Ticket Appeal - Regular Meeting

This opportunity, good morning, to welcome everybody to this meeting. It is the City of Miami's ticket appellate hearing. My name is Dawn Grace Jones and I am the hearing officer slash magistrate assigned to hear these cases. At this time I need everyone to rise please for the Pledge of Allegiance.

I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

Please remain standing to be sworn in.

Please raise your right hand. Do you solemnly swear or affirm that the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

Thank you.

Thank you. Carefully, quietly have a seat, please. These hearings are conducted by a hearing officer magistrate, and the purpose of them is to give the alleged violator the opportunity to appeal the decision of the code enforcement inspector. And that decision resulted in the issuance of a civil violation notice. These hearings are conducted in a quasi-judicial manner, and I am the hearing officer assigned to hear these cases. My responsibility is to act much like a judge in court, that is to hear the evidence in the cases presented by the code enforcement inspectors and then to hear the evidence presented by the alleged violators. Note that these hearings are open to the public. It's required that everyone who's going to testify be placed under oath, and that is what happens. That is the code enforcement inspector as well as the alleged violator. Note that there will be no formal rules of evidence and witnesses used in these hearings. Anything that I find relevant will be admitted. The only thing I ask is that you have a copy for the file. So if the code enforcement inspector or if you have any documentary evidence, you need a copy for the file, please. Each party has the right to call and examine witnesses, to introduce exhibits, to cross-examine, and just find out what's going on. Understand that. And it's my responsibility to make the findings of fact based on the evidence of record. And what I'll determine, I'm limited to, whether the violation occurred and if the person named in the notice can be held responsible for that violation. In order to make a finding upholding the code enforcement inspector's decision, I must find by the preponderance of the evidence, it indicates that the named alleged violator was responsible and that violation did in fact happen. My order will have the penalty amount on it as well as any administrative costs. So a person, either the alleged violator or the code enforcement inspector can appeal my decision. You have 30 days from the issuance of the order to appeal. You would make an application to Miami-Dade Circuit Court Appellate Division. Now, after the code enforcement inspector has presented their case, if you have a hearing, then you will present your case. I will consider all evidence and render a decision. We will now commence with the proceedings. Thank you.

Well, I thought she was making an announcement. Where is she?

We'll start with the settlements at this time.

Go ahead. Okay, page 38, case number 108180, property address 2025 Southwest 23rd Avenue. Good morning.

Good morning. Your names for the record, please.

Ivan Jaruzelski-Vilches. And sir?

Jose Hernandez.

Thank you. So you have an agreement with the city. This is for 1025 Southwest 23rd Avenue, correct?

Yes.

You have an agreement with the city that the violation did occur. You're legally responsible. It's been affirmed. And you've agreed to pay $500. Is that correct? Yes.

We're guilty and we're willing to pay $500. If you want to lower it to $250, I'd highly appreciate it.

Sir, you've agreed to pay $500. Is that correct? Yes. So, order. Thank you, guys.

Thank you.

So, you're going to come up and sign two copies of the order. Come up to the clerk and you'll take one copy and you'll leave one copy.

Next case is page 44. Case number 99300. Property address 3045 Northwest 17th Street. 3045 Northwest 17th Street. Good morning.

Thank you. Good morning. This is for 3045 Northwest 17th Street. Is that correct? Good morning, yes. Good morning. Please state your names for the record.

Gladys Rodriguez Alonzo.

Thank you.

And Rolando Silverman.

Yes, sir. So you guys have an agreement with the city that the violation did occur. You're legally responsible. It's been affirmed. You've agreed to pay $250. Is that correct?

That's correct.

So ordered. Thank you so much. Come up and sign, please.

Thank you. Have a nice day.

Page 47, case number 109123, property address 410 Northeast 52nd Terrace.

The address, 410 Northeast 522. Good morning. Good morning. You should be over here, so please. I'm sorry, they didn't make that clear. So, state your name for the record, please, sir.

Robert Stevens.

Yes, sir. So, you have an agreement with the city. The violation did occur. You're legally responsible, and it's been affirmed. Sir, you've agreed to pay $250, is that correct? Yes. So ordered. Thank you so much. Thank you. Have a nice day. You too.

Come up and sign, please, sir. Thank you.

Right here, sir, to sign off on it.

Page 35, page 41, and page 111 are all for property address 1611 Northwest 51st Terrace. Case number 104338, 104337, and 104336.

We have three to sign. So this is 1611 Northwest 51 Terrace. Is that correct? Correct. Ma'am, what's your name for the record?

Maria Morello.

And what's your affiliation with Haven Villa?

I represent the owner and the property manager.

Property manager. Where's Maria? Hold one second.

They verified my power of attorney.

I understand. All right. Thank you. Thank you. Yes. So, ma'am, you have these agreements with the city. Actually, there are three of them, and I am signing. That's what I'm doing. Starling. Ma'am. Yes. But you have these agreements. I'm going to read them on record properly. One second. The first one would be 00104338. Ma'am, you've agreed that the violation did occur. You're legally responsible. It's been affirmed, and you've agreed to pay $250. Correct. The second one would be 00104337. Same thing. Violation occurred. You agreed you're legally responsible. You've settled for $25. Yes. And finally, 00104336, agreed that the violation did occur.

You're legally responsible. You've agreed to pay $25. Correct. So ordered. Thank you so much.

Come up and sign, please.

Page 101, case number 127663, property address 1722 Northwest 32nd Street.

Good morning.

Thank you, thank you, thank you. Good morning. Sir, your name, please.

Aristides Vargas.

You said Mr. Vargas, right? Yes. Sir, you have an agreement here with the city. The violation occurred. You're legally responsible, and it's been affirmed, and you've agreed to pay $150. Is that correct? That's correct. So ordered. Thank you so much. You're welcome. Come sign, please.

Page 95, case number 126734, property address 746 Northwest 41st Street. Stop blocking the road.

Good morning. Good morning. Your name, please? Cynthia Raffi. Yes, ma'am. So you have this agreement with the city. The violation occurred. You're legally responsible and it's been affirmed. And you've agreed to pay $100. Is that correct? That's correct. So ordered. Thank you so much, ma'am. Come up and sign and take your copy.

Page 23, case number 121003, property address 1256, Northwest 52nd Street. 42nd Street, sorry.

Yes. 1256, Northwest 42nd Street. Good morning.

Good morning. Your name, please, ma'am. Teresa McKenzie.

Uh-oh, I can't hear you well. Right into the mic.

Teresa McKenzie. Thank you, ma'am.

So you have an agreement here with the city. The violation occurred. You're legally responsible. It's been affirmed. You've agreed to pay $250. Is that correct?

Yes, ma'am.

So ordered. Thank you so much.

Come up and sign, please, ma'am. Page 54.

Page 54. Case number 98864, property address 3361 Southwest 25th Street. Okay. Okay, I'll call him next. I'll call him next.

This one is a dismissal by the city. There was definitely a violation, but it's not her responsibility. It's not the property owner's responsibility, so we're dismissing it after we reviewed everything. That's what I wrote on there.

Okay.

Good morning. Ma'am, what's your name, please?

Elena Rivera Mayo.

Thank you, ma'am. So you do have an agreement with the city, but It states that the violation did occur. The person named in the infraction is not legally responsible. And you guys looked at the evidence together and came to that agreement. So this case is dismissed. So ordered. This is good for you, ma'am. You come up and sign, though, and take your copy, right? Okay.

Page 7, case number 122861, address 412 Northwest, North River Drive.

Good morning, sir.

Good morning, how are you?

I'm excellent, how are you?

Good, good.

Good. So you are representing- Yes.

Jacob 1535 Properties, Inc. That's correct.

And that would be 412 Northwest North River Drive.

Yes. So state your name, counsel.

Mickey Marrero, 200 South Biscayne Boulevard, attorney for the alleged violator. Thank you. This document states the violation did occur. That person that's named Jacob 1535 Properties, Inc. is legally responsible, and you've agreed to $250.

Is that correct?

That is correct. Thank you, sir. I need you to come up and sign so ordered. Thank you.

Page 114, case number 130895, property trust 1301 Northwest 61st Street. Good morning. Good morning.

Your name, please?

Arlene Gray.

Thank you, ma'am. Ma'am, you have an agreement with the city that the violation did occur. You're legally responsible. It's been affirmed, and you've agreed to pay $250 to settle. So ordered. Thank you. Come up and sign, please.

Page 77, case number 66769, property address 245 Southwest 49th Avenue.

Good morning.

Hi, good morning. So, what's your name? Rebecca Pena.

Frank Pena. Thank you, thank you. So you have an agreement with the city. The violation did occur. Person named is legally responsible and it's been affirmed. And you've agreed to pay $250. Is that correct?

That is correct.

So ordered.

Thank you. So you're going to come up and sign. Thank you so much.

That's okay. Next case is page 80, case number 95982, property address 3301 Grand Avenue. Good morning.

I need you over here, please. Thank you. I'm sorry it wasn't announced, but everyone should come only to this podium. Thank you so much, ma'am. Good morning again. And your name? Deborah Martin, attorney for Grove Grand. Thank you, ma'am. And this is 3301 Grand Avenue. I have disagreement with the city on behalf of your client that the violation did occur. Person named Gro Grand, LLC, is legally responsible. It's been affirmed, and you've agreed to the $250 settlement. Is that correct? That's correct, ma'am. So ordered. Thank you so much, ma'am. Thank you. Have a good day.

On behalf of your client, you too.

I'm sorry.

Page 33, case number 125024, property address 1730, Southwest 17th Court.

Hi.

Hello.

Hey. State your name for the record, please. Good morning.

Good morning. Barbara Fassett.

Thank you. You want to put your name? Thank you. Thank you. So I have a document here where it's an agreement you have with the city that the violation did occur. The person named is legally responsible. It's been affirmed. And you guys have agreed to pay $250. Is that correct? Correct.

So ordered. Thank you. Come up and sign, please.

Page 50, case number 99675, property address 450 Northwest North River Drive.

Good morning.

Hey, good morning.

My name is Luis Cortez, attorney for the property owner.

River Blues, Inc.? Correct. 450 Northwest North River Drive, right? Correct. So you have an agreement on behalf of your client that the violation did occur. They're legally responsible. That's River Blues, Inc. It's been affirmed. And you've agreed to pay $200. Is that correct? Yes, ma'am. So ordered. Thank you so much.

Thank you. Come sign. Page 103, case number 125433, property address 1050 Northeast Little River Drive.

One moment. I'll be right there, sir. Good morning.

Good morning.

What's your name, sir?

Mark Alvarez.

And you are here for 1050 Northeast Little River Drive?

That is correct.

City? City Attorney?

City Attorney?

Yes.

Hold on a second.

We're on 1050 Northeast Little River Drive.

Do you have the page number on that?

103.

Oh, 103.

103. Okay. 1050.

You know, I didn't look, I assumed, so that could be my problem. You know what that means. Your name, sir?

Mark Alvarez.

Good to go.

Yes, sir.

I mean, I trust it, I should say. He's like, yeah, I'm the owner.

Yes, sir. You have an agreement here with the city that the violation did occur. The person named M-S-M-O-S-A-L-L-C is legally responsible. You've agreed to pay $250. Is that correct, sir?

I did agree. That's correct.

Thank you. So ordered. I need you just to come up and sign and then take your copy. Thank you, sir.

Page 72, case number 90828, property address 1512 Northwest 30th Street. Is it Ma's or Ma's?

Uno mas.

Uno mas. Okay.

That address, 1215 Northwest 30th Street. It's the owner of that property here. 1512. No. 15, page 72.

It's 1512 Northwest 30th Street.

1512. She's over here.

Hey, good morning.

One second.

Ma'am? Good morning. What's your name, please?

Valentin Pasamino.

Okay. City attorney?

Yes.

All right.

This is for 1512 Northwest 30th Street. Good morning.

So, ma'am, you have an agreement with the city that the violation did occur, that you're legally responsible, it's been affirmed, and you agree to pay $250, is that correct?

All right. So ordered. Thank you. Thank you. Come sign.

Two copies. Come sign.

Sir, do you have a case? Oh, he's with her? Okay.

Okay, ma'am. Come sign.

I believe that's it. So the BTR cases that were set for today are being reset to September 18th. They were BTR revocation cases. Address 2663 Northwest 36th Street and address 3496 Northwest 7th Street. Councils for both properties were already notified that they're not here. I told them they didn't have to come. I would let you know they won't be set in August because we're not here in August. They'll be September 18th. is our next date. So that's what we have for that. Other than that, I guess we'll go over everything else and that's it.

What are you going over?

And I'm going to say that it's supervisor inspector, our buddy right here, Russell Hernandez, must be why this went so quick today. He's our good luck charm. Yeah, because Ricky Frankie's not here. So it went smoothly today.

Oh, wow.

On the record.

So we'll call up the no-shows, and anything that's a no-show is just automatically upheld.

Yeah, go ahead.

Page seven, case number 122861, property. They were here.

Oh, that's fine.

Okay.

Page seven with you. Give me. Yep. Give me one minute, please. Did we settle it?

That was Mr. Marrero. Yeah, the noise one from Mr. Marrero.

Okay. Okay.

Two-minute recess. Okay.

you

Thank you.

Listen, listen. You're so funny.

Ready. Case number 121270, page 10. Property trust 2644 Northwest 22nd Court, no show. Page 13, case 120-984, property address 393 Northeast 81st Street, no show. Page 15, case 120-988, address 893 Northeast 81st Street, no show. Case 120-986, page 17, property address 893 Northeast 81st Street, no show. Page 19, case 121247, address 393, Northeast 81st Street, no show. Page 21, case 12646, address 693, Northeast 81st Street, no show. Yeah, that's it. That's it. That's it.

That concludes the no-shows, which are automatically upheld.

Anything else?

Any more business?

These hearings are adjourned.