HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes_Special Master_05/29/2003
TEQUESTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
357 Tequesta Drive
Post Office Box 3273
Tequesta, Florida 33469-0273
Phone: (561) 575-6210
Fax: (561) 575-6218
Stephen J. Allison
Chief of Police
VILLAGE OF TEQUESTA
`SPECIAL' SPECIAL MASTER CODE ENFORCEMENT HEARING
MINUTES
May 29, 2003
PRESENT: Special Master David Schmidt; Code Enforcement Officer Sy Steinsaltz;
Recording Secretary Betty Laur.
The hearing was called to order at 9:00 A.M.
• A.
Violation Hearing:
Case No. 03-98466
Hattie I. Siegel
498 Dover Road
Tequesta, Florida 33469
Legal: Jupiter in the Pines
Section B IN
60-42-40-25-06-015-0060
Violation of Code of Ordinances,
Chapter 10, Section 10-17,18,19 -
Excess Accumulation and Unlawful
Growth
The Respondent, Hattie I. Siegel, was not present at the hearing. Findings of
Fact were that the Respondent, Hattie I. Siegel, is the owner of the subject
property and that Respondent was properly notfied of the date and time
established for the hearing. Sworn testimony was presented by Tequesta
Code Enforcement Officer Sy Steinsaltz, Jim Humpage, and Russell von
Frank. Photographs were entered into evidence and the clerk recorded all
exhibits introduced into evidence. The Special Master took notice of the Order
Finding Violations dated November 29, 1999, and Order Imposing Fine dated
May 20, 2003, both entered in Case No. 98-18198. This case dealt with the
same Respondent, the same property, and the same violations. The Special
`Special' Special Master Hearing
May 29, 2003
Page 2
Master found that the Village had sustained its burden of proof and shown by
substantial competent evidence that violations of its code did occur and
continue to exist and that there was and is the existence of excessive
accumulations and untended growth of weeds, undergrowth, or other dead or
living plant I'rfe, and the respondent's parcel of land is infested with rodents,
vermin and wild animals all of which do threaten the public health, safety and
welfare and which may reasonably cause disease, and adversely affects and
impairs the economic welfare of adjacent property. While the Village alleged
this to be a repeat violation, the Special Master found this to be a continuing
violation of the Order Finding Violations dated November 29, 1999, which
found that pursuant to Chapter 10, Section 10-17, the Respondent's parcel
was declared to be a public nuisance, and that based upon the evidence and
testimony presented it remains a public nuisance. The Special Master found
that Respondent has permitted rubbish, trash, debris, dead trees, and other
unsanitary and unsightly conditions to remain on the premises and has not
maintained her property in either a safe or sanitary condition and that these
factors/violations present a serious threat to the public health, safety, and
• welfare.
Conclusion of law is that the Respondent is in violation of Code Section 10-17
and Code Section 10-18 of the Code of Ordinances of the Village of Tequesta.
Special Master Schmidt ordered that the fines imposed by the Order Imposing
Fines dated May 20, 2003, in Case No. 98-18198, shall remain in effect and
shall continue to accrue until such time as the Respondent shall bring each
item into compliance. Special Master Schmidt ordered that all costs- incurred
in prosecuting these cases which have accrued subsequent to the
Supplemental Order entered in Case No. 98-18198 are hereby imposed upon
the Respondent, who shall have until June 15, 2003, to pay same. A
Supplemental Order will be issued when these costs are verified to the Special
Master. Respondent shall notify the Village of Tequesta as each violation is
corrected so that the appropriate Code Enforcement Officer, as well as any
consultants for the Village, have an opportunity to view the premises and to
certify compliance. Pursuant to Section 2.96, the Special Master found that
the violations present a serious threat to the public health, safety and welfare.
The Village may make all reasonable repairs which are required to bring the
property into compliance and charge the Respondent with the reasonable cost
of repairs along with the fines imposed previously. The Respondent shall have
until 5 p.m. on Monday, June 2, 2003 to bring the property into compliance
before the Village may exercise this right.
Special Master Hearing
May 29, 2003
Page 3
The meeting was adjourned at 9:20 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Betty Laur
Recording Secretary
ATTEST:
Code Enforcement OfFicer
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