,
Largo, Florida 33770.
[11:59] And please go, please go to page 10.
That's going to be item number 24.
[12:07] That's case number CEC-26-00093,
[12:10] Wright Brothers Development XX LLC at 1300
Clearwater Largo Road North
[12:18] out at Largo, Florida 33770.
[12:20] And those will be moved to not heard for
today. Okay, thank you.
[12:27] All right, thank you very much.
[12:29] Okay, the board will first hear cases in
which persons have signed in today.
[12:33] To accommodate those of you In the
audience,
[12:36] just so you kind of understand as we move
through the agenda.
[12:40] And then after those cases are heard,
[12:42] the board will resume with its original
agenda.
[12:45] So we'll be jumping around to accommodate
those of you who have signed in here
[12:49] today. Um, so just kind of follow along,
listen.
[12:52] When we call case numbers,
[12:53] know what your case number is because we
will be jumping around a bit, um,
[12:58] throughout the process.
[12:59] And then at this time, if you are here,
[13:01] so anyone who is going to speak today
should now stand and be sworn in by the
[13:06] should now stand and be sworn in by the
board
[13:06] secretary. So if you're going to be
speaking, please stand up, raise your
[13:10] speaking, please stand up, raise your
hand.
[13:11] Miss Gooch will swear you in.
[13:12] Do you swear or affirm to tell the truth,
so help you?
[13:19] I do.
[13:19] Thank you. Be seated.
[13:21] Thank you, ma'am. The procedures for
presentation of an initial case of
[13:25] presentation of an initial case of
violation
[13:26] are as follows. So the city will present
its case to the board.
[13:30] The board may ask questions of the city
staff during their presentation.
[13:34] The alleged violator will present his or
her case.
[13:37] The board may ask questions of the alleged
violator.
[13:40] The board has the authority to determine
the relevance of any evidence or testimony
[13:45] presented. Following presentations by
staff and the alleged violator,
[13:50] the board may ask additional questions of
the parties and will offer both the city
[13:55] and the alleged violator an opportunity to
present a brief closing statement.
[13:59] Following closing statements, I will close
the hearing,
[14:03] and the board will discuss the case.
[14:05] The board may ask additional questions of
the city and the alleged violator.
[14:10] After its discussion,
[14:11] the board will determine what action it
will take with regards to the case being
[14:16] heard. This is typically addressed in the
form of a motion.
[14:19] All right, and at this time,
[14:21] the board attorney will address the
audience regarding who may speak before
[14:26] audience regarding who may speak before
the
[14:26] board, and the procedures for requests for
reduction.
[14:29] Good afternoon, everyone.
[14:31] Like our board chair already stated, this
is a quasi-judicial proceeding,
[14:35] which is similar to a court proceeding.
[14:38] However, only the named respondent on the
notices of hearing is going to be allowed
[14:43] to testify for that specific case, present
witnesses,
[14:47] and introduce evidence to the board.
[14:49] There are 2 types of respondents in
today's hearing.
[14:52] We have some individual named respondents
and we have properties owned by
[14:57] corporations or limited liability
companies.
[15:00] If you're presenting testimony for a case
as an individual respondent,
[15:04] you have to be the respondent him or
herself as identified in the notice of
[15:09] herself as identified in the notice of
hearing,
[15:09] or have some form of written authorization
from the property owner identified in the
[15:15] notice of hearing allowing you to speak on
their behalf.
[15:18] If you're a respondent for an entity such
as a limited liability company or a
[15:23] corporation, you have to be the owner of
that entity as listed on Florida SunBiz,
[15:28] or once again have some written form of
authorization signed by the property owner
[15:34] allowing you to speak on their behalf.
[15:36] We also have an item here for request for
reduction.
[15:39] As the board already knows,
[15:41] the board is authorized to approve a fine
reduction pursuant to Section 972 of the
[15:46] Largo Code of Ordinances.
[15:48] However, the board cannot reduce any fine
below the administrative cost incurred in
[15:53] prosecuting the code enforcement action.
[15:56] Plus the minimum fee as established in
Appendix B of the Largo Code of Ordinance.
[16:01] Those minimum fees are $500 for first-time
violators and $1,500 for repeat violation
[16:06] cases. If the board decides to reduce the
fine,
[16:09] the board must specify in its order the
date in which the fine—
[16:13] the reduced fine must be paid in full.
[16:16] The specified date cannot be less than 30
days from today's hearing date and no more
[16:21] than a year. Um, that is essentially all
we have.
[16:24] Once again, the respond—
[16:26] if the respondent fails to pay the reduced
fine by the day set by the board,
[16:31] the fine reduction will be deemed waived
by the respondent and the full amount will
[16:36] be reinstated automatically. And such fine
cannot be heard for reduction again.
[16:41] That is all.
[16:42] Thank you, Ms. Carrera. I appreciate that.
[16:45] Okay, we are going to get started And as
mentioned before, we will go in the order,
[16:50] um, for those of you who have signed in
today,
[16:54] which brings us to agenda item number 23.
[16:56] And that is case number CER-26-00272,
Brittany Miller.
[17:00] Property is 1610 Valencia Drive East,
Largo, Florida 33778.
[17:04] So if you were here in the chambers today
for that case, you can Okay, perfect.
[17:09] You can come on up, um, to the lectern
there,
[17:12] and then the city will present their case,
and I'll turn to you,
[17:17] have you introduce yourself and present
your case after that. Okay, thank you.
[17:22] Thank you for being here.
[17:24] And whenever you are ready— hello, sir,
how we doing today?
[17:28] Good.
[17:28] All right, whenever you're ready, please.
[17:30] All right, Code Officer Mark Knotts
representing the City of Largo.
[17:36] This is case number CER26-00272.
Respondent's Brittany Miller.
[17:42] Property address is 1610 Valencia Drive
East, Largo, Florida 33778.
[17:48] This is a homesteaded property.
[17:51] The violations are the 2023 Florida
Building Code Section 105,
[17:57] building without permits, as adopted by
reference in CDC 18.1.1,
[18:03] and CDC 16.2.2, detached storage buildings
and gazebos/pergolas required
[18:09] permits.
[18:10] Okay.
[18:13] The initial inspection of the property was
on April 2nd, 2026.
[18:17] The notice of violation dated April 2nd,
2026.
[18:21] The notice of violation compliance date
was May 3rd, 2026.
[18:25] The reinspection date was May 4th, 2026,
[18:28] and the reinspection result was
non-compliant.
[18:31] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[18:37] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[18:37] Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
[18:40] And the notice of hearing was posted on
the property,
[18:44] posted in the lobby of City Hall,
[18:46] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner in Pinellas County Property
[18:52] Appraiser. This is the notice of hearing
posted on 7/15/2026.
[18:57] All right, this is a front view of the
property.
[19:00] So what initiated this, as you can see,
[19:03] the massive unpermitted carport on the
right-hand side of the property.
[19:09] Uh, it was built without a permit.
[19:11] Uh, it's a close-up of the unpermitted
boat carport.
[19:15] You can see a small structure behind it.
Um, they're deeming it a shed.
[19:20] Um, the shed was also built without a
permit. Another close-up of both of those.
[19:26] This is a 2017 aerial view of the property
before either of those structures were
[19:32] Installed. And this is a 2023 view showing
the construction of the shed,
[19:37] and the carport wasn't installed yet at
that point.
[19:41] Uh, this is a recent photo, uh, actually
taken this morning.
[19:45] They have removed the carport. Uh, there
still is the shed.
[19:50] Uh, contractor has contacted me and they
are working on getting the permit for the
[19:56] shed as of this morning.
[19:58] Uh, on the left-hand side of the property,
a more minor issue,
[20:02] there is an unpermitted, uh, gazebo that
was also noted during the inspection.
[20:08] Okay.
[20:08] The corrective action is to obtain all
necessary permits to cover the entire
[20:14] necessary permits to cover the entire
scope
[20:14] of work and obtain all necessary permits
for the gazebo.
[20:18] Staff recommends giving the respondent,
Brittany Miller, until August 31st, 2026,
[20:23] to achieve compliance.
[20:25] If compliance is not achieved,
[20:27] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board Impose a fine of $250 per day
[20:31] Board Impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[20:32] on September 1st, 2026, until the property
is brought into compliance,
[20:37] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[20:42] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[20:42] Property Appraiser of $269,029.
[20:44] Okay, thank you very much.
[20:46] Hello, please state your first, last name,
your address,
[20:50] and then relationship to the property
owner. My name is Brody Lassiter.
[20:56] I currently reside at 13125 Wilcox Road,
[20:59] and I represent the general contractor
that they've retained to get these
[21:04] that they've retained to get these
permits.
[21:05] Okay, do we need a letter of authorization
for that, Ms. Carrera?
[21:09] Yeah, I have not received a letter of
authorization.
[21:13] I turned it in when I came in.
[21:15] I believe I was told they were giving it
to Mary, right? Okay, one second.
[21:20] Okay, Brody. Brody Leister. Okay, you made
my phone.
[21:25] Good with that?
[21:26] Yep.
[21:26] Beautiful, thank you very much. Um, yeah,
thanks for coming in.
[21:29] Looks like you guys are making some
progress. What would you like to say
[21:33] progress. What would you like to say
today?
[21:33] I believe we covered most of it. Um, I
also have the pictures from this morning.
[21:37] The carport's been removed.
[21:39] With regards to the shed and the gazebo,
we have submitted for 2 separate permits.
[21:43] I believe both are pending review right
now,
[21:45] so I don't see any reason why those
wouldn't be accepted within the time frame
[21:49] wouldn't be accepted within the time frame
that
[21:49] they've requested. Okay, that's pretty
straightforward.
[21:52] Um, you brought those photos with the
permit numbers if you guys need these as
[21:56] permit numbers if you guys need these as
well.
[21:56] Those will be on record with the city. Um,
I appreciate that.
[21:59] So the city, we already have that.
[22:01] Um, since you brought those photos,
[22:03] you're welcome to include those if you
wanted to.
[22:05] We did see the photos that he took also
this morning, so if that suffices,
[22:09] then we can be fine there.
[22:10] But if you brought something that you
wanted to be submitted into the file for
[22:14] evidence, you You, of course, are welcome
to do that. Are they printed off?
[22:18] They are.
[22:19] Oh, perfect. Yes, you can bring them up.
That's fine. Thanks for bringing those.
[22:25] Um, oh, okay.
[22:27] Thank you.
[22:29] You guys all want to see these?
[22:30] Yes, please.
[22:30] Okay, so sounds like we're all on the same
page here.
[22:35] Um, right now, you know,
[22:37] a recommendation is for this to be taken
care of Before September 1st.
[22:42] How do you feel about that timeline? I
feel like that's reasonable. Okay.
[22:48] If I may, um, have you gotten a chance—
and thank you, Code Board— sure, um,
[22:52] have you gotten a chance to look at the
shed or structure there in the—
[22:56] on the back side of the property there, or
on the side of the property,
[23:00] I should say?
[23:00] Um, I was actually, uh, just— this was
brought to my attention this morning,
[23:04] so I did swing by the property this
morning.
[23:06] Um, I've seen the aerial view of the
gazebo, a brief explanation from the
[23:10] gazebo, a brief explanation from the
homeowner.
[23:10] Um, and I did briefly look at the shed
that was back there as well.
[23:14] I took a peek beyond the fence.
[23:15] Okay.
[23:16] Um, um, just, you know, obviously, you
know,
[23:18] we already have our recommended time
frame.
[23:20] Um, so just be mindful if the shed, you
know, you're kind of taking ownership of
[23:24] know, you're kind of taking ownership of
it.
[23:24] So if the shed wasn't done correctly, it
may take longer.
[23:27] You may, you know, so just be mindful that
it might not be in a state that it could
[23:31] be pushed through right away.
[23:32] So, um, make sure that 30 days is a good
comfortable time for you.
[23:35] Okay.
[23:36] If there is a, a longer time frame,
[23:38] I definitely wouldn't oppose in order for
us to obtain that.
[23:40] Um, but like I said, both of those permits
have been applied for.
[23:43] I believe they're in review right now.
[23:45] So we're waiting for a response back to
see what it is next that they would need.
[23:49] Question for the city, please.
[23:50] This requirement is just for the permits
to be issued,
[23:53] or must they be finalized as well?
[23:55] They just need to be issued.
[23:57] Just issued. Okay, then. And it sounds
like 30 days might be sufficient for that.
[24:02] But if, if something were to come up, like
you mentioned,
[24:05] that he had to do extra work on, then we
might need a little more time.
[24:09] So that's what I was worried about being
finalized.
[24:12] Yeah, I mean, that's a good question. Mr.
Cruz brings something up.
[24:15] He must have some knowledge of it. I'm
wondering if maybe 30 days—
[24:19] Does the board—
[24:21] I don't know. I mean, what did you think?
[24:24] Do you know the city's parameters and
requirements for size of shed build and
[24:28] requirements for size of shed build and
all of
[24:28] that? I, you know, maybe Mr. Cruz is
suggesting that you ask for 30 extra days.
[24:33] Yeah, 60 days would be wonderful. I'm not
sure of the exact specifics.
[24:37] I was just, like I said, brought to my
attention this morning.
[24:40] is any changes that's needed, then sure.
Yes, Mr. Bob, extra time.
[24:44] Was the permit for the shed— is that on
record, or is that in violation also?
[24:50] Yeah, the shed was part of the violation.
[24:52] They've submitted a permit for it already
though. It's just pending.
[24:56] Submitted the permit for both of those
things?
[24:58] Yes, sir.
[24:59] Okay.
[24:59] Okay. Is there anything, um, the city
would like to add in closing? No.
[25:04] And for you, sir, anything you'd like to
add in closing? No, thank you.
[25:08] And can you specify the date these images
were taken again?
[25:12] Those images were taken this morning.
[25:13] Okay, this morning. You would like,
[25:15] you would like to introduce this into
evidence as part of the case record?
[25:18] Okay, thank you.
[25:19] Okay, I'm going to close the public
portion. Um, any questions?
[25:23] If no further questions from the board,
I'm looking for a motion.
[25:27] I think we discussed maybe—
[25:28] Back on the screen.
[25:29] Yeah, okay, I can make the motion.
[25:32] Okay.
[25:34] I move in case number CER26-00272 to find
the respondent, Brittany Miller,
[25:41] in violation of 2023 Florida Building Code
Section 105,
[25:47] building without permits,
[25:49] as adopted by reference in CDC 18.1.1.A
and CDC 16.2.2. Second.
[25:55] For the property located at 1610 Valencia
Drive East, Largo, Florida 33778,
[26:02] and to assess a fine of $250 per day
beginning on October 1st, 2026,
[26:09] until compliance is achieved,
[26:12] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value of $269,029,
[26:18] and to order the respondent to contact
Community Standards Division to arrange
[26:25] for a re-inspection of the property to
verify compliance with the board's
[26:32] order.
[26:33] I'll second.
[26:34] Okay, I've got a motion by Ms. Hoskin and
a second by Ms. Smith.
[26:38] All in favor say aye.
[26:40] Aye.
[26:40] Aye.
[26:41] Any opposed? Okay, the motion passes.
[26:43] Um, just keep doing what you're doing and
stay in touch with the city.
[26:48] Check on those permits, because if they
get declined or denied for any reason,
[26:53] get back on it right away.
[26:54] Great.
[26:55] Thank you. Thanks for being in here— or
thanks for coming in here. Good luck.
[26:59] Page 10.
[27:03] Okay, I believe we are on agenda item
number 25, page 10.
[27:09] Mhm.
[27:09] Very good. That is case number
CER-26-00268.
[27:15] Li Thi Noc Nguyen and Nhat Nguyen at 2330
Kings Point Drive,
[27:23] Largo, Florida 33774.
[27:26] Code Officer Rivera, how are we doing,
sir? Doing good.
[27:33] How are you all doing?
[27:34] Fine, thank you.
[27:37] All right.
[27:37] Hello, sir. You can follow along on the,
on the monitor there.
[27:40] The city will present their case and then
I'll turn to you and what you have to
[27:44] say. All right.
[27:45] Good afternoon. My name is, uh, excuse me,
[27:49] Court Officer Ruben Rivera representing
the City of Largo.
[27:54] This is in reference to case number CER
2600268.
[27:59] Respondents, Anuit Nyon and Lai Tai—
[28:02] sorry for that.
[28:04] That's okay. Uh, property address is 2330
Kings Point Drive, Largo, Florida 33774.
[28:11] This is not a homestead property.
[28:14] Violations: CDC 15.18.B3, short-term
vacation rentals,
[28:19] minimum life safety requirements.
[28:22] CDC 15.18.B1, short-term vacation rentals,
minimum life safety requirements.
[28:29] CDC 15.18.B2, minimum life safety
requirements, swimming pool.
[28:35] CDC 15.18.E, short-term vacation rentals
designated responsible party,
[28:41] and CDC 15.18.B.4, short-term vacation
rentals minimum life safety requirements.
[28:48] The initial inspection of the property was
performed on 4/1/26.
[28:54] Notice of violation was dated 4/7/26.
[28:57] Notice of violation compliance date was
5/11/26. Reinspection date was 5/12/26.
[29:04] The reinspection result was non-compliant.
[29:08] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[29:15] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[29:16] Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
[29:19] The notice of hearing was posted on the
property, posted in the lobby of City
[29:26] property, posted in the lobby of City
Hall,
[29:26] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner and Pinellas County
[29:33] Property Appraiser's office.
[29:36] Here's a photo of the notice of hearing
which was posted on the property on
[29:42] 7/15/2026. This is just the advertisement
on VRBO for the STVR.
[29:48] It's another— just some of the dates,
frequent, uh, recent dates that was
[29:55] frequent, uh, recent dates that was
available.
[29:56] Thank you.
[29:59] Just some of the reviews.
[30:01] Uh, the corrective action is to meet all
short-term vacation rental inspection
[30:08] requirements. Staff recommends giving the
respondent,
[30:12] Nuit Nguyen and Le Thai Nguyen, sorry,
until August 26, 2026 to achieve
[30:17] until August 26, 2026 to achieve
compliance.
[30:18] If compliance is not achieved,
[30:21] Staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[30:26] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[30:27] on August 27th, 2026, until the property
is brought into compliance,
[30:32] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[30:38] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[30:39] Property Appraiser of $1,382,486.
[30:41] I just wanted to say that I have been in
communication with someone from—
[30:47] represents the company, or the—
[30:50] That's my assistant, Michelle.
[30:51] Right. At the moment, they're just—
[30:54] they're waiting for the permit for the
high-hazard electrical, uh,
[30:58] the smoke detectors being hardwired to be
finalized,
[31:02] and then I can go ahead and move forward
with the inspections.
[31:06] Yes, because—
[31:07] okay, very good. We call you guys about
the smoke detector. Sure, one, one second.
[31:11] I appreciate that. Um, go ahead and please
state your full name, property address,
[31:16] and then relationship to the property. Uh,
my name is Kenny Pham.
[31:19] I live on 7206 Watson Street. Uh, you mean
this property address?
[31:23] It's 23— No, you said your, your property
address is good.
[31:26] And then what is your relationship to the
owner?
[31:29] Uh, they're my uncle and, uh, and aunt.
Okay. And then do you have an affidavit?
[31:33] That is correct.
[31:34] We have one?
[31:34] Okay.
[31:35] Yes, perfect. Thank you for being here.
Uh, what would you like to say today?
[31:37] Mr. Chair—
[31:38] Uh, I'm sorry, one more second.
[31:40] On the sign-in sheet, um, you're on
Broughton Street?
[31:45] Yes, that's my—
[31:46] that That's my home address.
[31:47] Okay, thank you.
[31:48] All right, thank you, sir.
[31:49] No problem.
[31:50] So on May 12th, I did went out there to
try to meet the inspection,
[31:53] but we did also notify the,
[31:55] the code enforcement that we're going to
fail inspection because of the hardwiring.
[31:59] And I noticed that none of the rooms was
hardwired,
[32:02] and we've been getting back with code
enforcement and the fire marshal what
[32:06] enforcement and the fire marshal what
we're
[32:06] supposed to do. Code enforcement said we
only need in the rooms,
[32:09] but the fire marshal said we needed every
living area.
[32:12] So we, we were trying to get the
electrical issues to work out and get the
[32:16] electrical issues to work out and get the
right
[32:16] electrical work out and get bids and
everything,
[32:19] but we didn't get one finalized until last
week.
[32:21] So the permit is being, uh, being applied
at this moment, and, and,
[32:25] and we are waiting for it.
[32:26] Yeah, the permit is currently in review.
[32:29] Okay, okay, very good.
[32:30] So you're working towards it, you
understand the violation,
[32:34] you're wanting to come into compliance,
[32:36] you're doing everything you can to come
into compliance. That's the goal here.
[32:40] Um, okay. So right now, you know, after
board discussion,
[32:43] we're probably looking towards saying that
everything should be corrected by the end
[32:47] of August. August, hopefully. Yes.
[32:49] As soon as we get the issue of the permit,
[32:51] then we could have the electrical work
guys start,
[32:54] but I don't know how long that's going to
take. Right.
[32:57] How—
[32:57] what's turn times on inspections once,
[32:59] once he's ready to go and gives you guys
the word?
[33:01] About how long far out are we doing those
inspections right now?
[33:04] What I would say is, do you already have
hardwired smoke alarms in there?
[33:08] There's none.
[33:09] There's none in the house.
[33:09] That might take a little bit longer.
[33:11] We've had a very— I've had very quick
turnarounds if they're already there.
[33:14] They just need to apply for an
after-the-fact permit.
[33:17] Okay.
[33:17] If he needs to have them installed, that's
a little bit different.
[33:20] I don't want to speak to that because I
haven't come across that specific
[33:23] haven't come across that specific
situation.
[33:24] So I think a month would be good.
[33:25] It just depends on him and his contractor
and how fast they work.
[33:28] Yeah, how fast they work.
[33:29] And since this house, for some reason,
[33:31] none of them was hardwired anywhere for
some reason, which we weren't aware of.
[33:34] Are they still renting the property out?
Yes, we're still renting the property.
[33:38] They are still renting it?
[33:39] Yeah.
[33:39] Yeah. While in violation?
[33:40] Okay.
[33:41] Yeah, we saw— we, uh, we saw during that
time we're still trying to figure,
[33:45] trying to squeeze them.
[33:46] Hopefully within a week or 2, we— once we
get the, the permit issued,
[33:50] then we can have it— him could schedule in
as quick, as quickly as possible.
[33:54] The contract say 2, 3 days to get it done,
but we'll see.
[33:57] Okay, so yes, please go ahead.
[33:59] Sorry, um, 2 questions.
[34:01] Uh, number one, about the, um, uh, fire
alarms.
[34:04] That looks like a Fairly good-sized
property. How many need to be—
[34:10] Uh, that's one we saw. We estimate was 6,
6, uh, that's about 6 bedrooms.
[34:15] So it's one for each bedroom, then, then
the hallways and kitchen, probably about—
[34:21] I'm thinking about 9 to 10. I'm not quite
sure.
[34:24] So 9 or 10?
[34:25] Yeah.
[34:25] And they need to be installed? The
hardwire needs to be installed?
[34:29] There's smoke alarm in there.
[34:31] It's all battery operated. But it's not
hardwired or anything. That's the issue.
[34:35] Because the fire marshal and the code
enforcement need to be hardwired for some
[34:39] reason.
[34:40] I don't want—
[34:40] So yeah, do you have capacity for the
electrical already for all those?
[34:43] Yes, we have the capacity for it.
[34:45] I have a follow-up question. You don't
currently have a tenant or—
[34:52] Not today. We might have one tenant, but
at the moment, that's what—
[34:56] Well, that's in violation, right?
[34:59] No, um, in, in situations such as this,
[35:02] per the code of ordinance and anything
that we have obviously in the LDC,
[35:06] there is nothing that gives us the ability
to stop them from actually renting, um,
[35:12] that property.
[35:12] Okay.
[35:13] What we're here for is that enforcement
part, if, you know,
[35:16] and to give them a little nudge to
obviously come into compliance with the
[35:20] obviously come into compliance with the
things
[35:21] asked of by Officer Rivera, as well as,
um,
[35:23] us doing our short-term vacation rental
inspection.
[35:26] Which is a couple other things that he
probably was sent,
[35:29] most likely sent the packet of the things
that we look at when we go inspect.
[35:34] Then they get a high-hazard inspection by
the fire department.
[35:37] So, yeah. And I was thinking of the
practical matter of, you know,
[35:40] you've got guests in there that are
spending money to be there.
[35:43] Yeah.
[35:43] And then they're going to be disturbed and
interrupted by an electrician.
[35:47] So it would be better if you allowed a
vacancy period to get the electrical work
[35:52] done as well.
[35:52] Yeah.
[35:53] So we look at that.
[35:53] As soon as we get the permit, then we look
at our block, our schedule,
[35:57] and And block a week off.
[35:59] Okay. All right. Thank you.
[36:00] That's the plan.
[36:01] I had a second question regarding the
swimming pool.
[36:05] What was the nature of that violation with
the swimming pool that has since
[36:09] been corrected? Am I—
[36:11] Well, no, with the swimming pool,
[36:13] it's just part of the short-term vacation
rental requirements where we just got to
[36:17] make sure that it's fenced. And then
they're like the alarms for the doors.
[36:23] The alarm sounds.
[36:23] That's all in compliance?
[36:25] I have not, I have not inspected the home.
[36:28] So I'm waiting for the, for this to go
through.
[36:31] Then once, once we see that the permit is,
is final,
[36:35] then that's when we initiate our
inspection.
[36:39] Okay.
[36:39] It's all part of it,
[36:40] so it won't get signed off on unless
that's been taken place or unless that's
[36:43] happened.
[36:44] Yeah.
[36:44] And you're, you're fully aware of what all
the violations are and what all your
[36:47] requirements will be?
[36:48] Yes.
[36:49] Yeah, we got all Pretty much everything's
done except the fire—
[36:52] the smoke and fire alarm because it's not
hardwired.
[36:54] All right.
[36:54] Okay. Anything, uh, you guys would like to
add in closing for the city?
[36:57] Freezer, anything you'd like to add in
closing?
[36:59] Yeah, 2 months.
[37:00] Anything?
[37:00] 2 months.
[37:01] All good. Okay, I'm going to close the
public portion of this. And discussion?
[37:05] We're talking about extending the timeline
a little bit.
[37:08] I'm agreeable to it. Yes, at least 2
months because of the electrical issue.
[37:12] Yeah.
[37:12] Okay.
[37:12] For 10— getting an electric—
[37:14] I think we're all in agreement.
[37:15] We've had a couple of them like this in
the past though.
[37:19] You got people that are coming down and Is
that a Monday?
[37:24] Residing in those buildings during this
period of time.
[37:28] And, and to extend this period is a safety
factor for those people.
[37:33] Well, they're currently in there with
battery-operated ones.
[37:37] That's still— they still go off.
[37:39] Yeah, you make a good point.
[37:41] Do you have a— you like the recommended
timeline more so than extending it?
[37:45] Is that what you're saying, Mr. Buck?
[37:47] Yeah, I'd like to keep him on.
[37:49] I'm agreeable to— well, do we want to poll
the board? I'm okay with 60 days.
[37:55] 60?
[37:57] You're thinking 60?
[37:58] Yeah, the most.
[37:59] The most, yes. And Ms. Hoskins?
[38:02] All right, I'll make the motion.
[38:05] I move in case number CER 26-00268 to find
the respondent—
[38:11] you know what, when Li Thien— Li Thi Ngoc
Nguyen.
[38:16] Nguyen.
[38:16] In violation of the City of Largo
Comprehensive Development Code
[38:24] Section CDC 15.18.B Parent 3, CDC 15.18.B
Parent 1,
[38:29] CDC 15.18.B Parent 2,
[38:32] CDC 15.18.E And CDC 15.18.B Parent 4 for
the property located at
[38:39] 2330 Kings Point Road Drive, Largo,
Florida 33774,
[38:44] and to assess a fine of $250 per day
beginning on September 18th,
[38:52] 2026 until compliance is achieved,
[38:55] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value of $1,382,486,
[39:03] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards
[39:09] Division to arrange for a re-inspection of
the property to verify
[39:17] compliance with the board's order.
[39:21] I'll second that.
[39:22] Okay, I've got a motion by Mr. Bock, a
second by Ms. Saffarelli.
[39:26] All in favor say aye.
[39:28] Aye.
[39:29] Any opposed?
[39:31] Okay, the motion passes. September— what
was that date? 18th.
[39:34] Okay, so keep working towards it. Stay in
touch with the city.
[39:38] Let them know once everything is done and
ready for that inspection.
[39:42] Okay, hopefully we should be done by the
end of this month, but we'll see with the,
[39:47] uh— Sooner the better, for sure. Thanks
for coming in. Thank you.
[39:51] Page 12 for number 38.
[39:57] Perfect. Thank you so much.
[40:00] Page 12, agenda item number 38, case
number CER-26-00190,
[40:06] John M. Grant at 416 5th Street Northwest,
Largo,
[40:11] Florida 33770. Code Officer Knotts.
[40:15] Afternoon. Code Officer Knotts
representing City of Largo.
[40:21] This is case number CER-26-00190.
Respondent, John M. Grant.
[40:28] Property address is 416 5th Street
Northwest, Largo, Florida 33770.
[40:36] This is a homesteaded property.
[40:40] The violations are CDC 18.2.5,
[40:43] exterior structure protective treatment.
[40:48] CDC 18.2.5, exterior structure roofs
drainage.
[40:53] Okay.
[40:54] CDC 18.2.5, exterior structure stairways,
decks, porches, and balconies,
[41:00] and COO 11-47, duty of owners and
occupants.
[41:03] The initial inspection of the property was
on March 11th, 2026.
[41:07] The notice of violation was dated March
11th, 2026.
[41:11] The notice of violation compliance date
was April 26th, 2026,
[41:16] and the re-inspection date was April 27th,
2026.
[41:19] The re-inspection result is non-compliant.
[41:22] Notice of violation was sent via certified
mail to the listed property owner and
[41:28] Pinellas County Property Appraiser,
[41:31] and the notice of hearing was posted on
the property,
[41:34] posted in the lobby of City Hall,
[41:37] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner and Pinellas County
[41:42] Property Appraiser. This is the notice of
hearing posted on July 15th, 2026.
[41:48] This is the front view of the property.
Uh, you can see the roof is tarped.
[41:53] There's, uh, debris and materials on the
front porch.
[41:57] The, uh, fascia all along the property is
unpainted and deteriorating.
[42:02] Uh, there's various sections of unpainted
raw lumber that are deteriorating.
[42:08] Another close-up there. This is the front
porch of the property.
[42:12] Um, essentially, to get to the front door,
[42:16] you have to walk on a gangplank that
shifts as you walk on it.
[42:20] It's incredibly dangerous. Another front
view of the porch.
[42:24] Um, those palm fronds have been removed,
[42:27] but now there's still just a pile of wood
stacked up on the porch, and it's still,
[42:33] um, in the state it was where you have to
walk across a plank.
[42:38] This is a side view of the property.
[42:40] Again, you can see some deteriorated
siding there, um, tarp on the roof and
[42:46] siding there, um, tarp on the roof and
the, uh,
[42:46] fascia. The corrective action is to remove
all junk trash and debris from the
[42:52] property, maintain all exterior surfaces
in sound condition,
[42:56] maintain all exterior stairways, decks,
porches, and balconies in sound condition,
[43:02] and maintain the roof, soffit, and fascia
in sound condition.
[43:07] Staff recommends giving the respondent,
John M.
[43:10] Grant, until August 31st, 2026, to achieve
compliance.
[43:14] If compliance is not achieved,
[43:16] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[43:22] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[43:22] on September 1st, 2026, until the property
is brought into compliance,
[43:27] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[43:33] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[43:34] Property Appraiser of $133,929.
[43:36] Second.
[43:40] And that's it for my presentation.
[43:41] All right.
[43:43] Is this homesteaded?
[43:43] Yes.
[43:44] Yes, it is a homesteaded property. Hello,
sir.
[43:48] Please state your full name and property
address.
[43:52] John Grant, 416 5th Street Northwest,
Largo, Florida, uh, 33770.
[43:57] And you live in the home there?
[43:59] Yes.
[44:00] Great. Thanks for coming today. What would
you like to say?
[44:02] It's being done.
[44:05] Okay. Massive stuff.
[44:06] Um, I right now have the permit to build
the fence around the back of the house.
[44:13] That's to secure my back, and, um, I'm
working on it.
[44:17] I'm also working with the girls upstairs
to get permit for the, for the roof.
[44:23] The roof, before I do it, I need to pull
off the, the porch, porch roof.
[44:29] I have to pull it off the To rebuild the
structure of the roof.
[44:34] So that's the first thing I have to do.
[44:41] What do I tell you? Just step by step.
[44:43] Yeah, okay. So you agree you're out of
compliance,
[44:47] you're working towards becoming compliant.
[44:50] Yes.
[44:50] Which is the goal here. Okay, well, very
good. Any questions?
[44:56] Are you going to do the work yourself?
[44:58] Yes, ma'am.
[44:58] That was my next question.
[44:59] Yeah, being you're the owner, just to get
some advice,
[45:03] I think I'd be doing your fascia and
soffit and all that when you do the roof,
[45:08] because one protects the other.
[45:10] Right, right, right, right.
[45:11] But from looking at— what is the house
made of?
[45:15] Is it lumber that's rotting, or does it
look like asphalt?
[45:19] You know, shingles.
[45:20] Oh, you mean the roof? What is the roof
made of? Shingles are all coming off.
[45:24] Yeah, I think it's a shingle roof.
[45:25] I'm putting up the, um, I don't know what
you call it, that, uh, the face—
[45:29] the—
[45:29] Yeah, your fascia and soffit have to go.
[45:32] Yes, ma'am. Okay.
[45:34] It's gonna take him longer than 30 days.
[45:36] Yes, and he can't do the roof himself.
He'll need a contractor for that, right?
[45:40] No, he doesn't need a contractor if he's
living in the house. It's his house.
[45:44] Oh, okay. I didn't know you could do a
roof yourself.
[45:47] Yeah, if you live there and it's your
home, he has the right to pull the
[45:50] home, he has the right to pull the
permits.
[45:50] Okay.
[45:51] Which is why I'm saying it's gonna take a
lot longer,
[45:54] 'cause he's gotta do roof work, fascia,
soffit. He's gotta pull off that porch.
[45:59] That isn't structurally sound, that porch.
[46:02] Correct.
[46:03] It isn't structurally sound to hold up
that roof.
[46:05] And the fact that he's living there makes
it a danger.
[46:07] 2 2x4s?
[46:08] Excuse me?
[46:10] Looking at it now?
[46:11] The front?
[46:12] Are they 2x6s?
[46:13] Those are structural beams.
[46:14] Those are—
[46:15] I don't know the exact measurements.
[46:16] I'm sorry.
[46:17] He's trying to answer the question.
[46:18] I'm looking at them now. I'm trying to
figure out—
[46:20] Pulled out the old beams and put the new
ones in.
[46:22] Nice. These are larger than those.
[46:24] Yeah, they're, they're 4x4s.
[46:27] Okay, well, but they're rotten already.
[46:31] They already got wet.
[46:33] So the conversation here is, um, it needs
more than a month. More than a month.
[46:36] Anything the city would like to add in
closing?
[46:39] No. I did try to get him in touch with the
housing department.
[46:43] Um, they were willing to offer him funds,
[46:46] but I was told he wasn't willing to insure
the house to accept the funds.
[46:51] So this could have been taken care of a
while ago.
[46:54] As of this time, the only permit I see on
the property was for a fence,
[46:59] which wasn't cited. That's all I have to
add.
[47:02] Okay, anything you'd like to add in
closing before I close the public portion
[47:05] closing before I close the public portion
and we
[47:05] continue our conversation? Okay, yeah, go
ahead, Miss Smith.
[47:08] I have a question. If you're doing this
yourself,
[47:11] how much time do you think it's going to
take you?
[47:14] And are you here to ask the board for any
extension?
[47:17] The fence is absolutely incredible, um,
[47:20] digging down and finding concrete and
other stuff down there.
[47:25] I've been unbeliev— I have not believed
the amount of stuff where I'm putting it,
[47:31] just trying to put the fence in.
[47:33] And that's the first thing that's been
bogging me down.
[47:37] And you have the time and the physical
ability and the money and all of that?
[47:41] You can handle it?
[47:42] All right.
[47:43] But was he cited for offense?
[47:44] No, the offense is not on here. He's just
referencing how long it took.
[47:47] Wait a minute, when you pull the permit,
[47:49] how much time does he have after the
permit to get a job done?
[47:53] He's got to put in for a permit first,
right? And then he has how many months?
[47:58] It's 6 months.
[47:59] 6 months to get the work done.
[48:01] Multiple inspections. Each inspection can
extend.
[48:03] So the thing is, he's got to apply for a
permit first.
[48:06] If you could do the drawings What is this
about a fence?
[48:10] Why are we worried about a fence? There's
no fence. There's no fence in this case.
[48:12] Sir, you were not cited for a fence
violation.
[48:15] Right.
[48:16] So when you're asked—
[48:17] Your Honor, was.
[48:18] No.
[48:19] No.
[48:20] Oh.
[48:20] No, we're worried about the structure, not
the fence.
[48:23] Well, because the fence has a permit
application on it,
[48:26] we would be worried about the fence, but
it's not cited on this case because—
[48:29] I want my fence up before there's any
stolen items from the back.
[48:34] I got all my Could you put the pictures
back up, please?
[48:39] Yeah, could you—
[48:40] yeah, show the pictures and maybe the
compliance slide once again.
[48:45] So the main issues is the, the porch, I'm
assuming.
[48:48] I don't want to assume, so can the code
officer—
[48:52] Yeah, I didn't cite anything for the
fence.
[48:54] It was just the main structure itself and
the porch.
[48:56] He's never done this, so I never put
anything about a fence in the notice.
[49:00] So do you understand that, sir,
[49:02] that the main concerns that you were
actually cited for pertain to the repairs
[49:07] actually cited for pertain to the repairs
of
[49:07] the porch and the main structure itself,
the home?
[49:10] Is it the front porch or the rear porch?
[49:13] Could you answer that for us?
[49:15] All exterior.
[49:16] It's the, the front porch. We've never
viewed the rear of your property.
[49:20] I don't understand what he wants.
[49:21] You don't understand what he wants in
terms of compliance from the front porch?
[49:26] Could you—
[49:27] Yes.
[49:28] Provide some explanation for him?
[49:30] So the roof and soffit need to be repaired
with a permit,
[49:33] and the permit needs to be finalized.
[49:36] The porch needs to be brought into a safe
state and repaired with a permit and
[49:41] finalized, and any junk trash or debris on
the porch needs to be removed,
[49:46] as well as any damaged siding on the
building needs to be replaced.
[49:50] That's a whole lot more than just a porch.
[49:54] But if you give him a month to get the
permit,
[49:57] and he does his own drawings,
[49:59] then he's got 6 months to do these
repairs.
[50:03] I'd be happy to do the drawings.
[50:06] Yeah.
[50:06] Okay, so you understand as it pertains to
the porch what needs to be done,
[50:11] the removal of the junk trash and debris,
and put down,
[50:14] and the repair of the porch itself,
correct?
[50:17] Yes, ma'am.
[50:18] Yeah. Okay. And the main structure What,
[50:20] what are those items under the main
structure for compliance?
[50:25] The repair of the roof, soffit, siding,
and the porch.
[50:30] Okay.
[50:31] That's with the roof also.
[50:33] Okay.
[50:33] Right.
[50:33] We're gonna have to stay in contact with
him so as he can go over everything and
[50:37] tell you what's going on.
[50:38] No problem.
[50:39] That's the best way, basically. This is
all new to you, so.
[50:41] Yeah.
[50:42] Well, I have a question though, but there
were 45 days During those 45 days,
[50:47] were you in contact with them?
[50:50] Yeah, um, with the city, yes.
[50:52] Is that correct?
[50:54] Yes, I've spoke to Mr. Grant several
times.
[50:57] Like I said, I was trying to coordinate to
get him funds from the housing department
[51:01] to potentially have them do the work for
him, which they were willing to do.
[51:06] He just wasn't willing to insure the house
to receive those funds.
[51:10] So I was coordinating with him for quite
some time.
[51:12] I believe it says the initial violation
notice was mailed in April,
[51:16] so it's been a substantial amount of time.
I'm sorry, March.
[51:20] March.
[51:20] March. Yeah.
[51:21] Okay, so the board understands,
[51:23] the city understands that we think it's
going to take them a lot longer than 30
[51:29] going to take them a lot longer than 30
days
[51:29] to get this done. The city has been
dealing with this issue since mid-March,
[51:34] so take that for what it is. We can decide
what we want to decide.
[51:39] But I go all along with everything that
was proposed, recommended, but not $250.
[51:46] But do you agree with the date, the due
date?
[51:49] Yeah, because I don't know how good he is
drawing plans.
[51:52] Right. And from what I understand, the
permits have to be finalized.
[51:56] Correct.
[51:57] Which means his work has to be completed
in order to be successfully reinspected.
[52:02] Do you understand that?
[52:04] Yes, ma'am.
[52:04] You think you can get it done in 30 days?
[52:06] I hope so.
[52:07] You're gonna hustle? Let's go 45.
[52:10] I'm recommending September 1st. I'd go at
least another couple of weeks.
[52:14] Yeah.
[52:15] Yeah, I wouldn't go to 250 because that
seems crazy.
[52:19] If he's doing it himself and living in
there,
[52:21] then he knows the urgency and the danger.
[52:23] But all he's got to do is get the
paperwork done and his permit.
[52:28] Then he can start all the work and he's
got 6 months.
[52:32] 6 months to finish the work if he pulls an
active permit,
[52:37] and he can always go for an extension,
right?
[52:40] And until those permits are finalized,
though, he won't be in compliance,
[52:44] so he would still reach that date.
[52:46] I know, but I'm saying if he draws the
permits himself and he goes down and he
[52:51] submits them, he's got 60 days to do all
that, I'd say, hypothetically.
[52:56] And then he's got 6 months to finish all
the work.
[52:59] And if he isn't finished by then,
[53:02] he can come in and ask for an extension at
the building department, right?
[53:07] You're talking about on the permit?
[53:08] Yeah, you're just talking about on the
permitting.
[53:10] Yes.
[53:10] For the permit enforcement end, which
we're focusing on,
[53:13] is if these are not finalized by the date
that you guys are about to give,
[53:18] regardless of the extensions that—
[53:19] I understand that. So I'm saying, yes,
that is exactly how it works.
[53:23] 60 days, because he's drawn his own
permits.
[53:25] And they have to go through permitting,
inspections, and that stuff.
[53:29] Then he can start all his work.
[53:30] And then each time—
[53:32] And then each time, if he needs an
extension,
[53:34] you can go in and talk to them about an
extension.
[53:36] Yeah, but let's not convolute the 2
things. We're here about the violation.
[53:40] That's what I'm saying.
[53:40] Yeah.
[53:41] 2 months, but I don't recommend $250.
[53:43] Okay.
[53:44] I just think that's a lot.
[53:45] For the fine amount, remember, you have
factors that you have to consider.
[53:50] It's the gravity of the violation, whether
there were repeat violations on,
[53:55] for this property owner and the steps that
he has taken so far to come into
[53:59] compliance, right, to correct the
violation. So the 3 factors.
[54:03] So when you are, uh, assessing fine amount
all the way to the $250,
[54:08] those are the factors that you need to be
thinking about and considering.
[54:12] Thank you very much. Okay, any more
conversation?
[54:16] Anybody feel comfortable making a motion?
[54:19] I'll make the motion. Thank you.
[54:20] Thank you.
[54:20] I move in case number CER 26-00190 to find
the respondent, John M.
[54:27] Grant, in violation of CDC 18.2.5.C1, CDC
18.2.5.C5, CDC 18.2.5.C8,
[54:34] and COO 11-47 for the property located At
416 5th Street Northwest, Largo,
[54:41] Florida 33770, and to assess a fine of
$100 per day beginning on October 1st,
[54:49] 2026, until compliance is achieved,
[54:52] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value of $133,929,
[54:59] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to
[55:06] arrange for a re-inspection of the
property.
[55:11] to verify compliance with this board's
order.
[55:15] I'll second that.
[55:17] I already had a second.
[55:18] I think she missed a number on one of the
CDC violations.
[55:25] I think you missed the middle 5 on the
second one,
[55:30] 18.2.5.C5.
[55:31] I believe I read it correctly, but—
[55:32] So amended?
[55:33] If necessary, if it was not read
correctly,
[55:39] I will amend the violations to include CDC
[55:45] 18.2.5.C5. 18.2.5.C1, CDC 18.2.5.C5, CDC
18.2.5.C8,
[55:52] and COO 11-47.
[55:54] Thank you.
[55:54] You need a second for that amendment.
[55:56] Yeah, I'll second that.
[55:57] Ma'am, I have something to add to it.
[55:59] Sir, the public portion is closed at the
moment, so let them deliberate.
[56:05] Okay. Amended motion by Ms.
[56:08] Smith and a second by, I believe it was
Mr. Bach.
[56:13] All in favor say aye.
[56:15] Aye.
[56:16] Any opposed? Motion passes. Did you want
to add something, sir?
[56:20] Yes, um, the, the people at Sears were
looking for a way of addressing the— how,
[56:26] how to put down, um, what kind of work am
I going to be doing, um,
[56:30] the work I'm going to be pulling the porch
off of the back of the house,
[56:35] and she wanted to know how, you know, how
would I write that up?
[56:40] Um, he's got to go through the building
department.
[56:44] Yeah.
[56:45] Yeah, you got to talk with these guys.
[56:46] Okay.
[56:47] Yes, thank you.
[56:48] And they'll help you with anything you
need.
[56:49] Bingo.
[56:50] Okay, so you'll get, um, you'll get
information about this,
[56:53] but do you understand what we just found
here today?
[56:56] Absolutely.
[56:56] Okay, perfect. Thank you for coming in.
Keep working towards—
[56:58] Thank you.
[56:58] Working towards getting it done.
[57:00] And we move to, uh, number 9 on page 5.
[57:03] You had an amended motion. Do you need to
go back to the original motion?
[57:07] We passed the original motion.
[57:08] We just passed—
[57:09] Oh, I took a vote for the amended— the
amendment.
[57:11] Yeah, we passed the amendment. Now you
need to go back to the original.
[57:15] Yeah.
[57:16] Do we not?
[57:17] No, because there was an agreement. It was
a friendly amendment, right?
[57:20] So there was—
[57:21] yeah. Yeah.
[57:21] And what now?
[57:23] My attorney says I'm good.
[57:24] Just want to make sure.
[57:25] Not your attorney.
[57:27] Oh no, not my attorney.
[57:28] The board attorney.
[57:29] No, it's our attorney.
[57:30] Our attorney. Thank you. All right.
[57:34] So item number 9 on page 5.
[57:37] Thank you. What is it?
[57:38] Hearing aid.
[57:39] Oh, that's okay.
[57:40] I mean, I can hear fine, or you just want
me to test it?
[57:43] All right, we are moving to page number 5,
item number 9,
[57:50] case number CER-25-00431, Christy J.
Pallas at 3786.
[57:56] Anglers Lane, Largo, Florida 33774.
[58:00] Chief Code Officer Cruz.
[58:03] Thank you, Code Enforcement Board.
[58:05] This is Code Enforcement case number
CER-25-00431.
[58:09] Um, the property itself, um, as you can
see there,
[58:13] I do have the affidavit of non-compliance.
[58:16] They were to comply on or before July
29th, 2026.
[58:20] Um, if they were not to comply by the 29th
Fines were— excuse me,
[58:25] fines were to start July 30th at $100 per
day, and unfortunately,
[58:30] there is no permit that has been applied
for, issued, and finalized.
[58:36] Okay, I do see the affidavit of
non-compliance on the screen
[58:41] here. Um, hello, sir. Please state your
name and your address.
[58:47] My name is David Martin, M-A-R-T-I-N.
[58:50] Um, I'm the co-resident at the property
listed by Officer Cruz.
[58:56] Uh, we're temporarily staying at 13211
Whispering Palms Place Southwest.
[59:03] So you're now no longer at Whispering
Palms?
[59:06] No, that's where we are now.
[59:08] You're currently living there, but you—
[59:10] when the property is inhabitable,
[59:12] you co-reside at the subject property at
Angler's Lane?
[59:16] That's correct, Chairman.
[59:17] Okay, and, um, we have received— okay, you
knew where I was going with that.
[59:21] Yep.
[59:22] Okay, thank you very much. Thanks for
coming in. What would you like to say
[59:25] coming in. What would you like to say
today?
[59:25] Well, first, if you don't mind, you're not
showing any permit activity,
[59:29] and I can pull that up for you and you can
see, but I will pull that up for you,
[59:33] right?
[59:34] If not, you're right.
[59:35] When I leave here, I'm going straight on
the phone to call the people that are
[59:39] supposed to be pulling permits.
[59:40] I think I literally just checked this
morning, so It's always good to
[59:44] morning, so It's always good to
double-check,
[59:45] and we will have it on record, of course.
[59:47] And sir, you can— if you check one of the
monitors,
[59:49] you'll be able to see what he's pulling up
as well.
[59:52] Oh, this is a roof— this was a roof permit
that was applied for.
[59:56] Oh, okay.
[59:57] Thank you. Yeah, that's who's over there
working, so I was hoping that was the
[1:00:04] working, so I was hoping that was the
case.
[1:00:04] Okay, um, good afternoon.
[1:00:06] Um, I want to thank the board for allowing
me to respond, um, to this and Um,
[1:00:13] if it's possible, I'd like to, to respond.
[1:00:16] Um, I'll make it as short and sweet as I
can, but in 2, 2 different, uh,
[1:00:22] 2 different ways, or 2 different points I
want to make.
[1:00:27] First off is the violation itself.
[1:00:30] Um, on May 1st, 2005, we were cited by an
Officer McMillan.
[1:00:35] Yes.
[1:00:36] for 3 items. One was to deal with the
dock,
[1:00:40] one was to deal with a vehicle, and the
other was with the pool.
[1:00:45] Those items were taken care of to Officer
McMillan's— he was—
[1:00:51] he said everything was taken care of to
his satisfaction.
[1:00:56] And the last we heard from the city was on
September 3rd, 2005.
[1:01:01] Okay.
[1:01:03] On March 9th, I received a violation—
[1:01:06] or we received a violation notice from
Officer Cruz, um,
[1:01:11] under the same case number but completely
different list of violations.
[1:01:18] Um, when I spoke with Officer Cruz, we
exchanged emails, a couple phone calls.
[1:01:24] He explained to me that, um,
[1:01:27] Officer McMillin should have cited all
these other things when he was there in
[1:01:34] 2005, but did not for whatever reason.
And—
[1:01:38] '25.
[1:01:38] It was no longer with us. Officer McMillin
was no longer with the city.
[1:01:44] So the point I'm trying to make is, and I
said all this the last time,
[1:01:49] I just want to do a little refresher,
[1:01:52] was that These violations that I'm
standing here before you today is—
[1:01:58] were all brand new to us in March of this
year, even though it's a 2025 case number.
[1:02:04] Isn't this—
[1:02:05] They really don't have anything to do with
each other.
[1:02:08] Second—
[1:02:08] At least we don't think so. Could be
wrong.
[1:02:12] The other issue we're dealing with, which
I explained last time,
[1:02:17] is When the house was damaged during
Hurricane Helene, we had, well, Ms.
[1:02:22] Pallas, Christy, I'm going to call her
Christy.
[1:02:27] Sure.
[1:02:27] That's what I call her. So it's gonna trip
me up if I keep saying Ms. Pallas.
[1:02:30] No problem.
[1:02:31] Christy had a home equity line through
Wells Fargo.
[1:02:35] So all the paperwork and everything that
the adjuster completed and filed with the
[1:02:41] insurance company, and everything the
insurance company did was had Wells Fargo
[1:02:47] insurance company did was had Wells Fargo
on
[1:02:47] the paperwork, rightfully so, because they
had a lien on the property.
[1:02:52] By the time she got the first check, which
I think was either end of April,
[1:02:57] first part of May of 2025, she had paid
off the home equity line in full.
[1:03:02] It was all settled, closed out.
[1:03:05] She had received the the lien letter, lien
release, whatever, from the county.
[1:03:10] It was all done. She got the check, took
it to Wells Fargo,
[1:03:15] wanted them to just sign the money over
because at that point they really
[1:03:20] because at that point they really
shouldn't
[1:03:20] have had any, um, you know, um, they
weren't able— the money wasn't—
[1:03:25] they weren't entitled to any of the money.
The loan was closed. They refused.
[1:03:31] Um, they insisted that she deposit the
money in Wells Fargo in an
[1:03:36] money in Wells Fargo in an
interest-bearing
[1:03:37] account, and then she could use it from
there.
[1:03:40] Well, she refused because obviously they
didn't have claim to the money at that
[1:03:46] point. So over the next 3 or 4 months,
[1:03:48] going up the food chain at Wells Fargo and
getting nowhere,
[1:03:53] she contacted the insurance company,
explained the situation to them.
[1:03:58] They were like, sure, we understand, no
problem.
[1:04:01] If you provide us the documentation that
the line—
[1:04:05] that the loan has been settled and the
lien has been cleared,
[1:04:09] we'll issue a check to you with just your
name on it. Great.
[1:04:13] She provided all the paperwork.
[1:04:16] Several months later, another check shows
up, still has Wells Fargo on it.
[1:04:21] Repeat the process. Long story short, on
June 4th of this year,
[1:04:25] she finally received the check for the
full settlement.
[1:04:30] with—
[1:04:30] in just her name. Several days later,
[1:04:33] she went to MidFlorida because she's done
with Wells Fargo, um, deposited them,
[1:04:39] opened a new account, deposited the money.
[1:04:42] And there's obviously a hold with a new
account and a large check.
[1:04:46] So the money finally became available
about the 23rd or 24th of June.
[1:04:51] Since that time, we've gotten the ball
rolling on getting things corrected.
[1:04:57] First thing we needed to do was get an
electrical inspection, which that didn't—
[1:05:02] from what I heard from the city,
[1:05:05] didn't require a permit unless they found
something that had to be repaired.
[1:05:10] Luckily, except for a new pool pump timer
and a new pool pump, which we knew that,
[1:05:16] we were good. We've pulled— we've got a
roofer That's working on the roof.
[1:05:21] Um, the air conditioner guy is supposed to
be out next week, the end of next week.
[1:05:27] Um, so now we have the pool— new pool pump
and timer's been installed,
[1:05:32] so the water is circulating, will be
circulating in the pool.
[1:05:36] Um, as soon as the AC is up and running, I
can get in there and finish what,
[1:05:42] what a little bit of demolition has to do.
[1:05:45] We'll, we'll be getting with the city And
get one of their small dumpsters so we can
[1:05:51] finish the demolition and then start, you
know, probably with the kitchen,
[1:05:56] kitchen cabinets, the bathroom, whatever,
doing the walls, whatever we need to do.
[1:06:02] But the reason we're here is because,
frankly, we just— without the insurance
[1:06:07] frankly, we just— without the insurance
money,
[1:06:08] we were dead in the water.
[1:06:09] There was— trust me, we'd like nothing
more than to be back in our home.
[1:06:15] Sure.
[1:06:15] But there was nothing we could do.
[1:06:17] I mean, What I don't want to say
disposable income, because as working
[1:06:20] disposable income, because as working
folks,
[1:06:21] we really don't have such a thing.
[1:06:22] Right.
[1:06:23] Luckily, we have a little bit of a
cushion.
[1:06:26] Unfortunately, for the better part of it,
so since December of 2024,
[1:06:31] that's been going to pay for rent at an
apartment and for 2 storage units
[1:06:37] because we had a lot of stuff.
[1:06:39] Right.
[1:06:39] So we've got almost, you know,
[1:06:41] a little over $3,000 a month going out
that we never used to.
[1:06:46] Right.
[1:06:46] And that didn't leave any money to get
anything done at the House.
[1:06:48] Okay. So I certainly understand. I
appreciate it.
[1:06:51] Sounds like you're working towards
progress here. I have a couple questions
[1:06:56] progress here. I have a couple questions
for you.
[1:06:56] So this is a second hearing, right?
[1:06:58] We had the— we had the initial hearing
about these violations already.
[1:07:02] Were you here at that hearing or was a
representative here at that hearing?
[1:07:07] Yes, sir, I was.
[1:07:07] Okay. Thank you. Are you disputing that
any of these—
[1:07:12] that these items are Actual violations.
[1:07:15] Oh no, we're absolutely in violation.
[1:07:17] All we're— okay, all we're trying to say
is it's not,
[1:07:19] it's not due to lack of effort.
[1:07:21] It's not— we appreciate you snubbing our
nose at the board or the city or code
[1:07:25] enforcement or anybody else. We were
literally without that money.
[1:07:28] Of course we were dead in the water.
[1:07:30] Yep.
[1:07:30] And it's— and like I said, we've had it a
little, well, almost 6 weeks, 7 weeks,
[1:07:35] and we've already got started and things
going on.
[1:07:38] Okay, and we appreciate that.
[1:07:39] Um, I guess the last question I have
really is just for the city.
[1:07:43] That is an interesting point that he
brings up about the same case number.
[1:07:46] I don't know that I've heard that before.
I mean, does that have any bearing?
[1:07:50] No, I just did an amended notice of
violation. That's all I did.
[1:07:53] Officer McMillan opened up the case
initially, as he spoke of,
[1:07:57] and cited specific stuff.
[1:07:58] So I did an amended notice of violation
when I took over the case after Officer
[1:08:02] McMillan had left the city. So it doesn't
really have any bearing.
[1:08:06] The case number just stayed associated
with The same exact situation,
[1:08:09] which had to do with the hurricane damage
and repairs.
[1:08:12] Now, with that amended violation, my
follow-up question, I guess, is, does it—
[1:08:16] do those amended violations come with
their own new set of timelines?
[1:08:19] Yes.
[1:08:19] Okay. So it wasn't like he was expected to
have them done?
[1:08:22] No, definitely not.
[1:08:23] Okay.
[1:08:23] Thank you for— I was just curious on that.
[1:08:25] Yeah, I guess my only— if I may, my only
question on that is, um,
[1:08:29] somewhere down the road, if we come back
to ask for a reduction, and I realize,
[1:08:34] you know, I Is that going to count as— are
these new violations going to cause—
[1:08:39] going to count as a second set of
violations?
[1:08:41] Repeats? Yeah.
[1:08:43] Good question.
[1:08:44] No, no, it's all associated same case.
[1:08:46] Gave you a deadline and a projected fine
amount
[1:08:50] per day after that deadline, which was
today.
[1:08:55] Yeah.
[1:08:55] So that amount will rack up until you come
back to request it.
[1:08:59] Right, right.
[1:08:59] Yeah, you have a good question, and no,
[1:09:01] it will not be Counted as a repeat
violation because of the first, I would
[1:09:06] violation because of the first, I would
say,
[1:09:06] incomplete set, I guess, of violations.
So, uh, very fair question.
[1:09:10] And, and thank you, Code Board. And you
said it perfectly, um, Mr. Strong.
[1:09:13] Um, that first notice, all those
violations on there, they were not
[1:09:16] violations on there, they were not
adjudicated,
[1:09:17] so they have nothing to do with what we're
here today.
[1:09:20] So those won't get in the way of anything.
[1:09:22] Excellent.
[1:09:22] Um, and as, uh, Ms. Carrera had talked
about earlier,
[1:09:25] I don't know if you got a chance to hear,
Um, for the lien reduction, um,
[1:09:28] the goal is compliance, right? We're not
trying to harm you guys.
[1:09:31] We know this was a tough situation.
[1:09:33] Yeah, but this is just the due diligence
the city has to do to cover ourselves.
[1:09:37] Um, so again, we have a lien reduction
request process that we can go through,
[1:09:41] which it sounds like you're really going
here, which is fantastic.
[1:09:44] Always start with the roof. That's always
a good start.
[1:09:46] Um, so I appreciate that, and I appreciate
your update and everything, and honesty.
[1:09:50] I appreciate it.
[1:09:51] Didn't make a lot of sense to start
repairs inside when there's water coming
[1:09:54] repairs inside when there's water coming
in from
[1:09:54] the top.
[1:09:55] Yeah, exactly.
[1:09:56] And if I could add one more thing, I know
we've been going long.
[1:09:58] Sure.
[1:09:58] I just want to add, we did have a
Scrivener's error.
[1:10:01] I just want to make this part of the
record for the affidavit of posting.
[1:10:05] I had to write in the City Hall address.
[1:10:07] It was posted at this address, and in the
notice I just put West Bay Drive.
[1:10:11] Don't ask me why, but I had to write it in
because these were older forms before we
[1:10:16] got the new forms with the address already
automatically in the notice.
[1:10:20] So it's just a Scrivener's error. I just
wanted to let it be known.
[1:10:23] that it is 440 West Bay Drive.
[1:10:25] Okay. Okay.
[1:10:27] Where the notice was posted.
[1:10:28] Where the notice was posted.
[1:10:29] Where it was posted, yes.
[1:10:30] Okay, perfect. Thank you very much.
[1:10:31] Okay, if there's nothing else from the
city, anything in closing, sir?
[1:10:33] I think we have a good understanding.
[1:10:35] No, I mean, you know, um, like I said, uh,
once the AC's working,
[1:10:38] I can get in there and start doing my
thing,
[1:10:41] because I'll be doing pretty much all that
myself until we get to the point where
[1:10:45] it's stuff I don't know how to do, like
kitchen cabinets.
[1:10:48] Sure.
[1:10:48] And obviously any plumbing or electrical
or whatever.
[1:10:52] Um, but it is, and I realize, you know,
it's going to be a dollar amount every
[1:10:58] it's going to be a dollar amount every
day,
[1:10:58] but right, it is what it is.
[1:11:00] But, you know, so it's probably going to
be, I mean, I really have no idea.
[1:11:05] Yeah, I wouldn't hope more than—
[1:11:07] I wouldn't expect you to guess.
[1:11:09] 4 or 5 months, you know.
[1:11:10] Okay.
[1:11:11] This is homesteaded, this property? It's
still homesteaded?
[1:11:16] I think so.
[1:11:17] It'd be, yeah. Yes, Christie's lived there
since 1974.
[1:11:22] Take a quick look.
[1:11:47] Yes.
[1:11:47] Yes.
[1:11:47] Okay.
[1:11:48] Okay, very good. I'm gonna close the
public portion, and I'm looking for—
[1:11:53] Motion B.
[1:11:55] A motion.
[1:11:56] I believe it's Motion B.
[1:11:57] Yes.
[1:11:58] Yeah.
[1:11:58] All right, I move in case number CER
25-00431,
[1:12:03] For the property located at 3786 Anglers
Lane, to find— Largo, Florida,
[1:12:11] excuse me, 33774— to find the respondent,
Christy J.
[1:12:17] Pallas, did not correct the violation on
or before July 29th, 2026,
[1:12:24] and to accept the affidavit of
noncompliance.
[1:12:29] Second.
[1:12:31] Okay, I've got a motion by Miss Smith, a
second by Miss Marsh. All in favor say
[1:12:35] second by Miss Marsh. All in favor say
aye.
[1:12:36] Aye.
[1:12:36] Any opposed? Okay, motion passes.
[1:12:38] Just do what you've been doing, stay in
touch with the city, and then yes,
[1:12:42] definitely get the information about the
request for reduction once you're in
[1:12:46] compliance. And we'll see you again in a
few months, probably.
[1:12:50] All right, thank you very much.
[1:12:50] Thanks.
[1:12:51] Bye-bye.
[1:12:51] Good luck.
[1:12:52] Have a good day.
[1:12:53] Thank you.
[1:12:53] Item 15 on page Thank you, Ms.
[1:12:59] Smith. Page 7, agenda item number 15.
[1:13:03] That is case number CER-25-01033, 14472
Valentine Holdings,
[1:13:09] LLC, uh, for the property address at 14472
Valentine Drive,
[1:13:16] Largo, Florida 33774.
[1:13:18] Code Officer Rivera, is this another
second order here?
[1:13:24] Yes.
[1:13:25] Yes, sir.
[1:13:25] Okay.
[1:13:26] Court Officer Rivera with the city, uh,
for the city of Largo.
[1:13:30] Um, as you can see here, there's an
affidavit of non-compliance for, uh,
[1:13:36] case number CER 25-01033, uh, was to
comply on or before June 29th.
[1:13:41] And this is here, uh, the affidavit of
non-compliance.
[1:13:45] As of today, the permit, which is Should
be in the issued state for the,
[1:13:50] for the property to come into compliance.
It's under review.
[1:13:55] Okay.
[1:13:56] And, uh, says it's due to be reviewed, uh,
by city officials, um, by the 3rd.
[1:14:02] Okay.
[1:14:03] August.
[1:14:03] And once it's reviewed and, and issued,
[1:14:05] they would be in compliance at that point
in time?
[1:14:08] Oh, that's correct.
[1:14:09] Perfect. Thank you very much. Hello, sir.
[1:14:12] Please state your name, address, and, um,
what you would like to say today.
[1:14:16] Larry Plumstead, 13004 93rd Avenue,
Seminole, Florida 33436.
[1:14:21] 776.
[1:14:22] And in short, I think Mr. Rivera pretty
much covered it.
[1:14:24] Okay.
[1:14:25] And your relationship to the LLC, are you
a member of the LLC?
[1:14:27] I'm the contract— I work with the
contractor and just trying to get
[1:14:30] contractor and just trying to get
everything done.
[1:14:30] So we received authorization for Lawrence
Plonstedt.
[1:14:34] I'm sorry?
[1:14:36] Mr. Plonstedt?
[1:14:37] Yeah.
[1:14:37] Okay. Yeah, we have an authorization for
him.
[1:14:39] Okay. Yeah. So you said that Mr. Rivera
pretty much covered it.
[1:14:43] You're working towards it very close to
becoming—
[1:14:46] I was just getting the The engineers and
architect to deal with such a small little
[1:14:50] project, getting them to just sign off and
do it,
[1:14:53] and that's why it's delayed a little bit
longer. Okay.
[1:14:56] Anything else you'd like to add today?
[1:14:58] No, sir.
[1:14:58] Okay, perfect. I'm going to close the
public portion,
[1:15:06] and I am looking for a motion B.
[1:15:10] I move in case number CER 25-0103 For the
property
[1:15:17] located at 14472 Valentine Drive,
[1:15:21] to find the respondent Valentine Holdings
LLC did not
[1:15:28] correct the violations on or before June
29th,
[1:15:35] and to find the respondent To accept the—
[1:15:40] Oh, and to accept the affidavit of
noncompliance.
[1:15:47] Please amend to name the respondent
[1:15:51] as 14472 Valentine Holdings, LLC.
[1:15:55] Okay.
[1:15:56] So amended. Ms. Marsh, you good with that?
[1:16:01] Yes.
[1:16:02] Perfect. Okay. I'm looking for a second.
[1:16:05] I'll second.
[1:16:05] I've got a motion by Ms. Marsh, a second
by Ms. Smith. All in favor say aye.
[1:16:11] Aye.
[1:16:12] Any opposed? Okay, the motion passes.
Same, same type of thing, right?
[1:16:15] Like, keep working towards it and then
discuss about, um,
[1:16:18] request for reduction if that's something
that would be beneficial to you guys.
[1:16:23] After it's issued, then we have to come
back for a reduction?
[1:16:26] Is that how that works?
[1:16:27] You don't have to, but you have the
option.
[1:16:29] Yeah.
[1:16:30] Okay.
[1:16:30] Okay, so because fines are accruing at
this point.
[1:16:33] Okay, so as of today or as of the— as of
June 30th?
[1:16:36] As of June 30th.
[1:16:37] All right, y'all have a good day.
[1:16:39] Thank you. Thanks, you too.
[1:16:40] Thank you.
[1:16:40] Number 39 on page 13.
[1:16:46] Page 13. Thank you, Miss Smith. Item 39.
[1:16:49] Um, if we may.
[1:16:50] Yes, sir.
[1:16:51] The property owner who is here today, and
she did sign in,
[1:16:54] and that's obviously why she's in our
queue today, Um,
[1:16:56] she had to do a conference call at 3, so
if we could push her closer to the end,
[1:17:00] if hopefully she doesn't take too long,
that's completely up to you guys.
[1:17:03] Which item number?
[1:17:05] That's going to be item number—
[1:17:06] 33?
[1:17:08] Yeah, I think that's 30.
[1:17:09] Is that a first order?
[1:17:11] Yes.
[1:17:11] Yeah, okay, um, that's fine.
[1:17:13] We'll just skip it for now and put it at
the end of our list.
[1:17:17] She's what, item number 33?
[1:17:19] Item number 39. Oh, no, it's the The one
that's up right now. Is that correct, sir?
[1:17:25] Yes, 39.
[1:17:26] Pardon me.
[1:17:26] Yeah, we'll hold off on that,
[1:17:27] move that to the end of the list so she
can take her call.
[1:17:29] We have 20 minutes until her call.
[1:17:31] Yeah, but it's a first order. There's no
way.
[1:17:33] Yeah, okay. All right.
[1:17:35] Yeah, I'm willing to do that.
[1:17:37] All right.
[1:17:37] So we jump to item 12 on page 6.
[1:17:40] Yes.
[1:17:40] Understood.
[1:17:44] Officer Cruz.
[1:17:45] Mr. Cruz, don't let me forget about that.
[1:17:47] Yep.
[1:17:48] Jump backwards on that.
[1:17:49] No problem.
[1:17:50] Thank you. Okay, so yes, as Ms.
[1:17:53] Smith said, we are moving on to agenda
item number 12 now.
[1:17:57] That is case number CER-25-01147, Leonida
Lacage and Rajamonda Lacage,
[1:18:03] 1975 West Bay Drive, number 416, Largo,
Florida 33770.
[1:18:07] And I will at this point remind the board
and everyone here today These lovely
[1:18:13] people in front of me are clients of mine
and neighbors of mine,
[1:18:17] so I will run the basis of the meeting or
of this case number,
[1:18:22] but I will recuse myself from voting or
participating in the discussion like I
[1:18:28] participating in the discussion like I
have
[1:18:28] the other times it's been on the agenda.
[1:18:31] So with that being said, thank you very
much.
[1:18:35] I will turn to Chief Code Officer Cruz.
[1:18:38] And Board Chair will be filling out the
conflict voting form before the hearing is
[1:18:43] over.
[1:18:44] All right, thank you very much. Uh, Chief
Officer Cruz.
[1:18:48] Thank you, Code Board. This is Code
Enforcement case number CER-25-01147.
[1:18:53] Um, this is the property address of 1975
West Bay Drive, unit number 416.
[1:18:59] The property was to comply on or before
July 29th, 2026.
[1:19:02] If not, there was to be a fine implement—
Excuse me,
[1:19:06] implemented for $250 per day to start on
July 30th, 2026.
[1:19:10] Unfortunately, as you can see there, that
it is an affidavit of non-compliance.
[1:19:16] I tried to push it out as long as I
possibly could till about 12 o'clock this
[1:19:21] afternoon. It looks like— well, it is that
the permit is almost issued.
[1:19:26] The contractor was reached out to by the
city stating that he needed to—
[1:19:31] he or she needed to add on to the permit a
plumber and electrician,
[1:19:35] if I remember correctly, off the top of my
head.
[1:19:39] Um, and that was a month ago, and they did
not—
[1:19:42] they unfortunately did not add those.
[1:19:45] And that's really all that's needed to now
issue the permit,
[1:19:49] and they would be compliant.
[1:19:51] So that's kind of where we stand right
now,
[1:19:54] and that's why we do have the affidavit of
non-compliance.
[1:19:58] Okay, perfect.
[1:20:01] Hello.
[1:20:01] Hi.
[1:20:02] Hi.
[1:20:02] Please state your, uh,
[1:20:04] first and last name and your property
address.
[1:20:07] My name is Leonida Likai. We live at 131
Bluffview.
[1:20:11] No, the address.
[1:20:12] Oh, the address of the property?
[1:20:15] Your home address. Yeah,
[1:20:17] 131 Bluffview Drive, unit 401.
[1:20:21] And ma'am, your name?
[1:20:23] My name is Arimunda Likai.
[1:20:25] I'm Leo's wife. I live same address, 131
Bluffview Drive, unit 401.
[1:20:30] And I'm sorry for our language.
[1:20:33] We speak Albanian, and we try our best to
[1:20:36] explain our problem.
[1:20:38] What would you like to say today?
[1:20:41] The contractor, the one we hire, we
trusted him, and we thought he did all the
[1:20:47] trusted him, and we thought he did all the
work.
[1:20:47] And we— Leo and I, we're trying the best.
[1:20:50] We just want that property to be done as
soon as we can.
[1:20:56] And Leo signed affidavit on May 28th.
[1:21:00] And our contractor, he was here on the
board and he represented us.
[1:21:05] And he didn't contact us to say what was
the date or what needed to be
[1:21:11] done.
[1:21:14] So our request right now is please, can
you give him more time to find—
[1:21:19] because I'm not sure. The contractor said
he pulled the permit already.
[1:21:24] Okay.
[1:21:26] But now you need like to get the license
for the plumbing.
[1:21:30] Yeah, we already have, you know, 2 people,
plumbing and electrician guy, you know,
[1:21:35] we're gonna give already estimate to us,
you know, and gonna start next week,
[1:21:40] you know, to sign other.
[1:21:42] So does our vice chair would like to make
comments or—
[1:21:47] Well, um, to explain the process that this
is a second hearing.
[1:21:51] This is a second hearing, and when When he
came, or whoever came before us,
[1:21:57] you know, we discussed the proposed
timeline and would that be adequate.
[1:22:02] And we, you know, in agreement, we made
our decision that day.
[1:22:06] And your compliance was due yesterday. So
today a fine will start.
[1:22:11] And, you know, you can perhaps take that
up with your contractor if need be.
[1:22:16] But it's out of our hands.
[1:22:18] And You know, we have to adjudicate, you
know, on behalf of the city.
[1:22:23] And therefore, you know, again, like we've
expressed to other homeowners,
[1:22:28] if you need to come back or would like to
come back to request a reduction for the
[1:22:34] fine that you have accrued, then, you
know,
[1:22:37] you can follow that process and we'll
review it at that time.
[1:22:42] But today there's nothing else we can do
except—
[1:22:45] Fine.
[1:22:52] Mr. Cruz, could you pull the permit, the
permit application status?
[1:22:57] On the permit application,
[1:23:00] do the subs also have to have a license
and logo?
[1:23:05] Is that the problem?
[1:23:07] Possibly.
[1:23:09] I don't know.
[1:23:09] Again, I mean, if the—
[1:23:11] I don't know if that's what the problem
is.
[1:23:12] So in other words, that the electrician
that this The plumber that this contractor
[1:23:17] is using, or the plumber, might not have a
license for Largo.
[1:23:21] Sometimes they don't want to spend those
extra bucks.
[1:23:24] We offered them—
[1:23:28] the contractor, we told them, just find
somebody and we pay them.
[1:23:32] I know, but who he's found that he works
with probably doesn't have a license in
[1:23:36] Largo.
[1:23:41] Hire already have license.
[1:23:42] He found himself now plumber and
electrician, he said, not the contractor.
[1:23:48] Oh, who pulled the license? The
contractor?
[1:23:53] Uh, they didn't pull the license yet.
[1:23:55] Did they pull the—
[1:23:56] You mean the permit?
[1:23:57] No, I'm not 100% sure. I'm sorry, I can't
see that on my end here.
[1:24:02] It says, uh, active electrical and
plumbing subcontractors are required prior
[1:24:07] plumbing subcontractors are required prior
to
[1:24:07] issuing Please add the subcontractors,
[1:24:09] and then by going to our software that we
use for permitting.
[1:24:13] So right now the permit has not been
issued.
[1:24:17] It is outstanding, and there is a review
requirement on your end that needs
[1:24:23] to be submitted over to permitting in
order to finalize the steps for before
[1:24:30] issuance. So for compliance, a permit
needed to be issued.
[1:24:34] As of July 29th, and it has not been
issued.
[1:24:38] Ajos problemi, że duje ta zwiwi, että dier
na juli, tato nie jest na nanduje,
[1:24:43] że kiedyś maaryszu, że para, że kiedyś nie
zielata mię licenc per plamienie,
[1:24:48] da prata, da nuke kan buś, duje ta bani
naplajna CD,
[1:24:52] a ta skampera plajta per plamienie, per
elektryczny. Kys problemi tani?
[1:24:57] So, do you have anything to add? Any
closing statements? That was like.
[1:25:03] I'm not sure because we're not from here.
[1:25:04] We're from Pennsylvania and we don't know
all the rules and the regulation here.
[1:25:09] And we hire somebody to help us with this,
[1:25:11] but he didn't give it the right direction.
[1:25:13] He didn't give it the right— like, it was
misunderstanding between me and him.
[1:25:16] Okay, probably it's misunderstanding
because, you know, the barrier of
[1:25:20] because, you know, the barrier of
language.
[1:25:21] We hear you, but unfortunately—
[1:25:24] Something like, probably like, extend it
more time, please.
[1:25:29] Because you can't now.
[1:25:32] We can't.
[1:25:32] You can't do that. It's already been
effective.
[1:25:35] As far as assistance, you need to keep in
contact.
[1:25:38] The staff will help you as much as they
can.
[1:25:40] We've been in contact with Luis all the
time, and Ardor,
[1:25:43] she's trying to help us with them, with
the emails and everything, because—
[1:25:47] And do you understand that the contractors
that you hire need to be licensed to
[1:25:51] operate in the City of Largo?
[1:25:53] I think he is.
[1:25:55] Yeah, yeah, he might.
[1:25:58] Yes, right.
[1:26:01] They have indicated that they've hired
their own independent.
[1:26:04] One more.
[1:26:04] He'll find somebody else.
[1:26:05] He'll find somebody.
[1:26:07] Then, then when it's all done and you see
where you stand,
[1:26:11] then come before us when it's done.
[1:26:14] You, you have the option of requesting a
reduction, uh,
[1:26:17] once you've fully come into compliance.
[1:26:20] But you do have to exercise that option by
communicating with staff,
[1:26:25] filling out an application, and following
the reduction procedure.
[1:26:29] So that's a separate process, and it is up
to the property owner.
[1:26:34] Thank you. So that started from today. Is—
how much is the fine a day?
[1:26:38] $250 a day.
[1:26:40] $250 a day. Yes, that fine was determined
at the first hearing, right,
[1:26:45] where allegedly your contractor was With
the contractor who was here.
[1:26:50] And where we discussed the time he would
need and he agreed to it.
[1:26:54] That's why we encourage property owners to
come even when they're sending their own
[1:26:58] contractors.
[1:26:58] He was in the hospital.
[1:26:59] That's why we just signed the affidavit
for Mr.
[1:27:02] Sean to come here.
[1:27:03] He was in the hospital.
[1:27:04] Yeah, yeah, we hear you.
[1:27:06] But there is, you know,
[1:27:07] you have reduction available potentially
in the future if that's something that
[1:27:12] you're interested in. Department— the
permitting department is here.
[1:27:16] They can go and you can go and talk to
permitting right now if you wish.
[1:27:20] So if you have further questions in regard
to your permit,
[1:27:24] you can do that today if you would like to
do that.
[1:27:27] But yeah, for purposes of this hearing,
yes.
[1:27:29] And sometimes, frankly, when language is a
barrier, face-to-face helps.
[1:27:34] So if you go see them today in person,
[1:27:36] it might be better than trying to call or
email.
[1:27:39] So we just want to do everything we can to
help you.
[1:27:43] Yeah.
[1:27:43] Oh, I see her.
[1:27:44] Okay.
[1:27:45] As we reiterate in every case, our goal is
for you to come into compliance.
[1:27:50] So, you know, everything we can try to
recommend or suggest to you to help is in
[1:27:55] good faith. All right. Thank you. All
right. Um, if I'm speaking on behalf—
[1:28:00] Anything else you guys wanted to add or
the city wanted to add?
[1:28:03] I just wanted to say real quick, ask for
Hannah MeToo.
[1:28:06] That's who's been dealing with the permit.
That's who sent that last email.
[1:28:10] So ask for her and she'll help you
understand exactly what you need to get
[1:28:13] understand exactly what you need to get
this
[1:28:13] issued. Once it's issued, reach out and
we'll get you taken care of.
[1:28:16] You're getting ready to write that down on
a card for them?
[1:28:19] Is that what— yep, perfect. I thought
that's what I saw. Beautiful.
[1:28:22] Okay, I'm gonna close the public portion
at this time.
[1:28:25] Okay, you jumping on it, Roxy, or shall I?
[1:28:29] I move in case number CER 25-01147 for the
[1:28:35] property located at 1975 West Bay Drive,
[1:28:41] number 416.
[1:28:43] To find the respondents,
[1:28:48] Leonida and Rajamada—
[1:28:52] It's fine.
[1:28:54] Okay. Did not correct the
[1:28:57] violations on or before July
[1:29:01] 29th.
[1:29:02] And to find the respondents, Leonida
Lacage and Okay, I already said that.
[1:29:09] And to accept the affidavit of
noncompliance.
[1:29:11] I'll second.
[1:29:12] Okay, I've got a motion by Ms. Marsh and a
second by Ms. Smith.
[1:29:16] I'm not going to be voting on this. All in
favor say aye.
[1:29:20] Aye.
[1:29:20] Any opposed? No opposed, 1 recused. Okay,
motion passes.
[1:29:28] Okay.
[1:29:29] He's got a name. Oh, good. Okay. And
they're right here upstairs. Thank you,
[1:29:32] they're right here upstairs. Thank you,
guys.
[1:29:33] Good to see you.
[1:29:37] 41, page 8.
[1:29:38] Thank you.
[1:29:39] This is reduction.
[1:29:42] Item 41 on page 8 is next. Mr. Chairman?
[1:29:46] Thank you very much.
[1:29:47] You didn't agree when page was 8.
[1:29:49] I'm sorry?
[1:29:50] I did.
[1:29:50] Oh, no.
[1:29:51] Yeah, as Ms. Smith pointed out, we are on
page 8. Page 8, agenda item number 41.
[1:29:59] It is a request for reduction.
[1:30:01] Case number CER-25-00910, Nancy O'Keefe
and Timothy O'Keefe,
[1:30:07] 1024 San Marco Drive, Largo, Florida
33770. We have Code Officer Semino here.
[1:30:14] Is there gonna be any kind of case review
here before we turn to the—
[1:30:21] Yeah, I'll go over the case review.
[1:30:22] Okay, perfect, thank you.
[1:30:25] All right.
[1:30:26] Thank you, Code Board.
[1:30:27] Louis Cruz, Chief Code Officer,
representing the City of Largo.
[1:30:31] This is Code Enforcement Case Number
CER-25-00910, 1024 San Marco Drive.
[1:30:35] The case was opened September 3rd, 2025.
[1:30:38] Code officers responded to a complaint
concerning overgrowth and property
[1:30:42] maintenance issues. Upon arrival,
[1:30:44] they observed the violation and a notice
of violation was issued.
[1:30:48] Upon re-inspection, the code officer found
that the violation was not corrected.
[1:30:53] Okay.
[1:30:54] Due to the continuing violations,
[1:30:56] the case was set for the October 2025 Code
Enforcement Board hearing.
[1:31:01] First hearing date was set on October
30th, 2025.
[1:31:04] The respondent was not present at this
hearing.
[1:31:07] The code— the code board found the
respondent in violation of the cited city
[1:31:12] respondent in violation of the cited city
codes
[1:31:12] with fines starting on December 2nd, 2025,
if the property,
[1:31:16] property was not brought into compliance.
[1:31:19] second hearing that was held December 4th,
2025.
[1:31:22] The respondent was present at the hearing.
[1:31:25] Records show that the second hearing
notice was legally posted on the property.
[1:31:30] Records also reveal that a copy of the
first Code Enforcement Board order and the
[1:31:35] second hearing notice were mailed
certified to the respondent.
[1:31:39] The Code Enforcement Board, after
reviewing the evidence presented—
[1:31:44] after reviewing the evidence presented,
[1:31:46] found that the property was not in
compliance and ordered a fine of $100 per
[1:31:51] compliance and ordered a fine of $100 per
day to
[1:31:52] start effective December 2nd, 2025.
[1:31:54] The case was then resolved on February
10th, 2026.
[1:31:57] A re-inspection revealed that the property
had come into compliance.
[1:32:02] This property remained in violation of the
code board order for a total of 70 days
[1:32:07] at $100 per day, for a total fine due of
$70,000.
[1:32:10] From September 3rd, 2025 to February 10th,
2026,
[1:32:14] Officers conducted 6 reinspections in an
effort to bring the property into
[1:32:19] compliance. Staff has no objection to a
reduction in this case. Thank you.
[1:32:23] All right.
[1:32:26] Thank you very much. Hello there, sir.
[1:32:28] Please state your name, your property
address,
[1:32:30] and then we'd like to hear what you have
to say today.
[1:32:33] Timothy O'Keefe. My—
[1:32:36] where I live or the property where this
is?
[1:32:39] Your current address that you live?
[1:32:41] 517 Walkers Ridge Court, Woodstock,
Georgia.
[1:32:44] Okay, thanks. Thanks for coming in today.
What would you like to say?
[1:32:49] Um, as far as non-compliance, I mean,
this, this has been a kind of a long
[1:32:55] this, this has been a kind of a long
process.
[1:32:55] I realize, um, you know, I've got, I've
got some bad information,
[1:33:01] like these last folks from my contractor
that permits were not required for what I
[1:33:07] had done was interior updates. There
really were no electrical or plumbing.
[1:33:13] It was flooring, some tile work, some
fixtures, and it did put in some new
[1:33:19] fixtures, and it did put in some new
windows.
[1:33:19] So they told me that they really didn't
need permits outside of the windows,
[1:33:25] which I, I'm not sure when I—
[1:33:28] That's permit for the windows was
submitted Sometime back in—
[1:33:33] I don't have it very well documented, but
it was back in 2025, late 2025.
[1:33:38] But anyways, I kept trying to contact the
contractor.
[1:33:42] Once they were paid, good luck in trying
to get a hold of them.
[1:33:47] So I'm not disagreeing. It's been dragging
on. I tried to work in good faith.
[1:33:54] It's, you know, I'm not trying to make
excuses.
[1:33:57] It's not easy when you're not local to,
[1:34:00] to try to find other people that can do
the work for you.
[1:34:05] So, so yeah, I'm respectfully asking for
some consideration of a reduction.
[1:34:11] That's—
[1:34:12] it's in compliance now, I understand. So
it's, um, all I got to say. Sure.
[1:34:17] Well, I— we appreciate you coming in, and
the city's goal is always Compliance,
[1:34:22] right? And we appreciate you bringing the
property into compliance.
[1:34:26] And it's not an isolated incident where
contractors,
[1:34:30] whether ignorance or just because it
complicates their life,
[1:34:34] they say permits aren't needed, and they
really are. So we appreciate that.
[1:34:39] If there's nothing else you'd like to add,
anything the city would like to add—
[1:34:44] did you mention at the end your— the
city's position on reduction?
[1:34:48] Yeah, we have no objection.
[1:34:49] They've only had one code enforcement
case,
[1:34:51] and this was that one that we're hearing
today, so we have no objection at all.
[1:34:55] Okay. I mean, if you don't mind,
[1:34:57] we've owned the house for over 60 years
between my wife and her mother, and,
[1:35:01] you know, so we've tried to maintain it
properly, you know. I think so.
[1:35:05] Okay, and we will take that into
consideration as well. We appreciate that.
[1:35:09] I'm going to close the public portion. And
yeah, go ahead.
[1:35:13] Is the property occupied?
[1:35:14] No, it is not.
[1:35:15] It is decided on what we may use it as, a
winter home.
[1:35:18] We haven't decided, but it's been vacant
for a while.
[1:35:22] Okay, that's all I wanted to know.
[1:35:24] 70 times 100 is $7,000.
[1:35:26] That's what I thought.
[1:35:27] Yeah, the agenda—
[1:35:29] I was waiting for somebody to catch it.
[1:35:31] The minimum you can even give him is
[1:35:35] $566.18. So you have to go in between
[1:35:39] there.
[1:35:40] I do want to say one last thing if I can.
[1:35:42] I want to thank Mary for giving me some
good advice in the process.
[1:35:46] So I just want to say that she's really
nice. Mary's great. We agree.
[1:35:50] Paperwork to you and stuff like that.
[1:35:52] So that's all.
[1:35:53] Appreciate you saying that. We, we agree
as well.
[1:35:56] Um, any other questions from the board or
discussion? No.
[1:35:59] I'll make a motion. Okay.
[1:36:01] Thank you.
[1:36:02] I move in case number CER 25-00910 for the
property located at 1024 San
[1:36:09] Marco Drive, to accept the affidavit of
compliance for the respondents Nancy
[1:36:17] and Timothy O'Keefe,
[1:36:19] corrected violations but did not pay the
fine of $7,000,
[1:36:25] and to approve the request for reduction,
reduce the fine of $7,000 to $567.
[1:36:33] Second.
[1:36:36] Inclusive of the administrative costs,
[1:36:41] and order the respondent to pay the
reduced fine of $567
[1:36:47] within 30 calendar days.
[1:36:50] Is that reasonable for you, 30 days?
[1:36:52] I'll second.
[1:36:53] Hang on. This order, and if not paid
within 30 days of this order,
[1:36:59] the original amount will be due. Okay,
I've got a motion on the floor.
[1:37:05] I'm looking for that second now.
[1:37:08] Second, yes.
[1:37:08] All right, a motion by Ms. Marsh, a second
by Ms. Hoskin. All in favor say aye.
[1:37:13] Aye.
[1:37:14] Aye.
[1:37:15] Any opposed? Okay, the motion passes. $567
due in 30 days.
[1:37:19] Okay, do I get like an invoice or do I
just pay it through—
[1:37:23] Ms.— Have you given me your email?
[1:37:26] I think I have. I'll give it to you now if
you'd like.
[1:37:29] Yeah, she can take it down now quietly
over there, and then, um,
[1:37:33] just understand if it's not paid within 30
days, it goes back to the original.
[1:37:38] It's not $70,000, but it is $7,000. Yeah,
sorry about that.
[1:37:42] So significant.
[1:37:42] That's okay.
[1:37:43] No, that's good. I think I'll—
[1:37:47] Thank you, sir. Thank you.
[1:37:51] T-C-O-J-7-3-6-0.
[1:37:53] Okay, so we're moving on to 26. on page
10.
[1:37:56] Thank you.
[1:37:57] Page 10.
[1:37:58] I got it.
[1:37:59] Thank you, thank you.
[1:38:01] Okay, we are moving on to agenda item
number 26 on page 10 of the agenda.
[1:38:09] Um, that is case number CER-26-00269. Uh,
Jerome Troy St.
[1:38:15] Troy.
[1:38:15] Yep.
[1:38:16] Wow, thank you. Um, at 1001 10th Street
Southwest, Largo,
[1:38:22] Florida 33770. Uh, we have Code Officer
Rivera. Hello, sir.
[1:38:30] And thank you.
[1:38:31] This is a first order.
[1:38:32] Code Officer Ruben Rivera representing the
City of Largo.
[1:38:37] This is case number CR-20-26-00269. The
respondent is Jerome Troy St. Troy.
[1:38:45] Property address is 1001 10th Street
Southwest, Largo, Florida 33770.
[1:38:51] This is a homesteaded property.
[1:38:54] Violations: COO 5-4, foul running at
large,
[1:38:59] keeping of backyard foul requirements. COO
11-47, duty of owners and occupants.
[1:39:06] CDC 18.2.5.C5, Exterior structure, roofs,
and drainage.
[1:39:12] CDC 18.2.5.B1, exterior property areas
sanitation.
[1:39:16] COO 11-48, excessive growth of weeds and
debris.
[1:39:21] The initial inspection of the property was
on 4/6/2026.
[1:39:27] An amended notice of violation was dated
on 6/24/26.
[1:39:32] The amended notice of violation compliance
date was 7/2/26.
[1:39:37] Reinspection was 7/6/26. The reinspection
result was noncompliant.
[1:39:44] The amended notice of violation was sent
via certified mail to the listed
[1:39:51] property owner and Pinellas County
Property Appraiser.
[1:39:56] And the notice of hearing was posted on
the property,
[1:40:01] posted in the lobby of City Hall,
[1:40:05] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner and Pinellas County
[1:40:12] Property Appraiser's Office.
[1:40:15] Here we have the notice of hearing,
[1:40:18] which was posted at the property on
7/15/2026.
[1:40:23] This is the front yard, uh, that is a
chicken coop there in the front yard.
[1:40:30] The side yard with the junk, trash, and
debris.
[1:40:35] Thank you.
[1:40:37] Another view of the side yard.
[1:40:39] This is the backyard with the overgrowth
and the dilapidated structures.
[1:40:45] Looks like some— not sure if they were PVC
pipes or just makeshift tents back in the
[1:40:50] back.
[1:40:51] And just want to add, sorry, Officer
Rivera, this is a picture that was taken.
[1:40:55] Obviously, it's in the backyard of the
backside of the house.
[1:40:58] This was taken from the Pinellas County
trail, bike trail.
[1:41:04] Just a closer view of all the junk, trash,
and debris.
[1:41:07] Um, here, as you can see,
[1:41:09] I have circled the loose chickens that are
running in the front of the property.
[1:41:14] I've also observed them crossing the
street.
[1:41:16] However, I was unable to obtain a photo of
that.
[1:41:19] What about why?
[1:41:20] A chicken crossed the road?
[1:41:22] A corrective action: cut and maintain
grass and weeds below 12 inches in height.
[1:41:27] Remove all junk, trash,
[1:41:29] and debris and/or store in a fully
enclosed structure so as not to be seen
[1:41:34] enclosed structure so as not to be seen
from the
[1:41:35] road. Remove blue tarps from roof. Obtain
permits to repair roof as applicable.
[1:41:40] All permit work must be completed and
final inspection by building inspector
[1:41:45] final inspection by building inspector
passed.
[1:41:46] The permitted fowl, which is up to 12 per
single-family residence, no roosters,
[1:41:51] must be housed in an outdoor coop or
similar structure.
[1:41:55] And such coop or similar structure shall
not be located within the front yard and
[1:42:01] shall be maintained in a clean and
sanitary condition at all times.
[1:42:05] Fowl must not be running at large.
[1:42:08] Staff recommends giving the respondent,
Jirell Troy Sanchoy, until August 24,
[1:42:13] Jirell Troy Sanchoy, until August 24,
2026,
[1:42:13] to achieve compliance.
[1:42:15] If compliance is not achieved,
[1:42:17] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[1:42:22] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[1:42:23] on August 25th, 2026, until the property
is brought into compliance,
[1:42:27] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[1:42:33] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[1:42:33] Property Appraiser of $124,326. That
concludes my presentation.
[1:42:38] All right, thank you very much. Hello,
sir.
[1:42:40] Hi.
[1:42:41] Please state your, uh, full name and your
address.
[1:42:43] It's Jero Troy, St. Troy 1001.
[1:42:46] 10th Street Southwest, Largo,
[1:42:50] Florida 33770.
[1:42:51] Okay.
[1:42:52] That's 4436 if you want the last.
[1:42:54] Nice.
[1:42:56] Uh, people don't often know that. Uh,
thanks for coming in today.
[1:42:58] What would you like to say?
[1:42:59] Um, first of all, there's the—
[1:43:01] I think it's very strange that you guys
allow anyone to post
[1:43:06] anything. I was out of town for like 2
weeks.
[1:43:10] Okay.
[1:43:10] On the 15th, he posted that. I came back.
It was all on the ground.
[1:43:14] I highly encourage you guys,
[1:43:15] if you're gonna put something out in
Florida during the summer,
[1:43:19] have it in an envelope, then you paste it
on, and then it'll survive the rains.
[1:43:23] Otherwise, it's ridiculous, number one.
[1:43:25] I have pictures on my phone if you wanna
see it. You couldn't even read it.
[1:43:29] Oh, wow.
[1:43:31] So it doesn't make sense, someone who's
lived in Florida to do something like
[1:43:36] lived in Florida to do something like
that.
[1:43:36] But I didn't mind because it was actually
in my mailbox. So I was able to read that.
[1:43:41] Just a suggestion.
[1:43:43] Sure.
[1:43:43] And then the roof was tarped by the US
Army Corps of Engineers.
[1:43:47] You have a problem with that? I have a
problem with that.
[1:43:50] I'm part of the Pinellas Recovers program.
[1:43:53] They have been ridiculously nitpicky and
changing stuff.
[1:43:57] And every time you think you're done,
you're not. They ask for more.
[1:44:01] So the roof is not going to be—
[1:44:03] have the tarp removed regardless of what
you guys say. Sorry.
[1:44:07] It is part of the Pinellas Recovers
program.
[1:44:09] If I were to remove the tarp as this
gentleman demands I do,
[1:44:13] I would hold the city liable for causing
further damage to the property.
[1:44:18] Okay, there's a hole in the roof from the
hurricanes. I'm doing the process.
[1:44:22] I'm doing everything they're requiring me
to do.
[1:44:25] Which means going back and back and back.
Oh, we need this from 2025 now.
[1:44:30] Well, you didn't need that before. Why do
you need it now?
[1:44:34] Okay, well, we got it then.
[1:44:35] We've had to go to the IRS office,
[1:44:38] which requires you have an appointment way
out in August.
[1:44:41] And meanwhile, oh, if you don't get it in
this week.
[1:44:44] And it's been amazing what we had to do to
get this done.
[1:44:48] A lot of red tape, it sounds like. Yeah.
[1:44:50] And chickens, get out.
[1:44:51] I didn't realize until I had the paperwork
So thank you, in the mailbox,
[1:44:56] that it wasn't allowed to have fowl in the
front yard.
[1:44:59] I only put them in the front yard because
they kept getting killed in the backyard.
[1:45:04] So I said, let's try them in the front
yard for a little bit until we get things
[1:45:08] squared away with a coop in the backyard.
We now have a coop in the backyard.
[1:45:13] Okay.
[1:45:13] And all the chickens, which are under 12,
are in the backyard along with the turkey.
[1:45:19] And we got 5 rabbits back there too. I
don't have a lawn to mow, okay?
[1:45:24] And I don't have tents. Those are part of
the chicken coop. It's called poles.
[1:45:29] They're from a carport.
[1:45:31] And actually, we've got chicken wire all
around it,
[1:45:34] and I realized I didn't get enough chicken
wire.
[1:45:38] And this isn't free, and I am the only one
that's supporting the household.
[1:45:43] I've had no, no success yet and getting
support from anyone else in the household.
[1:45:48] I have 3 other adults now that my godson
is 18.
[1:45:51] So it's very challenging,
[1:45:53] but I've been doing my damnedest to get
everything squared away with their help.
[1:45:59] Despite they're not contributing
financially,
[1:46:02] they've been amazingly helpful in looking
out for me when I'm out of town for a
[1:46:07] couple weeks, taking care of feeding the
chickens, the dogs, and all that.
[1:46:12] Yeah, so this isn't something I've been
Thumbing my nose at the city.
[1:46:17] I've been working at getting everything
squared away, you know,
[1:46:21] but I only have so much time.
[1:46:23] And right now I'm driving taxi,
[1:46:25] and before I could get away with working
14 to 16 hours a day.
[1:46:29] Now I, I haven't slept in my bed for
almost a year.
[1:46:33] Okay, I sleep in the taxi, but I have a
residence.
[1:46:36] I'm just not able to sleep there because
if I sleep there, I miss out on business.
[1:46:42] Okay.
[1:46:44] Okay, and I have things I'm working on to
get it so I don't have to be driving taxi
[1:46:49] anymore. So I'm kind of in a rock and a
hard place, in a catch-22,
[1:46:53] because you can't make money if you don't
make money,
[1:46:56] and at the same time you got to pay bills.
[1:46:58] So, um, and again, I don't have a lawn,
you know.
[1:47:01] The only thing that could even be
considered to be weeds are some— those
[1:47:06] considered to be weeds are some— those
darn—
[1:47:06] what are those?
[1:47:07] Dandelions.
[1:47:08] oak tree. It's this kind of oak tree that
kind of puts seedlings everywhere,
[1:47:12] and I gotta like spray Roundup or whatever
on them to get them to kill at the roots,
[1:47:17] you know. And there are 3 chickens that
keep getting out, and I've, I've got, um,
[1:47:22] those, those, uh, cardboard poles.
[1:47:24] I've got chicken wire going around one,
and I got rolls enough to make it
[1:47:29] and I got rolls enough to make it
enclosed,
[1:47:29] and I'm gonna sink it up so they can't get
out.
[1:47:32] That's where we're at right now,
[1:47:34] but right now I have to get more chicken
wire because I thought I'd have enough to
[1:47:39] go over the roof to cage it in like a
cage.
[1:47:41] But I didn't realize I didn't get enough
to cover around the other end.
[1:47:46] And there's enough rain here in Florida
that unless you have a large enough space
[1:47:50] for the chicken run, it gets too soupy and
they all die.
[1:47:54] I've lost my chickens a couple times over,
[1:47:56] like half of them die overnight if you
don't have enough room for them to move
[1:48:01] around and they're too cooped up. Um, I
don't know. Do you have any questions?
[1:48:06] Well, there might be some follow-up
questions. You— I appreciate all of that.
[1:48:10] We as a board appreciate that.
[1:48:12] Um, you did bring up one interesting point
that rose a question in my mind.
[1:48:16] The tarp and the roof and the county, um,
the county program.
[1:48:19] What do we say about that? Is this new to
you today, or what do we say about that?
[1:48:24] I believe he said he's in the Pinellas
Recovery Program, which Which is—
[1:48:28] would that be who sent out the U.S. Army
Corps of Engineers?
[1:48:32] No, I took it down to the Blue Roof
Program.
[1:48:36] Yeah, there's a program that comes out.
[1:48:38] Yeah, so this was after the fact. I
actually got like just a— is it okay if I
[1:48:44] actually got like just a— is it okay if I
talk?
[1:48:44] Yeah, sorry. I only got $1,300 to fix the
roof from the insurance.
[1:48:49] There's a $2,000 deductible.
[1:48:51] So that's more info.
[1:48:53] So that wasn't even enough to pay for the
roofers.
[1:48:55] So okay, I took care of the free Blue Roof
program or blue tarp program through the
[1:49:00] U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. They
actually hired professional roofers to do
[1:49:04] actually hired professional roofers to do
that.
[1:49:04] And that's something else, um, it's a— it
puts on here like failure to, like, think,
[1:49:08] says soffits and proper drainage and
stuff.
[1:49:11] That's ridiculous.
[1:49:11] There's never been soffits. There's never
been gutters.
[1:49:14] There's never been anything but a roof.
There is no soffits.
[1:49:17] All it is is a roof,
[1:49:18] and all it is is tarp protecting the roof
from where it got holes punctured in it
[1:49:22] and where the, uh— Florida room roof got
peeled back by the hurricane.
[1:49:25] It's like a tin can,
[1:49:26] like a sardine can rolled back and flew
off in the neighbor's yard and my yard and
[1:49:30] all that stuff.
[1:49:31] So what is your current—
[1:49:32] what is your current status with the
program right now?
[1:49:35] I know you lamented about all of the red
tape. Are you still in the program?
[1:49:39] I got angry with the last caseworker,
[1:49:41] and I'm going to be going to personally
talk to their supervisor because it's like
[1:49:46] I'm actually in the car with a passenger
and I answered the phone to say, yeah,
[1:49:50] I got that stuff from the IRS.
[1:49:52] And then I, and I, and I said, I'm in the
process of emailing it to you now.
[1:49:57] And while I'm working with a passenger who
actually has dementia going on,
[1:50:01] she's asking me the same question 4 times
in a row,
[1:50:04] and I keep reading it off to her. And I
got upset.
[1:50:07] Okay.
[1:50:07] So I got to take care of it by going in
person.
[1:50:10] Okay.
[1:50:10] And talking to the supervisor to get
someone else reassigned to it because
[1:50:15] someone else reassigned to it because
they—
[1:50:15] she's been ignoring The submissions had
not required—
[1:50:18] not replied to the submissions with the—
what I had to do for the 2025 tax. Okay.
[1:50:24] Do you feel like that has any bearing on
your position, Mr. Cruz?
[1:50:28] No, I understand. And then maybe it just
threw them off seeing the tarp.
[1:50:32] The goal is to get the tarp off of there
because obviously it becomes like junk
[1:50:36] trash and debris, especially this long
after obviously the situation that the
[1:50:40] after obviously the situation that the
city
[1:50:40] went through. The goal is to get the roof
fixed, right,
[1:50:43] which then takes off the tarp. So
obviously it kind of goes hand in hand.
[1:50:46] The goal is to get the roof fixed because
obviously there's damage to the roof.
[1:50:50] So that's kind of—
[1:50:51] So the corrective action would be to
obtain all permits needed
[1:50:57] for the repair of the roof and finalize
those permits. Okay.
[1:51:03] Yes.
[1:51:04] So not necessarily removing the tarp. But
making the necessary repairs.
[1:51:09] Yes.
[1:51:09] To the roof.
[1:51:10] This actually says it must remove the
tarp.
[1:51:13] It actually says you must remove the tarp.
[1:51:15] Yes.
[1:51:15] It doesn't say to fix the roof.
[1:51:18] I see that, sir, and that's why we're
asking these questions, um,
[1:51:22] because your order is not necessarily
going to be, you know,
[1:51:26] a repeat of your notice of violation. This
is kind of your trial hearing.
[1:51:32] to find whether that violation even exists
and what is the appropriate corrective
[1:51:37] action.
[1:51:38] Okay.
[1:51:38] Okay.
[1:51:38] Yeah.
[1:51:38] Okay.
[1:51:39] If you guys can help with getting the
Final Escape Recovers program to expedite
[1:51:42] things, that'd be awesome.
[1:51:43] Do we have contacts there that you guys
work with? Not all families.
[1:51:47] Our housing division may have contacts.
Housing division.
[1:51:50] Probably housing.
[1:51:50] Housing division.
[1:51:51] No.
[1:51:52] Are they in this building, Mr. Bergeron?
So did you hear that, Mr.—
[1:51:56] Yes, he did. Someone's up there. Oh,
sorry.
[1:51:58] And then someone mentioned that there's a
housing department that might—
[1:52:01] because if it falls through, I'd love to
have that for backup.
[1:52:05] Yeah, that is correct. What floor is
housing? Do we know?
[1:52:09] I can go try to get someone's card.
[1:52:11] Okay, that'd be helpful.
[1:52:13] Thank you.
[1:52:14] While we continue to ask, I have a
question for the city.
[1:52:18] Does—
[1:52:19] do his violations pose a danger to his
neighbors or the community? in any way.
[1:52:24] And I believe that you said that his
property abuts the Pinellas Trail.
[1:52:29] Does he have secure fencing back there?
[1:52:32] If the chickens have been moved, all the
fowl, all the critters, so to speak,
[1:52:37] have been moved to the backyard,
[1:52:40] they can't get out through gaps in his
fence onto the trail.
[1:52:44] That's an issue, a potential issue, isn't
it? I'm asking.
[1:52:48] Right.
[1:52:49] The only— I mean, the only complaint I've
heard from some of the neighbors is that
[1:52:53] the chickens go into their yards. and tear
up their yard.
[1:52:55] Okay.
[1:52:56] I haven't seen that though. Like I said,
I've seen them.
[1:53:00] Right. So the chickens have to be housed
in the backyard and/or let free-range
[1:53:05] in the backyard and/or let free-range
roam,
[1:53:05] whatever, in the backyard only.
[1:53:08] And the backyard then would need to be
secure so that they don't get out from
[1:53:13] secure so that they don't get out from
behind
[1:53:14] the house.
[1:53:14] It's a privacy fence. It was actually put
up through the Angel Fund.
[1:53:18] Okay.
[1:53:19] Through— by the City of Largo and a
contractor.
[1:53:21] Does the city object to giving him any
more time?
[1:53:25] Because I don't see how he's going to get
this all done if the roof has to be
[1:53:30] repaired and finalized, you know, if the
permit has to be issued, roof repaired,
[1:53:35] finalized. Are the contractors working
that fast nowadays?
[1:53:39] The roofers— have you got a roofer that
you're in touch with?
[1:53:43] It's probably not going to take With the
program,
[1:53:46] they're either going to be bringing
everything up to code— that's the program—
[1:53:50] or they're going to be demolishing it all
and putting a brand new house.
[1:53:54] Oh my. Okay, I mean, that's—
[1:53:59] no.
[1:53:59] Is that part of FEMA?
[1:54:01] No, I don't think it's part of FEMA.
[1:54:03] Government, the state program that— yeah,
it was awarded,
[1:54:07] and then certain portions of— okay, of
money were given to our county.
[1:54:11] And they're the administrators of that
fund.
[1:54:14] They could actually, if they wanted to and
I get approved for it,
[1:54:18] put a house there to replace this one
valued up to $325,000,
[1:54:21] and I actually get forgiven that amount
over time for staying in as an owner of
[1:54:26] over time for staying in as an owner of
the
[1:54:26] home.
[1:54:26] A follow-up question for the framing of
these structures that he testified are
[1:54:32] part of the coop. Would those fall within
the allowed guidelines for a chicken
[1:54:38] coop?
[1:54:38] I'm Um, I don't know about the guidelines
of a chicken coop.
[1:54:41] I wouldn't know that off the top of my
head, but just looking at it myself,
[1:54:45] I would say no. I don't,
[1:54:46] I don't think that has anything to do with
a coop in that backyard.
[1:54:50] That just looks like junk trash and debris
that's been covered up by tents that are
[1:54:54] now in disrepair themselves.
[1:54:56] Those are carports.
[1:54:57] Yeah, carports either.
[1:54:58] Yeah, yeah.
[1:54:58] But, uh, that, that there is some—
[1:55:01] what is under there? Dome-shaped
tent-looking item with the blue and the
[1:55:06] tent-looking item with the blue and the
white.
[1:55:07] Behind the framing of—
[1:55:08] Behind the little horse.
[1:55:09] Yeah, behind the little horse.
[1:55:11] The dilapidated tent that I got rid of.
[1:55:12] That was a tent. Okay.
[1:55:14] This is a carport, and then what we did
was we took this.
[1:55:18] Yeah, now it's underneath the trees here,
and I've got, uh,
[1:55:21] one with the chicken coop, uh, chicken
wire all the way around it,
[1:55:26] and I got 2 rolls of chicken wire But
that's enough to go over here and another
[1:55:31] that's enough to go over here and another
one
[1:55:31] because I'm putting it lengthwise
underneath the trees so they're protected
[1:55:36] underneath the trees so they're protected
from
[1:55:36] prey, birds of prey.
[1:55:37] And I have another 2 of these I'm putting
next to each other,
[1:55:41] and I didn't get enough of the chicken
wire to go around the second one to
[1:55:46] wire to go around the second one to
complete
[1:55:47] it.
[1:55:47] Oh, nice. Look at that. Thanks.
[1:55:49] Did that answer your question?
[1:55:51] So basically, 2 of those are going to be
the chicken coop.
[1:55:54] Right now I just have one that's enclosed.
[1:55:56] And I have enough chicken wire to go over
the top, and I just have to like—
[1:56:00] Okay. And then the other items about the,
you know, the front yard, the trunk,
[1:56:04] the junk, trash, debris— I mean,
[1:56:06] obviously that there is a photo of a
dilapidated tent like you just testified.
[1:56:10] Like, that stuff has to be removed.
[1:56:12] That was in the backyard. That was moved
like months ago.
[1:56:14] Okay.
[1:56:16] And the, the—
[1:56:17] when inspections were done, right, you
know, the condition of the property.
[1:56:20] Yeah.
[1:56:21] And when the inspections were done Those
things were present, right?
[1:56:24] And so they're going to be cited as a
violation, right? Right.
[1:56:26] So they— those things can't come back.
[1:56:28] I don't know the exact parameters or the
specifications for a chicken coop.
[1:56:32] I would recommend looking into that before
you invest any more money on chicken
[1:56:35] wire. Make sure that you're not building
or constructing something that's not even
[1:56:39] going to pass.
[1:56:40] Or there were no specifications.
[1:56:41] Okay.
[1:56:42] And it's just like a pond in the backyard.
There are no specifications.
[1:56:45] Okay, just some advice, right?
[1:56:47] Like, just Just make sure when you are
making these improvements and corrective
[1:56:50] actions that you're not just, you know,
[1:56:52] moving a violation from one place to
another. That would be my advice to you.
[1:56:56] Um, chickens get out, but it's your
responsibility to keep them from getting
[1:56:59] responsibility to keep them from getting
out,
[1:57:00] obviously, especially if,
[1:57:01] if they're going to wander into neighbors'
yards and they're going to keep calling
[1:57:05] and complaining on you, right?
[1:57:06] We, we don't, we don't like seeing people
in here,
[1:57:09] and we definitely don't like seeing people
repetitively.
[1:57:11] And so I fear that that might happen if
your chickens keep getting out.
[1:57:15] There's 3 that I have yet to be able to
catch.
[1:57:19] Okay.
[1:57:20] I don't know what to say. Every movie,
we've ever seen, someone catches them.
[1:57:23] I don't know.
[1:57:24] I have a question.
[1:57:25] Yes, please.
[1:57:26] Where are the weeds? The weeds and debris?
[1:57:30] I think the overgrowth, the overgrowth,
[1:57:33] growing over the fence and against the
fence.
[1:57:38] Okay, that's the City of Largo along 125
feet They have.
[1:57:43] Yeah, I was gonna suggest, yeah,
[1:57:45] where the city would have paved 10th
Avenue Southwest.
[1:57:49] That—
[1:57:50] and I've had— I've complained so many
times about the city not taking care of
[1:57:54] that property. Since I purchased the place
20 years ago,
[1:57:57] they've been out 3 times.
[1:57:59] So it was a site—
[1:58:00] I'm the only one making— fixing it,
picking up the trash,
[1:58:03] and people going through there.
[1:58:05] And I'm the only one who's been clearing
it off from the side,
[1:58:09] the fence that the city's not been taking
care of.
[1:58:12] Was the citation for the, the trail side
of— or the—
[1:58:15] No, it's, uh, you can see it inside the
fence, right?
[1:58:18] It's come up— the citation was from inside
and over the fence and,
[1:58:21] and right against the fence and the
property line.
[1:58:24] Um, that overgrowth is within the property
line.
[1:58:27] I do have some in the back I need to take
care of,
[1:58:29] but at the time that this was cited, it
was all removed.
[1:58:31] Okay, excellent. And that's the goal.
Yeah, that's our goal here, right?
[1:58:35] Um, but all this—
[1:58:38] anyway, so, um, what are the dates on
these images?
[1:58:41] What, what is considered overgrowth and
what is considered not?
[1:58:45] So the stuff that's growing on there is
flowers.
[1:58:48] All it is is moon—
[1:58:50] have you ever heard of moonflowers?
[1:58:54] It's a vine that—
[1:58:55] Are vines growing on fence structures a
violation?
[1:59:00] Since when is flowers along the fence a
violation?
[1:59:04] There's nothing along that fence that's
not moonflower.
[1:59:09] That's what grows fast in this—
[1:59:11] That's a good question.
[1:59:14] That was 4/6/2026.
[1:59:24] Okay, so my understanding right now is
That the alleged
[1:59:30] violator is working towards correcting
most of the cited
[1:59:37] violations.
[1:59:38] And has some red tape issues with—
[1:59:40] With the roof portion. With the government
agencies.
[1:59:43] Roof and/or the entire structure,
depending on how they deem it.
[1:59:45] Are you currently in that program? I was
kind of a vague answer.
[1:59:48] Did you get kicked out of the program or
are you still in it?
[1:59:50] No, we've been in it for over a year since
it started.
[1:59:52] But they didn't kick you out of it?
[1:59:53] You're still in it as far as you— As far
as you know, in your testimony?
[1:59:56] The only thing is, she— when I got upset
with her, I said, ma'am,
[1:59:59] I've said it 5 times.
[2:00:00] Yeah, I'm reading you exactly what it
says, and she's disagreeing. I can't say
[2:00:05] says, and she's disagreeing. I can't say
that.
[2:00:06] Okay.
[2:00:06] She said, I'll have to have someone else
take over your case.
[2:00:08] Okay, so is there anything else? Sure, go
ahead, Ms. Huskin.
[2:00:13] Okay, so this photograph of the side yard,
is this something that you can't fix, or—
[2:00:19] That doesn't even exist anymore.
[2:00:20] That was where I temporarily—
[2:00:21] the reason why it was covered around was
because that freezing time,
[2:00:25] and I had to do something to protect the
chickens. I had 4 chickens die in 1 week.
[2:00:28] Okay.
[2:00:29] In the backyard. So I just moved them out
to the front yard till we could build
[2:00:32] something in the backyard.
[2:00:33] All right, the latticework and then this
pile that's covered by black tarp.
[2:00:38] That's my solution, just so you know.
[2:00:42] That is things to repair the roof in case
I had to do it myself.
[2:00:47] Those are Like flooring tiles.
[2:00:50] Okay, then the greenery along the side?
[2:00:52] That's called a garden.
[2:00:53] That's a garden?
[2:00:55] Yeah, it's a 10-farm bed. You ever heard
of an EarthBox?
[2:00:58] They're automatically watered, and then
tomatoes and 5 different kinds of spinach.
[2:01:02] Is the construction debris still there?
Because—
[2:01:08] There's no construction debris. That's
just part of the fence that came down.
[2:01:11] No, the, the stuff covered in the black
tarp,
[2:01:13] the roofing materials that you just
mentioned.
[2:01:16] It's gone.
[2:01:17] Mr. St. Croix, do you happen to have any
current pictures that are
[2:01:21] updated beyond what we've got here on the
screen?
[2:01:25] None on your phone?
[2:01:26] Just a picture of their notice on the
ground. It's all destroyed from the rain.
[2:01:30] Well, understood. But that's why they also
mail it and post it.
[2:01:33] And I know, I know. I'm just saying that's
the only picture I have.
[2:01:36] So if you want me to come back next
hearing,
[2:01:41] the images shown to the board Are from
April,
[2:01:46] right?
[2:01:47] And when was the last—
[2:01:48] And the notice of violation was issued on
June 24th.
[2:01:51] That was the amended notice.
[2:01:55] That was the amended notice of violation.
[2:01:57] That's correct. The first violation did
not include, um,
[2:02:01] the complaint about the chickens, uh, but
then when I went to do a re-inspection,
[2:02:06] I I saw the chicken crossing the road and
I was able to take a picture of the ones
[2:02:11] that were in the front yard.
[2:02:13] Were they gray?
[2:02:14] I can't recall. What were the dates on
those again?
[2:02:18] Your initial and the re-inspection?
[2:02:21] 4/6/26. And then 6/24/26.
[2:02:27] Okay, I don't have the original notice of
[2:02:31] violation. So if you can put that up for
the
[2:02:35] board.
[2:02:35] It would have been removed after putting
in an amended notice of violation.
[2:02:40] 6/6/24.
[2:02:41] So, so when you do an amended notice of
violation,
[2:02:45] do you do a re-inspection of the
properties?
[2:02:49] Yes.
[2:02:50] Okay. Do you have any images evidencing
just
[2:02:54] the violations on the day of the
[2:02:57] re-inspection?
[2:03:00] Just for the chickens.
[2:03:00] Just for the chickens?
[2:03:02] Yes.
[2:03:02] Okay, so the images in relation to the
chickens were taken on June 24th, right,
[2:03:09] when the— of 2026? Okay. All the other
violations? Okay.
[2:03:13] And is your testimony under oath?
[2:03:15] Yes.
[2:03:17] That the other violations not relating to
the chicken were still present on the date
[2:03:22] of the amended notice of violation?
[2:03:25] Yes, that's correct.
[2:03:26] As of today, um, that pile of lumber that
was in the front was removed.
[2:03:31] That was not there. That's the only
difference that I've noticed.
[2:03:35] That is the only difference that you've
noticed?
[2:03:38] That's correct.
[2:03:39] And back in June 24th, the debris, the
construction debris,
[2:03:43] the vegetation were all in existence?
[2:03:46] Yes.
[2:03:46] Okay.
[2:03:47] That's correct.
[2:03:48] Okay, thank you.
[2:03:50] So that means The latticework that we saw
is still
[2:03:54] there, but the pile with the black plastic
over it is
[2:03:58] gone.
[2:03:58] Right. I didn't notice the latticework
either.
[2:04:01] Just that structure that was in the front
yard that I believe is the chicken coop.
[2:04:05] That was a gazebo that I temporarily made
the chicken coop until we could build one
[2:04:09] in the back.
[2:04:10] So that's still there in the front,
[2:04:12] but that pile of lumber or sheets of
sheetrock or whatever it is,
[2:04:16] It was not there any longer.
[2:04:18] Mr. St. Troy, what is your intention to do
with that gazebo that's in the front
[2:04:24] yard?
[2:04:24] Well, I want to get rid of it, but in the—
[2:04:27] the people that share the space with me
wanted to put it somewhere else,
[2:04:33] but I'm just of mind to get rid of it
because it's like, it's just too old.
[2:04:39] Is it a violation where it sits right now?
[2:04:44] It's just, I mean, it's being used as a
chicken coop, right?
[2:04:47] It was used as a chicken coop.
[2:04:50] He says he's already vacated the chickens,
moved the chickens to the backyard.
[2:04:55] But again, we'll need inspections for all
that, right? Timeline.
[2:04:59] I'd like to ask the city,
[2:05:01] does he have sufficient time to get all
these things handled?
[2:05:05] Do you think it's sufficient time?
[2:05:08] I think I need at least 6 months just to
deal with the Pinellas Recovers program
[2:05:12] deal with the Pinellas Recovers program
for
[2:05:12] the roofing stuff.
[2:05:13] Yeah.
[2:05:15] And their program is as slow as they are
in this process.
[2:05:18] The other stuff, you know,
[2:05:20] 60 days would be awesome because I have
roommates that are not the neatest people,
[2:05:24] but they take care of things when I— so I
can be out of town to take care of things.
[2:05:30] So I've been living with it in the
meantime and Hopefully I got him a job
[2:05:34] meantime and Hopefully I got him a job
finally.
[2:05:34] Are your roommates family?
[2:05:37] No. Yes, I took one in as a—
[2:05:42] on May 23rd, 2003, who was
[2:05:46] homeless.
[2:05:47] 2023 or 2003?
[2:05:49] 2003.
[2:05:50] That's how long he's been here.
[2:05:51] Okay.
[2:05:52] And since then, he had a son who is my
godson who just turned 18.
[2:05:56] So he's been looking for work.
[2:05:57] His dad has gout and is lucky if he can
keep a job more than a few days because
[2:06:02] keep a job more than a few days because
they
[2:06:02] want to schedule him out and they can't
work more than a couple days at a time and
[2:06:07] then it flares up. Okay, so I'm working
with that. Yeah.
[2:06:11] Okay, um, at this time I'm going to close
the public portion.
[2:06:15] I think the board needs to have a
conversation. I do have a question.
[2:06:19] Um, if the board wanted to do this,
[2:06:21] is it possible to set different timelines
for different violations,
[2:06:26] and how would we go about doing that?
[2:06:28] That is correct.
[2:06:30] You can set different timelines per
violation.
[2:06:33] So the— okay, so we could perhaps, uh,
[2:06:36] impose a 60-day deadline for things he can
handle himself and perhaps go out 6
[2:06:41] months for the roof and the government
agencies that are involved?
[2:06:46] Is that what we're discussing?
[2:06:48] Yes.
[2:06:49] Am I correct?
[2:06:50] That was my question, if it was possible
to do that.
[2:06:54] You can do it in one order, just obviously
ensure that you're separating.
[2:06:58] Separating.
[2:06:59] Yeah.
[2:06:59] Now, is it the board's—
[2:07:02] We separate the roof from the other,
right?
[2:07:04] That's what we're—
[2:07:05] because he has no control over the roof.
[2:07:07] Well, I mean, from this roof, but yes, I
understand what you're saying.
[2:07:10] I mean, is this going to affect the
neighbors if parts of his roof starts
[2:07:15] neighbors if parts of his roof starts
flying
[2:07:15] over the fence and hitting other people or
the Plastic.
[2:07:18] Yeah, I mean, well, I mean, I know it's an
issue.
[2:07:21] Got neighbors living around there, people
walking on the trail, right?
[2:07:25] If I may be so— there's nothing that could
pull out of the roof.
[2:07:30] Yeah, it's very secure.
[2:07:32] It's done by the roofers.
[2:07:33] Yeah, I've closed the public portion.
We're discussing amongst ourselves.
[2:07:38] We may have questions for you, so don't,
don't leave.
[2:07:41] But, um, yeah, I mean, You know,
[2:07:43] it sounds like some of the board members
here are wanting to consider allowing more
[2:07:48] time for the roof portion.
[2:07:50] The other stuff should be able to be
handled relatively quickly, in my opinion.
[2:07:55] I think 60 days is enough.
[2:07:56] And then what do we think about the roof?
[2:07:59] I mean, it's been— it's been an issue for
a while. It's a big issue.
[2:08:04] Yeah, and, and it's part of owning a
house, right?
[2:08:09] Keeping it up.
[2:08:10] Well, and hurricane damage and hurricane
damage.
[2:08:13] And everybody's struggling because of that
still post-hurricane.
[2:08:17] What's your position? How long do you
think on the roof?
[2:08:21] 60 days. I mean, he's got to apply for a
permit.
[2:08:24] Okay, he's got to start cleaning that
place up.
[2:08:27] That didn't happen overnight, right? That
took years.
[2:08:30] 60 days for all of it. Ms.
[2:08:33] Cuffrelli, you're thinking 60 days for
[2:08:38] all of it?
[2:08:39] Ms. Hoskins?
[2:08:40] Yeah, I'd just do the whole thing for 60
days.
[2:08:42] What do you think, Ms. Hoskins?
[2:08:44] Well, I actually think you need to pull
the roof out.
[2:08:50] And add time for that?
[2:08:52] Yes.
[2:08:52] Yes.
[2:08:54] I'm agreeable to that because I do
understand what's going on with a lot of
[2:09:00] understand what's going on with a lot of
these
[2:09:00] government agencies and all the red tape
having to go through.
[2:09:05] But the fact that you're sort of—
[2:09:07] he's sort of living as a farmer and a
gardener and all that,
[2:09:11] it's got to be contained, it's got to be
secured.
[2:09:15] All of that you're going to have to do
yourself. So this is going to be—
[2:09:20] On farmland then, right?
[2:09:23] As long as it's zoned appropriately.
[2:09:26] You don't live in a residential area.
[2:09:28] That's why I'm, you know, that's why I
mentioned it.
[2:09:31] I mean, you know, if you're gonna raise
chickens and animals and have a farm,
[2:09:36] you go away from the residential congested
area, and you do your thing.
[2:09:41] This is ridiculous. You're punishing
everybody who lives around him.
[2:09:45] Well, but I think he's allowed to have
those
[2:09:50] based on our state— on Largo statute.
[2:09:53] So he's not—
[2:09:55] he's allowed to have a few, right?
[2:09:58] 12 to 12, right?
[2:10:00] Without running loose, right?
[2:10:01] Here they're crossing the street and going
wherever they want to go.
[2:10:05] I understand.
[2:10:05] So if you're planting some bushes or some
nice flowers,
[2:10:08] they're going over there and eating it.
[2:10:09] Well, but again, I think we can talk about
60 days for the backyard foul,
[2:10:15] the duty of owners and occupation.
[2:10:18] and occupants, the exterior property's
areas where there's sanitation issues and
[2:10:25] areas where there's sanitation issues and
the
[2:10:25] excessive growth of weeds and debris.
[2:10:28] So I think if we separate them, yeah, I
think that's—
[2:10:32] So if the roof falls off or blows off
during the
[2:10:36] hurricane, or what storm that we get, I
mean,
[2:10:39] how old is that roof?
[2:10:41] I have no idea. It's at least 20 years
old. But I've actually put treatment on
[2:10:46] old. But I've actually put treatment on
it.
[2:10:46] So it's guaranteed for 10 years. From the
treatment I put on it.
[2:10:50] That was about 5 years ago.
[2:10:52] Well, and is that now under the preview of
the Army Corps because they put the—
[2:10:56] No, I mean—
[2:10:57] They put the tarp on.
[2:11:00] Well, sure, but he's still the homeowner.
[2:11:02] He put a tarp on thinking you're going to
call your insurance company to come and
[2:11:05] repair it.
[2:11:05] I understand that, but if there's—
[2:11:07] It's not forever.
[2:11:08] Okay, I understand that,
[2:11:10] but I also understand how the wheels of
government can work very slowly.
[2:11:15] Like I said before, this did not happen
overnight.
[2:11:19] It actually did.
[2:11:20] Okay, so the public portion is closed.
[2:11:22] So the board is deliberating and we're not
allowing any more questions.
[2:11:26] Okay. Okay, well—
[2:11:31] Do you feel strongly enough to make a
motion?
[2:11:32] And then are we going to get traction on
the vote? We did lose one voting member.
[2:11:35] Right.
[2:11:36] Um, I agree with Ms. Marsh.
[2:11:39] I think you know, that it's agreeable to
give him 60 days to do his self-corrective
[2:11:46] actions and to give him 6 months to get
whomsoever to finalize the roof.
[2:11:52] Mm-hmm.
[2:11:52] But it's got to be permitted. It's got to
be finalized.
[2:11:56] It's got to please whatever government
agency he's dealing with.
[2:12:00] So I understand the red tape of that, and
I,
[2:12:03] I think it's agreeable to give him 6
months just for that. So would Ms.
[2:12:08] Carrera, practically speaking, would we do
2 motions or just separate,
[2:12:13] pull that one out from the other?
[2:12:15] You can do it in one motion if you do it
correctly and you're able to identify the
[2:12:20] timeline for it.
[2:12:21] Okay.
[2:12:23] All right. Let me process it while we wait
for Ms.
[2:12:25] Marsh to return and we'll see if we can
get this.
[2:12:27] Just one small correction there.
[2:12:30] For terms of compliance,
[2:12:33] it only has to satisfy LARGO requirements.
[2:12:37] Right.
[2:12:37] For terms of grant or money that he's
getting from other agencies,
[2:12:42] that is outside of our jurisdiction.
[2:12:44] Correct. Understood. Yes, I understand.
[2:12:46] He's got to deal with all of that and make
sure that LARGO is happy with whatever
[2:12:51] he's—
[2:12:51] He obviously wants to obtain those grants.
[2:12:53] He, you know, he has separate conditions
to abide by. But for purposes of our—
[2:12:58] Are we making a lot of decisions based on
those grants and what have you without
[2:13:03] seeing applications or documentation?
[2:13:05] We are.
[2:13:05] We're going off of, yeah, testimony.
[2:13:07] Yeah, well, you have to—
[2:13:10] Mr. St. Troy, to get hot on the government
agencies.
[2:13:15] Oh, for sure. Right.
[2:13:17] And I understand you have a full-time job.
[2:13:19] More than full-time.
[2:13:23] Okay, I don't know that we need to
necessarily wait, do we?
[2:13:27] We can, um, take a— do we need to wait?
[2:13:30] Wait on—
[2:13:31] for Ms. Marsh to return?
[2:13:32] Oh, I'm sorry, I didn't—
[2:13:33] If we have— well, we have a quorum either
way.
[2:13:35] We have a quorum.
[2:13:37] Um, let me see if I can figure out how to
state this correctly.
[2:13:44] Um, let me see if I can handle this.
[2:13:48] All right, I will move in case number CER
26-00269 To find the respondent,
[2:13:56] GRL Troy St. Troy, in violation of the
City of Largo Code of Ordinances
[2:14:03] Section 5.4, Section 11-47, Section 11-48,
[2:14:08] and the Comprehensive Development Code
Sections 18 18.2.5.B1 for the
[2:14:16] property located at 1001 10th Street
Southwest, Largo, Florida 33770,
[2:14:23] and also to find him in violation of the
City of Largo Code of Ordinances—
[2:14:31] excuse me— and the Comprehensive
Development Code Section 18.2.5.C5.
[2:14:39] 18.2.5.C5. And to assess a fine of $250
per day beginning on October 1st,
[2:14:47] 2026, for the first ones mentioned,
[2:14:51] and to assess a fine of $250 per day
beginning on January 30th, 2027,
[2:14:58] just for CDC. 18.2.5.C5, until compliance
is achieved,
[2:15:04] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value of $124,326,
[2:15:11] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to
[2:15:19] arrange for a reinspection of the property
to verify compliance with the
[2:15:27] board's order.
[2:15:29] Ms. Carrera, do you—
[2:15:31] Do those need to be amended or
[2:15:35] specified? First group of—
[2:15:38] Yeah, the first— can you, can you specify
the first group?
[2:15:41] When you stated the first ones mentioned,
what, what did you refer to?
[2:15:45] Which violations?
[2:15:46] For the first portion,
[2:15:49] which is a 60-day deadline giving the
respondent
[2:15:56] until 10/1/2026 to cover Section COO 5-4,
[2:16:02] Section 11-47, Section 11-48,
[2:16:06] and the Comprehensive Development Code
Section
[2:16:12] 18.2.5.B1.
[2:16:14] Perfect.
[2:16:15] And then to extend the deadline only for
[2:16:22] section— or Comprehensive Development Code
[2:16:28] Section 18.2.5.C5 until January 30th,
2027.
[2:16:34] Okay.
[2:16:35] I second.
[2:16:36] All right, I've got a motion by Ms. Smith,
a second by Ms. Hoskin.
[2:16:41] All in favor say aye.
[2:16:42] Aye.
[2:16:43] All those opposed?
[2:16:46] No.
[2:16:47] No.
[2:16:48] Okay, 2 nos, 4 yeses.
[2:16:53] Okay.
[2:16:53] Motion passes.
[2:16:54] Did we— did you—
[2:16:57] did you vote or hear?
[2:16:58] I didn't vote.
[2:16:59] Oh, you didn't vote. I'm sorry.
[2:17:00] No.
[2:17:00] Well, I was gone for part of the
discussion,
[2:17:03] but I was here for most of it. Let me
restate that polling.
[2:17:07] I apologize. It was 2 nos.
[2:17:09] 2 nos.
[2:17:11] 1 abstained.
[2:17:12] 1 abstained. And 1, 2, 3 yeses. Motion
still passes.
[2:17:20] Out of your voting members, you have a
majority.
[2:17:25] Thank you.
[2:17:27] There you go. 3-1-1.
[2:17:29] Yes.
[2:17:30] Uh, no, 3-2.
[2:17:33] 3-2-1. Oh, that's right.
[2:17:36] Who knows? All good, Miss Gooch?
[2:17:44] Okay.
[2:17:45] All good? Okay. All right. Do you
understand? Yes. Yes.
[2:17:49] I want to mention, I really appreciate and
love the fact that you did the Pledge of
[2:17:53] Allegiance. I actually brought tears to my
eyes.
[2:17:55] Thanks very much.
[2:17:55] Thank you.
[2:17:56] All right. Stay in touch with the city.
Okay. The goal is compliance.
[2:17:59] Get it cleaned up and good luck with the
roof and everything. Thanks for coming in.
[2:18:03] All right.
[2:18:03] Thank you. Yes, sir. Please get after
those conversations.
[2:18:07] Yes. Nag, nag, nag.
[2:18:08] That's your second job.
[2:18:11] 39.
[2:18:12] Smith and—
[2:18:13] But I'm gonna move mine.
[2:18:14] Hoskins. I believe she seconded. Let me
double-check.
[2:18:17] Oh, for the—
[2:18:19] Ms. Hoskins seconded.
[2:18:21] I seconded, yes.
[2:18:22] Okay.
[2:18:22] Are you talking about the motions?
[2:18:23] We said no.
[2:18:24] Oh, I need the nos. It was Mr. Bach and it
was Ms. Soffarelli for the nos.
[2:18:28] Okay. Correct.
[2:18:30] Thank you, sir. Okay, I believe— The
respondent for the case, um,
[2:18:36] Robin Malley's at Church Creek Point. One,
one second, I wanna make sure.
[2:18:42] Are we able to jump to that one?
[2:18:45] No problem.
[2:18:45] Okay, perfect.
[2:18:46] Item number 39 on page 13.
[2:18:49] Yeah, that's correct. Thank you, Ms.
Smith.
[2:18:52] So yes, we are gonna jump back to that
one, um,
[2:18:56] and that is case number CER-24-00440.
Robin J.
[2:19:00] Malley's, um, at 4035 Church Creek Point,
Largo, Florida 33774.
[2:19:05] Is, um, all of the board on, on the same
page here with that? Perfect.
[2:19:11] And Chief Code Officer Cruz will give you
a second to get that pulled up.
[2:19:17] Yeah, we're good to go. Oh, perfect. Okay,
awesome.
[2:19:22] Thank you very much, Code Enforcement
Board.
[2:19:25] This is Louis Cruz, Chief Code Officer,
representing the City of Largo.
[2:19:30] This is Code enforcement case number
CER-24-00440. Respondent is Robin J.
[2:19:36] CER-24-00440. Respondent is Robin J.
Malaise.
[2:19:37] Property address 4035 Church Creek Point,
Largo, Florida 33774.
[2:19:42] The property is homesteaded.
[2:19:44] Property is in violation of code sections
2023 Florida Building Code Section 105,
[2:19:50] building without permits, as adopted by
reference in CDC 18.1.1.
[2:19:55] 1.1.a, 2023 Florida Building Code Section
R322.1, flood-resistant construction,
[2:20:01] adopted by reference, and CDC 18.1.1.a and
CDC 11.8.1, permits required.
[2:20:07] Case summary: the initial inspection of
the property was done October 2nd, 2024.
[2:20:13] Notice of violation compliance Date,
6/9/2026. Reinspection date, 6/10/2026.
[2:20:19] Reinspection result, noncompliant.
[2:20:21] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[2:20:27] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[2:20:28] Pinellas County Property Appraiser,
[2:20:30] and the notice of hearing was posted on
the property,
[2:20:34] posted in the lobby of City Hall,
[2:20:37] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner and Pinellas County
[2:20:43] Property Appraiser office.
[2:20:45] This is the notice of hearing that was
posted on the property July 15th, 2026,
[2:20:51] at 4035 Church Creek Point.
[2:20:53] There you go.
[2:20:54] And these are pictures from the initial
inspection, which was back October 2nd,
[2:20:59] 2024, during this unfortunate event that
we all had to go through here in the state
[2:21:05] of Florida, at least on our southwest end.
[2:21:07] Um, these are all the debris and, um,
items that the property owner had, um,
[2:21:12] between you know, pieces of the interior
of the property,
[2:21:16] as well as you can see there, dressers,
chairs,
[2:21:19] and unfortunate things such as that nature
due to water intrusion of the property.
[2:21:25] And this is just an updated picture when
the third-party company that the city
[2:21:30] hired, Tetra Tech, went out to do a
re-inspection of the property.
[2:21:34] This is just what it looked like at that
time. This was December 19th, 2024.
[2:21:39] And this is just a flood map.
[2:21:41] The flood risk data specific to this
property isn't specifically labeled on
[2:21:46] property isn't specifically labeled on
there,
[2:21:46] but this is the guesstimation of the depth
of flooding when we have occurrences such
[2:21:52] as hurricanes and really hard water storms
that it gets about 3 feet plus,
[2:21:57] give or take, in that area.
[2:21:58] This is the notice of not substantially
damaged letter that was sent out to the
[2:22:04] property owner on April 9th, 2025.
[2:22:06] And this is the third-party Tetra Tech
substantial damage estimator.
[2:22:10] And we'll go through a few slides here.
[2:22:13] It is from Zone AE, which is a flood zone,
flood zone,
[2:22:16] and the BFE was the base flood elevation,
is 9.
[2:22:19] And as you can see here, this is the total
estimated damages.
[2:22:23] Again, this is just a total at the time
that was analyzed by the third-party
[2:22:28] company. For the city, and it was deemed
to be 21.8% damaged,
[2:22:32] which is not substantially damaged.
[2:22:35] And as you can see, this was written off
and signed off by, um, Robert Hatton,
[2:22:40] which is the City of Largo building
official.
[2:22:43] And this is the City of Largo permit
requirement notice that was sent out to
[2:22:48] requirement notice that was sent out to
the
[2:22:48] property owner, August 12th, 2025. And
another one, October 7th.
[2:22:52] 2025, just letting the property owner know
that you do—
[2:22:56] you're not considered substantially
damaged,
[2:22:59] and it will be a permit required for the
things that are done on the interior of
[2:23:04] things that are done on the interior of
the
[2:23:04] home to bring it back to its pre-damaged
condition.
[2:23:07] And another one on December 19th, 2025, to
the property owner.
[2:23:12] And just going to be a quick
correspondence here.
[2:23:15] I have had really good conversations with
Ms.
[2:23:18] Malaise, if I'm saying it correctly,
hopefully. Um, and, and she's been
[2:23:22] hopefully. Um, and, and she's been
awesome.
[2:23:23] Um, she asked for an extension.
[2:23:25] She was going to be here last month, um,
but she was busy last month,
[2:23:29] so we gave her an extension. So she's here
today.
[2:23:33] She has reached out to our building
department, which is Matt Butler.
[2:23:37] She kind of just went over there, um,
[2:23:40] just basically letting us know that that
estimator wasn't fully accurate.
[2:23:44] Again, it was just a guesstimation, um, by
the third-party company Tetra Tech,
[2:23:50] obviously going by different damages
surrounding the property.
[2:23:54] So the work that she had performed on the
home didn't even include half of them,
[2:23:59] those items on the estimator.
[2:24:01] And she did highlight the total estimated
value of the reinstallation of the things
[2:24:06] in her home were about $4,340.
[2:24:08] There is an attachment there, so you will
see a picture here.
[2:24:12] She did highlight the 2 things that she
did do in the interior,
[2:24:16] which is the floor finishing, which was
about $1,600,
[2:24:20] as well as the interior finishes,
[2:24:22] which could be baseboards and a couple
other things of that nature,
[2:24:26] which come out to about $2,700.
[2:24:28] Corrective action: the property owner must
obtain all necessary hurricane damage
[2:24:34] repair permits to cover entire scope of
work,
[2:24:37] as well as have the final inspection
passed by a City of Largo building
[2:24:41] passed by a City of Largo building
inspector.
[2:24:42] Staff recommends giving the respondent
Robin J.
[2:24:45] Malaise until August 26, 2026, to achieve
compliance.
[2:24:49] If compliance is not achieved,
[2:24:51] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[2:24:55] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning,
[2:24:56] beginning on August 27, 2026, until the
property is brought into compliance,
[2:25:01] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[2:25:06] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[2:25:06] Property Appraiser of $668,167.
[2:25:14] Okay,
[2:25:17] perfect.
[2:25:21] Thank you
[2:25:27] very much.
[2:25:32] Hello there.
[2:25:39] Hi.
[2:25:40] Please state your full name and your
property address.
[2:25:43] My name is Robin J. Melas. Like a calendar
year without May would be Melas.
[2:25:47] All right.
[2:25:48] 4035 Church Creek Point, Largo, Florida
33774.
[2:25:52] Okay, thanks for coming in today. What
would you like to say?
[2:25:55] First, I'd like to say I'm very impressed
with the board,
[2:25:59] and I really love this last interaction
with the gentleman that was here and
[2:26:04] with the gentleman that was here and
you're
[2:26:04] real and you're very passionate and you're
very genuine.
[2:26:08] So I'm not saying this for any reason
because I've already talked to Mr.
[2:26:13] Cruz that I am at fault. I'm not denying
it.
[2:26:16] But I was not expecting something like
this. I want to apologize to the board.
[2:26:21] I had to step out. I had a 1:30 time on my
little note here and I thought, okay,
[2:26:27] I'd be done by 3. I needed to I had a
personal call.
[2:26:30] So I don't want you to think that I think
that your time is not valuable. It is.
[2:26:36] But I just wanted to say those couple
things.
[2:26:39] I do agree again that I was out of
violation only because at the time,
[2:26:43] you can imagine how distraught it was.
[2:26:46] Oh, yeah.
[2:26:46] But the contractors around me were telling
me,
[2:26:50] you don't need permits for these things.
[2:26:52] But then I found out recently that it's
because of the floodplain.
[2:26:57] I don't go through my mail. I'm sorry.
[2:27:00] Everything I get comes by my bank or by
email.
[2:27:03] So, I wasn't intentionally ignoring
anything that you sent to me.
[2:27:07] Got my attention for the certified mail.
[2:27:10] Mary Gaj over here was kind enough when I
called in.
[2:27:14] So, I would like to ask the board for an
extension on that 30 days,
[2:27:18] and this is personal information, that I'm
not looking for sympathy or pity,
[2:27:24] but facts. I have some personal health
issues going on,
[2:27:27] and I saw my 4th specialist this week, and
today's Thursday.
[2:27:32] I have a lot of tests coming up, and I— my
priority is my health.
[2:27:36] So I don't— I know for certain I'm not
going to make it in 30 days.
[2:27:41] I know that for certain.
[2:27:42] So I'm, I'm asking the board if they could
please give me an extension Until I get a
[2:27:48] little bit of medical things done.
[2:27:51] At least give me 90 days and I will be in
contact.
[2:27:54] Um, I am not— as I wrote in an email, I've
lived in my home 30 years now, 32.
[2:27:59] Very proud Largo homeowner. I am going to
do what I need to do.
[2:28:04] I'm just asking for a little bit of time.
[2:28:07] Okay.
[2:28:09] So I'm sorry, but—
[2:28:10] We appreciate that very much.
[2:28:12] It's the truth.
[2:28:14] Yeah.
[2:28:15] And let me just see if I have anything
else written here.
[2:28:19] In regard to that, I guess, I guess that
would be it.
[2:28:23] It doesn't matter. I'm done.
[2:28:25] Okay.
[2:28:26] Thank you.
[2:28:27] Yep. Thank you very much. Is there
anything you'd like to add in closing, Mr.
[2:28:31] anything you'd like to add in closing, Mr.
Cruz?
[2:28:31] And obviously, I don't want you to
disclose your own personal stuff.
[2:28:34] But for your medical stuff,
[2:28:35] do you like have to go out of like state
or out of city or anything like that?
[2:28:39] Um, it depends.
[2:28:40] Okay, so it could be—
[2:28:41] Um, yeah, they're advising me to just try
to maintain a non-stressful life to not
[2:28:47] aggravate what I have, which they're not
sure what I have, that we're running
[2:28:52] sure what I have, that we're running
tests.
[2:28:52] Awesome.
[2:28:53] So, and, and board members, um, as you
know,
[2:28:55] we kind of did around 90 for the other
ones. This may be a different situation.
[2:28:59] I was just wondering, obviously, because
we did around 90 days,
[2:29:02] but if she's kind of going to be at us
city and out of the state,
[2:29:05] depending on their health issues, maybe a
tad bit more.
[2:29:08] Obviously, that's up to your discretion.
But other than that, you've been
[2:29:11] But other than that, you've been
fantastic.
[2:29:12] And I do appreciate the honesty and being
upfront.
[2:29:14] And you got back to me as soon as you got
back in town. And I do appreciate that.
[2:29:18] I have a question, please. Are you living
in the home now?
[2:29:22] Yes.
[2:29:22] So it's— it is habitable?
[2:29:24] Yes.
[2:29:24] And there's no exterior damage? It's just
about— okay. So the—
[2:29:28] So I would also like to say Um, that I
lost my train of thought.
[2:29:33] I would also like to say that I want to
get this over with because it is—
[2:29:38] you have a gentleman, Keith, that's a
permit person.
[2:29:41] So I spent some time talking to him when
he put my last little lovely note up,
[2:29:47] and he explained the process to me as to
why we need to get permits for this,
[2:29:52] which I didn't know.
[2:29:54] And he also, um, you know,
[2:29:56] we talked about how this is now opening up
a wound that's almost healed.
[2:30:01] So I really, in sincerity,
[2:30:03] I really do want to get this closed on
your end and my end.
[2:30:07] Right.
[2:30:07] So it's not like I don't want to do it. I
do.
[2:30:10] And then I have another question that I
don't know if you can answer this or who
[2:30:17] don't know if you can answer this or who
you
[2:30:17] can advise me to go to, but, um, it deals
with the 4951 rule.
[2:30:21] A bit outside of our purview here. Okay.
[2:30:26] Because when I saw $667,000, you know, my,
[2:30:29] my now permit amount is $60,000 for my
future 5 years.
[2:30:34] And my house is valued more than $120,000.
[2:30:38] So you're less than 50%?
[2:30:40] No, no, no, no. At the time of the event,
it was much, much higher. Much higher.
[2:30:46] But it's like now a slash and burn with
the value of however the county records
[2:30:51] the value of however the county records
does
[2:30:52] it. So it's not dealing with this board,
right? That's all I needed to know.
[2:30:57] So I'm gonna—
[2:30:58] You can get a third-party appraiser to
come out and give you true market,
[2:31:02] current market value on that if you want
to dispute the valuation that they
[2:31:05] determined for you. So you can hire—
[2:31:07] It's nowhere near this number.
[2:31:08] Sure. Yeah.
[2:31:09] I mean, it's not even a fifth of that.
[2:31:11] Okay.
[2:31:14] Okay.
[2:31:14] Yeah, you can, you can look at that
outside, a third party,
[2:31:17] if you want to dispute that, that figure.
Ms. Caffarelli.
[2:31:19] I got 2 questions. Number one,
[2:31:21] the real estate value has gone down like
crazy since the storm.
[2:31:25] So don't even go by those numbers.
[2:31:28] Can you go to the page that showed me what
Hatton wanted done?
[2:31:32] It wasn't quite what he wanted done, but
it was the things that—
[2:31:36] What he thought.
[2:31:37] Yes.
[2:31:37] Just go to that page for me.
[2:31:38] Thank you.
[2:31:40] And we can stay on that one.
[2:31:42] Okay. So you didn't replace the cabinets
and the counters and stuff like that?
[2:31:48] No.
[2:31:48] You just replaced the floor finish, which
we could do at any time.
[2:31:54] And I realize it's because it's a flood
that you check it.
[2:31:58] And the interior finish, what is
recommended? What is meant by that?
[2:32:03] It could be painting, baseboards.
[2:32:06] And that's what you did.
[2:32:08] So we're going to have her go in and get a
permit for painting And refinishing
[2:32:14] her floors, her existing floors. Is that
really necessary?
[2:32:19] Correct.
[2:32:19] That's part of the FEMA 50% requirement.
[2:32:21] Yeah, right.
[2:32:22] Because they have to do an evaluation
because, you know,
[2:32:24] she wants to do a remodel a year from now
and that exceeds with these repairs,
[2:32:28] then she has to now meet the current
requirements.
[2:32:31] She's living in it. I see nothing wrong
with even giving her 4
[2:32:36] months. What's the difference?
[2:32:38] Like I said, it's paint and finish.
[2:32:41] Sure.
[2:32:44] But what about the flood-resistant
construction? What does that entail?
[2:32:49] So that just entails basically like
anything that's being constructed in a
[2:32:54] anything that's being constructed in a
flood
[2:32:54] zone has to get the approvals by the
building official as well as the
[2:32:59] building official as well as the
floodplain
[2:32:59] manager. It says or, I think.
[2:33:01] They changed it all.
[2:33:02] Right.
[2:33:03] The past couple years and they'll change
it again tomorrow.
[2:33:05] Right.
[2:33:05] So we're talking about the baseboard
issues?
[2:33:09] Yep. It's a very simple part of the
permit.
[2:33:12] It's something that Matt will work with
her. He is the specific contact, Mr.
[2:33:17] Butler, who I think she has answered back
a couple times now and kind of asked him
[2:33:22] on guidance on what is needed to upload.
It's very simple, very easy FEMA
[2:33:27] It's very simple, very easy FEMA
worksheet.
[2:33:27] So like this number is just the estimate.
[2:33:30] This is not the number until we approve of
whatever is submitted in that permit.
[2:33:35] That'll be part of the number.
[2:33:37] This is just an estimate,
[2:33:39] just in case other people around them had
same similar type of damages.
[2:33:43] That's not set in stone.
[2:33:45] What's aggravating me is there is so many
new components come out now that can block
[2:33:51] water from coming in your house.
[2:33:53] like they did around the hospital in
Tampa, that with this new law,
[2:33:58] they're screwing over everybody.
[2:34:01] That's FEMA.
[2:34:03] One other thing, I didn't notice a
waterline picture in your presentation.
[2:34:07] We've had that with all the other FEMA
ones.
[2:34:10] Yeah, obviously it was hard to get a
picture at the time.
[2:34:13] There was a lot of stuff on this street
when Chase and them went out there,
[2:34:16] but this is obviously from their home.
[2:34:18] It's hard to get a picture of that because
that whole street was pretty lined up
[2:34:22] with, with a good amount of items.
[2:34:24] Right.
[2:34:25] And it took a while to get all that picked
up as well.
[2:34:28] They just wanted to get rid of.
[2:34:29] Yes.
[2:34:30] Yeah.
[2:34:30] Do you know what the—
[2:34:32] you can ask the property owner if what the
flooding— Yeah.
[2:34:36] Yes. What, what approximate flood line?
[2:34:39] How much water?
[2:34:41] How deep was your intrusion of water into
the home? About 7 inches?
[2:34:46] Outside was higher, but I had barriers and
things up.
[2:34:49] So that 7 inches, that would be safe,
[2:34:51] then it wouldn't have covered electrical
outlets, things like that. So that's
[2:34:55] outlets, things like that. So that's
right.
[2:34:56] Good.
[2:34:56] And I do want to say in my defense, that
picture of all those things are not mine.
[2:35:02] They're not all—
[2:35:02] it's not all of mine.
[2:35:03] Sure.
[2:35:04] And that picture of that truck is a friend
of mine that was visiting.
[2:35:09] But there were some pretty horrific things
going on at that time with people coming
[2:35:15] up and down the street.
[2:35:17] Oh, yeah.
[2:35:17] My neighbor's house got broken into.
[2:35:19] I mean, we didn't have much, and what we
had, you took.
[2:35:22] Yeah, you know, and it was a pretty bad
time. So the picture—
[2:35:26] yeah, we understand. We all, we all live
here. We all lived through it as well.
[2:35:29] Yeah, and we had a lot of your neighbors
in here last month as well. Yeah.
[2:35:33] Okay, I'm gonna close the public portion,
um,
[2:35:35] and if there's no other questions from the
board— sure.
[2:35:38] Um, I'm wondering, how long do you think
you need to pull the permit?
[2:35:41] Because everything's done to pull the
permit? Yes.
[2:35:44] How much, how much time do you think you
need to get all this done?
[2:35:48] Well, I would, I would feel comfortable if
I could get 4,
[2:35:51] and then I'd get it done sooner. But I
would feel pressured if you said 2.
[2:35:55] Okay. Are you talking about 4 months?
[2:35:57] She originally said 90 days, but—
[2:35:59] I have other things going on with
appointments,
[2:36:01] and this is a stressful thing that I—
[2:36:03] Yes, I'm agreeable.
[2:36:04] I'm, I'm gonna say I'll be paying
violations if you give me any less because
[2:36:08] violations if you give me any less because
my
[2:36:08] health is first.
[2:36:09] So you're—
[2:36:09] okay, so tell me again.
[2:36:11] 4 months.
[2:36:11] 4 months?
[2:36:12] All right, I'll make the motion.
[2:36:13] Okay.
[2:36:15] Thank you.
[2:36:15] I move in case number CER 24-00440 to
[2:36:19] find the respondent, Robin J. Malice.
[2:36:23] Yeah.
[2:36:24] In violation of the City of Largo Code
Sections 2023 Florida Building Code
[2:36:31] Section 105, building without permits, as
adopted by reference in CDC 18.1.A,
[2:36:38] 2023 Florida Building Code Section R322.1,
Yes.
[2:36:43] Flood-resistant construction adopted by
reference in CDC 18.1.1.a and CDC 8—
[2:36:50] excuse me, CDC 11.8.1 for the property
located at 4035 Church Creek Point,
[2:36:57] Largo, Florida 33774,
[2:36:59] and to assess a fine of $100 per day
beginning on December 1st, 2026,
[2:37:05] until compliance is achieved,
[2:37:08] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value currently posted at $668,167,
[2:37:16] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to
[2:37:23] arrange for a re-inspection of the
property to verify compliance with the
[2:37:30] board's order.
[2:37:31] Second.
[2:37:32] Okay, I've got a motion by Ms. Smith, a
second by Mr. Bock. All in favor say aye.
[2:37:36] Aye.
[2:37:37] Any opposed? Okay, motion passes.
[2:37:41] Thank you all very much.
[2:37:42] Thank you for coming.
[2:37:43] Will I be getting something in the mail?
[2:37:45] Yes.
[2:37:45] So I know to look in my mail?
[2:37:47] Yes.
[2:37:47] Oh yeah.
[2:37:48] Okay. And stay in touch. Stay in touch.
[2:37:50] Stay in touch with the building. And
again, for the board, Mr. Cruz and Ms.
[2:37:54] Gouge, and, um, before you leave, thank
you. Very kind.
[2:37:57] And you all, I'm grateful.
[2:37:59] Thank you.
[2:37:59] Thank you very much. Thanks for coming.
[2:38:00] We appreciate it.
[2:38:01] We—
[2:38:01] and we're— we love our Florida, our Largo
residents.
[2:38:05] You love your job.
[2:38:06] It's a volunteer position.
[2:38:09] 26, page 10.
[2:38:11] Okay, what do we do now? Which one?
[2:38:12] 30.
[2:38:13] 26 on page 10. We've been there, done
that.
[2:38:16] 30.
[2:38:18] 30.
[2:38:18] 33 on 11.
[2:38:19] 11.
[2:38:20] 33 on 11.
[2:38:22] 11.
[2:38:23] All right, we are moving on to agenda item
number 33 on page 11 of the agenda.
[2:38:29] 33?
[2:38:29] I believe so.
[2:38:32] Yes?
[2:38:32] Yes.
[2:38:32] Agenda item number 33, that is case number
CER-26-00319. Jeremy—
[2:38:40] Hotelling.
[2:38:41] Thank you so much. Hotelling and Jennifer
Hotelling at 12817 129th
[2:38:47] Avenue North, Largo, Florida 33774. This
is Code Officer Rivera.
[2:38:58] Good afternoon, Court Officer Rivera
representing the City of Largo.
[2:39:04] This is case number CER-26-00319.
[2:39:07] Uh, the respondents are Jennifer Hotelling
and Jeremy Hotelling,
[2:39:13] address at 12817 129th Avenue, Largo,
Florida 33774. This is a homesteaded
[2:39:19] Florida 33774. This is a homesteaded
property.
[2:39:20] Yes.
[2:39:21] Uh, violation is 2023 Florida Building
Code Section 105,
[2:39:26] building without permits, as adopted by
reference in CDC 18.1.1.A.
[2:39:32] Initial inspection of the property took
place on 4/21/26.
[2:39:38] Notice of violation was dated 4/22/26.
[2:39:41] The notice of violation compliance date
was 5/12/26.
[2:39:46] Yes.
[2:39:47] A reinspection date was on 5/14/26.
Reinspection result, non-compliant.
[2:39:53] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[2:39:58] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[2:39:58] property— Pinellas County Property
Appraiser.
[2:40:02] And the notice of hearing was posted on
the property,
[2:40:06] posted in the lobby of City Hall,
[2:40:08] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner and Pinellas County
[2:40:13] Property Appraiser. Here's a photo of the
notice of hearing posted on the property
[2:40:19] on 7/15/2026. This is a picture of the
unpermitted paver work that was done in
[2:40:25] unpermitted paver work that was done in
the
[2:40:25] backyard. The picture was taken from the
neighbor's yard.
[2:40:29] Corrective action: obtain all necessary
permits to cover entire scope of work.
[2:40:35] The staff recommends giving the
respondents, Jennifer Huddling— I'm sorry,
[2:40:40] how do you say it again?
[2:40:42] Hotel.
[2:40:42] Hotel with an -ing on the Got it.
[2:40:45] Thank you. Jennifer Hotelling and Jeremy
Hotelling, until August 31st, 2026,
[2:40:50] to achieve compliance.
[2:40:51] If compliance is not achieved,
[2:40:53] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[2:40:57] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[2:40:58] on September 1st, 2026, until the property
is brought into compliance,
[2:41:02] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by Pinellas
[2:41:06] market value established by Pinellas
County
[2:41:07] Property Appraiser of $313,105.
[2:41:09] Second.
[2:41:11] I have been in communication with both the
gentleman and the lady,
[2:41:15] and I know that they've run into some
issues with the permit as far as the
[2:41:19] contractor is concerned, and the permit is
pending review still.
[2:41:23] So it's been applied for?
[2:41:25] Yes, it's been applied.
[2:41:27] It's, it's been applied for quite a— I
think it's been at least a month or more.
[2:41:32] And, uh, I just—
[2:41:32] I believe I spoke with, uh, Jose.
[2:41:35] Yeah, one second. I'm just trying to get
the information here.
[2:41:38] Does it need to be finalized?
[2:41:39] No, just issued.
[2:41:41] Just issued.
[2:41:43] That's correct.
[2:41:43] Thank you. Okay.
[2:41:44] All right. Thank you very much. Hello
there.
[2:41:46] Please state your first, last name, and
address.
[2:41:49] My name's Jeremy Hotelling.
[2:41:51] I live at 12817 129th Avenue, Largo,
Florida 33774.
[2:41:55] Just to piggyback on what Ruben was
saying, I spoke—
[2:42:00] the owner of JFS Pavers who did the work
in our backyard was out today.
[2:42:05] He said he had received notice from the
Building and Permitting Division in
[2:42:11] Building and Permitting Division in
regards
[2:42:12] of what needed to be done regarding
further action. He knows what needs to be
[2:42:18] further action. He knows what needs to be
done.
[2:42:19] He brought out all of his measuring tapes.
He had one of his crew members with him.
[2:42:25] I was just going to ask for maybe a Uh,
[2:42:28] maybe an extra 60 days extension as
opposed to 30, just because, uh,
[2:42:34] from what he told me, it's going to be
kind of a hefty project to do.
[2:42:40] They have to pull up 5 feet of pavers and
cement around our entire backyard property
[2:42:46] line.
[2:42:48] Um, and he said he's just shorthanded on
workers right now,
[2:42:51] and he's subcontracting a lot of his work.
[2:42:53] Okay.
[2:42:55] He's going to do it. He just, he just
didn't have an exact timeframe.
[2:43:00] Okay, so he encroached on the setbacks and
poured, so now he's got to rip it up.
[2:43:08] I'm guessing he didn't— I'm guessing he
didn't do the work to begin with.
[2:43:11] He did not do the work to begin with.
[2:43:13] No, he does good work.
[2:43:14] He, he had been out, you know, initially
to look at our property.
[2:43:17] But after that, we mostly dealt with the
sales rep for the company.
[2:43:21] Yeah.
[2:43:22] Um, who had given us our quotes, told us
what kind of work would be done,
[2:43:26] where it would be done, had told us the
permits would be pulled.
[2:43:29] And, you know, they were a reputable
company, um,
[2:43:32] from everything we had looked into—
[2:43:34] Better Business Bureau, they had a great
Google review, lots of customer reviews,
[2:43:38] uh, with no issues.
[2:43:40] Um, you know, all this work was done 5
years ago.
[2:43:43] We had not had any issues.
[2:43:45] Um, And, um, so this just kind of came
about— it came about very abruptly, uh,
[2:43:50] in April. Um, I, I believe that was the
date we got the notice,
[2:43:54] but I immediately started getting into
contact.
[2:43:56] My wife got in contact with, with Mr.
Rivera.
[2:44:00] Uh, I got in contact with the owner of JFS
Pavers, um,
[2:44:03] and we just started trying to work towards
a solution.
[2:44:07] Um, he was, um, a little miffed that, um,
[2:44:11] his guys that were out there doing the
work had not
[2:44:15] pulled the permit.
[2:44:17] And so he went through, he did said he did
that recently, he paid for the permit.
[2:44:21] He said he paid for that. He, I guess,
like a retroactive permit.
[2:44:25] He said he had applied for that.
[2:44:27] And then just this morning,
[2:44:28] he told me he had heard from them
regarding what further action needed to be
[2:44:32] regarding what further action needed to be
taken.
[2:44:32] So he's licensed in this, in Largo?
[2:44:35] JFS?
[2:44:37] Yes.
[2:44:37] JFS is licensed in Largo. Yeah, that's the
Largo paper.
[2:44:41] work.
[2:44:42] They would have kept— everything sounds
good.
[2:44:44] Yeah, he should—
[2:44:45] I can't—
[2:44:45] all right, polling the board, I'm
agreeable to 90 days. Anybody else object?
[2:44:49] Yeah, no, definitely. That's, that's
great. I just have one more.
[2:44:53] We're not, we're not finished yet. You can
ask your question.
[2:44:57] Um, this is actually for Mr. Rivera.
[2:44:59] Um, the picture you put up, um,
[2:45:01] you took that from our neighbor's yard in
his like little gazebo, right?
[2:45:06] Yes, on the deck. So, so that, that
gazebo, as far as my understanding is,
[2:45:10] that is supposed to be 5 feet away from my
fence line as well, just like my pavers.
[2:45:15] We just want to know for future.
[2:45:18] She has not identified herself.
[2:45:20] Yeah, I just want to— yeah, I just want to
be clear on that.
[2:45:24] It was permitted, but I wasn't sure of the
distance.
[2:45:27] So there is a process for this.
[2:45:28] You guys can have a sidebar conversation
after we're done with the hearing for sure
[2:45:32] if you want. I was just curious.
[2:45:33] No, I get it.
[2:45:33] Off his picture. Yep, no, I get it.
[2:45:36] Um, there is a formal process as well if
you do want file a complaint.
[2:45:40] It's an online process if you feel like
you want to retaliate to— sorry,
[2:45:45] the board attorney didn't like it.
[2:45:48] I mean, yeah, I hate that it's come to
this, but it's, you know, they've—
[2:45:53] our neighbors have made a mountain out of
a molehill in this situation.
[2:45:56] And so it is, um, it's also a lot of us—
[2:45:59] just so we understand,
[2:46:00] the lago having a runoff might have
easements so as the
[2:46:04] water cannot lay around Sure. And it can—
[2:46:08] permeable surface issue. That's why we
have to have permits.
[2:46:11] Yeah.
[2:46:11] No, I get it.
[2:46:12] We thought there was.
[2:46:13] I see no—
[2:46:13] Excuse me, ma'am, you have not, uh,
introduced or identified yourself.
[2:46:17] Sorry, I'm Jennifer Hotelling.
[2:46:20] I also live at the same address, 12817
129th Avenue, Largo. Thank you.
[2:46:25] Thank you.
[2:46:26] Thank you very much.
[2:46:26] Just to get you on record. Thank you.
[2:46:28] Okay, so I'm going to close the public
portion.
[2:46:30] I don't think there's any more
conversation.
[2:46:32] I'm just looking for a motion at this
point.
[2:46:33] I'll make the motion.
[2:46:34] Thank you.
[2:46:35] I move in case number CER 26-00319 to find
the respondents Jennifer Hotelling and
[2:46:42] Jeremy Hotelling in violation of the City
of Largo Comprehensive Development Code
[2:46:49] 2023 FBC Section 105 adopted in CDC
18.1.1.A for the property located at 12817
[2:46:57] 18.1.1.A for the property located at 12817
129th
[2:46:57] Avenue, Largo, Florida 33774.
[2:47:00] And to assess a fine of $150 per day
beginning on November 1st, 2026,
[2:47:06] until compliance is achieved,
[2:47:09] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value of $313,105,
[2:47:14] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to arrange
[2:47:22] for a reinspection of the property to
verify compliance with this board's order.
[2:47:29] Just a quick correction.
[2:47:30] Thank you.
[2:47:30] Real quick.
[2:47:31] Quick correction. November 1st is a
Sunday.
[2:47:33] Oh, excuse me.
[2:47:34] November 2nd.
[2:47:35] Thank you. November 2nd.
[2:47:37] I will amend to give them—
[2:47:39] for the fine to begin to be assessed on
November 2nd,
[2:47:43] 2020.
[2:47:44] Second the amendment.
[2:47:45] So compliance date is November 2nd. Fines
would start November 3rd.
[2:47:49] Is that what I'm understanding, Ms. Smith?
[2:47:52] Excuse me. Let me look at the calendar.
[2:47:57] Yes.
[2:47:58] I believe that's what you stated.
[2:47:59] Yeah.
[2:48:00] Yeah.
[2:48:00] Perfect.
[2:48:01] Correct. Perfect.
[2:48:02] Okay.
[2:48:02] Okay. Thank you.
[2:48:02] That is an amended motion. Do we have a
second on that?
[2:48:05] Second.
[2:48:06] Okay, perfect. Thank you so much. I've got
a motion by Ms. Smith, a second by Mr.
[2:48:10] Bach. All in favor say aye.
[2:48:11] Aye.
[2:48:12] Aye. Aye. Any opposed? Okay, the motion
passes.
[2:48:16] Thank you.
[2:48:16] Thank you for your time today. I
appreciate you guys.
[2:48:18] Appreciate it.
[2:48:19] Thanks for coming in.
[2:48:19] Thank you.
[2:48:20] Thank you.
[2:48:20] So just real quick, code board, that was
November 3rd for fines to start.
[2:48:25] Yes, apply by the 2nd and get an order by
mail.
[2:48:30] Yeah, thank you.
[2:48:32] Yep.
[2:48:32] Okay, I think we have one more, um, one
more.
[2:48:38] Yes, and that would be item 13.
[2:48:41] All right, yes, very good.
[2:48:44] We are moving on to agenda item number 13.
[2:48:47] Do I have more people signed in than I
have on my record here?
[2:48:52] Perhaps.
[2:48:53] Okay, currently we're moving on to agenda
item number 13,
[2:48:59] case number CER-25-01092, John P.
[2:49:03] Sloss at 1014 2nd Street Southwest, Largo,
Florida 33770.
[2:49:09] We have Chief Code Officer Cruz. And this
is a— is this a second order?
[2:49:17] Yes, this is a second order.
[2:49:18] Yes, sir.
[2:49:20] And I'm pulling it up right there.
[2:49:21] Jesus
[2:49:26] Christ.
[2:49:33] Okay, we have a, um— I see the affidavit
of non-compliance, um, here.
[2:49:36] Is there anything that you needed to add
for this before I—
[2:49:40] No, nothing specific.
[2:49:41] No, the property owner was to come into
compliance by July 22nd, 2026.
[2:49:47] If not, $50 per day will start on the
property July 23rd, 2026,
[2:49:52] and the property is not in compliance.
[2:49:55] Okay, perfect. Hello, sir, please state
your name and your address.
[2:50:00] John Schloss, 1014 2nd Street Southwest.
Okay, thank you.
[2:50:04] Um, We, we see the compliance date. I
believe I remember and recognize the name.
[2:50:11] Um, you're here today.
[2:50:12] Are you, um, coming here to contest that
you were in compliance,
[2:50:17] or what would you like to— No, no, no, I
know I'm not. Okay.
[2:50:22] Um, so I have to thank Officer Cruz for,
uh, talking to me yesterday,
[2:50:28] and I think I know exactly because the
first document that I got, you know,
[2:50:33] was put on, it described the things that
were in noncompliance.
[2:50:39] Okay.
[2:50:40] And so, but I lost that document,
[2:50:42] but I remember there was on the side of
the house,
[2:50:47] the soffit was water damaged and it was
cracked and everything.
[2:50:52] And I, and the grass was too high.
[2:50:55] Um, but anyway, yesterday, I mean, I,
[2:50:58] I remember the things I had to do and was
working on those things.
[2:51:04] Okay.
[2:51:04] But when I talked to him yesterday, he
also said that the garage has rust on it,
[2:51:10] so I have to sand that down and paint it.
So I'm gonna do that now.
[2:51:15] And then also I had a new roof put on, um,
about 4 or 5 years ago,
[2:51:20] and they took the gutters out.
[2:51:22] So there's a little white piece of plastic
that comes off the roof,
[2:51:27] and there's mildew there.
[2:51:29] And that's probably because it doesn't
have any gutters, because the gutters
[2:51:35] have any gutters, because the gutters
would—
[2:51:35] the water would wash the mildew away.
[2:51:38] And then also under the bottom part of the
fascia is a piece of wood,
[2:51:43] and that needs to be painted because it's—
the paint's peeling.
[2:51:48] Okay.
[2:51:50] Now, one thing I looked at that I really
[2:51:56] couldn't understand was—
[2:51:59] I thought there was something here that
was
[2:52:05] about sanitation.
[2:52:08] Yes, sanitation. What was that issue?
[2:52:10] What was that?
[2:52:11] Off the top of my head, I can't remember
specifically.
[2:52:14] This had to do with the front door that
was damaged that needs to be fixed—
[2:52:18] was damaged that needs to be fixed—
fascias,
[2:52:19] soffits, paint. And that was probably part
of the paint, the exterior paint.
[2:52:23] There were some dirty areas, but as well
as, um,
[2:52:26] and mildewy and different types of areas
and deteriorated paint along the exterior
[2:52:31] of there. I don't remember specifically
what that was talked about in the first
[2:52:35] hearing, um, but that was part of the—
just the exterior of the home itself.
[2:52:40] Okay, so I discovered another thing.
[2:52:43] The front door, you think, is I mean,
[2:52:46] it's an old wood door and it's
deteriorated. I, I need to fix that too?
[2:52:52] Yes.
[2:52:52] Yes, sir.
[2:52:53] Can we get him a copy of the notice of
violation?
[2:52:57] Of course.
[2:52:57] Yeah.
[2:52:57] And so, yeah, Mr. Sloss, honestly, you
know, we are here for a second order on
[2:53:01] know, we are here for a second order on
this,
[2:53:02] and if there's no— if you're not
contesting the fact that you're out of
[2:53:05] contesting the fact that you're out of
compliance,
[2:53:06] it's our job today here just to read this
into the record that you were not in
[2:53:10] compliance on these items by the due date.
[2:53:12] If you have questions, continue to stay in
touch with, with the city.
[2:53:16] They're going to tell you exactly.
[2:53:18] They can get you that document again if
you've lost it.
[2:53:21] Um, so we want to make sure you understand
what needs to be done to be brought into
[2:53:25] compliance. For today's purposes, if you
have questions,
[2:53:28] that can be dealt with outside of this
hearing.
[2:53:31] Okay.
[2:53:31] Um, so at this point in time, you know,
[2:53:33] unless you have something else you'd like
to add into evidence—
[2:53:36] Yeah.
[2:53:37] I'll admit is I can get obsessive, and my
backyard—I told this to Mr.
[2:53:43] Cruz yesterday—is I moved in 40 years ago,
[2:53:47] and 40 years ago there was a lot of water.
[2:53:50] The aquifers were full, the rains, and
what what happened is, and I showed him.
[2:53:56] In the back, the fences that outline the
neighborhood,
[2:54:01] there's a mobile home back there.
[2:54:04] The house behind my neighbor's house is
probably 8 feet higher.
[2:54:09] The property's probably 8 feet higher.
[2:54:12] And then right where the fence is, we're 8
feet down.
[2:54:16] My property is the lowest on, lowest part
of the neighborhood,
[2:54:21] probably for half a mile.
[2:54:23] And it's also the largest property if you
look on the plat.
[2:54:28] And all that water— there was a ditch
there when I moved in,
[2:54:33] and it was starting to deteriorate.
[2:54:36] My sister lived in there before, and she
sued the mobile home park.
[2:54:42] And myself and her husband put in drainage
things, put in drainage.
[2:54:47] But what happened over years is Since
they're— they,
[2:54:51] they claimed in the trial that that was
Mother Nature that made them that much
[2:54:58] higher. And so they gave us, you know, we
put in those.
[2:55:02] But over a period of years, my— all
whenever it rained,
[2:55:07] because it used to rain a lot, we used to
have a lot of water,
[2:55:12] it drained the whole side of this ditch.
[2:55:15] So it was just an, like, an 8-foot hill,
and then water comes.
[2:55:20] Jesus.
[2:55:21] And what has happened in that time is it's
turned my backyard into basically a
[2:55:26] bathtub. And he can show you all the
pictures.
[2:55:29] There's 4 or 5 trees that fell because I
have black dirt in my—
[2:55:33] so the water kind of just sits. There used
to be a swamp.
[2:55:37] I'm going to interrupt you here for a
second.
[2:55:40] I'm having a hard time finding how this
pertains to the violations here.
[2:55:45] We are specifically talking about The
cited violations and the fact that you
[2:55:49] cited violations and the fact that you
didn't
[2:55:50] come into compliance with those violations
by the— Okay, I'll stop now.
[2:55:54] It's because I'm saying this because, you
know, I got—
[2:55:58] I don't know what I'm going to do about
the backyard because I have no backyard.
[2:56:03] I have 4 or 5 big trees fall down because
they can't stand up.
[2:56:07] What were the items that were cited to
have to do with the backyard?
[2:56:12] This was only for property maintenance
issues.
[2:56:14] According to the structure of the home.
[2:56:16] You're not here for anything having to do
with,
[2:56:19] with what you're speaking on right now.
[2:56:21] So, um, well, I spent too much time back
there thinking that was what I needed to
[2:56:26] fix. I'm sorry. And again, if you're
unclear, please set up a meeting.
[2:56:30] Set up a meeting with your court officer
so he can outline.
[2:56:33] I talked to him the first time. Okay.
[2:56:35] Yesterday.
[2:56:35] Perfect. I'm going to close the public
portion, and I'm looking for a motion,
[2:56:38] please.
[2:56:39] I can make that. I have a motion.
[2:56:41] Please.
[2:56:42] I'm, um, I move in case number CER-2501092
for
[2:56:49] the property located at 1014 2nd Street
[2:56:55] Southwest, Largo, Florida 33770,
[2:56:59] to find the respondent John P.
[2:57:03] Sloss did not Correct the violations on or
[2:57:09] before July 22nd, July 22nd, 2022, and to—
[2:57:15] 2026.
[2:57:16] I'm sorry, 2026, and to, um, accept the
affidavit of non-compliance.
[2:57:23] Second.
[2:57:24] Okay, I've got a motion by Ms. Hoskin, a
second by Mr. Bach. All in favor say aye.
[2:57:29] Aye.
[2:57:30] Any opposed?
[2:57:31] Aye.
[2:57:31] Okay, the motion passes. Sounds like
you're working towards compliance.
[2:57:35] Just stay in close contact with the city,
okay?
[2:57:37] Once you become compliant, let them know
immediately.
[2:57:40] Fines will stop, and then they can talk to
you about next steps if you deem it so
[2:57:44] necessary to come in for a request for
reduction.
[2:57:47] $50 a day fine is going to start—
[2:57:49] or is accruing already because you haven't
been in compliance yet.
[2:57:52] Stay in touch with the city. They'll walk
you through it.
[2:57:55] I'll get you that document again. We
appreciate you working towards compliance.
[2:57:59] appreciate you working towards compliance.
Mr.
[2:58:00] Schloss, I do have that. Thank you, sir.
Oh, perfect, right there.
[2:58:03] Ms. Gooch, did we have any latecomers sign
in?
[2:58:07] Yeah, are you guys here to speak to cases
on the agenda today?
[2:58:11] Yeah.
[2:58:12] You both are? 2 different parties here?
Ms.
[2:58:14] Gooch, do we— you're here for item number
29, and what item are you guys here for?
[2:58:19] 35.
[2:58:20] 35?
[2:58:22] 29, 35, 21. 29 in that order?
[2:58:29] Um, they were—
[2:58:31] we don't know—
[2:58:31] all given on a single sheet, you know,
those 3.
[2:58:35] So 35, 29, 21. I apologize, I got 35, 35,
29, 21st.
[2:58:41] Thank you so much. You're going to—
[2:58:43] I'm going to ask you that again after we
get through this one.
[2:58:46] Um, okay, so we are going to move on to
agenda Agenda item number 35.
[2:58:49] Did we— one of you are here? Okay,
perfect.
[2:58:52] We have it.
[2:58:52] Agenda item number 35. That is on page 12
of the agenda.
[2:58:58] That is case number CER-26-00275. I have
Sandra E.
[2:59:03] Arango Carrillo and Augustin A.
[2:59:06] Rojas at 860 13th Avenue Southwest, Largo,
Florida 33536.
[2:59:12] 33770, and this is Code Officer Knotts.
[2:59:16] All right, Code Officer Mark Knotts
representing the City of Largo.
[2:59:21] This is case number CER 2600275.
Respondents: Augustine A.
[2:59:25] Rojas, Sandra Yarango Carrillo.
[2:59:28] Uh, property address: 860 13th Avenue
Southwest, Largo, Florida 33770.
[2:59:33] This is a homesteaded property.
[2:59:35] Violations are 2023 Florida Building Code
Section 105, building without permits,
[2:59:41] as adopted by reference in CDC 18.1.1, and
CDC 16.2.2,
[2:59:45] detached storage buildings and
gazebos/pergolas required permits.
[2:59:50] The initial inspection of the property was
on April 2nd, 2026.
[2:59:55] The notice of violation was dated April
2nd, 2026.
[2:59:59] The notice of violation compliance date
was May 3rd, 2026.
[3:00:03] The reinspection date was May 4th, 2026.
The reinspection result was noncompliant.
[3:00:09] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[3:00:15] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[3:00:16] Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
[3:00:18] The notice of hearing was posted on the
property, posted in the lobby of City
[3:00:24] property, posted in the lobby of City
Hall,
[3:00:25] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner in Pinellas County Property
[3:00:31] Appraiser. This is the notice of hearing
posted on the property July 15th, 2026.
[3:00:37] So this is from the neighboring property.
[3:00:40] I had permission from the owner to cross
over because I saw from the front.
[3:00:46] You'll see in a following picture, there's
a large frame around the pool.
[3:00:51] That's what caught my eye initially. Okay.
[3:00:55] Essentially, there's been 2 unpermitted
gazebos, an unpermitted deck,
[3:01:00] and an unpermitted pool deck all
constructed, which you'll see in further
[3:01:05] constructed, which you'll see in further
photos.
[3:01:06] This is just a photo from the rear.
[3:01:09] This is the frame that originally caught
my attention that's visible from the front
[3:01:15] of the property as well. It's a frame
connected to an above-ground pool deck.
[3:01:21] This is a Aerial photo taken off of GIS
where you can view the unpermitted deck
[3:01:27] coming off the back of the house,
[3:01:29] the unpermitted pool deck that has that
large frame structure attached to it,
[3:01:35] and the far left arrow points to one of
the two unpermitted gazebos on the
[3:01:41] the two unpermitted gazebos on the
property.
[3:01:41] The corrective action is to obtain all
necessary permits to cover the entire
[3:01:47] necessary permits to cover the entire
scope
[3:01:47] of work and obtain permits for the
construction of two gazebos.
[3:01:52] Okay.
[3:01:54] Staff recommends giving the respondents,
Agustin A.
[3:01:57] Rojas and Sandry Arango Carrillo, until
August 31st, 2026, to achieve compliance.
[3:02:03] If compliance is not achieved,
[3:02:05] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[3:02:10] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[3:02:10] on September 1st, 2026, until the property
is brought into compliance,
[3:02:15] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[3:02:20] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[3:02:20] Property Appraiser of $192,716. So I'd
like to add, I've been back and forth.
[3:02:25] I've communicated with them a few times on
this. They have submitted permits.
[3:02:30] They've gotten kicked back, they've gotten
voided.
[3:02:34] So it's just been a back and forth with
permitting essentially with this property.
[3:02:39] As of this morning, when I looked at it,
[3:02:42] they do have permits in for both decks and
one of the gazebos.
[3:02:46] The main permit for the decks has already
been kicked back as of yesterday,
[3:02:51] so it's been kicked back again.
[3:02:53] So typically I like to work with people on
things like this,
[3:02:57] but it's been going on three plus months,
almost four months.
[3:03:01] The permits—I'm not sure what's going on.
[3:03:03] If you guys need to hire a professional to
sort the permits out because they just
[3:03:09] keep going back and forth.
[3:03:10] So that's why I chose to bring it just so
we can kind of put a bow on this.
[3:03:15] and see what's going on.
[3:03:17] What does a kickback mean?
[3:03:21] Kickback?
[3:03:22] Kickback.
[3:03:23] Oh, the permit keeps getting rejected and
kicked back out,
[3:03:25] that it's not going to get approved.
[3:03:26] There are issues with the permit that,
that are preventing it from being issued.
[3:03:30] I thought the permit was issued.
[3:03:31] And who's filling out the permits and
drawing them?
[3:03:33] One second, one second, Ms. Alfarilli.
[3:03:35] Were you guys sworn in at the beginning of
this?
[3:03:37] Did you get here in time to be sworn in?
[3:03:38] Yeah, yeah.
[3:03:38] You were? Yeah, yeah, we got here at 1:20.
[3:03:41] Okay, um, please state your name and
property address for the record.
[3:03:44] Pardon me, is it fine if This is my dad.
[3:03:48] And who is your dad? My name is Agustin
Rojas.
[3:03:52] I live in A6013 Avenue Southwest, Largo,
Florida 33770.
[3:03:56] He's my son, Brian Rojas.
[3:03:59] Okay.
[3:03:59] Sorry, he's trying to help me with that
because it's—
[3:04:03] I'm gonna say a couple things because it's
so, um,
[3:04:07] I'm just building that one my own because
I'm trying to keep nice.
[3:04:12] But I'm so sorry because I don't have— I
don't have idea, like,
[3:04:16] how to make a payment for that.
[3:04:18] And then— and I will say sorry about that.
[3:04:21] But, you know, I try to make nice, like,
backyard.
[3:04:27] So the only thing is, everybody— The
permit we have,
[3:04:32] it's difficult actually to find an
engineer or architect to make
[3:04:39] those plans.
[3:04:40] Absolutely.
[3:04:41] Because when the people see the, the
project, they say, no, no, no, it's too
[3:04:45] project, they say, no, no, no, it's too
small,
[3:04:46] don't worry about it.
[3:04:48] So I'm trying to jump in one to another
one, another one.
[3:04:51] That's why it's taking too much time,
because we— I think finally I find one,
[3:04:57] but we did it, he did the plan,
[3:04:59] but now I rejected it again because
there's no building line by the by the
[3:05:04] there's no building line by the by the
code,
[3:05:05] under code, for say something. And then
we, we are here. Okay. Okay.
[3:05:10] Thank you for that, Ms. Caffarelli.
[3:05:12] You have any credentials at all, huh, on
drawing?
[3:05:17] What you're doing is you're going to have
to make a drawing. I did.
[3:05:23] Yeah, but the way it is now, exactly the
way it is.
[3:05:28] Now you can do it being that he's the
owner,
[3:05:32] but you can't change it the way it legally
should be to what is already there.
[3:05:40] So if you, if you want to do your permit
and you want to keep getting rejected,
[3:05:48] use it as a learning process.
[3:05:50] Have you—
[3:05:52] 'Cause it's something you can use the rest
of your life.
[3:05:56] But keep it up and go in there and
actually sit and draw what is there.
[3:06:02] And then see if it passes. If it doesn't
pass, they're going to kick it back.
[3:06:08] You're going to have a hard time finding
an architect to do an as-is drawing for
[3:06:14] something around an above-the-ground pool.
So I mean, it's— yeah.
[3:06:20] We do have one submitted.
[3:06:21] An architect has submitted as part of
their Permit,
[3:06:23] but it does look like it's been kicked
back. He had an architect do it.
[3:06:27] They have to go into a portal to see
exactly what's required.
[3:06:29] But yeah, that's what I'm saying.
[3:06:32] They can draw what should be, not what is.
[3:06:36] Well, okay, let me—
[3:06:38] there's nothing wrong with him doing it.
[3:06:39] No, no. So the reason I'm just submitting
the permits,
[3:06:43] I did a couple drawings so the architect
knows, and we took pictures and he did it.
[3:06:49] But it got sent back because of—
[3:06:52] it was not up to code from 2023.
[3:06:54] That's what I'm saying.
[3:06:55] Yeah, but at first I was just submitting
because we don't know this,
[3:06:58] first time submitting permits, right? And
then I would just submit them.
[3:07:02] And then first of all, I want to clarify,
like, there's not—
[3:07:05] there's no 2 gazebos. There's only one.
[3:07:07] The big one that my dad did was a wood
one, you know, from scratch.
[3:07:11] And the other one is a tent.
[3:07:13] It's like bought from Amazon.
[3:07:14] Yeah, you buy on Amazon and you put the
parts Take as many
[3:07:18] pictures as you can and then draw it
exactly the way it is that
[3:07:23] way.
[3:07:23] Yeah, I did that already.
[3:07:24] All right, so keep submitting them until
it's not rejected.
[3:07:28] That's the first permits I tried to submit
and they got sent back,
[3:07:31] said they need professionally signed and
everything like that.
[3:07:35] Don't take offense to it.
[3:07:36] No, I don't.
[3:07:36] It's a learning period.
[3:07:38] I'm telling you, really,
[3:07:39] you'll rule this because this is what we
need in this country.
[3:07:43] We need carpenters and Engineers?
[3:07:45] No. Yeah.
[3:07:47] And this is a learning period for you.
[3:07:48] Yeah, it's actually,
[3:07:50] it's like good for me to know because
maybe in the beginning and then later,
[3:07:54] say when somebody say, hey, you building
that one for you?
[3:07:58] Yeah, now I have, maybe I can say I have
more idea.
[3:08:01] You don't want anybody to get injured on
something that's not up to code because
[3:08:06] then they'll sue you.
[3:08:07] Okay, so I'm sorry, can we get some
clarification on the tent?
[3:08:13] Yes, as part of the compliance, I'm
totally open to being wrong.
[3:08:19] From the way I viewed it from the back
fence, it did appear to be 2 gazebos.
[3:08:23] If it's a tent, it's fine.
[3:08:25] Totally open to correction there if they
can prove or show a photo.
[3:08:29] So then it would just be a permit for 1
gazebo.
[3:08:31] Okay, that'll be important. Um, do you
happen to have photos by chance?
[3:08:36] Did you bring any photos? Yeah. Like my
backyard?
[3:08:39] Yeah, that would show the tent and the
gazebo as it not being 2 gazebos.
[3:08:43] Yeah, I saw how the installation, all
these parts, like they come in.
[3:08:47] Yeah, you can come up, but— oh, I'm sorry.
No, go ahead.
[3:08:51] Email them to—
[3:08:51] Give it to him, he'll put it on the
screen.
[3:08:52] Yeah, or email it to Chase and they can
put it on the screen.
[3:08:56] And sir, do you want to introduce that
into evidence?
[3:08:59] Yeah, that's a description, like what
you're talking about.
[3:09:05] Oh, this is for the tent. Oh, it's a metal
tent.
[3:09:10] These probably need permits too.
[3:09:13] Yeah, you're gonna have to have—
[3:09:15] you're gonna have to have setbacks.
[3:09:17] Yeah, I have to have certain railings,
stuff like that.
[3:09:21] Yeah, it's, it's essentially, uh,
[3:09:24] it's essentially a gazebo-like structure
even though it's got a
[3:09:30] soft top. Is it a soft top or hard?
[3:09:33] Yeah.
[3:09:34] Okay. Yeah. Would you show this? Yeah.
[3:09:38] So yeah, we'll accept this into evidence
and then I'll pass it around the board and
[3:09:41] then we'll give you back a copy.
[3:09:43] I want Mr. Knotts to see it, to see, to
ask him if it qualifies for—
[3:09:47] oh, we're not gonna— Mr. Knotts? Yeah.
[3:09:50] Yeah, we have a copy for him.
[3:09:51] I mean, it's a pretty substantial— it's—
he's calling it a tent.
[3:09:55] It's got a metal roof. I mean, those need
permits too, don't they?
[3:09:58] Even though you buy them off Amazon.
[3:10:00] Because you're both giving testimony.
Yeah, I know.
[3:10:03] I just— I didn't— I just saw the frame,
[3:10:05] kind of a couple pictures on the
instructions of what it— what the
[3:10:09] instructions of what it— what the
structure— yeah.
[3:10:10] I'm sure he typically— and he said it's an
aluminum roof.
[3:10:14] Yeah, yeah, sure.
[3:10:16] Yeah, that's gonna be coming, as you're
probably right.
[3:10:21] And all that can be done under one permit?
[3:10:23] Mr. Knotts, okay, um, I think they want to
introduce— do,
[3:10:27] do you want us to keep this?
[3:10:29] If you want to keep it, that's fine.
[3:10:32] I can print more for me.
[3:10:33] If we're introducing into evidence,
[3:10:35] we do need to ensure that each board
member has an opportunity to review it.
[3:10:39] Okay, understood.
[3:10:42] We will.
[3:10:42] So Mr. Knotts, you're clear on that
structure,
[3:10:45] so you can relay to them that it will also
need to be inspected?
[3:10:50] Yes.
[3:10:50] Okay.
[3:10:51] I believe it would still fall under the
same ordinance regardless.
[3:10:56] It says gazebos and pergolas.
[3:10:58] I think it still— that still covers
ordinance.
[3:11:02] So, okay, you know that we have a time
issue here at all.
[3:11:06] What do you mean?
[3:11:06] I mean, what's the recommendation, Officer
Cruz?
[3:11:09] What was your recommendation for how much
time they're gonna—
[3:11:13] I would have to look at the slide, but I
believe it was just 30 days.
[3:11:16] Um, well, given the permitting issues, do
we need to extend that a little bit?
[3:11:20] Oh, I would have no objection to that.
[3:11:21] It's just like I said, with the permit
bouncing back and forth,
[3:11:25] I felt like this needed to be brought
forward so we could get it clarified and
[3:11:28] forward so we could get it clarified and
get
[3:11:29] it taken care of.
[3:11:29] In your experience, do the people at the
permitting office— I mean,
[3:11:33] will they explain and walk them through
what needs to be done if they go in with—
[3:11:37] on a meeting and sit down and actually
help them draw it out so it can get
[3:11:41] help them draw it out so it can get
approved?
[3:11:42] I don't know if they're necessarily going
to sit down and, you know,
[3:11:45] school them on how to do an architectural
drawing.
[3:11:47] Right.
[3:11:48] They'll just explain the paperwork,
essentially.
[3:11:51] The gazebo permits themselves, gazebo
pergola permits are super easy to obtain.
[3:11:57] They don't take long to get issued.
[3:11:59] The structure and the deck and all that.
[3:12:01] Yeah, that's the bigger issue.
[3:12:03] Okay. Yes, sir. You can get something to
add. Yeah.
[3:12:06] Um, so When we first got the violations,
[3:12:09] we came to the city hall.
[3:12:11] Yeah.
[3:12:11] And then I spoke to this one lady about
like the permits, and then she said,
[3:12:17] I recommend you submitting all permits one
by one.
[3:12:21] So she thought I had 2 gazebos and then 2
patio decks,
[3:12:25] like a pool deck and the little deck we
have.
[3:12:28] Okay.
[3:12:29] She was like, I recommend them to submit a
separate,
[3:12:31] so just in case one bounced back.
[3:12:33] Okay, you can just, you know, still have
the other ones.
[3:12:36] Then I submit it separate, and then they
just want— oh,
[3:12:39] I see what the only thing they say they
kick it back for, oh,
[3:12:42] you need them together.
[3:12:43] So, and I did them together again,
[3:12:45] and then now just they want it to be up to
code and stuff like that. Okay, yeah.
[3:12:49] And if we can look at the monitors here,
just pulling up some of the photos.
[3:12:53] I'm sorry, Redone, did I cut you off?
[3:12:55] Oh yeah, another thing.
[3:12:58] So yeah, just the gazebo.
[3:13:01] One is a tent from Amazon.
[3:13:02] Yeah. Mr. Niles, can you see that?
[3:13:05] First permit at—
[3:13:06] oh, you're like— okay.
[3:13:07] Yeah, so that, that's the, that's the
tent.
[3:13:10] The tent to the left.
[3:13:12] Yeah, it's got a metal roof.
[3:13:13] That's going to need a permit, isn't it?
[3:13:15] Yes.
[3:13:15] Okay, so that is going to fall underneath
the 2 gazebos.
[3:13:18] Yep.
[3:13:19] So it will all— so don't eliminate that
from your process.
[3:13:22] You can give them those instructions and
that might be helpful.
[3:13:26] What about that shade tarp adjacent over
the pool? Is that included in—
[3:13:31] Well, the structure holding it up is
included in their deck permit.
[3:13:35] That is? Okay.
[3:13:36] These are helpful. Thanks for sending
those pictures.
[3:13:40] For the little tent, right, or the gazebo,
whatever, the little one,
[3:13:45] right? The purplish one?
[3:13:47] Yep.
[3:13:47] Is that a residential structure?
[3:13:49] Or because— so I have my auntie, she works
for Orlando City,
[3:13:53] and she does all this kind of stuff, and
she don't want to be helping me out.
[3:13:58] And then my first permit was a residential
accessory—
[3:14:02] no, it was a residential miscellaneous, I
think.
[3:14:06] That's what I submitted first,
[3:14:08] and then they told me it's going to be a
structural.
[3:14:12] Well, my auntie said that tent is not
structural.
[3:14:16] Should be just a miscellaneous accessory.
[3:14:19] And I don't want to go into the building
situation, but it has to have wind impact.
[3:14:24] So that's why it's an accessory structure.
[3:14:26] It has to be a certain type of brand of
this. It's a gazebo. It's a gazebo.
[3:14:30] It's not a tent gazebo.
[3:14:32] And it's just because you order it from
Amazon and then I don't know what it's
[3:14:36] called on there, but it is a gazebo.
[3:14:38] So it has to have wind impact up to X
amount, which will—
[3:14:41] you will be told by the building.
[3:14:43] department, but it is going to be an
accessory structure.
[3:14:46] Yes, per our code is accessories.
[3:14:48] Yeah, per our code.
[3:14:49] Other municipalities, yeah, yeah, right,
different.
[3:14:51] Orlando's going to be different, and you
know,
[3:14:54] we are bound by a lot different wind
regulations in Pinellas.
[3:14:58] No, yeah, I get compared to interior
counties.
[3:15:01] Um, okay, any other specific questions?
[3:15:03] Anything you'd like to add in closing at
this point in time? Yeah, thank you.
[3:15:08] Whatever you decide, I don't know, because
obviously I require more time to like—
[3:15:13] You'd like more time?
[3:15:14] Yeah, because I needed for say something,
[3:15:17] I need to add more things to put
everything on the code, you know,
[3:15:22] I need to do more time.
[3:15:24] How much time do you think?
[3:15:26] On July 30th, like maybe, I don't know, 2
months,
[3:15:29] because after that I had to send the
pictures And again, to the— I'm sorry,
[3:15:35] I forget the name— to the architect to do
the plans again and explain the plan,
[3:15:40] everything in the plan, because I need to
send it how I build it.
[3:15:45] There's a lot to it. Did you say 2 months,
sir? Did you say 2 months?
[3:15:50] Oh yeah, I don't know, you can do more
because, you know,
[3:15:54] it's really hard because the architect,
[3:15:56] he called me back when I sent the last
picture, like, City say, you say,
[3:16:01] it's a lot of things you have to do, or
like in the city, like the—
[3:16:05] There's a lot to it for sure. Yeah,
architects require a lot.
[3:16:08] The permitting department, they need to
know what they're signing off on.
[3:16:12] So, okay, so did the board hear that?
[3:16:14] He is requesting a little bit more time,
um, 2 months or more, he said.
[3:16:18] Um, so I'm going to close the public
portion unless there was anything else you
[3:16:22] wanted to add. City, you're, you're good.
Um, yes, Miss Gooch.
[3:16:25] Are these ours?
[3:16:26] Yes.
[3:16:27] Yes, he confirmed we could keep those.
Right, we can keep those?
[3:16:30] Scan them in.
[3:16:31] We'll scan them into the file.
[3:16:32] Yeah, they'll be added to the file, and we
already have the photos.
[3:16:34] Thanks for sending that. Okay, any
discussion or questions from the board?
[3:16:37] Okay, board.
[3:16:38] Yeah.
[3:16:38] Uh, is everyone agreeable to give them
until the end of October, which is 10/30,
[3:16:44] to comply, which would then mean the fines
would start on 11/2?
[3:16:49] Is that about right?
[3:16:50] Yes. What, about 3 months is what you're—
[3:16:52] Yes.
[3:16:52] Yeah, they're giving them the 90 days.
[3:16:54] Suggesting?
[3:16:55] I don't think they've got, you know,
health or safety issues.
[3:16:59] I think $250 is a little high for the
price of the house. I think so, too.
[3:17:03] Yeah.
[3:17:03] Okay.
[3:17:03] So we'll scale that back as well. Okay.
Shall I proceed?
[3:17:08] Please.
[3:17:08] Yes.
[3:17:09] Yeah.
[3:17:09] Proceed.
[3:17:10] I move in case number CER26-00275 to find
the respondents,
[3:17:17] Augustin A. Rojas and Sandra I.
[3:17:20] In violation of the 2023 Florida Building
Code Section 105,
[3:17:27] building without permits,
[3:17:30] as adopted by reference in CDC 18.1.1.A
and CDC 16.2.2,
[3:17:36] for the property located at 860 13th
Avenue Southwest, Largo,
[3:17:43] Florida 33770.
[3:17:44] Second.
[3:17:46] And to assess a fine of $2— excuse me, of
$100 per day beginning on November 2,
[3:17:53] 2026, until compliance is achieved,
[3:17:56] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value of $192,716,
[3:18:02] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to
[3:18:09] arrange for a reinspection of the property
to verify Second.
[3:18:15] That was a compliance date of November
2nd?
[3:18:17] Yes.
[3:18:19] Fine. Fine to begin on 11/2.
[3:18:21] Because November 1st is Sunday.
[3:18:23] Well, I said I would—
[3:18:25] if I could read it into the record that
they are to comply by October 30th.
[3:18:31] Yeah, she said that.
[3:18:32] Oh, okay. Yes, comply by October 30th and
the fine will begin on 11/2.
[3:18:37] Which is the Monday thereafter.
[3:18:39] Correct. Yeah, that creates a gap.
[3:18:43] Yes. Okay, let's keep it consistent,
please. Yes. Okay.
[3:18:48] All right, I will amend my motion to allow
the respondents,
[3:18:54] Augustin A. Rojas and Sandra E.
[3:18:58] Arango Carrillo, until November 2nd, 2026,
[3:19:02] to bring their property into compliance,
[3:19:06] and we will impose a fine of $100 per day
beginning on 11/3/2026 if
[3:19:13] they are found to be not in compliance.
[3:19:17] Thank you.
[3:19:17] Second the amendment.
[3:19:18] Okay, I've got a motion by Ms. Smith and a
second by Mr. Bock. All in favor say aye.
[3:19:24] Aye.
[3:19:25] Any opposed? Okay, the motion passes.
Sorry, you understand, 90 days.
[3:19:29] You do understand? Okay, about 90 days.
[3:19:32] Keep working towards it and stay in close
contact with the city.
[3:19:36] They're going to help you work through it
all.
[3:19:39] You'll get the order in the mail, the
order of today's findings.
[3:19:43] Okay, thank you so much. Thank you guys.
Thanks for coming in. Good luck.
[3:19:47] All right, Mr. Cruz, what was that, uh,
second number? All right, we got 29.
[3:19:51] Thank you very much.
[3:19:52] I haven't identified the page Yes, thank
you.
[3:19:57] Page 11, everybody. Agenda item number 29.
It is—
[3:20:02] Between 31 and 32. Oh yeah, it is.
[3:20:05] That's an odd thing.
[3:20:05] It is case number CER-26-00549,
[3:20:08] Marlena Roman and Reyes Roman at 2185
Water Oak Drive North,
[3:20:14] Clearwater, Florida 33764.
[3:20:16] Um, I see the note as a repeat violation
here.
[3:20:20] And is this— what is this, a first order?
[3:20:24] First, yes.
[3:20:26] Yeah, first hearing, yes.
[3:20:28] First order. Um, Semino,
[3:20:31] thank you very much.
[3:20:33] Whenever you're ready.
[3:20:36] All right, Code Officer Sue Semino
representing the City of Largo for case
[3:20:41] representing the City of Largo for case
number
[3:20:41] CER 2600549. The respondents are Reyes
Roman and Marlena Roman.
[3:20:46] Property address is 2185 Water Oak Drive
North, Largo, Florida 33764.
[3:20:50] Homestead exemptions, yes.
[3:20:52] The violations are COO 11-75, inoperable
vehicles, and it's a repeat violation.
[3:20:57] The initial inspection of the property was
performed on 6/16/26.
[3:21:02] The notice of violation dated 6/17/26.
[3:21:04] The notice of violation compliance date
It's a repeat, so when they called me,
[3:21:10] that's when they were compliant. Uh, but
the reinspection result was compliant.
[3:21:15] The notice of— the notice of repeat
violation was sent via certified mail to
[3:21:20] violation was sent via certified mail to
the
[3:21:20] listed property owner and the Pinellas
County Property Appraiser,
[3:21:25] and the notice of hearing was posted on
the property,
[3:21:28] posted in the lobby of City Hall,
[3:21:31] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner and the Pinellas County
[3:21:36] Property Appraiser. The—
[3:21:38] this is the notice of hearing posted on
the property on 7/15/26.
[3:21:42] This is just the repeat notice of
violation that was sent to them.
[3:21:47] It's just a picture of this.
[3:21:48] And this is just a picture of the
inoperable vehicle with no tags visible on
[3:21:54] inoperable vehicle with no tags visible on
the
[3:21:54] property.
[3:21:54] Wow. $1,500.
[3:21:56] And just another view of the vehicle
parked on the property with no tag.
[3:22:01] So the corrective action is all vehicles
must be fully operable and have a valid
[3:22:06] registration or stored in a fully enclosed
structure.
[3:22:11] sure.
[3:22:12] Staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine as a repeat violator
[3:22:17] Board impose a fine as a repeat violator
of
[3:22:17] $500 per day beginning on June 17th, 2026
through June 27th, 2026.
[3:22:22] The property was non-compliant for a total
of 10 days, the total fine of $5,000.
[3:22:28] And that is the end of my presentation.
[3:22:31] Okay, hello there. Please state your
first, last name, and address.
[3:22:37] My name is Reyes Roman.
[3:22:39] Address: 2185 Guadalupe Drive, North
Clearwater.
[3:22:44] My name is Jacqueline Roman, 2005
Briarwood Street,
[3:22:48] Dunedin, Florida. I'm here to translate on
behalf of my
[3:22:52] father.
[3:22:52] He's your father? Okay.
[3:22:53] Could you say that one more time, your
name?
[3:22:56] Um, Jacqueline Roman, 2005 Briarwood
Street, Dunedin, Florida.
[3:23:03] And Jacqueline, were you guys sworn in
this morning when you got here?
[3:23:06] Yes.
[3:23:06] You have been sworn in? Okay, perfect.
Thank you. Um, Miss Gooch, you good?
[3:23:10] You got that?
[3:23:10] I got it.
[3:23:11] Perfect. What would you like to say today?
[3:23:13] Um, I would like, um—
[3:23:15] Would you speak into the microphone,
please? Thank you.
[3:23:19] Um, I would like to, um, request, um, I'm—
[3:23:22] we're being informed that this is a repeat
violation.
[3:23:26] The prior violations that we did have was
during Hurricane Helene and Melton.
[3:23:31] My parents had to evacuate. They were—
they weren't in the property.
[3:23:37] It was a process where we had to change
titles and everything like that.
[3:23:42] And so that repeat violation that occurred
for an extended period of time—
[3:23:47] this violation, as soon as we were brought
aware of it,
[3:23:51] we addressed it within a week.
[3:23:54] But I do understand that this is a repeat
violation,
[3:23:58] and that's why we're looking at such hefty
fines.
[3:24:01] And, um, and I would like to be considered
that the prior violations of the vehicles
[3:24:07] with unoperations were during those storms
and those hurricanes.
[3:24:12] And so that issue was addressed.
[3:24:15] And, um, it's not that during those times
it was craziness,
[3:24:19] and now because of that We're, we're
looking at repeat violations status.
[3:24:24] Okay, um, you can go ahead.
[3:24:29] He said, oh, it's— we've never had these
types of issues before.
[3:24:32] Okay, uh, so typically since it is a
repeat violation, we can—
[3:24:36] she's asking us to look back at the
previous, previous case.
[3:24:40] Obviously we're okay to discuss the
previous case even though it's separate
[3:24:45] previous case even though it's separate
here
[3:24:46] today, right, Miss The dates, to see if
the dates fall in the hurricane zone,
[3:24:51] as they're alleging. I just want to speak
to that.
[3:24:54] Do you know during that first violation
that is establishing this as a repeat
[3:24:59] violation, was anyone here during those
hearings?
[3:25:02] No, no, we weren't. We weren't here
through all
[3:25:06] those. There was, um,
[3:25:08] the property had several issues.
[3:25:11] We had—
[3:25:11] Was anyone here at the hearing?
[3:25:13] No, no, no one was here.
[3:25:14] And the reason for that is because we
didn't have any hearings for, you know,
[3:25:18] a little while.
[3:25:19] Um, um, just they relocated for over a
year and a half.
[3:25:23] Um, their house was completely a complete
loss.
[3:25:26] And so, um, through rehab and through
everything, just I'm in a different—
[3:25:31] I'm in Dunedin and they're in Clearwater,
[3:25:34] and I didn't have access to the mail and
stuff like that.
[3:25:38] So we had— we've not— we haven't been here
in front of you guys, um,
[3:25:43] in reference to that property ever.
[3:25:46] And when did you— when did you learn about
the first violation?
[3:25:50] Um, no, I was informed by, um, our, our
agent that this is a repeat violation,
[3:25:57] and as of the day that they inspected it,
that was the day it occurred,
[3:26:03] that $500 fine.
[3:26:04] So you're testifying that you didn't even
realize that you had this violation? No.
[3:26:10] What about your parents? Did they know?
[3:26:12] I misspoke. Okay, I did.
[3:26:14] We did realize we had a violation, um,
with another automobile.
[3:26:19] I believe it was also a Mercedes-Benz, um,
a silver one.
[3:26:23] And so when that was, um, brought to
second or third time,
[3:26:27] that was when I was made aware that, you
know, this vehicle has no registration.
[3:26:33] has no plates, it needs to be removed, and
we're already at that point.
[3:26:39] And that's when the vehicle was removed,
in, if I'm not mistaken, early 2025.
[3:26:44] Okay, so yes, to answer your question, you
may ask questions.
[3:26:49] You may even ask the code officer to show
you the previous case finding the same
[3:26:54] code or code section violation. Repeat
violators is a 5-year period, remember?
[3:26:59] Another thing, they're contesting the fine
amount.
[3:27:03] So you want to focus on those 3 factors
again, right? You're here.
[3:27:07] Okay, what is the gravity about? You have
an inoperable vehicle.
[3:27:11] So determine the gravity of that. Do you
have a previous violation? Yes, you do.
[3:27:17] And then you can, you know, ascertain
facts as to that.
[3:27:21] Thank you.
[3:27:21] And the steps taken to correct. They've
already corrected the violation.
[3:27:25] It took 10 days.
[3:27:26] Right.
[3:27:26] You have those facts, so apply them.
[3:27:29] And then remember, um, use your, your, you
know, obviously your fine amount,
[3:27:34] the fine amount allowable. But there's no
minimum.
[3:27:38] There are maximum caps, but no minimum.
[3:27:41] Okay. Thank you, Ms. Barrera.
[3:27:43] Um, just to touch on that again, as I
mentioned,
[3:27:47] my parents were displaced.
[3:27:49] Entire home was lost, and they're on fixed
income.
[3:27:53] And as everyone is at on these times, you
know,
[3:27:57] money is not readily available. All right.
[3:28:01] I do have a couple of questions for the
city.
[3:28:04] Number one, if you could look and see if
that original violation on the silver
[3:28:10] Mercedes did occur on or around the period
of Helene and Milton.
[3:28:16] And then also, if the entire house was
destroyed,
[3:28:19] was that Was it destroyed by the
hurricane? And how did that not come up
[3:28:25] hurricane? And how did that not come up
beforehand?
[3:28:26] Which I find kind of interesting. There
were— were there permits? Was it a demo?
[3:28:32] Did they demolish?
[3:28:34] It was a complete rehab. Everything got
pulled out.
[3:28:37] Obviously, you had a contractor and proper
permitting,
[3:28:40] so it wouldn't have come up before us in
any way.
[3:28:45] No, the house did come up, but we were not
present.
[3:28:48] But the permits and stuff like that, there
was permits found, um,
[3:28:52] not properly scoped. The job wasn't
properly scoped, and so on and so forth.
[3:28:56] The problems that everyone kind of gets
into with the hurricane issue.
[3:29:01] Mm-hmm.
[3:29:01] And so we now, we found ourselves at the
beginning of last month again repeating,
[3:29:07] um, a repeat violation for a vehicle
without tags.
[3:29:10] And so I was just so wanting to, to
discuss that, you know,
[3:29:14] I do understand it is a repeat violation,
[3:29:17] but it's a repeat violation under the
circumstances of the first circumstance
[3:29:22] circumstances of the first circumstance
that
[3:29:23] it was, it was a dire situation.
[3:29:25] So that brings up a question for me is,
[3:29:28] you're aware that you were cited for an
inoperable vehicle
[3:29:32] on the property?
[3:29:33] The first time.
[3:29:34] The first time, right? Why would you Do it
again.
[3:29:37] Why would you do it again?
[3:29:39] And are you going to be here for a third
time?
[3:29:42] Yeah, we had just a family circumstance
where, um,
[3:29:47] it was insurance lapse and stuff like
that.
[3:29:51] And so we—
[3:29:52] I'm sorry, I'm having a problem.
[3:29:54] We had, um, a personal family lapse.
[3:29:57] It was my brother's vehicle and, um,
[3:29:59] he wasn't paying insurance and it was
Something Dad kind of did to say, hey,
[3:30:05] you know, I need you to play responsibly,
because again, funds are limited.
[3:30:10] And, and, um, it was an insurance tact
within family, unfortunately.
[3:30:15] And he chose to take those tags off of
that vehicle so that my oldest brother
[3:30:21] that vehicle so that my oldest brother
could
[3:30:21] cooperate with insurance kind of thing.
And so that was an internal thing.
[3:30:27] Yeah, I was gonna say To your point,
[3:30:29] do you understand that he can take the
tags off and put it in the garage where no
[3:30:33] one can see it? Like, you know, I mean, we
don't,
[3:30:36] we don't want to bring people in as repeat
violators, right?
[3:30:39] But the fact in my— the fact remains that,
you know,
[3:30:42] you can't have an unregistered vehicle in
the driveway, and then you did it again,
[3:30:47] which is why you're here as a repeat
violator.
[3:30:49] Yes, it was definitely, um, a—
[3:30:52] so just to get through Back on the
previous case, it was opened in February
[3:30:57] previous case, it was opened in February
of 2025.
[3:30:57] Um, it went to Code Board in May of 2025.
[3:31:00] You gave them until June 13th, uh, 2025 to
come into compliance.
[3:31:04] They were in compliance by that date,
[3:31:06] so there are no fines due on the previous
case. Okay, thank you. I appreciate that.
[3:31:11] Is it the same person, my brother,
[3:31:14] for the 2 different vehicles or the 2
different instances?
[3:31:18] Um, yes.
[3:31:19] Why isn't he here?
[3:31:20] Um, well, I mean, he can't— well, he pays
insurance.
[3:31:25] I know it's not— I know it's not his
property.
[3:31:28] He's not going to show up here.
[3:31:30] I'm sorry. Guilty at this, and then they
can come back and go for a reduction.
[3:31:34] So based on the evidence, yeah, you can
decide that yes, indeed,
[3:31:39] they are repeat in violation of 1175. Yes.
[3:31:42] And then Determine the appropriate fine
amount given the factors: gravity,
[3:31:48] previous violations, and, you know,
[3:31:51] whether they corrected it and what steps
they took,
[3:31:55] how fast they took those steps to correct
them.
[3:31:58] So those are the things that you need to
be thinking about and deliberating about
[3:32:05] when you determine that fine amount.
[3:32:07] But, yes, reduction— I don't want to be
mistaken on this.
[3:32:12] Mary, a reduction is available for repeat
violators.
[3:32:16] But it's limited.
[3:32:17] Yeah.
[3:32:17] Minimum $1,500.
[3:32:18] Yeah, but you have the— exactly, your
minimum amount,
[3:32:21] it's going to be capped at $1,500.
[3:32:23] Once again, that's just an option if you'd
like to exercise it.
[3:32:27] Yes, and so that's what we're requesting,
right?
[3:32:30] Not be considered as a repeat violation,
and because of this—
[3:32:34] Okay, we understand.
[3:32:35] —circumstances.
[3:32:36] We understand the request. I'm gonna go
ahead and close the public portion of
[3:32:41] ahead and close the public portion of
this.
[3:32:42] We can still ask questions and everything,
[3:32:44] but just wait until we address you in the
form of a question.
[3:32:48] What do we think, board?
[3:32:50] Well, for the first violation, they did
come into compliance.
[3:32:56] In time.
[3:32:57] So they did behave correctly in response
to it,
[3:33:03] so they got that handled. No, it's doing
that again.
[3:33:09] This is— I know, I'm just—
[3:33:13] I'm here again and it's staring you in the
face.
[3:33:15] Yeah, I know. You gotta— I understand.
[3:33:18] Guilty again. And then they can come back
and look for a reduction,
[3:33:23] which would be less than the $5,000 if we—
[3:33:26] well, yeah, but if they grant it, what's
gonna go?
[3:33:29] You're gonna do it again a third time?
[3:33:31] Right. So I think the question in front of
us here today is, um, you know,
[3:33:35] no one's disputing the fact that it's a
repeat violation.
[3:33:38] They did correct the action the first
time.
[3:33:40] They knew about the action the first time,
allowed it to happen again.
[3:33:43] So I think we just need to decide if we
agree with the fine amount.
[3:33:48] Um, you know, I'm willing to reduce it a
little bit.
[3:33:51] That's a 10-day violation.
[3:33:53] So fines accrued for 10 days, which, as we
see in front of us,
[3:33:56] It comes up to $5,000.
[3:33:58] So my guess is that they're going to be
back in here for a request for reduction.
[3:34:03] So do we want to— do we want to—
[3:34:05] Yeah.
[3:34:05] Circumvent that, reduce the fine amount
today, and make it whatever?
[3:34:09] Or do we want to go through the process of
going with the recommended fine,
[3:34:14] fining them $5,000, and then having them
set up the—
[3:34:17] going through the process to come back in
for a reduction?
[3:34:21] I mean, you know, that's what we're trying
to decide, I feel like.
[3:34:25] We made it easy for them last time.
[3:34:26] Reduce it today, they're liable to come
back and ask for reduction of the reduced
[3:34:30] amount.
[3:34:31] Yeah, because we made it easy.
[3:34:32] Under RIMP violation.
[3:34:33] But you're not, you're not, um, you're not
reducing a fine today.
[3:34:38] No, no.
[3:34:38] This is the recommended fine and you're
deciding what that—
[3:34:41] this is just the recommendation of the
city.
[3:34:43] Forget that this is even in front of you.
[3:34:45] Right, exactly.
[3:34:45] You decide what the fine amount is.
[3:34:47] Yeah.
[3:34:47] You have caps, but you decide what the
fine amount is.
[3:34:50] This is just a recommendation. And that's
why you have those slabs.
[3:34:54] Yes.
[3:34:55] But anyway, thanks. A day, $500?
[3:34:58] Please, we're deliberating. Please.
[3:35:00] I apologize.
[3:35:00] I think $500 a day is excessive, and I'm
willing to drop it.
[3:35:06] That's the way we've set it up.
[3:35:07] I understand.
[3:35:08] And we made it easy the last time.
[3:35:11] So, I mean, you have to go for it the way
it is now and then
[3:35:15] reduce it if they come back.
[3:35:18] Mm-hmm. I'm with that.
[3:35:20] But you can't do it the other way. You're
putting the cart before the horse.
[3:35:23] Yeah.
[3:35:24] No, we're not. We decide how much we want
to fine them.
[3:35:26] Right, but there's—
[3:35:27] it's an automatic. A repeat violator is
automatic.
[3:35:29] No, it's not.
[3:35:30] It's not?
[3:35:32] No, it's not. No, we decide how much we
want to fine them per day based on—
[3:35:35] we're not disputing the fact that it's a
repeat violation.
[3:35:38] Right, and the repeat violator says $500 a
day.
[3:35:41] No, there's no—
[3:35:42] Isn't it $500?
[3:35:42] You get to decide that.
[3:35:44] That's just That's the cap. Yeah, I
thought that changed.
[3:35:47] There's no minimum, but that's the max.
[3:35:49] You get to this, there's no minimum, so
you can go lower.
[3:35:52] Well, I would, I would like to see this
stop. Yeah. Oh, great.
[3:35:57] No, I mean, we want— I don't know, is
there an incentive to comply?
[3:36:04] And, you know, it's not under our purview.
[3:36:07] But if this has to do with insurance, you
know, that's a big deal.
[3:36:14] that someone has a car that doesn't have
insurance in my mind.
[3:36:19] Well, so I like the idea of the $500 a day
because somebody needs to step up and pay
[3:36:27] attention to what to, you know.
[3:36:30] I have a question for the respondent.
[3:36:32] Was the car still insured but the brother
just wasn't paying?
[3:36:36] Correct.
[3:36:36] Dad back for the amount of the insurance.
Did insurance lapse on the car?
[3:36:39] No, the car was, was still insured.
[3:36:42] He just wasn't paying Dad his bills.
[3:36:43] Exactly. And so Dad was saying—
[3:36:45] Dad took the plate off the car and said
you can't drive the car.
[3:36:48] Grounded. So therefore you cannot drive
the vehicle.
[3:36:53] And so that's, um, and it was a,
[3:36:56] a haste move to cause attention to my
younger brother.
[3:37:01] And so yes, it was Um, not done properly,
and, um, now we're here.
[3:37:07] And so he is— it's just $500. It's—
[3:37:10] Understood.
[3:37:11] It's $500. It's—
[3:37:13] Okay, we— yep. Okay, thank you.
[3:37:15] Yeah, so the car wasn't being driven
around without insurance.
[3:37:19] I just want to make that point.
[3:37:21] I didn't want you to think that the
insurance had lapsed on the car. Well,
[3:37:25] insurance had lapsed on the car. Well,
right.
[3:37:26] So I don't see a safety issue here.
[3:37:28] My opinion is that if we find them If we
decide to fine them $500 a day, $5,000,
[3:37:33] they're gonna come in and ask for a
reduction,
[3:37:36] and we get to add it to the agenda next
time. Um, or we can address it here.
[3:37:41] There is a minimum for a repeat violator
from the reduction,
[3:37:45] if we get to that process.
[3:37:47] This board has a history of going ahead
and allowing— and allowing for reductions.
[3:37:52] Mm-hmm.
[3:37:53] I've been here for a while. That tends to
be the way that we go. Okay.
[3:37:57] So why don't we discuss the $500 a day and
bring that down a bit?
[3:38:01] I have a question.
[3:38:02] I do too.
[3:38:03] Okay.
[3:38:04] If we make it an affordable fine, would
they be able to pay it today?
[3:38:09] And that would be the end of it? That's a
question for respondent. I know.
[3:38:15] And I'm asking Ms. Gooch too.
[3:38:17] I need to know if the city could accept
the payment today.
[3:38:22] Or, you know, it could— could you—
[3:38:24] If it's an affordable fine, not $5,000, of
course, yes, we want to be done with it.
[3:38:30] I—
[3:38:30] Mr.—
[3:38:31] we do not wish to be here for another 4
hours. It's not—
[3:38:35] Okay, I, I appreciate the answer. What do
you mean last time?
[3:38:38] We let them off the hook last time?
[3:38:40] The last time they got fined for not
having a car.
[3:38:43] They never had— they've never been fined.
[3:38:44] Oh, that's what I'm saying.
[3:38:46] They complied.
[3:38:46] They came into compliance in the time that
we set at the first hearing for previous
[3:38:50] case, not this case, obviously.
[3:38:52] They've never had fines,
[3:38:53] and then he pulled the plate off to punish
his son for not paying him back for
[3:38:57] insurance.
[3:38:59] So why don't they put them in the garage?
[3:39:02] We actually have a vehicle in the garage.
[3:39:05] Does it have a plate on it?
[3:39:08] No.
[3:39:10] Okay, um, I can't make a motion.
[3:39:12] My, my advice, or my position, is $500 is
excessive, but— and the point—
[3:39:18] we're not trying to make money off of
these things.
[3:39:22] The point of these fines is to encourage
them to comply and to discourage from
[3:39:29] repeating violations.
[3:39:30] Understood.
[3:39:31] Right? My question again—
[3:39:34] Yeah, Mr. Buck, please.
[3:39:35] My question again is,
[3:39:36] if we reduce the fine and come up with a
total today,
[3:39:40] does that prevent them from coming in for
a reduction in the future?
[3:39:46] No.
[3:39:46] Okay, then I think we should— I would be
in favor of going along with this motion,
[3:39:52] recommended motion, then let them come in
for reduction and we'll face the issue
[3:39:57] then.
[3:39:58] However, if we impose a reasonable fine
and they pay it now,
[3:40:02] then they will not have to come back
requesting a reduction, but it will be
[3:40:08] requesting a reduction, but it will be
forever—
[3:40:09] well, for 5 years on the record that
you're a repeat violator and we'll never
[3:40:15] you're a repeat violator and we'll never
be
[3:40:15] able to concede or, you know, grant you
this kind of leniency again.
[3:40:20] We don't know that.
[3:40:21] Right?
[3:40:21] But that's an assumption.
[3:40:22] Yes. I just— I'm— yeah. We're theorizing
and discussing this.
[3:40:28] I think the point that I'm sure you're
understanding as well is that if you
[3:40:34] determine a fine amount under the $1,500
minimum, um,
[3:40:38] there's no reason for them to come to a
reduction because just you've already,
[3:40:44] you know, right, obviously the outstanding
fine would be less, right?
[3:40:50] Pay the permissible reduction.
[3:40:52] What about $150 a day at $10 a day, which
is $1,500 fine paid in 30 days,
[3:40:58] and they wouldn't come in for a reduction
because the minimum reduction for a repeat
[3:41:05] violator is $1,500?
[3:41:08] I propose we don't even go that high,
frankly.
[3:41:11] I'm willing to give them $50 a day, a
total of $500.
[3:41:15] Pay it and go home.
[3:41:16] Mr. Buck?
[3:41:18] Does anybody else— would anyone else agree
with me? Thank you, Ms. Marsh.
[3:41:23] Just polling, unofficial.
[3:41:25] He's struggling over there.
[3:41:27] How do you feel?
[3:41:30] I mean, it's— my parents would have
whipped my family.
[3:41:34] Granted. If it was that,
[3:41:36] he wouldn't be in so much trouble.
[3:41:39] He was just raised different.
[3:41:40] I understand it. And it's, it's like, it
was his way of grounding the kid,
[3:41:44] taking his wings so he can't fly.
[3:41:46] That's not within our purview.
[3:41:48] Right. I agree.
[3:41:49] They can still come in for a reduction.
[3:41:51] Yeah, that's true. That's true.
[3:41:54] All right, I won't take the, the board's
time again, and I my time,
[3:41:59] and your time is valuable.
[3:42:00] And I would really appreciate to, to be—
close us, our chapter down,
[3:42:05] if that were something that you would be
willing to move forward to. Okay.
[3:42:09] I don't want to take any more of the
board's time.
[3:42:13] I appreciate that. I'm— I agree with that.
[3:42:16] Um, okay, I'm looking for a motion if
someone feels strongly
[3:42:20] enough about their position.
[3:42:22] I'll make the motion and then probably get
shot down.
[3:42:25] Yeah, I want to have a successful motion
too.
[3:42:27] So, all right, maybe we should, you know,
open up our minds and let's just—
[3:42:31] I'm moving case number CER 26-00549 for
the property located at 2185 Water Oak
[3:42:39] the property located at 2185 Water Oak
Drive
[3:42:39] North, Largo, Florida 33764,
[3:42:42] and to find the respondents Reyes Roman
and Marlena Roman in repeat violation of
[3:42:49] and Marlena Roman in repeat violation of
the
[3:42:49] City of Largo Code of Ordinances Section
11-75.
[3:42:54] The respondents were out of compliance for
a total of 10 days beginning on June
[3:43:01] 17th, 2026 through June 27th, 2026, with a
daily fine of $50 per day.
[3:43:08] The respondents have failed to pay the
total fine amount of $500,
[3:43:14] and we accept the affidavit of—
Compliance.
[3:43:20] Compliance.
[3:43:21] Non-compliance.
[3:43:22] No, they're—
[3:43:22] no, they're— affidavit of compliance.
[3:43:24] They haven't paid.
[3:43:25] Wait a second. If they've— wait a second,
Miss Carrera, we'll clear it up for us.
[3:43:32] Did the motion read correctly?
[3:43:33] Yeah, the affidavit of compliance.
[3:43:35] Okay, correct.
[3:43:36] I'll second. Okay, I've got a motion by
Miss
[3:43:40] Smith, a second by Miss Marsh.
[3:43:43] All in favor say aye.
[3:43:46] Aye.
[3:43:46] Aye.
[3:43:47] All opposed? No.
[3:43:50] No.
[3:43:51] Who said aye over here?
[3:43:52] I'm sorry. So we've got Mr. Bach is a no.
[3:43:56] Yes.
[3:43:56] Ms. Hoskin is a no. Ms. Soffarelli is a
no. I'm a yes.
[3:44:01] Yes.
[3:44:02] Yes. Yes.
[3:44:03] So tied. You're tied.
[3:44:04] Oh boy.
[3:44:05] 3 to 3.
[3:44:05] You're tied. The motion fails.
[3:44:08] Um, okay. We need to deliberate more.
[3:44:12] What if I jack it up to $75 a day? Would
you all agree to that?
[3:44:18] Who knows? What, what do you like?
[3:44:19] Yeah, I'll do it.
[3:44:20] Was the amount not enough?
[3:44:21] I like $250.
[3:44:22] That's still too high, I think.
[3:44:24] $2,500? Okay.
[3:44:25] And then if they come in for a reduction,
it would still be lower to pay this,
[3:44:33] right?
[3:44:33] If they come in for a reduction and we've
given a reduction,
[3:44:37] I'll tell you right now, I'll vote No, but
that—
[3:44:40] well, that's not—
[3:44:41] that's not in front of us today.
[3:44:43] So I know we're, we're thinking about the
reduction,
[3:44:46] but that's really not in front of us
today, right?
[3:44:48] So when you remember the factors,
[3:44:50] I say them and I know I sound like a
broken record, but they're there for a
[3:44:54] broken record, but they're there for a
reason.
[3:44:54] All right. And yes, and the gravity—
[3:44:56] What is the gravity of an inoperable
vehicle? Exactly right.
[3:45:00] Do you have repeat violations? Yes, we
have a repeat violation.
[3:45:03] What are the gravity of those repeat
violations?
[3:45:06] And then did they correct the violation?
Yes, they did.
[3:45:09] So they're there for a reason.
[3:45:11] I don't think it's enough.
[3:45:13] Okay, that motion, nobody liked it. You
want to try a new one?
[3:45:15] Okay, I'm going to make a new motion in
case number CER 26-00549 for the property
[3:45:22] located at 2185 Water Oak Drive North,
Largo, Florida 33774,
[3:45:27] and to find the respondents Reyes Roman
and Marlena Roman In repeat violation of
[3:45:34] the City of Largo Code of Ordinances,
Section 11-75.
[3:45:39] The respondents were out of compliance for
a total of 10 days,
[3:45:44] which began on June 17th, 2026, and ran
through June 27th, 2026,
[3:45:50] with a daily fine of $75.
[3:45:52] The respondents have failed to pay the
total fine amount of $750.
[3:45:58] Second.
[3:45:59] And the board accepts the affidavit of
compliance.
[3:46:01] Before it gets seconded, um, you said the
zip code wrong.
[3:46:05] 33764. Thank you.
[3:46:10] I'll second that.
[3:46:12] Okay.
[3:46:13] Question?
[3:46:13] Sure.
[3:46:16] Minimum repeated violation, is there not a
minimum of $1,500, or am I incorrect?
[3:46:23] That's correct.
[3:46:23] It could be reduced, yes.
[3:46:24] Yeah.
[3:46:25] For reduction.
[3:46:25] For reduction.
[3:46:26] For reduction.
[3:46:27] Yes, $1,500 for repayment.
[3:46:29] We're not here for reduction.
[3:46:30] No.
[3:46:32] Okay, I've got a motion by Ms. Smith, a
second by Ms. Marsh. All in favor say aye.
[3:46:37] Aye.
[3:46:38] Aye.
[3:46:39] All opposed?
[3:46:41] No.
[3:46:41] I'm a no.
[3:46:42] Okay, 2 nos. Motion passes.
[3:46:44] Motion passes.
[3:46:46] Thank you.
[3:46:46] $750.
[3:46:48] Get it done.
[3:46:51] Is the total amount.
[3:46:52] Go see Ms. Goode.
[3:46:52] See Ms. Goode. She'll bring you up to
speed.
[3:46:55] Keep those license plates on or get the
car in the garage.
[3:46:58] Yeah.
[3:46:59] Thank you.
[3:47:00] Own the car in the garage.
[3:47:03] Please. No more.
[3:47:05] Okay. Mr. Cruz, was that— do we have one
more?
[3:47:09] We have one more.
[3:47:10] Yes, sir.
[3:47:11] Well, I meant that are signed in.
[3:47:12] Oh, oh, pardon me.
[3:47:14] One more.
[3:47:15] Page 9.
[3:47:15] Thank you so much.
[3:47:16] 21, page 9. Boy, how do you keep track of
all that? She's good at the rest.
[3:47:21] 21.
[3:47:25] Agenda item number 21.
[3:47:28] Agenda item number 21, that is case number
CEC-26-00101, um,
[3:47:34] Venture Pursuits LLC at 351 West Bay
Drive, Largo, Florida 33770.
[3:47:41] This is CS— or excuse me, we've got— whoa,
hi! What are you doing here, Mr.
[3:47:49] Bergeron?
[3:47:49] Yes, that's why it threw me off. Yes, good
afternoon, code board. Hello, sir.
[3:47:54] Okay, Case Bergeron, Community Standards
Manager.
[3:47:58] Uh, today I'll be going over case
CEC-26-00101.
[3:48:01] Uh, the respondent is Ventures Pursuit
LLC.
[3:48:04] The address is at 351 West Bay Drive,
Largo, Florida 33776. 70.
[3:48:09] Uh, this is a commercial property, so it's
not homesteaded,
[3:48:13] and the violation is the Code of
Ordinances, um, Chapter 23, Section, uh,
[3:48:18] Ordinances, um, Chapter 23, Section, uh,
215,
[3:48:18] which is illicit discharge.
[3:48:20] So 700—
[3:48:22] Uh, the case summary: this initial
inspection was on June 9th, 2026.
[3:48:27] The notice of violation was issued on June
10th, 2026.
[3:48:30] This is an irreparable, uh, violation,
[3:48:33] and all notices were sent via certified
mail to the listed property owner in the
[3:48:39] Pinellas County Property Appraisal.
[3:48:41] Um, this is the notice of violation, which
was posted on June 10th, 2026,
[3:48:47] and the notice of hearing, which was
posted on July 15th, 2026.
[3:48:51] He's not going to be hearing.
[3:48:52] Next, we have, um, body cam footage from
Largo PD,
[3:48:56] which initially responded to a noise
complaint, um, when there were some, uh,
[3:49:00] handymen pressure washing some And it's to
be made out Monday.
[3:49:04] Unfortunately, the sound is not working,
[3:49:07] but you can see if you sort of look behind
the,
[3:49:10] the van on the sort of upper right-hand
side, you'll see some of the, um,
[3:49:14] water from the pressure washers, um,
shooting out behind it occasionally.
[3:49:19] And the officer will eventually make her
way over to speak to the gentleman.
[3:49:23] What do we look—
[3:49:26] what's the timestamp on that? It is 4:45
in the morning. In the morning? Yes.
[3:49:32] The original complaint— next slide—
[3:49:35] the original call from the complainant was
about at 3:30 in the morning.
[3:49:40] What were they discharging? Pressure
washing.
[3:49:43] In the middle of the night. Okay.
[3:49:59] Ooh.
[3:49:59] And you can see the pressure washer hooked
up to the unit there behind them.
[3:50:03] And then you can see at the bottom right
there,
[3:50:05] they are pressure washing what looks to be
some type of metal grates.
[3:50:24] Is that a restaurant?
[3:50:24] Yeah, it's Aroma, right across the street.
[3:50:29] So they're cleaning their grills to the
stove on the streets.
[3:50:35] And this is just a copy of the, um, event
report from Largo Police Department.
[3:50:38] Um, it summarizes basically saying that
they observed them pressure washing some
[3:50:42] they observed them pressure washing some
of
[3:50:42] the metal grate Yes. And it was spreading
out in the street.
[3:50:49] This was the following morning.
[3:50:50] I went out and took some photos.
[3:50:52] You can clearly see there's some discharge
other than rainwater.
[3:50:57] That's— this is in the parking lot of 331
West Bay.
[3:51:01] This is now along First Ave Southwest.
[3:51:04] More of that discharge from the pressure
washing going along First Ave Southwest.
[3:51:10] More additional discharge.
[3:51:12] This was the following day when I posted
the Notice of Violation.
[3:51:17] Once again, there's still some residue and
leftover from that pressure washing.
[3:51:23] And that storm drain down there? Yes.
[3:51:26] And the corrective action, due to the
reparable nature of this violation,
[3:51:32] there is no corrective action available.
[3:51:35] Might this have been related to that air
conditioning?
[3:51:39] Installed that he was here for last month?
[3:51:43] It's potential because I do believe the
initial complaint from the resident,
[3:51:47] they said there were people up on the
roof. I don't know if that was related or
[3:51:52] roof. I don't know if that was related or
not.
[3:51:52] And then the staff recommendation is to
impose a one-time fine of $10,000 due to
[3:51:56] impose a one-time fine of $10,000 due to
the
[3:51:57] irreparable nature of the illicit
discharge violation.
[3:52:00] And these are the factors to consider,
[3:52:02] which Attorney Kurer has mentioned a few
times.
[3:52:05] today, the gravity, the actions taken by
the violator, and any previous violations.
[3:52:09] And I will mention that we have had a
similar issue where they were discharging
[3:52:14] materials other than stormwater into the
stormwater system.
[3:52:17] That was handled by our Environmental
Services Department, so it was—
[3:52:21] it did not come to—
[3:52:23] Were they cleaning the grease traps?
[3:52:25] I believe that was the previous complaint
that our Environmental Services Department
[3:52:30] Handled. Okay. And if you do need any
further clarification, Brooke Driscoll,
[3:52:35] who is our stormwater program
administrator,
[3:52:38] is here if you have any questions to
understand the severity of that illicit
[3:52:42] discharge violation.
[3:52:45] Okay. Where it go— it went in the storm
drains? Yes. Yes.
[3:52:52] Okay. So for now, that's, that's all you
have.
[3:52:55] And what was The woman's name, I'm sorry,
that— Brooke Crisco.
[3:52:59] She's our stormwater program
administrator.
[3:53:03] Okay, so the board understands we have
someone here that can speak to, um,
[3:53:08] the severity of the grease going down, or
whatever that was,
[3:53:12] going down the storm drains.
[3:53:14] Um, do we want to call her up now and hear
that now,
[3:53:18] or do you want to hear the respondents?
[3:53:20] Okay, yeah, if you would let the city
continue, please. Hello.
[3:53:25] Good afternoon. My name is Brooke
Driscoll,
[3:53:28] Stormwater Program Administrator for the
city,
[3:53:31] and I'm here to provide additional
information and answer any questions you
[3:53:37] information and answer any questions you
may
[3:53:37] have. If these were the grease traps being
rinsed and pressure washed in the
[3:53:43] right-of-way, it is considered an illicit
discharge.
[3:53:46] We are required by Florida Department of
Environmental Protection to enforce local
[3:53:52] ordinances that only allow anything except
stormwater,
[3:53:56] or make anything except stormwater
prohibited. Yeah.
[3:54:00] And this was in our right-of-way, and if
it ran to the east,
[3:54:04] it does end up in a storm drain,
[3:54:07] and that storm drain discharges to our
downtown master pond.
[3:54:11] And any problem that you have with grease,
[3:54:14] that's going to combine with sediments
vegetation that ends up in our storm sewer
[3:54:20] systems. It can clog, cause flooding,
flooding issues.
[3:54:24] And then also on a water quality side,
once it reaches that pond,
[3:54:29] it'll create a sheen.
[3:54:30] It can affect the wildlife, waterfowl,
suffocate fish,
[3:54:34] vegetation in the pond itself.
[3:54:37] And the fact that that pond does discharge
to a park as well,
[3:54:41] it can cause odors and and not make the
park very enjoyable.
[3:54:45] So if you have any other questions
regarding our requirements—
[3:54:50] What do other restaurants do with their
grease?
[3:54:53] I'm sorry?
[3:54:54] What do other restaurants or companies
like this do with their grease?
[3:54:59] There are companies that self-contain
that,
[3:55:01] and I believe the initial enforcement
action through Environmental Services,
[3:55:06] they do require certain steps on the
sanitary sewer side to where they could
[3:55:11] discharge either to the system or contain
it and not discharge it to our
[3:55:16] right-of-way.
[3:55:17] Did you make any test of the quality of
that discharge or what
[3:55:21] contaminants might have been inside, been
contained therein?
[3:55:25] No tests were made. Okay.
[3:55:26] So isn't there companies out there that
buy the grease out of your grease traps?
[3:55:31] Yes, they have. So you can make money on
it?
[3:55:34] They have holding tanks in the back,
[3:55:36] and then there are companies that come by
and pick it up, resell it, use it,
[3:55:40] clean it. I mean, you can— it's biofuel.
You can run cars on it.
[3:55:43] Excuse me, one at a time.
[3:55:44] Pardon me.
[3:55:46] Any other questions for our—
[3:55:48] I have a question. If, if, um, if
something like this happens,
[3:55:53] is the city responsible to any county or
state agency if we don't act
[3:55:59] properly?
[3:56:00] Yes, we are permitted by the Florida
Department of Environmental Protection to
[3:56:05] enforce these ordinances, and that's why
we're here today.
[3:56:09] And also, it is our Public Works team that
has to go out and clean up these spills
[3:56:14] and get into the system to ensure that,
you know, they're,
[3:56:18] they're flowing freely and not
contaminated.
[3:56:21] Are we still operating under consent
decree?
[3:56:24] Can you speak into the microphone?
[3:56:26] That's under a different permit. Okay.
[3:56:29] I wondered if we were still operating
under a, a consent decree.
[3:56:34] That's related to wastewater, and we're
talking about stormwater,
[3:56:39] so 2 different permits. I'm not familiar
enough to answer that question.
[3:56:44] Okay.
[3:56:45] Any other questions for the city before I
turn to the, uh, respondent?
[3:56:50] Let's see what he says.
[3:56:51] Hello, sir.
[3:56:52] Hi, sir, how are you doing?
[3:56:53] Great. Please state your name and address
and relationship to, um, the LLC?
[3:56:59] Uh, my name is Gautam Patel.
[3:57:01] Um, I'm nowhere concerned with this
Pursuit Ventures,
[3:57:04] but I am the owner of A Romanian Cuisine.
[3:57:06] Unfortunately, the owner is not available
today, so I'm, I'm representing him.
[3:57:11] Okay.
[3:57:11] But I'm— I own this restaurant. Yeah.
[3:57:13] Restaurant owner. Well, I remember seeing
you here before.
[3:57:17] Yeah, you were both here last month.
[3:57:19] I don't have a letter of authorization.
From this property owner. Ms.
[3:57:24] Gooch, did I miss anything that—
[3:57:26] No. That you're aware of?
[3:57:28] And they— the property owner was here last
time with us.
[3:57:33] Yes, it was a different case.
[3:57:34] Oh yeah, I recall that, but it was still
related to the restaurant.
[3:57:39] That's right.
[3:57:39] That he owns.
[3:57:40] Yes.
[3:57:40] And the— yes.
[3:57:42] And do we want to hear what he has to say?
[3:57:43] Yes.
[3:57:43] Do we want to hear what he has to say?
[3:57:45] I'm willing to listen.
[3:57:46] Yeah. Okay. Thank you, sir. Yeah, thanks
for coming in.
[3:57:51] Would you like— am I allowed to say?
[3:57:52] Yes. Yeah.
[3:57:52] Okay, so they are very confused.
[3:57:54] First of all, with respectfully, with due
respect,
[3:57:57] I'm telling them they're trying to join 2
cases separately.
[3:58:00] Okay, so I have some pictures which I can
send it to somebody and then they can show
[3:58:05] you on the TV if you allow me.
[3:58:06] Yeah, definitely. If you have something
you want to submit, um, yeah,
[3:58:11] if you can email them to Ms.
[3:58:13] Gooch's Do you want him to email the
photos to you so we can see them on the
[3:58:18] photos to you so we can see them on the
screen?
[3:58:19] Yes.
[3:58:20] Um, to me it would be easier. Oh, Mr.
Bergeron, send those to Mr. Bergeron.
[3:58:25] You may have his email address. I'm sorry?
[3:58:27] He's more techie.
[3:58:28] Ah, got it.
[3:58:29] Um, can you please put the email? Thank
you so much.
[3:58:45] Thank you.
[3:58:46] So there are 2 things.
[3:58:48] One, you will see the pictures of an area
which is in the premise of this property,
[3:58:54] but the other one which you were showing,
[3:58:58] unfortunately you're not able to hear the
sound, that is the company,
[3:59:03] and company name is Hood Express.
[3:59:06] So I own the restaurant, but we do every 2
months the hood cleaning.
[3:59:11] If hood is not getting cleaned, then the—
[3:59:14] So you're saying hood cleaning?
[3:59:16] Yeah, that's hoods for the hood in there,
because the ovens,
[3:59:19] if hood will not get cleaned in 60 days or
70 days around,
[3:59:22] the grease come into the food. So we
cannot do that.
[3:59:25] So we are very respectable restaurants.
[3:59:27] We do every 60 or 70 days hood cleaning,
and hood cleaning is done by Hood Express.
[3:59:32] That is very much licensed. licensed in
Tampa Bay.
[3:59:35] So at least more than 100 restaurants he
does in Largo, Largo itself.
[3:59:39] I talked to them as soon as I heard that,
hey, listen,
[3:59:42] they are saying that some discharge is
coming which is illicit, they're saying.
[3:59:46] And he was laughing.
[3:59:47] I said like, hey, they're trying to make a
very serious case, something like that.
[3:59:52] We do every day. It's nothing which we are
throwing in the— on the road.
[3:59:56] This was his statement.
[3:59:57] I can provide you the number of Food
Express and all, and you can you know,
[4:00:02] we can have a motion or something, we can—
[4:00:04] he will also come here and he can explain
it to you.
[4:00:07] Second thing, the picture which he was
showing, um, which was under the premise,
[4:00:11] there also we are not doing the illicit
discharge any.
[4:00:14] What we were doing is we are upgrading the
property because the City of Fargo office
[4:00:19] came, so we are trying to beautify the
property.
[4:00:22] We were coloring the flower pot into the
black color, and one guy, he was—
[4:00:26] he just took the, the, you know, the,
[4:00:28] you when you do brush and when the job is
done, then you,
[4:00:31] you clean that paint so that you can use
again in the roller. The painter does it.
[4:00:36] So he— I was not here and he was not
knowing where is the hose outside in the
[4:00:40] knowing where is the hose outside in the
front.
[4:00:40] There is, but he was not knowing.
[4:00:42] So he saw the drainage and he, he just
put—
[4:00:45] he was just cleaning with the water that
small paintbrush.
[4:00:48] If you will see the picture which I sent
it to you Today also picture you will
[4:00:52] it to you Today also picture you will
have.
[4:00:53] Also replied the email on 25th of June
with those all pictures that, look, hey,
[4:00:57] this is a paint which you think this is
something debris of illicit discharge.
[4:01:02] Not, absolutely not.
[4:01:03] And we put every like, um,
[4:01:04] 10 days bleach on that because what
happens is the from the roof the water
[4:01:08] happens is the from the roof the water
comes and
[4:01:09] no matter how much you clean,
[4:01:10] there is a pathway which will be going
towards the road.
[4:01:14] So I will explain it to you if you So the
picture.
[4:01:16] So those 2 separate things is there.
[4:01:18] One is the Hood Express, which does— I
have nothing to do with it.
[4:01:22] I give him $500 or $600 a month, uh, 2
months, and then he cleans and he goes.
[4:01:26] He has the key. So whatever the discharge
you're talking about,
[4:01:30] I talked to him and he said like he was
absolutely not— there was no discharge.
[4:01:34] So when you hear— when you have a date,
another one,
[4:01:37] he will come and he will explain it to you
that better.
[4:01:40] But the other one, the picture which he
was showing, That's, that's paint,
[4:01:45] and I will show you the picture.
[4:01:46] Okay, so the video that we just saw—
[4:01:51] Yes.
[4:01:51] The— so the original complaint came in as
a sound,
[4:01:55] a noise complaint at 4 in the morning.
[4:01:58] The video that we saw,
[4:02:00] it looked to me that somebody was pressure
washing hoods of an oven in the street.
[4:02:06] Uh, that I don't know because they will—
[4:02:08] Did you see the video?
[4:02:09] I saw the video.
[4:02:10] Yes.
[4:02:11] And so, so you're a restaurant owner.
[4:02:13] Were those— yeah, are those your hoods
that you own?
[4:02:16] Are those your hoods on the side of the
street there that are being pressure
[4:02:21] street there that are being pressure
washed?
[4:02:21] No, no, hood is inside the kitchen.
Kitchen hood I'm talking about.
[4:02:25] I understand that. Okay, so what are these
3— what are these 3 grates?
[4:02:29] Are those not hoods?
[4:02:30] No, they are taking the pipe from the, uh,
from their, um, vehicle to the inside.
[4:02:37] the hood. They go up. They—
[4:02:39] I understand. So can you rewind the video?
[4:02:42] Yes.
[4:02:43] Okay, it looks like a ladder and then some
[4:02:48] metal grate. Because what happens on the
[4:02:53] ladder—
[4:02:54] Yeah, because what happens—
[4:02:55] and these are out of your restaurant. So
what are those leaning up on that ladder?
[4:02:58] Yes, I'm, I'm telling you. So let's say
this is a hood, right?
[4:03:02] So there is a exhaust which goes on the
top of the building.
[4:03:05] If the exhaust top filter will not get
cleaned,
[4:03:08] then again this will be the same problem.
Getting a point?
[4:03:12] So it has to get released out, so that has
to get cleaned.
[4:03:15] So they clean the hood and also they go on
the top to clean the filter.
[4:03:20] So what are these?
[4:03:20] Which one?
[4:03:21] On the street, on the ladder. What are
those?
[4:03:23] Nothing on the ladder. Ladder is there on
the street, right?
[4:03:27] You see the things laying on the ladder?
[4:03:29] That's the hood part. That's the hood.
Yes, it's the hood.
[4:03:32] So they're pressure washing your hoods on
the street?
[4:03:35] No, those are covered in grease. They're
washing the grease off of the hoods.
[4:03:39] Yeah, I didn't see that.
[4:03:40] But if this is what we do, we— I didn't
clean it, we outsourced the job to them.
[4:03:44] That's fine, I understand.
[4:03:46] But so where is all the grease that
they're pressure washing right now?
[4:03:50] They said that they clean inside and they
came—
[4:03:53] It's not inside.
[4:03:55] So, I mean, we can see this. These are—
these I don't do. I understand. They
[4:03:59] these I don't do. I understand. They
clean.
[4:04:00] It's better they will come here.
[4:04:02] Uh, the company name, all email number, I
will provide it to you.
[4:04:05] We don't deal with— we don't deal with the
companies that are doing the work.
[4:04:09] We deal with the owners of the company.
[4:04:11] And you're not even the owner of the
company. You are just—
[4:04:14] No, I'm the owner of the Aroma.
[4:04:16] Of the— yes, you're the owner of the
restaurant. Yeah.
[4:04:19] And— but the owner of the company is the
one who's going to be held liable.
[4:04:22] Whatever.
[4:04:23] Whatever we decide today, Venture Pursuits
LLC is going to be liable for.
[4:04:30] I'm talking to you guys. Tell me one
thing.
[4:04:33] What do you expect from us, like a
business owner?
[4:04:36] Should I be studying the hood cleaning and
we should do our own,
[4:04:40] or we should outsource to somebody?
[4:04:43] We do snaking, we do jet water cleaning,
we do grease trapping cleaning,
[4:04:47] we do hood cleaning. So—
[4:04:49] Of course, you run a restaurant.
[4:04:51] The expectation is— the expectation is for
homeowners,
[4:04:54] business owners in the community within
the City of Largo,
[4:04:58] if they're going to be doing work
themselves,
[4:05:00] then they understand the codes before they
go and build something or spray stuff
[4:05:05] down the drains that leak out into ponds
and rivers and the Intracoastal and the
[4:05:10] Gulf, right? Like, if you're going to do
it yourself,
[4:05:13] you should learn how to do it the right
way. If you're going to hire—
[4:05:18] The question is not that.
[4:05:18] If you're going to hire— if someone's
going to hire somebody to do something,
[4:05:22] going to hire somebody to do something,
yes,
[4:05:22] hire someone that's licensed and insured.
[4:05:24] He is licensed. He is insured.
[4:05:25] Okay, show him this video and say— or have
the owner—
[4:05:29] We never deal with anybody who is not
licensed.
[4:05:32] Have the owner— excuse me, hang on, I'm
not done yet.
[4:05:35] Have the owner of Venture Pursuits LLC
send the company that he hired this video
[4:05:41] send the company that he hired this video
and
[4:05:41] say, we just got fined X amount of dollars
by the city of Largo because they sprayed
[4:05:47] grease down the stormwater drains.
[4:05:50] Sure.
[4:05:50] And if they are insured, then maybe they
take it up with them in a legal action.
[4:05:55] I don't know from here, but sure,
[4:05:57] it's our job to make sure we're doing what
we're supposed to be doing.
[4:06:01] We have a whole department in the city to
protect and maintain stuff that goes down
[4:06:05] the stormwater drains. It's a serious
thing. We live on the coast.
[4:06:09] Absolutely.
[4:06:09] You know, it's, it's, it's a serious
thing.
[4:06:12] So have you not seen this video before
today?
[4:06:14] No, sir. And, uh, And that's, that's my
next point.
[4:06:16] So when this is a surprise to me here,
because I was not prepared even for this,
[4:06:20] right? I got a, I got a call that, hey,
some noise are coming here.
[4:06:23] And then I, I called him and said, like,
what are you doing? He said, like,
[4:06:26] what are you doing? He said, like,
nothing.
[4:06:27] I mean, we are just cleaning the hood.
[4:06:28] Yeah.
[4:06:28] So I said, like, hey, so why they're
complaining?
[4:06:31] Because some neighbor, um, I think, uh,
some City of Largo officer lives here.
[4:06:35] So in this apartment, and he only
complains.
[4:06:37] So I told him that, hey, why, why the
noise is coming? What are you doing there?
[4:06:41] He said, like, He was laughing.
[4:06:43] I said, like, nothing we're doing which
is— which we don't do the other places.
[4:06:47] What are you trying to say?
[4:06:48] I said, like, hey, just clean it, food,
and go and get paid. That's it.
[4:06:52] And I was not there as well.
[4:06:53] I understand.
[4:06:54] Okay, so that is first thing.
[4:06:56] Second thing is when the Officer Chase
wrote me an email,
[4:06:59] why he did not attach this video?
[4:07:01] Because this is common sense that if I
write an email to anybody and if the
[4:07:05] write an email to anybody and if the
dispute
[4:07:05] is this about, I will say, hey, this is
the—
[4:07:08] this is the thing which you did not do
properly.
[4:07:10] He sent me— I will have an email in front
of you,
[4:07:13] and I replied on 25th of June 2026,
addressing the other thing, the painting,
[4:07:18] which I sent you the picture. This is
alien to me right now.
[4:07:21] You're just throwing me, hey, what is
this?
[4:07:23] This is— yeah, otherwise I would have
called Hood Express.
[4:07:27] He should come here and brief.
[4:07:28] Yeah, but we wouldn't,
[4:07:29] we wouldn't hear from Hood Express unless
there was an affidavit for them to speak
[4:07:34] on the owner's behalf, right?
[4:07:35] No, we're We're listening to your
testimony right now kind of as a courtesy
[4:07:39] testimony right now kind of as a courtesy
because
[4:07:39] on a separate case, right,
[4:07:41] you did show up with the owner of the LLC
on a separate case that does not pertain
[4:07:45] to this.
[4:07:45] Sure.
[4:07:45] But, you know, it's frustrating for me
personally in this position to see this,
[4:07:50] you know, and you were very adamant that
you weren't spraying— not you,
[4:07:54] but grease was not being sprayed down the
drains, and it very clearly is.
[4:07:58] And it now makes me worry that the other
100 restaurants that this company is
[4:08:02] servicing in the City of Largo doing the
same thing over and over again.
[4:08:06] So that's a separate issue.
[4:08:07] Very much licensed. He is licensed to work
in the Tampa Bay or Florida,
[4:08:10] whatever you say. Yeah, I have all the
information, license number as well. Yeah.
[4:08:13] And he said that I'm doing what exactly
has to be done. Don't teach me.
[4:08:17] This is the word. Understood.
[4:08:18] Okay. So just to clarify, the violations
that you were cited for,
[4:08:22] the illicit discharge,
[4:08:24] it does provide a description of the
violation and what needs to be done to
[4:08:29] violation and what needs to be done to
correct
[4:08:29] it. Obviously, This is an irreparable
violation,
[4:08:32] but it does provide description and it
states to cease the pressure washing of
[4:08:38] states to cease the pressure washing of
the
[4:08:38] grease. So it states it right there on the
notice that was posted on your property.
[4:08:43] Yes.
[4:08:44] And mailed to the mailing address of the
property owner.
[4:08:47] So once again, we are aware that you're
merely a tenant,
[4:08:50] but that's why we encourage property
owners to come in and provide this
[4:08:54] owners to come in and provide this
information
[4:08:55] to their tenants.
[4:08:56] Right.
[4:08:57] So, so yeah, I just wanted to clarify that
this is the first time that you're
[4:09:01] hearing of this. Once again, you are the
tenant, you're not the property owner.
[4:09:05] The property owner was properly noticed
with a description of the violence.
[4:09:08] I got an email, ma'am, which is nowhere
mentioned about this,
[4:09:12] and I can show you my email right now.
[4:09:14] How did you know to come here today?
[4:09:16] Uh, because you, uh, the owner said like
I'm not able to come there,
[4:09:19] so you have to go to, uh, 1:30. So I was
here at 1:30.
[4:09:22] Yeah, so Chase sent the owner notice.
[4:09:26] So he knows.
[4:09:27] No, but my question to you is, from my
point of view,
[4:09:30] the mail which Officer Chase sent me, you
can read it and you can tell me,
[4:09:34] because I'm also well qualified, 3 times
master's I have.
[4:09:37] So I read, I know what is written.
[4:09:39] It's not mentioned this, but it's
mentioned about the picture, which is—
[4:09:43] which I sent to you, and you can check it.
There are 2 different things.
[4:09:48] So I'm assuming that you're talking about
you know, cleaning the drainage and I'm,
[4:09:52] you know, I'm doing some illicit work
there. That's absolutely not.
[4:09:56] And this is new to me.
[4:09:58] Okay. Excuse me, Mr.
[4:09:59] Bergeron, did he email you some pictures
for us to see?
[4:10:03] This paint thing that he's discussing, is
that included?
[4:10:08] Paint would still be considered an illicit
discharge. I can pull up the notice.
[4:10:11] An illicit discharge is literally
considered anything other than stormwater
[4:10:14] considered anything other than stormwater
going
[4:10:15] into the stormwater system.
[4:10:16] That's what I thought.
[4:10:16] He does want those to be shown. Can we see
those?
[4:10:19] Yes, please.
[4:10:20] And I have a question.
[4:10:21] Is it common for, um,
[4:10:23] people cleaning things in restaurants to
do it in the wee hours?
[4:10:28] Is it because it's not—
[4:10:30] If they're doing it illegally, I bet it
is. Yes.
[4:10:32] And that was the previous complaint, which
our Environmental Services—
[4:10:35] it was a similar complaint where someone
was cleaning something in the middle of
[4:10:38] was cleaning something in the middle of
the
[4:10:38] night, and actually our Environmental
Services Department handled that
[4:10:40] Services Department handled that
complaint.
[4:10:41] So, but other restaurants don't do that?
[4:10:43] No.
[4:10:44] Okay.
[4:10:45] Because like I said,
[4:10:45] the police department responded to a noise
complaint from a resident who lived in
[4:10:49] the townhomes behind these restaurants.
Yeah, we don't know that.
[4:10:52] This, you know, this is right in downtown
and there's residences very nearby.
[4:10:55] So a complaint was placed.
[4:10:57] I mean, maybe this company goes and does
this to the other 100 restaurants
[4:11:00] throughout the city that we don't know
about. We can't speak to that necessarily.
[4:11:04] Yes. I'm just wondering if that's a common
business practice.
[4:11:07] I would think it would be practical in
that they go when the restaurant is closed
[4:11:11] and there aren't any patrons. There's no
food being cooked.
[4:11:14] I have another restaurant. This is on
North Delmarva Beach.
[4:11:18] It's in Hillsborough County. My second
restaurant.
[4:11:21] He's absolutely doing it at 2 o'clock or 1
o'clock night.
[4:11:24] And that is on the too busy— just Delmarva
Beach— on the too busy side.
[4:11:28] So more than 95,000 vehicles pass per day.
You know, VPD is there that much.
[4:11:33] So everybody's— so I assumed, and kind of,
he's the most, uh, you know,
[4:11:37] other my friends' restaurants, 3, 4
restaurants, he does it. Food Express.
[4:11:42] restaurants, he does it. Food Express.
Yes.
[4:11:42] Yeah, I mean, the timing only matters
because they were doing it outside and a
[4:11:47] resident was probably woken up in the, you
know,
[4:11:50] whatever time the original complaint was.
[4:11:52] Residents—
[4:11:53] Pretty sure we probably would have gotten
a call if this was being done in this
[4:11:57] manner during the day. This is not a
common practice.
[4:12:00] Right. My point is the timing that hoods
get cleaned is not an issue.
[4:12:03] It's how it was being—
[4:12:04] Well, and whatever we decide today is
going to bind the
[4:12:09] property owner, right?
[4:12:11] Not Hood Express or Aroma Restaurant.
[4:12:15] What is it? What happens to us?
[4:12:18] If I can go back, I'm sorry, I've
forgotten your name.
[4:12:24] The state tells us that we have to protect
our waterways.
[4:12:29] And if we don't, what happens to the city
of Largo?
[4:12:34] They get fined.
[4:12:36] Yeah, they've done it before.
[4:12:38] As well as obviously, if this is a
continuous thing, and as, uh,
[4:12:42] Board Member Strong said, hopefully it's
not a whole bunch of businesses doing
[4:12:46] not a whole bunch of businesses doing
this,
[4:12:46] it's going to come out of taxpayer dollars
to now have to clean these pipes.
[4:12:51] And, and, and obviously I don't want to
speak to, you know, what Brooke and,
[4:12:55] and her crew do, um, which is quite a bit.
[4:12:57] We would have to spend taxpayer dollars to
get these cleaned out properly.
[4:13:01] Now that, you know, if we have a storm
now,
[4:13:04] it may flood over here now if this is a
continuation of this.
[4:13:07] So, um, I can only speak to what we would
do here in the city.
[4:13:11] Outside of that, I'm not 100% sure.
[4:13:13] Okay.
[4:13:18] And that's why we tend to go after these
types of cases.
[4:13:20] So this is the mail which I, which I sent
to him.
[4:13:22] Go after that larger one-time fine to
hopefully deter future actions like this.
[4:13:26] Yeah.
[4:13:27] Okay, and so this is the email that was
just sent to you?
[4:13:30] This was the one from June 25th, um, when
he says he's not cleaning his rooms.
[4:13:35] They're claiming it was from painting or
whatever other, uh— So that black paint,
[4:13:40] yeah, I mean, that shouldn't be going down
there either.
[4:13:48] Right, correct.
[4:13:49] Yeah, that looks like a shade.
[4:13:52] And, and I can definitely, you know, at
least empathize a little bit.
[4:13:55] I know when you don't have a lot of room
to work with and you have all these,
[4:13:59] you know—
[4:13:59] No, no, this guy, this guy, the guy who
was— we had a hose in front,
[4:14:03] but he did not see it.
[4:14:05] And this, the black paint, which was—
which is looking like, uh,
[4:14:08] it's messing with the Pipe, uh, the, the,
[4:14:11] the slope towards the right one is more
than 30 degrees.
[4:14:14] So he's not using that one there. He's
throwing there.
[4:14:17] I'm throwing— not— he's just cleaning the
brush.
[4:14:20] It's not something you think that it's a
lot of debris which will go and damage the
[4:14:25] pipe, which is like around 200 feet away
from there.
[4:14:28] But the date of the incident was June
10th?
[4:14:31] June 10th, correct.
[4:14:32] And you're saying these pictures are in
relation to the June 10th?
[4:14:36] No, but I received the email later.
[4:14:38] Okay, so this is separate?
[4:14:41] This is separate from the June 10th
[4:14:45] incident?
[4:14:46] Correct.
[4:14:47] Okay.
[4:14:48] Correct. You're right.
[4:14:49] Which was the illicit discharge as to the
grease.
[4:14:51] Correct.
[4:14:51] This is a separate discharge, which we're
not here to—
[4:14:54] That I was prepared for.
[4:14:56] Now you're getting me.
[4:14:57] And it's not an issue in this case?
[4:14:59] Yes. Now you're getting me, what I'm
trying to say.
[4:15:02] No, I get you. I get this.
[4:15:06] All right, so here's our issue.
[4:15:08] Yeah, the property owner is not here to
represent himself, and if we make an,
[4:15:15] you know, whatever we adjudicate today,
[4:15:18] it's going to bind someone who's not here.
[4:15:21] That's uncomfortable to some extent, but—
[4:15:24] That happens all the time.
[4:15:25] But that, given the gravity of the
violation—
[4:15:28] 20 more times, and he was here last time.
[4:15:30] And the fact that he knew and sent you,
then he knows that he's on the hook.
[4:15:34] That's right.
[4:15:34] So to speak.
[4:15:35] So I'm just, um, telling, telling you,
sir, if you will pick on this, like,
[4:15:39] I was prepared for this, not for this.
[4:15:41] And there also, I have not done any
violation because what as an owner we can
[4:15:45] violation because what as an owner we can
do is
[4:15:45] we can trust the licensed hood cleaner guy
or anybody who is the—
[4:15:48] we are outsourcing the work to anybody. If
he's licensed, we trust.
[4:15:52] You cannot tell me— I mean, literally, I
should be there, but 4 o'clock.
[4:15:56] If he's coming at 3 o'clock to work, I'm
tired.
[4:15:58] I have 2 restaurants, I have IT company, I
have construction company.
[4:16:01] So a hell of a lot of things on me. I have
a big dream.
[4:16:04] So I'm here and there, sometimes in
Orlando, sometimes here, sometimes there.
[4:16:08] So whatever best thing is to do is just,
just the—
[4:16:11] just give it to the licensed people. They
know what to do.
[4:16:14] Of course.
[4:16:14] Understood.
[4:16:14] Of course. People are busy and they hire
professionals, right?
[4:16:16] Right.
[4:16:17] The expectation is that the owner,
whoever's doing the hiring,
[4:16:20] is going to hire someone that's going to
do the job right. If they don't, Correct.
[4:16:25] The owner is responsible. That's correct.
[4:16:27] So, right, absolutely, I hear what you're
saying.
[4:16:29] Yeah, but just because it wasn't, you
know, you that— I know, or the owner that—
[4:16:33] And Mr. Jacques, I'll tell you,
[4:16:36] I have written 6 emails to the mayor and
to the city manager,
[4:16:41] or like the CEO of Mike or somebody, I
don't know. The email is there.
[4:16:46] Whole October month, my— that First
Southwest Road was blocked by the city.
[4:16:53] Why?
[4:16:53] Because we are making the new, um, uh,
what do you call it, new mall.
[4:16:57] Yeah, new mall thing is there. Yeah.
[4:16:59] And, um, you know, full road was blocked
when 2 months, 60 days,
[4:17:03] more than $40,000 I been not— I remember
the loss.
[4:17:06] And I wrote multiple, multiple emails,
plus the road lights and the wall.
[4:17:11] I'm going to stop you there.
[4:17:12] You brought this up in a different case
last time you're here. I remember that.
[4:17:16] And, and, you know, we, we empathize with
that. Right.
[4:17:19] That's not what we're here for today.
We're here—
[4:17:21] I'm saying, my question to you, if you
will penalize $10,000 for this,
[4:17:24] if I did purposely, if I had a con man,
he's not licensed, and hey,
[4:17:28] do it and run away. No, I did not do— I
did everything right.
[4:17:31] But even if you will penalize me for
$10,000, at the end of the day,
[4:17:35] the owner not gonna pay. I will pay from
my pocket.
[4:17:37] Okay, well, I'm not an attorney.
[4:17:39] My advice would be to reach out to that
company that you hired to do it
[4:17:44] and have that conversation with them.
[4:17:46] I did.
[4:17:48] Well, once they find out if you got a big
fine,
[4:17:50] I would reach out with an attorney to
that—
[4:17:52] the owner of that company and see where it
goes from there.
[4:17:56] But that's not what we're here for.
[4:17:58] We have to— we're presented with evidence
and we have to determine if a violation
[4:18:02] was— if a violation happened, right?
[4:18:04] To me, it looks very clear that they were
spraying her hoods off in the front of
[4:18:08] your restaurant and letting that grease
run down into everywhere that she
[4:18:12] run down into everywhere that she
mentioned
[4:18:13] that it leads, plus further beyond that.
[4:18:15] Mm-hmm.
[4:18:16] You know, that's what we're here to
determine.
[4:18:17] That also affects every taxpayer.
[4:18:19] Absolutely. I totally understand. Yes, we
pay taxes too.
[4:18:22] So what do you say? What do you say to
them?
[4:18:24] Right. Whatever the picture was there, I,
in, I put in front of you. I'm the owner.
[4:18:29] I hired— I did a good job. I hired
licensed people. They did it.
[4:18:32] They messed it or something. If you, if
you, you know, it's not happening again.
[4:18:37] After that one time more, he cleaned, but
no complaint after that, right?
[4:18:41] So, Chair, yeah, I believe you've extended
the courtesy to the gentleman.
[4:18:45] I'd like to call the question.
[4:18:47] Yes, sir. Yeah, I'm— I am going to close
the public portion at this point in time.
[4:18:52] Mr. Bach?
[4:18:52] That's it.
[4:18:54] Okay. Um, I think you should come in.
[4:19:00] So, uh, for irreparable violations, um,
[4:19:03] the maximum that you can impose is $15,000
under the Largo
[4:19:08] Code of Ordinances.
[4:19:09] Is there a minimum?
[4:19:11] There's no minimum, ma'am, um, just, uh,
$15,000 maximum.
[4:19:16] And these are your factors, which I
repeat.
[4:19:20] Yeah, right, um, yeah, but—
[4:19:23] All right, what do we think? What did the
motion say?
[4:19:26] Oh, for what the recommendation is? The
motion is $10,000.
[4:19:31] $10,000.
[4:19:32] Yeah.
[4:19:32] Recommendation.
[4:19:33] Any conversation about that? Any further
conversation about that?
[4:19:37] Between us, it's, it's a pretty grave
thing to have done.
[4:19:43] I mean, and I think the— we have to rely
on, on staff on this.
[4:19:49] This is their recommendation. I tend to go
along with them.
[4:19:54] I mean, they deal much more with the
irreparable nature. You know, then—
[4:20:01] I'll make the motion if you're ready for
it.
[4:20:05] Yeah, if— yeah, there's no more
conversation, of course.
[4:20:07] I move in case number CEC-2600101 to find
the respondent Ventures Pursuit LLC in
[4:20:14] violation of City of Largo Code of
Ordinances Section 23-215 for the property
[4:20:22] located at 351 West Bay Drive, Largo,
Florida 33770,
[4:20:27] and due to the irreparable nature of the
violation Order the respondent to pay a
[4:20:35] one-time fine of $10,000.
[4:20:37] Question.
[4:20:38] Sure, I've got a question.
[4:20:39] Do we impose a time limit for that fine to
be paid?
[4:20:42] It's not in the motion.
[4:20:44] Should there— should there be a time frame
for it?
[4:20:47] It's a good question.
[4:20:49] I don't know.
[4:20:50] What's our practice, Mary, for
irreversible—
[4:20:55] We've only had 2 cases in the past.
[4:21:00] Is it up to a year?
[4:21:03] It's substantial.
[4:21:06] I don't believe the, um, ordinance
actually outlines a time.
[4:21:10] Yeah, we don't actually— yeah, that,
that's my impression as well, that we,
[4:21:15] we don't establish, um, payment deadlines
for first-order cases, essentially,
[4:21:20] even for irreparable.
[4:21:21] Obviously, if he fails to pay the fine,
uh,
[4:21:24] the order is simply recorded in the
Pinellas County property, um, Pinellas
[4:21:29] Pinellas County property, um, Pinellas
records,
[4:21:30] and it becomes a lien, right? This is not
homestead.
[4:21:33] So after 3 months, the, the city can
foreclose.
[4:21:36] Um, so after that 3-month period,
[4:21:39] so really you're kind of going by that
3-month period,
[4:21:42] which is already determined under your
code and under 160.
[4:21:46] Thank you.
[4:21:47] Right. And he has a question.
[4:21:48] Yeah, I was going to say that because I'm
not going to pay for this,
[4:21:51] so I will go for the loss. I'll take the
help of the attorney.
[4:21:54] attorney because that's not my fault.
[4:21:55] So I need at least like, uh, 2, 3 months
because my attorney will take care of it.
[4:21:58] We are not going to pay. The company has
to pay. So we will fight with the company.
[4:22:02] Yeah, right.
[4:22:03] Okay, so, well, if we leave it alone,
there is a— there's a 3-month cushion.
[4:22:07] That's correct, a 3-month cushion.
[4:22:09] Okay, so, all right, so I'll second the
motion as presented. But we must—
[4:22:15] oh, I think we already had a second.
[4:22:16] Yeah, we do already have a second. That's
okay. No, I didn't second it. Oh, you did.
[4:22:21] You have a question? I thought you
seconded it.
[4:22:24] No.
[4:22:24] No, she had a question.
[4:22:25] Oh, who seconded that motion?
[4:22:28] I just did, just after discussion. I said—
[4:22:30] I thought we had a previous—
[4:22:32] I will second the motion as presented.
[4:22:34] But I don't think that was a second. And
then—
[4:22:36] Perfect. Okay, thank you.
[4:22:38] Yeah. Is there a time limit? What do you
want?
[4:22:41] You're gonna—
[4:22:41] No.
[4:22:41] No. Well, I'm thinking 60 days rather than
90.
[4:22:46] I know it's a I'd be happy to amend the
motion to
[4:22:50] include 60 days if that's what the board
wishes.
[4:22:54] Something we can put on this?
[4:22:55] I think we let it—
[4:22:56] Ms. Carrera?
[4:22:57] Or just let it ride this way?
[4:22:58] We just leave it the way it is.
[4:23:00] Yes. Yeah, I second it.
[4:23:02] I don't think there's— I mean, after the
60 days, what do you think happens?
[4:23:06] This order is going to be recorded
regardless.
[4:23:09] You can't, you can't foreclose anything
sooner than the 360 days. 3-month period.
[4:23:14] You have to let the 3 months— if not,
you'll be in conflict with state law.
[4:23:19] So there's no point of establishing—
[4:23:21] Well, that was— that's what I understood.
Yes.
[4:23:23] All right, I will, I will reiterate that I
second the motion as originally
[4:23:27] presented.
[4:23:28] Okay.
[4:23:28] Okay, thank you. Any more discussion on
the motion?
[4:23:31] Okay, there's a motion and sec— I have a
motion by, um, Mr.
[4:23:34] Bach and a second by Miss Marsh.
[4:23:36] No, Miss Smith.
[4:23:38] Sorry.
[4:23:38] It's all right.
[4:23:39] Thank you, Miss Smith. Mary, do you have
that?
[4:23:42] I do. I'm coming.
[4:23:44] I'm going to call for a vote. All in favor
say aye. Aye. Any opposed?
[4:23:49] Okay, so you have a cushion. Get your
attorney. Get it.
[4:23:52] No, just one question. Yes, sir, please.
[4:23:54] So there was confusion, the 2 things,
which I— which, uh,
[4:23:57] one is that paint one and one is the hood
cleaning.
[4:24:00] So this motion will be because my attorney
will fight for the hood thing,
[4:24:04] which is the LAC discharge. Into the
environmental something.
[4:24:07] So my attorney gonna fight with the Hood
Express because they might be having the
[4:24:12] insurance too, so they will— that will
take care of it.
[4:24:14] Yes. So this order only pertains only for
the Hood one, right?
[4:24:19] For the illicit discharge which pertains
to the grease, um,
[4:24:24] discharge into the stormwater. Okay,
perfect. Yeah, thank you.
[4:24:28] And you'll get— the property owner will
receive an order in the mail.
[4:24:33] Outlining the violation and—
[4:24:36] And I want the video, this video, uh,
[4:24:38] so that's something we can give it to my
attorney.
[4:24:40] Of course.
[4:24:41] Okay, we can, we can provide copies of all
introduced evidence.
[4:24:46] Do you have a business card?
[4:24:47] Yes.
[4:24:48] Um, with your email on it?
[4:24:49] Well, Mr. Bergeron has his email because
he just—
[4:24:52] Because the parking is why I parked there
in my aroma, but I can, I can write.
[4:24:56] Is that email that you emailed? We could—
[4:24:58] Yeah, Miss Gooch, Mr. Bergeron has his
email because—
[4:25:00] Okay, good.
[4:25:00] Thank you, Mr. Zuck. Thank you.
[4:25:02] All right, thank you.
[4:25:03] How late are we going to be here?
[4:25:04] Thank you.
[4:25:04] It's already 6 o'clock.
[4:25:05] All right, thank you. We're all set. Thank
you. Good luck.
[4:25:08] And we got 13 cases.
[4:25:09] Hire a new grease trap company, or— yes,
yeah, immediately.
[4:25:13] Yeah. What's next? Consent.
[4:25:15] What was that? What number was that?
[4:25:17] That was 21.
[4:25:18] Yeah.
[4:25:19] Okay.
[4:25:19] I need the consent.
[4:25:20] Um, that was 21.
[4:25:22] I'm gonna have to step away in a minute to
address a couple of things,
[4:25:27] so I can come back. I just need a quick
break.
[4:25:30] Yeah, let's do the consent docket as you
guys are suggesting.
[4:25:34] I appreciate that very much. All righty.
[4:25:37] Um, you ready?
[4:25:39] Yes, I believe so. Ms. Smith did step away
for a minute, but I think we're okay.
[4:25:44] Okay.
[4:25:45] Yeah, we're okay.
[4:25:48] CER—
[4:25:49] oh, wait a minute. The respondents in the
following cases came into
[4:25:56] compliance by the date ordered by the
board. There are no fines due.
[4:26:03] Request the board to accept the affidavits
of compliance.
[4:26:09] Okay, CER-25-00798, Joseph Manning and
Payton Beach House Vacations,
[4:26:16] Inc., 951 Orange View Drive, Largo,
Florida 33778.
[4:26:21] Case number CER-24- 00529, David R. Rick
Jr. and Teresa M.
[4:26:27] Rick Living Trust. Do I have to say the
trustees on that?
[4:26:33] Yeah.
[4:26:35] Okay, and that address is 1670 Indian
Rocks
[4:26:42] Road South, Largo, Florida 33770.
[4:26:48] K-CER-26-00083, Abby Foster.
[4:26:53] Dominic Ciccolo, 12996 138 Lane North,
[4:26:59] Largo, Florida 33774.
[4:27:03] K-CER-26-00080, 3340 Hillsdale Avenue Land
[4:27:10] Trust, 3340 Hillsdale Avenue, Largo,
[4:27:16] Florida 33774.
[4:27:19] K-C-E-R.
[4:27:21] 24-00454, Princess Hemingway.
[4:27:27] 2048 Cove Drive, Largo,
[4:27:32] Florida 33774.
[4:27:35] K-C-E-R.
[4:27:37] 24-00454, 00384.
[4:27:43] Mary Ann Bugagayan, 1648 St.
[4:27:47] Paul's Drive, Largo,
[4:27:50] Florida 33764.
[4:27:53] Thanks for the rescue.
[4:27:54] Move to approve the consent docket as
presented.
[4:27:57] I'll second.
[4:28:00] I've got a motion by Mr. Bach, a second by
Ms. Hoskin. All in favor say aye.
[4:28:06] Aye.
[4:28:06] Aye. Any opposed?
[4:28:08] Just abstain because I was out.
[4:28:10] Got that. Um, Mr. Bach made the motion and
Miss Hoskin gave the second, I believe.
[4:28:18] That's what I thought.
[4:28:19] And Miss Smith?
[4:28:20] And Miss Smith abstained her vote because
she was— what did I say?
[4:28:23] Abstained her vote.
[4:28:24] Absent.
[4:28:28] Okay.
[4:28:29] Okay. Um, I need to take a
[4:28:32] break of probably 10 minutes or
[4:28:36] so.
[4:28:37] Okay.
[4:28:37] To address some work.
[4:28:38] Can we go ahead and put a sec on the
docket record?
[4:28:41] Or is everyone okay? Ms.
[4:28:42] Smith, would you feel like taking it from
here for a little bit, for 10 minutes?
[4:28:47] Whoo, I don't know if I'm ready for it.
All right, let me get caught up.
[4:28:51] Ms. Marcia's sitting right next to you,
and she's very well experienced.
[4:28:53] That's true.
[4:28:54] She taught me everything I know.
[4:28:56] Okay.
[4:28:57] What do we got left?
[4:28:59] We got—
[4:29:00] we've got a lot left.
[4:29:01] Ms. Carrera to my right and Ms. Marsh to
my left. I should be—
[4:29:05] May we take a break if that's possible?
[4:29:08] Do you want to take a break?
[4:29:09] I think we recess for 10 minutes then.
[4:29:11] Okay, yeah, just recess for 10 minutes.
[4:29:13] Okay, instead of that, we are going to
take a turn around.
[4:29:15] All you get is 10 minutes.
[4:29:17] Do I need to move for that or anything? A
little warm. I just called it.
[4:29:19] No, just state the, the time we'll be
back. So we'll be back at Uh, 6:05.
[4:29:25] Okay, yep, let's reconvene at 6:05,
please. Thank you.
[4:29:28] Thank you.
[4:29:32] Okay, Miss Smith, when you need that.
[4:41:42] 6. Oh, number 6. Did I miss a—
[4:41:44] 6.
[4:41:44] 8-4.
[4:41:46] Oh, I had a pencil slash, and that usually
means we've been over.
[4:41:50] Okay, so we're going to reconvene.
[4:41:52] So now we are all incognito. There are no
names.
[4:41:56] Okay, look, there's a picture of us. We're
on.
[4:41:59] Okay, okay, I think we're back live.
[4:42:01] What number?
[4:42:02] Thank you very much.
[4:42:03] Okay, 6 on page 4.
[4:42:05] It's 6:08 now, and we are reconvened after
that short recess.
[4:42:09] Thank you very much. Um, We did the
consent docket.
[4:42:13] And Miss Smith, what were you saying?
[4:42:15] Well, we— I believe we are at item 6 on
page 4.
[4:42:18] Beautiful. Thank you, everyone.
[4:42:20] These are all second orders.
[4:42:21] Okay. Yep. Uh, moving on to agenda item
number 6,
[4:42:25] case number CER-24-00410, Thaddeus S.
Wiley, Tammy L.
[4:42:30] Wiley, um, 4036 Church Creek Point, Largo,
Florida 33774.
[4:42:35] We have Chief Code Officer Yes, thank you,
Code Board.
[4:42:39] I just want to start off, since nobody's
here,
[4:42:42] I can kind of just put these in the record
now.
[4:42:45] It's going to be Code Enforcement case
number CER-24-00405,
[4:42:49] case number CER-24-00384, and code case
number CER-24-00410.
[4:42:53] Um, it was the same situation that is in
the beginning.
[4:42:57] Um, I put West Bay Drive, forgot to put
that we—
[4:43:00] they were posted at Largo City Hall, which
is 440.
[4:43:03] It does say Largo City Hall, but it does
say located at.
[4:43:07] I didn't put the 440 for these 3 affidavit
of postings,
[4:43:11] but for the notices that were sent to the
owners,
[4:43:14] nothing was wrong with anything on there.
[4:43:17] I just want that to be known on the record
for the next few affidavit of
[4:43:21] non-compliances.
[4:43:22] Okay, thank you.
[4:43:24] And right here we have item number 6.
[4:43:27] That's code enforcement case number
CER-24-00410. That's going to be Thaddeus
[4:43:32] CER-24-00410. That's going to be Thaddeus
S.
[4:43:33] Wiley, 4036 Church Creek Point. The
property is not compliant.
[4:43:37] As you can see, that's the affidavit of
noncompliance.
[4:43:41] They were to comply on or before
7/18/2026,
[4:43:45] and the property is supposed to accrue
fines on 7/19/2026 if not compliant.
[4:43:50] I move in case number CER 24-00410 for the
property located at 4036
[4:43:58] Church Creek Point, Largo, Florida 33774,
[4:44:02] to find the respondents Thaddeus S. Wiley
and Tammy L.
[4:44:08] Wiley did not correct the violation on or
before July 18th, 2026,
[4:44:16] and to accept the affidavit of
noncompliance.
[4:44:21] I'll second.
[4:44:21] Got a motion by Ms. Smith and a second By
Miss
[4:44:26] Marsh by half a second. All in favor say
aye.
[4:44:30] Aye.
[4:44:31] Any opposed? Motion passes.
[4:44:33] Go.
[4:44:35] Agenda item number 8.
[4:44:37] Pushing it on.
[4:44:37] Case number CER-24-00405, Courtney B.
[4:44:41] Hogan, 1997 Church Creek Point, Largo,
Florida 33774.
[4:44:46] Chief Code Officer Cruz.
[4:44:48] Thank you. This is for code enforcement
case number CER-24-00405.
[4:44:53] The property owners were to comply on or
before July 29th, 2026.
[4:44:58] Um, the property has not. As you can see,
that's the affidavit of non-compliance.
[4:45:03] The property is to accrue fines at $250 a
day starting July 30th.
[4:45:08] And I— they usually like me to ask if
there's anyone in the chambers to speak to
[4:45:12] this case before, you know, discussing. I
do see no one here.
[4:45:16] at all for any of the remaining cases, but
I'll continue to ask.
[4:45:19] But yes, please, I'm looking for a motion.
[4:45:22] I move in case number CER 24-00405 for the
property located at 1997 Church
[4:45:27] Creek Point to find the respondent
Courtney B.
[4:45:31] Hogan did not correct the violation on or
before July 29th, 2026,
[4:45:36] and to accept the affidavit of
noncompliance.
[4:45:39] Second.
[4:45:40] Second.
[4:45:40] Got a motion by Ms. Smith and a second by
Ms. Marsh by 1.5 seconds.
[4:45:44] All in favor say aye.
[4:45:45] Aye.
[4:45:46] Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very
much.
[4:45:50] We are moving on to, I believe, agenda
item number 10. Thank you.
[4:45:56] We are at case number CER-26-00110,
Timothy Auti at 510 6th Avenue Northeast,
[4:46:02] Largo, Florida 33770. We have Code Officer
Semino.
[4:46:07] So Code Officer Sue Semino. So the first
hearing was May 28th.
[4:46:11] He was supposed to come into compliance on
or before June 25th.
[4:46:15] $50 fine started on June 26th, and the
affidavit of noncompliance is attached.
[4:46:20] I move in case number CER26-00110 for the
property located at 510
[4:46:28] 6th Avenue Northeast, Largo, Florida
33770,
[4:46:33] to fine the respondent respondent Timothy
Auty did not correct the
[4:46:41] violations on or before June 25, 2026,
[4:46:45] and to accept the affidavit of
non-compliance.
[4:46:51] Second.
[4:46:54] We've got a motion by Miss Marsh, a second
by Mr. Bach.
[4:46:57] Uh, there is no one in the chambers to
speak to this case before I call for the
[4:47:01] vote, um, so I will take the vote. All in
favor say aye.
[4:47:05] Aye.
[4:47:05] Any opposed? Motion passes.
[4:47:08] Agenda item number 11, case number
CER-26-00178, Wesley M.
[4:47:15] Sias at 1634 Loretta Avenue Northwest,
Largo,
[4:47:21] Florida 33770. We have Code Officer
Knotts.
[4:47:26] This case was heard on May 28th for its
first hearing.
[4:47:30] It was to comply on or before June 28th,
2026,
[4:47:34] with $50 day fine to start on June 29th,
2026,
[4:47:37] and it has failed to come into compliance.
[4:47:40] This is the affidavit of non-compliance.
[4:47:43] I see the affidavit. Is there anyone here
to speak to this case? I'm seeing no one.
[4:47:47] Looking for a motion.
[4:47:48] I'll make the motion.
[4:47:50] I move in case number CER-2600178 for the
property located at
[4:47:57] 164 Loretta Avenue Northwest, to find the
respondent Wesley M.
[4:48:05] Sias did not correct the violations on or
before June 28th,
[4:48:12] and to accept the affidavit of
noncompliance.
[4:48:17] I'll second that.
[4:48:18] Okay, I've got a motion by Ms. Hoskin and
a second by Ms. Saffarelli.
[4:48:22] All in favor say aye.
[4:48:23] Aye.
[4:48:23] Any opposed? Motion passes. Thank you very
much.
[4:48:27] Turning to page 7, agenda item number 14,
[4:48:31] I believe.
[4:48:32] Mm-hmm. Right.
[4:48:32] Case— thank you. Case number CER-25-01131,
Richard Denike. I'm going to say Denike.
[4:48:40] 12760 Indian Rocks Road, Unit 1071, Largo,
Florida 33774. Chief Code Officer Cruz.
[4:48:48] Thank you, Code Board.
[4:48:51] This is from the first hearing that was
held on April 30th, 2026.
[4:48:55] The property was to comply on or before
June 28th, 2026.
[4:48:59] If not, there is to be a $150 a day fine
to start on June 29th, 2026.
[4:49:04] As you can see, that is the affidavit of
non-compliance. They are not compliant.
[4:49:09] Okay, I see the affidavit of
non-compliance. Thank you.
[4:49:12] Is there anyone here in the chambers to
speak to this case? I'm seeing no one.
[4:49:15] I'm looking for a motion.
[4:49:16] All right, I move in case CER 25- 01131
for the property located
[4:49:23] at 12760 Indian Rocks Road 0— excuse me,
1071,
[4:49:29] to find the respondent Richard Denaiche
did not correct the
[4:49:36] violations on or before June 28th and to
accept the affidavit of
[4:49:44] noncompliance. Second.
[4:49:47] I'll second that.
[4:49:48] We've got a motion by Ms. Hoskin, a second
by Ms. Saffarelli. All in favor say aye.
[4:49:52] Aye.
[4:49:52] Any opposed? Motion passes.
[4:49:55] Agenda item number 16, case number
CER-26-00373,
[4:50:01] Baran Basen at 1899 Oak Park Drive South,
Clearwater,
[4:50:07] Florida 33764. Code Officer Semino.
[4:50:12] Okay, so they had their first hearing on
June 26th, 2026, and the, uh,
[4:50:18] they were supposed to come into compliance
on or before July 9th.
[4:50:22] A $250 fee had started on July 10th. The
affidavit of non-compliance is attached.
[4:50:28] Okay, thank you for that.
[4:50:29] I'm, uh, wondering if there's anyone in
the chambers to speak to this case.
[4:50:33] I'm seeing no one. Looking for a motion.
[4:50:35] I move in case number CER 26-00373 for the
property located at 1899 Oak Park Drive
[4:50:42] South, Largo or Clearwater, Florida 33764,
[4:50:46] and to find the respondent Varun Basin did
not correct the violation on or before
[4:50:53] July 9th, 2026, and to accept the
affidavit of noncompliance.
[4:50:58] Second.
[4:50:59] I've got a motion by Ms. Smith, and I'm
going to give that second to Mr. Bock.
[4:51:05] That's what I got.
[4:51:06] All in favor say aye.
[4:51:08] Aye.
[4:51:08] Any opposed? Motion passes.
[4:51:12] All right, first orders, I believe. Page
9.
[4:51:17] Yes, item number 18. Okay, no, this is a
first order.
[4:51:23] We have case number CER-26-00136,
Jacqueline Bashu at 50—
[4:51:30] excuse me, 570 Mack McCrillis Road. Code
Officer Semino.
[4:51:37] Code Officer Sue Semino representing the
City of Largo.
[4:51:41] This is for case number CER 2600136.
Respondent is Jacqueline Bushwell.
[4:51:47] Uh, the property address is 570 McCrillis
Road, Largo, Florida 33770.
[4:51:53] Home exemption, yes.
[4:51:54] The violations were COO 5-8, animal or
animal premises Creating nuisance.
[4:52:01] Yes.
[4:52:02] Uh, COO 11-47, duty of owners and
occupants, and COO 11-75, inoperable
[4:52:06] occupants, and COO 11-75, inoperable
vehicles.
[4:52:07] The initial inspection of the property was
performed on 3/3/26.
[4:52:11] The notice of violation dated on 3/6/26.
[4:52:13] Notice violation compliance date 4/2/26,
and the reinspection date was 4/3/26.
[4:52:18] The reinspection result was non-compliant.
[4:52:21] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[4:52:26] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[4:52:26] the Pinellas County Property Appraiser,
[4:52:29] and the notice of hearing was posted on
the property,
[4:52:32] posted in the lobby of City Hall,
[4:52:34] and sent certified mail to the listed
property owner and the Pinellas County
[4:52:39] Property Appraiser's office.
[4:52:41] This is the notice of hearing posted on
the property on 7/15/2026.
[4:52:45] This is a photo taken from 3/3/2026.
[4:52:47] This is the junk trash and debris Uh, this
was the inoperable vehicle.
[4:52:52] This has been removed since then, so this
is not in the,
[4:52:56] the final reading where you guys do that.
[4:52:58] But just so you can see more of the junk,
trash,
[4:53:01] and debris in between the vehicles as
well.
[4:53:04] I actually would, Co-Board, if we could
make sure that that's—
[4:53:08] it's been well past the compliance date.
[4:53:10] Um, so just make sure that that
inoperative vehicle, just for repeat
[4:53:14] inoperative vehicle, just for repeat
purposes.
[4:53:14] Thank you. Leave it in the motion. Okay.
[4:53:17] Okay, okay.
[4:53:20] And this is another photo I kind of took a
little closer of more of the junk, trash,
[4:53:23] and debris. She just said—
[4:53:25] Wow.
[4:53:25] She has a lot of things she just likes to
collect and keep them around.
[4:53:29] Um, but that was also— this is, uh,
[4:53:31] the notice of violation that was posted on
the property on 3/6/2026.
[4:53:36] And there's more photos that I took from
3/6 when I went back.
[4:53:40] You can see this, the amount of stuff is
just Badly accumulated.
[4:53:44] Was the animal—
[4:53:47] Oh, sorry, go ahead.
[4:53:50] Was the animal vicious?
[4:53:52] No, the animal— what animal? I don't see
an animal yet.
[4:53:58] I'm looking at 18. Are those stuffed
animals?
[4:54:01] Those are— yes, those are plushy toys.
Yes, plushy things everywhere.
[4:54:05] So this is photos that I did take on 6/10.
[4:54:08] You can see she did make Some
improvements,
[4:54:10] which is why I didn't do the hearing
until, you know, right now.
[4:54:14] So she was making some improvements.
[4:54:16] She got rid of the RV that was gone, and
she had a lot of it cleaned up.
[4:54:21] So, but, so the corrective action is to
remove all the junk, trash,
[4:54:25] and debris from the property, cease to
feed or distribute grain, other food,
[4:54:30] or garbage of any kind as to not create a
public nuisance,
[4:54:33] and keep all vehicles fully operable and
have a valid registration.
[4:54:37] So staff recommends giving the respondent,
Jacqueline Boucher, until August 25th,
[4:54:42] 2026, to achieve compliance.
[4:54:44] If compliance is not achieved,
[4:54:46] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 a day
[4:54:50] Board impose a fine of $250 a day
beginning on
[4:54:51] August 26th, 2026, until the property is
brought into compliance,
[4:54:55] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[4:55:00] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[4:55:00] Property Appraisers of $104,070.
[4:55:02] Second.
[4:55:03] Now, if I can add, today I did go to the
property and I spoke to Jacqueline,
[4:55:07] and she was— she, she had no ride to get
here at all today.
[4:55:11] I explained to her what was going to kind
of go on, that, you know,
[4:55:14] I was going to give a recommendation of 30
days and an amount,
[4:55:18] but she asked me to inform you guys, if
I'm allowed to even say,
[4:55:22] that she would like to have an additional,
you know, 30 days on top of,
[4:55:25] so a full of 60 days, and she cannot
afford that amount.
[4:55:29] Okay.
[4:55:29] But I told her that would be completely up
to you guys.
[4:55:31] Can you talk a little more about all the
violation for 5A,
[4:55:36] animals or animal premises creating a
nuisance?
[4:55:40] What is she distributing?
[4:55:42] So when I went out there on the second
visit to post the notice of violation,
[4:55:47] I actually met with, uh,
[4:55:49] this Officer Putterbaum from the City of
Largo Police Department.
[4:55:53] So he did a safety check on her.
[4:55:55] I guess the city of Largo has provided her
with a cell phone,
[4:55:59] and the only time she would ever use the
cell phone was to order grain from the
[4:56:05] cell phone was to order grain from the
feed
[4:56:05] store. And a neighbor did witness her
feeding rats, cats,
[4:56:09] and all kinds of other animals.
[4:56:11] I'm assuming this is an
[4:56:15] elderly lady? Yes, it is.
[4:56:19] In any of the pictures Officer Cimino,
[4:56:22] do you have any bowls or anything that is
there to the left on that
[4:56:27] bottom left? Is that kind of where—
[4:56:30] There are little bowls there, yeah, but
she would just kind of throw the—
[4:56:33] according to the witness,
[4:56:34] she would throw the grain just on the
ground and all the animals would come and
[4:56:38] ground and all the animals would come and
eat.
[4:56:38] Did you witness it yourself, like kind of
the feed or something?
[4:56:40] No. Officer Quattlebaum did go into the
property and he did see droppings
[4:56:46] throughout, so— oh, sorry.
[4:56:49] Okay, so it's, it's testimonial, um,
[4:56:52] evidence that you acquire from a witness
of the alleged
[4:56:57] violation, right?
[4:56:58] Correct.
[4:56:59] And the neighbor witness?
[4:57:00] Yeah, the neighbor that lives right across
the way.
[4:57:01] That neighbor witness is not, not present
today?
[4:57:05] No.
[4:57:06] But you saw evidence of what she alleged?
You saw the grain on the ground?
[4:57:11] I did not see grain on the ground, but
there were droppings from the animals.
[4:57:14] And like I said, Cuadralbaum testified
that the phone that they provided with
[4:57:18] that the phone that they provided with
her,
[4:57:18] you know, that she needed in an emergency,
[4:57:21] the only time she ever used the phone was
to order grain from the feed store.
[4:57:24] Interesting. I have no objection to adding
time.
[4:57:29] All right. I move in case number CER
26-00136 to find the respondent,
[4:57:35] Jacqueline Bouchoux, in violation of the
City of Largo Code of Ordinances,
[4:57:41] Section C005-8 and C005-9.
[4:57:43] 11-47 for the property located at 570 Mac
Crillis Road, Largo, Florida 33770,
[4:57:49] and to assess a fine of $100 per day
beginning on September 30th, 2026,
[4:57:54] until compliance is achieved,
[4:57:56] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value of $104,070,
[4:58:01] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to arrange
[4:58:08] for a re-inspection of the property to
verify compliance with the board's order.
[4:58:14] Second.
[4:58:15] I've got a motion by Ms. Smith, a second—
[4:58:18] Was—
[4:58:19] No, I misspoke. She came into compliance.
[4:58:21] They did it perfectly, and I didn't even
want to slow them down.
[4:58:24] Um, the in-op came into compliance before
the compliance date.
[4:58:26] We'll just make sure that it's not in the
presentation next time.
[4:58:29] So there's a little confusion, so I
apologize.
[4:58:31] Okay, thank you. So your, your motion is
correct.
[4:58:35] Motion, it's okay as stands, as it stands.
[4:58:38] Okay, okay.
[4:58:39] Motion by Ms. Smith and a second by Ms.
Hoskin. No, no.
[4:58:42] All right. She got it in.
[4:58:44] Got one in there.
[4:58:44] Under the wire.
[4:58:45] I beat you.
[4:58:45] Um, all in favor say aye.
[4:58:48] Aye.
[4:58:48] Any opposed? Motion passes.
[4:58:51] Okay, do I see agenda item number 28? Mr.
[4:58:56] Berger on his way.
[4:58:57] Ms. Semedo, I think you have to come back.
[4:58:59] Oh wait, what is it? Did I miss one?
[4:59:01] Number 28, Miss Semino. 28, 10.
[4:59:04] I thought it was 23rd. Did we do 23rd?
[4:59:06] No, 19 and 20 are not raised.
[4:59:11] We did, we did 23.
[4:59:13] 21.
[4:59:14] 21 was the hooded—
[4:59:15] Oh, we did that. Yes.
[4:59:17] Oh, okay.
[4:59:17] I believe we're on 28.
[4:59:18] Yes.
[4:59:19] Is that right? Yeah, 28, 10. Thank you.
[4:59:21] These are my buddies. Yeah, I want this
one.
[4:59:24] All right, here we go. Recuse Here we go.
[4:59:28] Agenda item number 28, case number
CER-26-00470,
[4:59:33] Jackson Sharp and Jacob Hanson at 1842 Del
Robles Drive,
[4:59:39] Clearwater, Florida 33764. Code Officer
Semino.
[4:59:43] Code Officer Sue Semino representing the
City of Largo.
[4:59:47] This is for case number CER-26-00470.
[4:59:49] The respondents are Jackson Sharp And
Jacob Hanson.
[4:59:53] The property address is 1842 Del Robles
Largo, Florida 33770. Home exemptions, no.
[4:59:58] The violations were COO 11-48, excessive
overgrowth of weeds and debris,
[5:00:03] and COO 20-71, placement of containers.
[5:00:06] The initial inspection of the property was
on 5/27/26.
[5:00:09] The notice of violation compliance date
was on 6/ Yes.
[5:00:13] The date of the hearing was 6/10/26.
[5:00:15] The reinspection date was 6/11/26, and the
reinspection result was noncompliant.
[5:00:20] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[5:00:25] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[5:00:26] the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's
Office,
[5:00:29] and the notice of hearing was posted in
the—
[5:00:32] at the property and in the lobby of City
Hall and sent certified mail to the listed
[5:00:37] property owner and the Pinellas County
Property Appraiser's Office.
[5:00:42] The notice of hearing was posted on
7/15/26.
[5:00:45] And this is a photo of the overgrowth that
was taken on May 27th.
[5:00:49] This is a photo of the overgrowth again
from May 27th.
[5:00:53] And this is another photo with the
containers in the background on—
[5:00:57] at the curb on a non-pickup day. So— and
that was May 27th as well.
[5:01:01] This is just the cans sitting on the— at
the curb on a non-pickup day.
[5:01:06] So this is from 6/2 with the cans sitting
at the curb on a non-pickup day,
[5:01:11] and this is the cans on 6/23 sitting at
the curb on a non-pickup day.
[5:01:16] Every time I go by the property, the cans
are down.
[5:01:19] They have since then mowed the lawn,
[5:01:21] but I would like to keep it in the motion
because I have a lot of problems with this
[5:01:27] property. So this way, if it happens
again, I can get them as a repeat.
[5:01:32] Okay.
[5:01:32] So the corrective action is to cut and
maintain the grass and weeds below 12
[5:01:37] maintain the grass and weeds below 12
inches
[5:01:37] in height Automated containers shall be
placed near the curb for collection no
[5:01:42] earlier than 6:00 PM the evening before
the collection and removed no later than
[5:01:47] 7:00 PM the day of collection.
[5:01:49] Staff recommends giving the respondent
Jackson Sharp and Jacob Hansen until
[5:01:53] Jackson Sharp and Jacob Hansen until
August
[5:01:54] 10th, 2026 to achieve compliance.
[5:01:56] If compliance is not achieved,
[5:01:57] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[5:02:02] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[5:02:02] on August 11th until the property is
brought into compliance with a fine not to
[5:02:07] exceed the just market value established
by the Pinellas County Property Appraisers
[5:02:12] of $503,508. Did I say that right? That
concludes my presentation.
[5:02:16] Thank you very much. Is there anyone in
the chambers to speak to this case today?
[5:02:20] Seeing no one, I'm moving case number CER
26-00470 to find the respondent Jackson
[5:02:27] Sharp and Jacob Hanson In violation of the
City of Largo COO Section 20-71 and
[5:02:34] COO 11-48 for the property located at 1842
Del Robles Drive, Largo,
[5:02:40] Florida 33764, and to assess a fine of
$250 per day beginning on August 11th,
[5:02:47] 2026 until compliance is achieved,
[5:02:50] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value of $503,508 and to order the
[5:02:57] respondent to contact the Community
Standards Division to arrange for a
[5:03:03] re-inspection of the property to verify
compliance with the board's order.
[5:03:09] Second.
[5:03:10] Thank you. I've got a motion by Mr. Bock
and a second by Ms. Smith.
[5:03:14] All in favor say aye.
[5:03:15] Aye.
[5:03:16] Aye. Any opposed? Motion passes.
[5:03:20] Moving on to agenda item number
[5:03:24] 30.
[5:03:24] You guys have already got—
[5:03:26] Is it 31?
[5:03:26] 2. 2.
[5:03:28] $1,250 a day.
[5:03:29] 2.
[5:03:29] Don't— 2.
[5:03:31] I'm back.
[5:03:31] Agenda item number 31. Okay, I see that.
[5:03:36] Case number CER-26-00531. I recognize this
name.
[5:03:42] Uh, Verum Bassin at 1899 Oak Park Drive
South.
[5:03:47] Clearwater, Florida 33764. Code Officer
Sue Semino.
[5:03:53] Okay, recognize the name as—
[5:03:55] No, I'm sorry, I think we just saw this
name.
[5:03:56] We saw it, yes.
[5:03:57] It was the second building without permit.
[5:04:00] This is a first for— we did— vacation
rental, right?
[5:04:03] So I was wondering. Okay, okay, thank you.
[5:04:06] Sorry for the confusion.
[5:04:07] Code Officer Sue Semino representing the
City of Largo, case number CER-2600531.
[5:04:13] The respondents are Yes.
[5:04:14] Uh, the property address is 1899 Oak Park
Drive South, Largo, Florida 33764.
[5:04:20] Home extensions, no.
[5:04:21] The violations were CDC 15.18.B1,
[5:04:23] short-term vacation rentals minimum life
safety requirements.
[5:04:28] CDC 15.18.B2, minimum life safety
requirements swimming pool.
[5:04:32] CDC 15.18.B3, Short-Term Vacation Rentals
Minimum Life Safety Requirements,
[5:04:37] CDC 15.18.B.4 Short-Term Vacation Rentals
Minimum Life Safety Requirements,
[5:04:42] and CDC 15.18.E Short-Term Vacation
Rentals Designated Responsible Parties.
[5:04:48] The initial inspection of the property was
on 6/10/26.
[5:04:51] The notice of violation was dated on
6/10/26.
[5:04:55] The notice of violation compliance date
was 7/10/26.
[5:04:58] The reinspection date was on 7/11/26. The
reinspection results, noncompliant.
[5:05:04] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[5:05:09] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[5:05:09] the Pinellas County Property Appraiser's
Office.
[5:05:13] And the notice of hearing was posted on
the property,
[5:05:16] posted in the lobby of City Hall,
[5:05:19] and sent certified mail to the listed
property owner and the Pinellas County
[5:05:24] Property appraisers. This is the notice of
hearing that was posted on 7/15/2026.
[5:05:30] And now I got a bunch of pictures I'm just
going to show you guys real quick of—
[5:05:35] this was pictures taken from the website
where they're advertising for the
[5:05:40] short-term vacation rentals.
[5:05:42] So you can just— if you need him to slow
down, just tell him to slow down.
[5:05:47] They got pickleball courts and swimming
pools, and they've,
[5:05:52] they've just done everything to this
place. So The neighbors love this house.
[5:05:57] They even had an airplane fly over.
[5:05:59] You can see they've had one review,
[5:06:02] so they just started using up this house
to have people stay there.
[5:06:06] This is the picture taken before it turned
into the notice of violation.
[5:06:11] I wish I would have got them for the demo
on the pool cage,
[5:06:16] but it's already gone by.
[5:06:17] So, but the corrective action is to meet
all short-term vacation rental inspection
[5:06:23] requirements.
[5:06:25] Yes.
[5:06:25] Staff recommends giving the respondent,
Aron Bassan, until August 20th, 2026,
[5:06:30] to achieve compliance.
[5:06:32] If compliance is not achieved,
[5:06:34] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[5:06:39] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[5:06:39] on August 21st, 2026, until the property
is brought into compliance,
[5:06:44] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[5:06:49] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[5:06:50] Property Appraisers of $441,604. That
concludes my presentation.
[5:06:54] Okay, is there anyone here in the chambers
to speak to this case today?
[5:06:58] Seeing no one, I move in case number
CER-26-00531 to find the respondent,
[5:07:05] Varun Bassin, in violation of the City of
Lago Comprehensive Development Code
[5:07:12] Section CDC 15.18.B Sub 1, CDC 15.18.B Sub
2, CDC 15.18.B Sub 3, CDC 15.18.B,
[5:07:20] Sub 4, CDC 15.18.E, but a property located
at 1899 Oak Park Drive South,
[5:07:27] Largo, Florida 33764, and to assess a fine
of $250 per day.
[5:07:32] Hmm, I would like to add per violation,
beginning on August 21st, 2026.
[5:07:39] Until compliance is achieved,
[5:07:42] with a fine not exceeding the just market
value of $441,604,
[5:07:48] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to
[5:07:55] arrange for a re-inspection of the
property to verify compliance with the
[5:08:02] board's order.
[5:08:03] That's 5, 5 times $250,
[5:08:07] you're saying? So $1,250,
[5:08:10] is that right? A day?
[5:08:13] Per day, yes.
[5:08:14] It's $1,250 a day, right?
[5:08:16] Okay, I've got a motion on the floor. I'm
looking for a second.
[5:08:21] No one wants to second that? I'll give it
another option.
[5:08:26] No, I'm sorry, sir, no one seconded the
motion.
[5:08:30] Looking for a new motion.
[5:08:32] I move in case—
[5:08:34] Conversation.
[5:08:35] Pardon? Or discussion. Or we could just
ask Ernie to amend it.
[5:08:38] to leave it at $250 a day, period,
[5:08:41] because they're all going to have to be
under the umbrella of short-term rental.
[5:08:46] Yeah, that's what had me. It's—
[5:08:48] This, this is a, a veritable pot of gold
for the owner who rents these
[5:08:54] out, and the only way I feel that you can
get to them to comply is by
[5:09:00] putting a message out that they're going
to have to pay if they don't.
[5:09:06] Yeah, I agree, and I think that's what
we're getting more and more.
[5:09:09] We have seen more and more STR cases every
month, yes.
[5:09:14] Do you wanna resubmit that same motion?
[5:09:16] 'Cause I have someone that's willing to
second.
[5:09:19] I don't know if it's gonna pass in a vote.
[5:09:22] Okay, do you wanna put it back up as
motion as previously stated?
[5:09:26] Yes, I would.
[5:09:26] Okay, I've got a motion by Mr. Bock and a
second by Ms. Soffarelli.
[5:09:31] Any discussion? Okay, I'm going to call
for a vote.
[5:09:34] All in favor say aye.
[5:09:35] Aye.
[5:09:36] Aye.
[5:09:36] Uh, opposed?
[5:09:39] Nay.
[5:09:41] 1, 2, 4, 2. Motion passes.
[5:09:44] All right, um, $250 per violation per
[5:09:48] day, right?
[5:09:50] August 21st, correct?
[5:09:51] Yes.
[5:09:52] Yes, thank you. Everybody all good on
that?
[5:09:56] Okay, I'm gonna walk away again.
[5:09:59] Ms.
[5:10:00] Semino, you can step away.
[5:10:02] I don't know for how long, but all right,
moving on to— I believe it—
[5:10:07] I'm sorry, denied it. And Mark will be
next.
[5:10:09] Yes, ma'am.
[5:10:09] 2, um, it was Roxy and I were nay. Yes,
yes, thank you.
[5:10:17] Yeah, we good, Ms. Gooch?
[5:10:19] Uh-huh.
[5:10:20] Okay, perfect. Yes, no, I get it.
[5:10:23] I know you've got a very, very hard job.
[5:10:27] Okay, moving on to agenda item number 32,
uh,
[5:10:32] case number CEC-26-00091, Balance St.
[5:10:36] Pete LLC at 12046 Indian Rocks Road,
Largo, Florida 33774.
[5:10:42] Code Officer Rivera.
[5:10:44] Yep, good evening. This is Code Officer
Ruben Rivera representing the City of
[5:10:51] Ruben Rivera representing the City of
Largo.
[5:10:51] Case number CEC-26-00091. Respondent
Balance St. Pete, LLC.
[5:10:57] Property address is 12046 Indian Rocks
Road, Largo, Florida 33774.
[5:11:03] This is not a homesteaded property.
[5:11:06] Violations are COO 1147, Duty of Owners
and Occupants. CDC 18.2.5.
[5:11:12] 5.3 General, COO 1140-48, excessive growth
of weeds and debris, CDC 18.2.5.C7,
[5:11:19] exterior structure overhang extensions.
[5:11:22] The initial inspection took place at the
property on 5/14/26.
[5:11:28] The notice of violation was dated 5/20/26.
[5:11:31] Notice of violation compliance date
6/22/26. Reinspection date was on 6/23/26.
[5:11:38] The reinspection result was non-compliant.
[5:11:42] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[5:11:49] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[5:11:50] Pinellas County Property Appraiser.
[5:11:53] The notice of hearing was posted on the
property, posted in the lobby of City
[5:12:00] property, posted in the lobby of City
Hall,
[5:12:00] and sent via certified mail to the listed
property owner and Pinellas County
[5:12:07] Property Appraiser.
[5:12:08] Thank you.
[5:12:10] This is a photo of the notice of hearing
posted on 7/15/2026 at the property.
[5:12:17] Uh, this is the front view of the
property, of the building in question.
[5:12:24] Here we can start looking— uh, seeing
photos of the overgrowth and debris,
[5:12:31] palm fronds, debris throughout the
property, a pile of them.
[5:12:36] There's more overgrowth as you see the
bushes coming into the parking lot.
[5:12:43] More overgrowth. That is actually a
flat-screen television.
[5:12:48] Hmm.
[5:12:51] The refrigerator that I found in the back
of the building, it is, as of now,
[5:12:56] has been taken away. It's not there any
longer.
[5:12:59] This is just trash that's randomly there.
[5:13:02] Throughout the day, every time I drive by,
um, it seems like, uh,
[5:13:06] homeless individuals are just camping out
throughout the day and just leaving the
[5:13:11] trash there. This is the view of the
overhang, the damaged overhang.
[5:13:15] As you can see, all the tiles are missing,
and,
[5:13:18] and there's some electrical wiring hanging
down. Another picture of the overhang.
[5:13:23] Is that stormwater? Water intrusion.
[5:13:30] Go back.
[5:13:31] On that overhang.
[5:13:33] Wow. Are they blown up?
[5:13:37] They're just blown out.
[5:13:38] Yeah, blown up from— yeah,
[5:13:40] some are missing and some of them are just
hanging in there barely.
[5:13:44] And then this here, um, that top piece, if
you see toward the right, it's,
[5:13:48] it's loose. Uh, I guess it's some kind of
AC unit, uh, fencing,
[5:13:52] some kind of either metal or aluminum,
[5:13:55] and it is flapping in the air and in the
wind. Dangerous.
[5:13:58] So that can be a little dangerous. Yeah.
[5:14:01] The corrective action would be to cut and
maintain grass and weeds below 12 inches
[5:14:06] in height, remove all junk, trash, and
debris from the property.
[5:14:10] Property must fix all areas in disrepair
under the drive-through canopy and at the
[5:14:15] AC fence with applicable permits.
[5:14:17] Does this property have electric to it?
[5:14:22] Uh, I, I don't believe it has electric on
that one side,
[5:14:26] but on the other side there are still some
businesses that are running.
[5:14:30] Um, there's like a salon or nail salon.
[5:14:32] Oh.
[5:14:33] Um, but so, but, but the majority of the
building is unoccupied.
[5:14:38] Um, as of 3/24/26, they submitted a
permit, um,
[5:14:42] for a new 40-unit multi-family
construction.
[5:14:46] Um, that's still been, uh, needing the
customer's attention since mid-June.
[5:14:53] Is the property vacant?
[5:14:55] Yes, that, that part of it is vacant,
correct.
[5:15:00] And that relates back to 18.2583, the
general?
[5:15:06] Yes.
[5:15:07] Just give the board a little bit of a
[5:15:13] description of what that provision
prohibits
[5:15:20] since we I can pull it up really quickly
just so
[5:15:28] that we get it fairly accurately.
[5:15:34] Just do— yeah, that one.
[5:15:41] Vacant structures and land. That's
correct. Subsection 3.
[5:15:45] Yeah. So you're finding that it's a vacant
structure?
[5:15:49] Yes.
[5:15:49] Yes. That's your testimony? That's not
being maintained in a safe, secure
[5:15:56] being maintained in a safe, secure
condition?
[5:15:56] That's correct.
[5:15:57] To cause a blighting problem?
[5:15:59] Yes.
[5:16:00] You agree with that statement?
[5:16:01] Okay, I do.
[5:16:12] Give me a moment.
[5:16:14] Uh, we're still wrong one looking at
pictures. No problem. Okay, good.
[5:16:21] All right, so, uh, staff recommends giving
the respondent Balance St.
[5:16:26] P LLC until August 31st,
[5:16:27] 2026 to achieve compliance if compliance
If compliance is not achieved,
[5:16:32] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[5:16:36] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[5:16:37] on September 1st, 2026, until the property
is brought into compliance.
[5:16:41] I have had no communication whatsoever
with them.
[5:16:44] That was my next question.
[5:16:46] Yeah.
[5:16:46] I move in case—
[5:16:47] Is there anybody here in the chambers to
speak to this case?
[5:16:50] Seeing no one, thank you, Ms. Smith.
[5:16:51] Okay, sorry. I move in case number CEC
26-00091 to fine the respondent
[5:16:58] Respondent Balance St.
[5:17:01] Pete, LLC, in violation of the City of
Largo Code of Ordinances Sections
[5:17:08] 11-47 and 11-48, and the Comprehensive
Development Code Sections 18.2.5.a,
[5:17:16] subsection 3, and 18.2.5.c7,
[5:17:18] for the property located at 12046 Indian
Rocks Road, Largo, Florida 33774,
[5:17:26] and to assess a fine of $250 per day—
[5:17:30] Per item? There's some health safety
things there, I think.
[5:17:35] To assess a fine of $500 per day beginning
on September 1st, 2026,
[5:17:39] until compliance is achieved,
[5:17:41] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to arrange
[5:17:46] for a re-inspection of the property to
verify compliance with the board's order.
[5:17:51] Second.
[5:17:52] Okay, now, this is a first-time violator,
so your maximum amount is $250.
[5:17:58] Oh.
[5:17:58] You can do a per violation $250, but your
maximum for a first-time violation—
[5:18:04] Oh, pardon me.
[5:18:05] Is $250.
[5:18:06] Okay. All right, I would like to amend my
motion to find— here,
[5:18:11] let me just start over.
[5:18:13] I move in case number CEC 26, —00091 to
find the respondent Balance St.
[5:18:19] Pete, LLC in violation of the City of
Largo Code of Ordinances Sections 11-47
[5:18:26] Largo Code of Ordinances Sections 11-47
and
[5:18:26] 11-48 and the Comprehensive Development
Code Sections 18.2.5.a, subsection 3,
[5:18:33] and 18.2.5.c7 for the property located at
12046 Indian Rocks Road, Largo, Florida,
[5:18:40] 33774, and to assess a fine of $100 per
day per violation beginning on September
[5:18:47] 1st, 2026, until compliance is achieved,
[5:18:50] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to arrange
[5:18:57] for a reinspection of the property to
verify compliance with the board's order.
[5:19:04] Second.
[5:19:05] Okay, I've got a motion by Miss Smith and
a second by Mr. Bach.
[5:19:08] All in favor say aye.
[5:19:10] Aye.
[5:19:11] Any opposed? Motion passes.
[5:19:14] Moving on to agenda item number 36,
[5:19:18] we have case number CER-26-00345. John E.
[5:19:22] Mills at 599 16th Avenue Northwest, Largo,
[5:19:27] Florida 33770. Code Officer Knotts, I
don't—
[5:19:32] are you Code Officer Knotts?
[5:19:35] That's Mr. Mark Knotts.
[5:19:36] Yeah. Okay. Sorry. Did you have a hat on
earlier? I did.
[5:19:42] I did. Screw me. Wait a second. Change.
[5:19:45] This officer. It's his twin brother. Yeah.
I was like, wait a second.
[5:19:49] Sorry. I apologize, sir. Sorry. Uh, thank
you very much. All right.
[5:19:53] This is case number CER-2600345.
Respondent, John E. Mills.
[5:19:58] The property address is 599 16th Avenue
Northwest, Largo, Florida 33770.
[5:20:04] This is a homesteaded property.
[5:20:06] The violations are CDC 18.2.5, exterior
property areas, accessory structures.
[5:20:12] CDC 18.2.5, exterior structure windows,
skylight, and door frames.
[5:20:18] CDC 18.2.8, electrical facilities service.
COO 1147, duty of owners and occupants.
[5:20:24] COO-1175, Interoperative Vehicles. Yeah.
[5:20:28] The initial inspection of the property was
on April 21st, 2026.
[5:20:33] The Notice of Violation compliance date
was on May 22nd, 2026.
[5:20:38] The re-inspection date was May 26th, 2026.
[5:20:41] The re-inspection result was
non-compliant.
[5:20:45] All notices were posted at the property
and sent via regular and certified mail.
[5:20:51] This is the notice of violation posting on
April 22nd, 2026.
[5:20:56] This is the notice of hearing posting on
July 15th, 2026.
[5:21:01] So just a little background on this
property.
[5:21:05] Um, the Largo SWAT team actually conducted
a raid on this property and then called
[5:21:11] us out to condemn it afterwards due to the
condition it was in.
[5:21:16] You can see the yellow generator was
supplying power to the house.
[5:21:22] It had no mainline electric service. The
white truck back there was unregistered.
[5:21:28] You can see tons of junk, trash, debris
just in this photo.
[5:21:33] There's going to be plenty more photos.
[5:21:36] More junk, trash, debris in the rear,
including the temporary carport.
[5:21:42] Uh, unregistered dismantled motorcycle on
the property,
[5:21:47] as well as that accessory structure off
the rear that's essentially falling apart.
[5:21:53] Uh, this was the inside of the back shed
being used as a living area.
[5:21:59] I'm not sure if it's very visible in this
photo,
[5:22:03] but there was an additional unregistered
motorcycle crammed into this shed.
[5:22:09] This is the front entrance to the property
with more junk, trash,
[5:22:14] debris strewn about. Uh, both of those I
know the left-hand window is fine.
[5:22:20] The right-hand window is smashed in,
broken. It is still broken to this day.
[5:22:27] Another close-up of that window.
[5:22:29] The doorframe is also damaged, uh,
courtesy of Largo SWAT team.
[5:22:34] I was gonna say, it looks like a little
breach.
[5:22:36] Not been repaired.
[5:22:37] Yeah, did a good job.
[5:22:39] Uh, both front windows are broken.
[5:22:50] I think that's good.
[5:22:52] The corrective action is to continue to
have residents secured in a safe manner,
[5:22:57] restore mainline electric service to the
residents,
[5:23:00] maintain all accessory structures in sound
condition,
[5:23:03] maintain all windows in sound condition,
maintain all doors in sound condition.
[5:23:08] All vehicles must be fully operable and
have a valid registration,
[5:23:11] and to remove all junk trash and debris
from Property.
[5:23:14] Staff recommends giving the respondent
John E.
[5:23:17] Mills until August 31st, 2026 to achieve
compliance.
[5:23:20] If compliance is not achieved,
[5:23:22] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[5:23:26] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[5:23:27] on September 1st, 2026 until the property
is brought into compliance,
[5:23:30] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[5:23:35] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[5:23:35] Property Appraiser of $147,933.
[5:23:37] Second.
[5:23:42] Okay, is there anybody here today to speak
to this case? I'm not seeing anyone.
[5:23:45] I do have a question. Do we know why SWAT
was called out?
[5:23:48] Yeah, were there criminal charges? Anybody
living?
[5:23:50] Yeah, he's in jail, Mr. Mills.
[5:23:52] Yeah, is anyone residing there right now?
[5:23:54] Oh, he was still living there, the
property owner.
[5:23:56] He was the one they raided?
[5:23:58] Yes.
[5:23:58] Yes. And we don't know what— you know
what, you want to tell us why they did—
[5:24:02] they didn't tell us.
[5:24:02] We know what his criminal charges were.
[5:24:04] I'm curious.
[5:24:05] I can—
[5:24:06] we can I mean, it could be looked at.
[5:24:07] I couldn't even photograph the SWAT team
guys that were there. They had masks on.
[5:24:13] So in one of your photos,
[5:24:14] I saw that there was an officer on the
premises in the background.
[5:24:18] Next to a gentleman.
[5:24:19] Yeah, yeah, probably wasn't supposed to
have him in the photo, but yeah.
[5:24:21] Well, okay, that's fine. But he wasn't
identified. It's okay.
[5:24:25] Should this be closed up so no one—
[5:24:28] stop work? Yeah, you said it's not
maintained and condemnation of some sort.
[5:24:33] maintained and condemnation of some sort.
Yeah.
[5:24:34] Is the city interested A condemned notice
[5:24:41] was posted on the property.
[5:24:46] Uh, give me just one moment.
[5:24:51] Give me just one moment.
[5:24:55] Sure.
[5:24:56] Okay.
[5:24:56] I may have pulled an old one, but let me
see.
[5:24:59] It looked like it was good, though. Let me
double-check.
[5:25:06] No, we ended up taking it out.
[5:25:08] Mm-hmm.
[5:25:19] I think that's the
[5:25:25] right one. Reset. Can
[5:25:32] somebody buy us dinner
[5:25:39] from Parlor Donuts,
[5:25:45] please?
[5:25:47] I'm planning to treat everyone to ice
cream.
[5:25:50] She's treating everybody to ice cream.
[5:25:52] You can't do that. My kids would kill me.
Well, I'm so cold.
[5:25:56] I don't think I can eat.
[5:25:58] I don't think we're welcome at a
restaurant across the street right now.
[5:26:02] You're right.
[5:26:03] Oh, what if we all walked over there? That
would be a hoot.
[5:26:06] Yeah, I guess Rick could keep that.
[5:26:09] He'd appreciate it.
[5:26:10] Jeez.
[5:26:12] Okay.
[5:26:12] All right, Miss Carrera is struggling
today with all of our banter.
[5:26:17] Yeah, sunshine, sunshine, please. Sorry.
[5:26:20] You can run, you can run through just the,
[5:26:22] the new code sections if you want to and
add those 2.
[5:26:25] Okay, so we apologize, that was an
outdated PowerPoint.
[5:26:28] Uh, work had been done on that PowerPoint
afterwards.
[5:26:32] Okay, um, I'm gonna restart the
presentation from this slide if that is
[5:26:37] presentation from this slide if that is
okay.
[5:26:37] Sure, I don't think we need to restart.
[5:26:39] We'll, we'll push through by just adding
these other 2. Is that okay, uh, Ms.
[5:26:43] Carrera? Is that okay if we just add and
then show us some additional photos,
[5:26:47] or would you like them to run through real
quickly again?
[5:26:50] So it's the same violations with 2 more
added on,
[5:26:52] which is going to be the unsafe structures
and the closing of vacant structures.
[5:26:56] So just identify what's different as
you're going through the slides, what,
[5:27:01] what was added or removed.
[5:27:03] Yes, CDC 18.2.4, unsafe structures, and
CDC 18.2 0.4,
[5:27:09] closing of vacant structures,
[5:27:12] are additional from the last PowerPoint.
[5:27:17] Nice catch, Miss Hoskin.
[5:27:18] I hope they're all correctly identified in
the proposed motion.
[5:27:25] So there's no additional—
[5:27:28] there you go. Just reread that.
[5:27:29] It's fine, Mary. Let him finish what he's
doing.
[5:27:30] Okay, so adding those 2 violations on,
[5:27:33] the city did condemn the property because
of the multiple broken windows on it,
[5:27:38] lack of mainline electrical service and
the broken doorframe,
[5:27:42] considering it an unsafe structure.
[5:27:45] So a condemned notice was posted on the
property.
[5:27:48] Um, the securing of— what was the
violation? Securing of unsafe structures?
[5:27:53] Yes.
[5:27:53] Yeah, securing of vacant structures was
added on because there continues to be an
[5:27:58] unboarded broken window on the front of
the residence, uh,
[5:28:02] as of my last inspection.
[5:28:05] So they'll board that up eventually?
[5:28:07] They're supposed to board it up.
[5:28:09] It's up to the owner, and that's kind of
what we're here for today.
[5:28:12] And if the city has to, then we step in if
it continues to be a safety hazard,
[5:28:16] as you can see that it is.
[5:28:17] Yeah.
[5:28:18] Okay, thank you very much. Is there
anybody here to speak to this case today?
[5:28:23] Not seeing anyone. Was that— did that
conclude your presentation? Thank you, Mr.
[5:28:28] Nuts. I'm looking for a motion.
[5:28:31] Does this motion that's on the screen now
include those 2 late additions?
[5:28:35] I believe it does, yes. Unsafe structures
and closing— They're not listening to you.
[5:28:38] It does. She's—
[5:28:40] Okay, then I'll move in case number
CER-26-00345 to find the
[5:28:47] respondent, John E. Mills, in violation of
CDC 18.2.4,
[5:28:53] unsafe structures. CDC 18.2.4.
[5:28:56] 18.2.4.F sub 2, closing of vacant
structures.
[5:29:01] CDC 18.2.5.B sub 6, exterior property
areas, accessory structures.
[5:29:09] CDC 18.2.5.C.11, exterior structure,
window, skylight,
[5:29:15] and door frames. CDC 18.2.8.D sub 2,
Electrical facilities service,
[5:29:23] COO 11-47, duty of owners and occupants,
and COO 11-75,
[5:29:29] inoperative vehicles,
[5:29:31] for the property located at 599 16th
Avenue Northwest, Largo,
[5:29:38] Florida 33770, and to assess a fine of
$250 per day beginning on
[5:29:46] September 1st, 2026.
[5:29:48] Second.
[5:29:49] Until compliance is achieved,
[5:29:51] with the fine not exceeding the just
market value of $147,933,
[5:29:55] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to arrange
[5:30:01] for a re-inspection of property to verify
compliance with the board's order.
[5:30:07] I'll second.
[5:30:08] And next time I'll let you take the long
read.
[5:30:10] Thank you.
[5:30:11] I've got a motion by Mr. Bock and a second
by Miss All in favor say aye.
[5:30:16] Aye.
[5:30:16] Any opposed? Motion passes.
[5:30:19] Moving on to agenda item number 37, case
number CER-26-00557,
[5:30:26] Brel King, LLC, 901 10th Street Northwest,
Largo,
[5:30:32] Florida 33770. Code Officer Knotts.
Computer might die.
[5:30:38] Did your computer die? I think— yeah. Oh,
there we go.
[5:30:44] Still got some juice.
[5:30:45] Okay, got some juice. Go quick.
[5:30:47] All right, this is case number
CER-2600557. Respondents: Gray King LLC.
[5:30:53] Property address is 9012 10th Street
Northwest, Largo, Florida 33770.
[5:30:58] Non— this is a non-homesteaded property.
[5:31:01] Violations are 2023 Florida Building Code
Section 105, building without permits,
[5:31:07] as adopted by reference, and CDC CDC
18.1.1A.
[5:31:11] CDC 18.2.5, exterior structure protective
treatment.
[5:31:15] CDC 18.2.5, exterior structure exterior
walls.
[5:31:19] CDC 18.2.5, exterior structure roofs
drainage.
[5:31:22] CDC 18.2.5, exterior structure windows,
skylight, and door frames.
[5:31:27] And COO 1147, duty of owners and
occupants.
[5:31:31] The initial inspection of the property was
6/16/26.
[5:31:35] The notice of violation was dated 6/16/26.
[5:31:38] The notice of violation compliance date
was 6/29/26.
[5:31:42] The reinspection date was 6/30/26. The
reinspection result was noncompliant.
[5:31:48] The notice of violation was sent via
certified mail to the listed property
[5:31:54] certified mail to the listed property
owner and
[5:31:55] Pinellas County Property Appraiser,
[5:31:57] and the notice of hearing was posted on
the property posted in the lobby of City
[5:32:04] Hall and sent via certified mail to the
listed property owner and Pinellas County
[5:32:10] Property Appraiser. This is the notice of
hearing posted on July 15th, 2026.
[5:32:16] This is a 2025 street view of the
property.
[5:32:20] Let me go back one.
[5:32:23] Oh, sorry, I forgot I put the red arrow
there to show the front door was in
[5:32:28] disrepair at the time of this photo. This
is an exterior view of the property.
[5:32:33] You can see downed tree branches piled up.
[5:32:36] This is a decaying structure in the rear
of the property.
[5:32:40] Uh, believe it or not, that is a small
house.
[5:32:43] I believe this is a multi-house parcel.
It's a very old parcel.
[5:32:47] Uh, it's completely engulfed in vegetation
and collapsing.
[5:32:51] Oh, it's another, uh,
[5:32:53] view of the decaying structure in the rear
yard with debris surrounding it.
[5:32:59] Wow.
[5:32:59] Uh, more just junk, trash, debris
alongside of the house.
[5:33:03] This is the exterior of the main front
house on the property.
[5:33:08] You can see the siding is completely
falling apart and in disrepair.
[5:33:12] There's a downed gutter there. It's
another view of the exterior of the
[5:33:17] another view of the exterior of the
property.
[5:33:18] A section of unpainted fascia on the
property. Unpainted soffit on the
[5:33:23] property. Unpainted soffit on the
property.
[5:33:24] Another exterior view of the property.
[5:33:26] You can see the walls are essentially
rotten completely through right there,
[5:33:32] and the front door has been replaced with
a new one without a permit.
[5:33:37] Multiple broken windows in the front of
the property.
[5:33:40] Close-up of the broken windows. Another
photo of the unpermitted front door.
[5:33:46] This is a certified mail receipt from the
previous NOV sent by Mr. Chase.
[5:33:51] This case never went to board before,
[5:33:54] but the owner was noticed on the majority
of these violations previously.
[5:33:59] Somewhere it was lost in the fray, and it
was never taken to board.
[5:34:04] Just showing this to justify why the
notice period was so short,
[5:34:08] because the owner was already well aware
of all these Okay.
[5:34:12] The corrective action is to maintain all
exterior surfaces in sound condition,
[5:34:18] maintain the roof soffit and fascia in
sound condition,
[5:34:22] maintain all windows in sound condition,
[5:34:25] obtain all necessary repair permits to
cover the entire scope of work required,
[5:34:30] and have final inspection passed by City
of Largo building inspector.
[5:34:35] Obtain after-the-fact permit for
replacement of front door and remove all
[5:34:40] replacement of front door and remove all
junk,
[5:34:41] trash, and debris from the property.
[5:34:43] Staff recommends giving the respondent
Gray King LLC until August 31st,
[5:34:48] 2026 to achieve compliance.
[5:34:50] If compliance is not achieved,
[5:34:52] staff recommends the Code Enforcement
Board impose a fine of $250 per day
[5:34:58] Board impose a fine of $250 per day
beginning
[5:34:58] on September 1st, 2026 until the property
is brought into compliance,
[5:35:03] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[5:35:09] market value established by the Pinellas
County
[5:35:09] Property Appraiser of $274,000— uh,
$274,123.
[5:35:12] Second.
[5:35:14] And that concludes my presentation.
[5:35:15] Okay. Have you had any contact from the
property owner?
[5:35:18] Zero.
[5:35:18] Zero. And this is not a homestead
property?
[5:35:21] Uh, no, no, the company's based out of
Orlando.
[5:35:25] We actually had a case several years ago
all the way to foreclosure,
[5:35:29] and they paid the full amount to avoid the
foreclosure sale. Oh, still haven't.
[5:35:33] Okay. Is there anybody in the chambers
today to speak to this case?
[5:35:36] I'm seeing no one.
[5:35:37] Question? Yeah, for staff. For my
information, I own a house.
[5:35:41] And I want to change my front door.
[5:35:43] So I knocked the 2 pins out, put another
door in that I bought at Home Depot.
[5:35:48] I need to get a permit for that?
[5:35:50] Yes, because to make sure it has the
correct Florida product code that it meets
[5:35:55] correct Florida product code that it meets
the
[5:35:55] Florida Building Code.
[5:35:56] DBPR.
[5:35:57] Storm and all that.
[5:36:00] All doors and windows, right? I'm— oh, I'm
sorry. No, please. I don't want to hold—
[5:36:05] no more discussion needed.
[5:36:07] I move in case number CER 2016- 2023-00557
to find the respondent, Gray King LLC,
[5:36:15] in violation of the Comprehensive
Development Code Sections 18.2.5.C1,
[5:36:22] Development Code Sections 18.2.5.C1,
18.2.5.C4,
[5:36:22] 18.2.5.C5, 18.2.5.C11.
[5:36:25] The adopted by— wait,
[5:36:27] the 2023 Florida Building Code Section 105
Building without permits as adopted by
[5:36:34] reference in CDC 18.1.1.a and COO 11-47
for the property located at 901 10th
[5:36:41] Street Northwest, Largo, Florida 33770,
[5:36:45] and to assess a fine of $250 per day
beginning on September 1st,
[5:36:51] 2026 until compliance is achieved.
[5:36:54] with the fine not to exceed the just
market value established by the Pinellas
[5:37:02] County Property Appraiser of $274,123,
[5:37:05] and to order the respondent to contact the
Community Standards Division to arrange
[5:37:13] for a re-inspection of the property to
verify compliance with the board's order.
[5:37:21] Second.
[5:37:22] Got a motion by Ms. Smith, a second by Mr.
Bock. All in favor say aye.
[5:37:26] Aye.
[5:37:26] Any opposed? Motion passes.
[5:37:28] Okay, if I'm not mistaken, is that all the
items on the agenda today?
[5:37:33] All good.
[5:37:34] I think Mr. Bergeron has something to—
[5:37:36] Yeah, I have a couple just items for other
business real quick.
[5:37:39] Um, so one thing we will be implementing
starting next month is we'll be capping
[5:37:43] starting next month is we'll be capping
the
[5:37:43] number of first orders. Um, so hopefully
that sort of limits, you know, the time.
[5:37:48] And then— What are you capping that number
to? 20 total. So that'll be the max.
[5:37:52] Um, and then the other thing, if the board
is agreeable, um,
[5:37:55] exploring implementing time limits for the
presentations.
[5:37:58] This would be both for staff and
respondents.
[5:38:01] Um, I just want to make sure the board is
on board with this because I have to go
[5:38:05] actually through some ordinance changes.
It's a bit of a process.
[5:38:08] I can't just make it happen, right?
[5:38:10] So I just want to make sure the board is
agreeable before I start that process.
[5:38:14] Are you— you're proposing 5 minutes per
side?
[5:38:17] That would be my recommendation.
[5:38:19] Does that include It would be for the
initial presentation.
[5:38:23] Just, just your side, then their side,
then we, we have an unlimited Q&A period.
[5:38:28] You can impose limits for that too.
[5:38:30] Yes.
[5:38:31] But, but I think—
[5:38:32] What about just looking into second
orders?
[5:38:34] That's something else we will be exploring
too.
[5:38:36] Because that's already done and it's—
[5:38:38] we're bringing it up and repeating the
same stuff.
[5:38:41] Yes. At my previous jurisdiction, we
didn't have second hearings,
[5:38:45] so it was just mainly all about our first
hearing.
[5:38:48] So Yeah, that's what I—
[5:38:49] It's something we can look into.
[5:38:50] Yeah, how were their second orders
addressed? The previous— just curious.
[5:38:54] It was—
[5:38:54] Okay, never mind. Laura doesn't like it.
Forget about it.
[5:38:58] Jurisdictions, you know, they'll vary, and
their procedure doesn't mean that, um,
[5:39:04] that is compliant with due process.
[5:39:06] Just because they haven't gotten
challenged doesn't mean that it's
[5:39:11] challenged doesn't mean that it's
compliant.
[5:39:12] So, but what we are— it's Exploring,
[5:39:14] and I did confer with staff as to time
limitations.
[5:39:18] And I'm also conferring with Mary in
regards to your procedures.
[5:39:23] We can't seem to find your latest
procedures that addresses attendance and
[5:39:28] procedures that addresses attendance and
so forth,
[5:39:29] but I am conferring with Mary because any
time limitations are going to come before
[5:39:35] the board as a resolution as to an
amendment of those procedures. Okay.
[5:39:40] Right, we have to approve any changes.
[5:39:42] Yeah, so even if I brought forward changes
in the ordinance,
[5:39:45] you then would have to approve them.
[5:39:46] Yeah, to align with your procedures,
essentially.
[5:39:49] Yeah, is the actual commission, the city
commission,
[5:39:52] do they have to approve any changes we
make?
[5:39:55] If it's an ordinance change, yes.
[5:39:57] If it's— if you're amending the code, yes,
that would go before the commission.
[5:40:01] Thank you.
[5:40:02] But first we need to address it
procedurally with your rules, correct?
[5:40:06] Do you intend Do you expect to make those
code changes rather than just policy
[5:40:11] change?
[5:40:11] Yes, that would be the goal.
[5:40:13] Okay. Yeah, we're exploring that avenue,
[5:40:16] that potentially putting in the code just
for purposes of being available to all
[5:40:21] property owners, you know, on the MUNA
code and so forth. Yeah.
[5:40:25] Would both the capping the first orders
and the proposed time limit have to be
[5:40:31] and the proposed time limit have to be
code
[5:40:31] changes?
[5:40:32] No, the capping is just more of an
internal—
[5:40:34] that's more of a temporary thing to see
how that works for us.
[5:40:37] So just for a time limit. But the time
limit would be a more formal order.
[5:40:40] Yeah, and then we'd probably have to put a
clock up front for them to know when
[5:40:44] they're—
[5:40:44] Right here.
[5:40:44] Oh, pardon me. The advantage— we can't see
your clock.
[5:40:48] What about a timer clock?
[5:40:49] It has a timer on it because that's what
we use for commissions.
[5:40:53] Yeah, it's got lights on it.
[5:40:54] Oh, and lights. Oh, nice. So I could look
at it.
[5:40:56] And I think, aren't they The actual— well,
maybe not here,
[5:41:00] but I know I've watched a lot of
Commission meetings online,
[5:41:04] and there is a cap. They cut you off.
[5:41:07] It just seems like second orders,
[5:41:09] they come in to rehash everything that we
did on the first order.
[5:41:13] Or there's nothing new.
[5:41:15] So I mean, why do the people get to come
in and speak to it? I know.
[5:41:19] It's due process. I've asked the questions
and I've asked if I can cut them off.
[5:41:24] I mean, for lack of a better term.
[5:41:27] And, you know, I've been instructed to try
to say,
[5:41:30] are you contesting the fact that you are
compliant or not?
[5:41:34] But then when they start getting into, you
know, it's kind of a fine line.
[5:41:39] It's kind of a gray area.
[5:41:41] Yes, they have that opportunity to contest
the status of compliance versus
[5:41:47] noncompliance. That's where the kind of
the due process opportunity comes in.
[5:41:53] for why we have second-order hearings,
right?
[5:41:57] Because they may be disputing the city's
finding of noncompliance, right,
[5:42:02] based on what was written on your order,
the order they received.
[5:42:08] I think I recall one homeowner saying that
he had complied, like, by Friday,
[5:42:11] but they didn't come and reinspect until
Monday.
[5:42:13] Yeah. So he was— and sometimes it's that.
[5:42:16] It's the timeline as to the date of actual
compliance.
[5:42:19] So we need to allow for that opportunity
for the property owner to be heard.
[5:42:23] You don't see it, it's not as common,
[5:42:25] that's why you may think that it's not
necessary.
[5:42:28] So would a standardized kind of
terminology or verbiage be a
[5:42:34] good thing for me or whoever the chair is
to implement when it
[5:42:41] is a second order? Am I within boundaries
to say something
[5:42:46] like—
[5:42:47] Get off of the—
[5:42:48] Hang on, let me, let me finish the
thought.
[5:42:51] Change it, then we should be cutting them
off.
[5:42:53] So should we try to create—
[5:42:56] If they're going to talk about something—
[5:42:58] Let me finish.
[5:42:58] Right.
[5:42:59] Well, let me finish my question.
[5:43:02] What if we had something where it's like,
we're here for a second order,
[5:43:07] are you contesting the fact You know,
[5:43:09] you can speak to the fact that if you feel
like you are in compliance,
[5:43:14] otherwise we don't want to hear what you
have to say. Yeah, more eloquently stated.
[5:43:20] In other words, if you have—
[5:43:22] if you have— if you're here to dispute any
of the facts as presented by the city,
[5:43:27] please let us know.
[5:43:29] If not, we're going to move forward with
the process, right? Is that okay?
[5:43:32] Look at the—
[5:43:33] Yeah, I can, I can draft some language
that may be acceptable.
[5:43:38] Wait, and I can say it every single time?
[5:43:40] So we can the chair can say it every
single time that a second—
[5:43:43] Ahead of time, we can kind of let them
know.
[5:43:45] And hopefully, you know, yeah, it could be
announced early in the original.
[5:43:51] Yeah. And if they go on something
irrelevant,
[5:43:54] then maybe we can interrupt and ask the
question to redirect.
[5:43:58] Open a meeting. Relevant.
[5:43:59] Yeah, our procedural—
[5:44:00] Yeah. Excuse me.
[5:44:03] And I don't know if we have it in our
code. I'd have to look. Our code is vast.
[5:44:07] Um, the—
[5:44:10] What we would do is we didn't have the
second hearing,
[5:44:13] and I know you dislike that with a
passion,
[5:44:15] but we did have it in the code that you
could appeal those.
[5:44:18] So say you did feel like you were in
compliance and you wanted to do that,
[5:44:22] you could come back in front of the, the
special magistrate and appeal that,
[5:44:25] that order that was basically, you have to
come into compliance by this time,
[5:44:29] and you didn't come into compliance.
[5:44:31] We put it into record when we start our
hearing.
[5:44:33] And if they want to, after they get an
order from Mary, after that's sent out,
[5:44:37] then you can appeal that if you want to
and come show proof that you actually were
[5:44:42] compliant. Right. But I know that's not—
[5:44:44] Yeah, I mean, I'm— submit a legal request
is what I would tell you. Yeah.
[5:44:48] So that we can, you know,
[5:44:50] obviously do the proper research to be
able to answer whether that alternative
[5:44:54] procedure through an appeal meets due
process. Right?
[5:44:58] And I'm sure the answer to that is like,
it depends.
[5:45:01] The answer— the case law hasn't determined
that, so you're taking a risk.
[5:45:05] Yeah, right. And opening the door for
liability, being the first ones getting
[5:45:10] liability, being the first ones getting
it.
[5:45:10] So yeah, I don't want to obviously say a
yes or no because there probably isn't a
[5:45:15] yes or no answer. Yeah, but yeah, we can
discuss that later.
[5:45:19] Mr. Bergeron, was that everything? Oh, was
everything— go ahead.
[5:45:22] As someone who's been on the other side of
this.
[5:45:26] I, um, many times when you have something
that's complicated, I think, um,
[5:45:33] having a time limit can make one feel like
the deck is stacked against them.
[5:45:40] You've had— you being the City of Largo—
[5:45:43] have had this unlimited amount of time to
put this case together,
[5:45:49] and then someone's coming before you And
you have 5 minutes to explain.
[5:45:55] And before the commission,
[5:45:58] it's 3 minutes on major items unless you
get signatures from 10 more people.
[5:46:04] Now, I know it's not quite as complicated,
[5:46:08] but I don't like the idea of putting
pressure on people and making them feel
[5:46:15] pressure on people and making them feel
like
[5:46:15] the odds are stacked against them.
[5:46:18] Thank you.
[5:46:18] stacked against them.
[5:46:20] I mean, we're— there's what, 7 of us up
here.
[5:46:24] The timing kind of bothers me a little
bit.
[5:46:28] So I would just like to have more
conversations about that.
[5:46:32] I've got to agree because I've testified
in Tallahassee over many years.
[5:46:36] I've testified in front of the commission
here. And—
[5:46:39] Yeah, these are not all professional
people coming up here.
[5:46:42] To be cut off in the middle of an
important
[5:46:46] Presentation made me very mad at some
people in
[5:46:50] Tallahassee.
[5:46:51] They're cutting them off is when they get
talking about things that aren't even—
[5:46:55] Yeah, the goal would be to keep the
meandering to a minimum and stick to the
[5:46:59] meandering to a minimum and stick to the
facts
[5:46:59] and what they're trying to do to achieve
compliance.
[5:47:01] We need to stick on a point.
[5:47:03] There could be some alternative avenues to
do that without placing time limitations.
[5:47:08] I think that's the point.
[5:47:09] Yes, yes.
[5:47:11] Um, and yeah, I mean, we, we can, we can
explore.
[5:47:14] That used to say nothing but the facts,
ma'am.
[5:47:17] Yeah, page 914.
[5:47:21] And the City Commission time limits are
for legislative items, if I'm not
[5:47:26] for legislative items, if I'm not
mistaken.
[5:47:26] I, I may be wrong. So here you have a
quasi-judicial item.
[5:47:30] They're— this is someone's property, their
property rights, right?
[5:47:35] There's a potential for for foreclosure if
it's not homesteaded in the city.
[5:47:40] So there's a lot more at stake
individually.
[5:47:43] But these are all things, right, and the
city also has an interest,
[5:47:47] and we have an interest in kind of
narrowing down the relevant information as
[5:47:52] narrowing down the relevant information as
well,
[5:47:53] instead of going off on things that are
not at issue. And we saw that here today.
[5:47:58] Some of the cases were presenting evidence
for items that were not cited for
[5:48:03] violation, that were not at issue.
[5:48:05] Right. Right.
[5:48:06] So, you know, so the board also has
something to gain in kind of being able to
[5:48:12] narrow things down. But, you know, there's
a—
[5:48:15] maybe time limitations is not the only
thing to consider.
[5:48:18] Maybe it's that and something, you know,
else.
[5:48:21] Subject matter has to remain relevant.
[5:48:23] Yeah.
[5:48:24] Certainly one of us could keep it—
[5:48:25] What if we started at 1:00 instead of
1:30?
[5:48:28] Starting at 1:00 instead of 1:30? Half an
hour difference.
[5:48:32] I mean, that gets me home at 6:30.
[5:48:35] Doesn't make a big deal to me.
[5:48:37] Yeah, I'm just trying to pick up—
[5:48:38] No, I mean, yeah, that was mentioned
before earlier too.
[5:48:41] Yeah.
[5:48:42] I just think we have to be very careful on
limiting again,
[5:48:46] because I've been on the other side.
[5:48:48] And, you know, it's 7 to 1.
[5:48:50] Well, yeah, in limiting the number of
cases we hear,
[5:48:54] instead of the amount of time people are
given would also keep us more on track.
[5:49:00] I think that's a reasonable—
[5:49:01] I think that's a reasonable choice for now
before we go to changing the code or
[5:49:07] anything.
[5:49:08] Yeah, it'll be 21sts and then whatever
second.
[5:49:11] And any seconds or reductions that come
up, 21sts.
[5:49:14] And that gives everybody a little extra
grace.
[5:49:17] And just be mindful, you guys have control
over that as well.
[5:49:20] So you can always change our dates.
[5:49:21] We just try to keep it consistent so like
everybody doesn't Like,
[5:49:24] each individual feels like, hey, we're
doing 30 days for everybody,
[5:49:28] and then we leave it up to you guys. It's
the same thing we do with the 250.
[5:49:31] If you guys want to change that date and
spread them out a little bit, yeah,
[5:49:35] I'm not against that either.
[5:49:36] Right. Um, I would— wanted to mention, um,
how, um,
[5:49:39] I wanted to commend you on how many more
cases that you've been bringing forward
[5:49:44] cases that you've been bringing forward
and
[5:49:45] how there, um, there's more clarity on the
paperwork and things.
[5:49:49] And so I think that's I commend you for
that change in things.
[5:49:53] I think that's very good because, as you
say, compliance, you know,
[5:49:57] compliance is our goal. And I think you've
done a good job.
[5:50:01] A lot of the cases we've been getting
because of the flooding and the storms,
[5:50:06] because Hatton should have done his job 2
years ago.
[5:50:10] But I know you can't say nothing. I don't
care. I'm not getting paid.
[5:50:15] I move to adjourn. Thank you.
[5:50:19] Before we get in trouble.
[5:50:21] Yeah, yeah.
[5:50:21] All right, meeting adjourned, 7:16. Thank
you, folks.
[5:50:24] Thank you all for your time.
[5:50:26] Ice cream's on me if anybody wants some.