Special Magistrate - Regular Meeting

No problem.

Okay. How is the agenda looking for today?

Oh, it's not too bad. We've got a couple of mitigations. Let's see. We got 19.

Okay.

Coming in. And we're ready to get rolling. Ready to start. I'm ready. All right, thank you. Let everyone in. Recording in progress. Hello. Does everybody hear me?

I can hear you.

Yes. Okay, Your Honor. That seems to be everybody for now.

Okay, great. Okay, good afternoon everyone and Happy New Year. My name is Attorney Regine Monestine. I am the Special Magistrate for the Village of North Bay. We are happy conducting our code enforcement hearing. This hearing is conducted pursuant to chapter 162 of the Florida statutes. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply. Fundamental due process will be observed and shall govern these proceedings. I will hear testimony from the code inspector and the alleged violator that I deemed competent and relevant. All witnesses and parties offering testimony must be sworn in. The village will present its case first, and then the alleged violator will have an opportunity to present their case as well. At the conclusion of this presentation, I will announce a decision and issue a written order thereafter. If you are found guilty, you will be ordered to comply with the code within a certain time. If you do not do so, you may be fined up to $250 per day for the first violation and $500 for repeat violations. If you desire to appeal my order, you may do so by filing a notice of appeal with the clerk of courts in Miami-Dade County, and you have 30 days within which to do so. At this time, Madam Clerk, please swear everyone in, and then you may call your first case.

Everyone on this call who's given a testimony, please turn on your cameras and raise your right hand. Please turn on your cameras. Everyone turn on your cameras, please. So you swear that your testimony will be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So I hope you got it.

Yes, I do. I do.

Thank you. Case number 08617, property address 7904 West Drive, Unit 1002. Owner, Cassandra Bossier. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, work commenced without the required permits for modeling the kitchen and bathroom. Inspect on this case, Maria Tovar.

Good afternoon, Maria Tovar, Court Enforcement Officer. This is a new case. On October 28th, 2025, this property was found doing work without the required permit of kitchen renovation and bathroom sink. But you think having a $250 citation was giving a notice was sent to the owner and also posted on the property. I spoke to the owner over the phone and she stated that she didn't know that a permit was required for that kind of work that she was doing. I recommend calling the building department to get more information on the type of permit that she needed to comply with the violations. The original citation was paid. She has been in communication back and forth through email with the building department. And a package application was submitted, but it was incomplete and it was not accepted for processing. So at this time, there's not a permit application on file. So we are recommending to obtain the necessary permit to comply with this violation. And for the fines of $250, her day beginning today until she come into compliance and to come back as needed.

Okay. Is there anyone here for this case?

Yes. Ms. Cassandra?

I am here for this case. Thank you for the opportunity. I agree with everything that Mrs. Tovar said. It is completely accurate. The part that I would like to say is that we are in the process of actually getting all of those permits, there was an email that was sent on January 20th, 2026 at 2.18 p.m. that was sent that is titled, and I can read it, Permit Application for 7904 West Drive, Unit 1002, North Bay Village, 33141. And it comes from the building clerk for North Bay Village. And copied on this email is to code at northbayvillage.com. And it says that, good afternoon. I've received the documents and have a following comments. Cost affidavit should no job per trade. Okay, hold on.

Hold on one second. So you don't have to read the entire email.

Oh, it's really short.

Hold on, ma'am.

I'm sorry.

Okay. So- Before we get into that, just state your name and your relationship to the property.

I'm Cassandra Bossier. I'm the property owner.

Okay. So you agreed with the village's sentiments. Apparently you are in the process. How much time do you need?

Well, we're waiting to hear back from the village decision on the permits.

Here's what we're going to do. We're going to move this until next hearing. Okay. This is a new case. I'm not going to fine you today. Okay. Give you an opportunity to remedy this, and hopefully before the next hearing, you will do so.

Okay. Of course I will. Of course. Thank you so much. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Have a good night. Thank you.

Bye-bye.

Case, please.

Case number 241101, property address 1881 Kennedy Causeway, owner of the Bridgewater Tower Condominium Association, Inc., in violation of Code Section 8.17J1 and 2 of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, building maintenance violation. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez. Yes.

Good afternoon, Your Honor. Orlando Rodriguez, for the record, Code Enforcement Director here for North Bay Village. The property address and the violation was as read from the clerk. As a recap, Your Honor, this case was before you last hearing, November 20th, 2025, where the property was ordered to comply with this violation. They were granted until this hearing to come back for status report. At that time, fines per day were running $250 per day. 183 days at that point for $45,750. As an update, I did communicate with the property manager, Mr. Diaz. He does remain proactive in getting this fixed. As you recall, last hearing he was required to submit a settlement study for that parking garage that the building official felt that was needed that assessment just to make sure before they move on with the structural repair permit. So they went ahead and finalized that, which is great, and they submitted it. So it's under review again, and hopefully by next hearing they should be good to go with that permit. So our recommendation right now is for the property to comply with that as soon as they can. As of today, fines have been running for 246 days, a total of $61,500, and we'd just like to see them back next year.

Okay. And is there anyone here for this property?

Usually Mr. Diaz is here. Don't see him this afternoon. Maybe he got tied up.

All right. I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation. Thank you so much. Thank you.

Case number 5350, property address 7511 Coquina Drive, owner Muhammad Hussain N.W. Jessamine, In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, work performed without the required permits, new kitchen at the rear of the property, a new porch, a roof, and electrical work done. Inspect on this case, Maria Tovar.

Good afternoon, Maria Tovar, Court Enforcement Officer. This property came before you last on November 2025, and it was found to be in violation. 30 days were given to come into compliance. The property has been accumulated fines of $250 per day since June 26, 2025, for 211 days for a total of $52,750. Since the last hearing, we have not heard from the owner and all the permit applications to legalize to legalize the unpermitted work still pending since October 6, 2026, pending some documentation from the contractor to be resubmitted. So we are recommending to obtain the necessary permit to comply with the violation to continue accumulating I find that $250 per day that has been accumulated since June 26, 2025 for the total of $52,500 until they come into compliance and to return for an update.

Okay. Is anyone here?

No, I don't see anybody from the property.

Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the religious recommendation. Thank you. Thank you.

Case number 08015. I'm sorry, 051. Property address 7929 West Drive, Unit 402. Owner, Gila Renee Azevar. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, work performed without the required permits remodeled two bathrooms that required building, electrical, and plumbing permits. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Good afternoon again, Your Honor. Orlando Rodriguez, for the record. This case was also before you last hearing, November 20th, 2025. Property was ordered to obtain those permits to comply with the violation. At that point in time, fines of $250 per day had been running for 148 days. Total of $37,000. Fines are ordered to continue for the property to return today. Last hearing, Mr. Denny, their contractor representing the owner, was here. He's back again this afternoon. He indicated he would be submitting those documents. However, he has not been able to process those quite yet. However, he mentioned that he still continues to work on getting the documents to submit. I can let him elaborate. As of now, our recommendation is for the property to comply as soon as they can. As of today, fines are at $52,750, 211 days. We'd like to see property come back next hearing and for the fines to continue.

Okay. And is he here?

Yes, I'm here. Good afternoon. Mr. Dennis Lopez.

Okay. Please state your name for the record and your relationship to the property.

Yes. I'm Dennis Lopez. I work with the contractor who will be doing all the stuff. And also, I'm a friend of the owner.

Hold on one second. Do we have authority for this gentleman to speak on behalf of the owner? Yes, you are. Okay. Okay, so do you have any objection to the village's recommendation?

No, no, no, no, no. Actually, well, my answer right now, the contractor is out of the country and I was out of town a few weeks ago. So I contacted RONER to do all the permits because we already have all the paperwork. But I understand that right now it was a really huge misunderstanding. So I'm going to find out what's going on with all the submittals, and I will do it hopefully next week. Okay.

Sounds good.

Thank you so much. Thank you. Thank you. Bye.

Case number 221201. Property address 7904 West Drive. Owner, Bayshore Yacht and Tennis Club Condos. In violation of post section 151.20A of the North Bay Village Code of Ornishes. Failure to obtain recertification of buildings and components. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Good afternoon again, Your Honor. Orlando Rodriguez for the record. This case was also before you last hearing, November 20th. Property is ordered to obtain their certification as soon as they can. At that point, fines have been running for 974 days, total of $243,500. Fines are ordered to continue and for them to return for a status report. As we reported last hearing, Your Honor, they did obtain that structural repair permit. So they have been working every day on getting those repairs done to the exterior. They have the swings installed and they've been working all through the phasing through each tower. So they're progressing well. We're just continuing to monitor that progress. So our recommendation is for the property to comply as soon as they can. As of today, fines have been running for 1,037 days. $259,250. We'd ask for the fines to continue and for property return for status report. Usually the board president is here. Ms. Mona, I don't not see her this afternoon.

Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation. Thank you.

Thank you.

Case number 08065, property address 1770, 79th Street Causeway, owner, North Bay White House Association, number 4, Inc., in violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, were performed without the required permits, installed hydraulic power unit, new controller, and a mini-split AC unit. Inspect on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Absolutely, Your Honor. If you may recall, last hearing we heard this property with the three other properties because they're all under the same owner. So if you don't mind, I'll just have the clerk read it after I'm done. And I'll provide this update just for all four of the buildings. This case was before you last hearing as well. These four properties on November 20th The property is ordered to comply with these violations. Fines were running at that point for 92 days, $23,000. Fines are ordered to continue and for them to return today. I did speak with Mr. Joel, the owner of American Elevator this week. He is working with all the main association in all four buildings, um, with, with, they each have their own individual board. So it's been a little challenging for him to, uh, get everybody on board to use the same contractor, same electrician, stuff like that. He's kind of acting as their clerical person, uh, on behalf of the buildings. Uh, he says he's working as much as he can to get this done. You know, however, it's just been a challenge getting everyone on the same page. Um, but he is working on it. So our recommendation is for the property to comply as soon as they can. Fines have been running at this point for 155 days, total of $38,750. We'd like for the fines to continue and for property to return.

This is great. I mean, all right, can I say I'm the property manager of Valentina's Cubano.

Okay, okay. And do you have any objections to the village's recommendation?

Well, I just want to make things clear. We started managing maybe two months ago. so this elevator company um did two elevator mods to the property which is understandable um and they're the ones who got their own electrician and on everything i don't know where he's coming from saying that it's hard to get an electrician i mean they already did the job it was working without a permit he told me that he just had to get a permit from miami-dade county that he didn't know about north bay village So, I mean, I'm just a little confused because now I hear the inspector saying that we got to get an electrician. The work has been done. He's just getting a permit for work that he did without a permit with North Bay Village. Can the inspector clarify that? Because I'm totally confused now.

Hey, sir, this case has been going on for quite a few months already. I haven't met you. If you're new to the property, welcome to the village. I'd love to meet with you. Feel free to come by the office. get my information on our website and I can catch you up to speed on how to get this. Basically, what you're getting are apps. You're correct. The work is done. However, now you need to hire professionals to validate the work that was done. That's what I mean when you need to find new professionals that everyone has to agree on to hire. Feel free to give me a call. Leonardo, which is the board president. I'm sure you know him. He hired you. He could catch up to speed as well.

Yeah, tonight we have a meeting tonight, so we'll talk about today's hearing. Perfect.

Great. So we're going to go ahead and I'm going to accept the village's recommendation and we'll see you at the next meeting. Thank you so much for coming.

Perfect. Thank you. Yes, Mr. Clerk, if you could just read the properties into the record and then we'll move on with number 10. Thank you.

Case number 08063, property address 1790 79th Street, Causeway. Owner, North Bay White House Association, number 2, Inc. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, work performed without the required permits, installed a hydraulic power unit, new controller, and a mini-split AC. Inspector on this case, Maria Tobar. Case number 08066, property address 1780, 79 Sheet Causeway, owner, North Bay White House, Association No. 3, Inc. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, work performed without the required permits to install a hydraulic power unit and a new electrical controller for the elevator. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez. Case number 08062, property address, 1879 Shea Causeway, owner, North Bay White House Association, number one, Inc. In violation of post section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, we're performing without the required permits to install a hydraulic car unit and a new electrical controller for the elevator. Inspect on this case, Maria Tover. Okay, and then... Case number 210723, property address 7920 East Drive, owner of Bell Isle Condominium Association, Inc., in violation of Code Section 151.20A of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, valid to attain recertification of buildings and components. Inspect on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

All right, Your Honor. Bell Isle Condominium, Mr. Augustine. If you're there, if you could turn on your camera. Your Honor, we're happy to announce, I know, I don't know if you recognize this gentleman. He's been here about two and a half years. Absolutely. And we can finally say that he's in compliance today. Oh my goodness.

Great.

The building has recertified, which is excellent. The residents know it's safe and they've complied with the code. So we're happy to announce that we've settled with them for the outstanding fines. They will pay the village a one-time fine of $15,000 payable within 30 days. If not, it'll revert back to the original amount, just pending your approval.

Wonderful. Well, I'm so happy to hear that, Augustine. I'm sad that I won't see you anymore, but that's good news. So I'm going to, do you accept the villages?

Yeah, I accept the village settlement.

Yeah, I appreciate for your time, for your patience.

And for work diligent with us. Thank you very much for everything.

I'm so happy to hear that. Okay. Have a good day. Thank you so much.

Thank you.

Thank you very much.

Case number 08619, property address 7925 West Drive, owner Valley View, right, LLC, in violation of code section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code. Work commenced without the required permits and installed a new mini split AC unit. Inspector on this case, Maria Tovar.

Good afternoon, Maria Tovar, court enforcement officer.

This is a new case. This property was found doing work without a required permit by installing a mini-sleep unit. A citation of $250 was given. Notice was sent and certified to the owner of the property and also to the registry agents. It was also posted on the property. I spoke to Mr. Jorge Alai. He is the property manager for the company. He said he's going to take care of this. But as of now, a premium packet application was received by the building department. It was incomplete, so it was not effective for processing. So at this time, they don't have any applications submitted. I'm citation or yes, addition was paid. So we are recommending for them to attend the necessary permit to comply with the violations. And for the $250 fine to begin running today, and to come back as needed.

Okay, is there anyone here? No. Okay, I'm gonna go ahead and accept the villages recommendation. Thank you.

Case number 211215, property address 1666, Kennedy Causeway, owner Causeway Tower, LLC, in violation of Code Section 151.20A of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, valid to attain recertification of buildings and components. Inspect on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Yeah, I've seen it again, Your Honor. Orlando, for the record, North Bay Village Code Director. This case was also before you last hearing. November 20th, property was ordered to obtain their certification as soon as they could. Fines at that point had been running for 1,223 days, total of $305,750. Fines ordered to continue for the property to return. As an update, we announced last hearing that the property did get the permit issued for the parking garage. They have been working every day at the parking garage getting that done. So we have some good progress there. One second. Excuse me. So we've been in communication with the contractor, Orestes. He's fall parking. Perhaps they should be done hopefully maybe by June, July. So they are working. Our recommendation is for the property to comply as soon as they can. At this point, fines have been running for 1,314 days, total of $320,500. We'd ask for the fines to continue and for the property to return. And another familiar face is back, Mr. Richmond, representing the property.

Okay. Mr. Richmond, go ahead. Just for the record, state your name and your relationship to the property and let me know if you have any objection to the visitor's recommendation.

You're muted, Frank.

My name is Frank Richman. I'm commercial property manager of Causeway Tower. And I agree.

Okay.

Okay. Well, we are inching our way towards completion. So I hope to have this resolved soon. We'll see you next time.

So do we. Okay. Thank you so very much. You have a wonderful afternoon, everyone. You do the same. Bye. Thank you.

Case number 250341, property address 150879 Street Causeway, owner has realty LLC in violation of Code Section 8.17J and 1 of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, building maintenance and standards violation. Inspector on this case, Maria Tovar.

You have to know it's a lot of what's going on. This probably came before you left on November 20 20 25. It was found to be a lot of patients. Any day was even to the comments of the blind. The probably has been a few of your clients also want them to get off for a day. He's up when he was 20 2590. for a total of 22,750. As of today, no permit application has been submitted and the property is still in the same condition. No communication with us from the property owner. We are for them to sign the necessary permit to comply with the violation. for the fines that have been accumulated on the property to continue to accumulate until they come into compliance and to come back at the next hearing for the report.

Is anyone here for the property? No, I don't see anybody here. Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation. Thank you.

Case number 08068, Property address 7520 West Treasure Drive. Owner 7520 West Treasure LLC. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, work performed without the required permits installed two wine piles and two electrical jet ski lifts in the rear of the property. Respect on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Good afternoon again, Your Honor. Orlando Rodriguez, North Bay Village Code Director. This property was also before your last hearing, November 20th. Property was ordered to comply with the violation, fines of 250 per day had been running at that point for 127 days, total of $31,750. As an update, we do not have any permit applications for this property. The lifts are still installed in the seawall in the rear of the property, either pending to be legalized or removed by the owner. We have not received any communication from him or updates. I did go by and inspect the property and they do remain installed in the rear. At one point, he had mentioned that he was contemplating just having them removed and having them installed in the future with a permit. But there's been no action there. So our recommendation is for the property to comply as soon as they can. As of today, fines have been running for 127 days, $31,750. We ask for the fines to continue and for the property to return for a status report. I don't see the representative here this afternoon. Mr. Sylvia.

Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation. Thank you.

Thank you.

Case number 250743, property address 7410 Beachview Drive, owner life is so 7410 LLC, in violation of co-section 94.02D and 3 of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, derelict vehicles are prohibited on the property. In violation of co-section 94.02D, 1C and 1 of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, open air storage and residential area. And Section 8.16J of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, building maintenance violation, roof soffit needs repair. And expected on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Good afternoon again, Orlando Rodriguez. Your Honor, we're happy to report this case complied before the hearing and Mr. Garland denied the property owner was able to reach a settlement for the outstanding fines he's going to pay the village mitigated fine amount of $700 payable within 30 days. Or if not, it will revert back to the original amount and be recorded as a lien on the property just pending your approval.

Okay. Is he here?

No.

Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's settlement. Thank you.

Case number 08074, property address 1819 through 1855, 79th Street Causeway, owner 1819 MDV, owner LLC, in violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code. A new canopy roof was installed over the rear deck of the restaurant without the required permits. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Yes, and again, Orlando Rodriguez, North Bay Village Co-Director. Property was also before you last hearing, November 20th. Property is ordered to comply with the violations and property is ordered to begin accruing fines of $250 per day as of that day. They were asked to return today for a status report. As of last hearing, we did report that the property owner, Ms. Ali, had retained a gentleman named Kirk from Ocean Consulting to assist her in resolving this issue. It was reported that Kirk had already reached out to DERM to begin the process of legalizing that canopy. The property needs to enter into a consent agreement with DERM. And that agreement has been sent to them in December. I did contact Ali and she forwarded me an email where I confirmed that Durham did receive that. And as of the 16th of December last month, Durham indicates that they were still under review for that permit. So that's how it's pending today. Recommendations for the property to comply with this as soon as they can. As of today, fines have been running since last year in 64 days. A total of $16,000. We'd ask for the fines to continue and for the property to return for an update. I don't see any representatives here.

Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation.

Thank you.

Case number 5338. property address 7431 Volcano Drive, owner Troy Scott Eldridge and Victoria C.S. Eldridge, in violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, were performed without the required permits, removed old driveway, and installed a new gravel driveway. Respect on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Accident again. Your Honor, Orlando Rodriguez. In this case, it came before you May 22nd of last year. The property was ordered to obtain their necessary permits. They were throwing fines at that time, $250 per day, a total of 120 days, $30,000 at that point. The fines were ordered to continue until they came into compliance and the hearing was rescheduled. As an update, since the last hearing, we have continued to not have any communication with the owner. He has not reached out to the city, nor has he submitted any permit application. The tenants he has on the property in the home has confirmed to me that the owner is aware of the situation. However, it's just non-communicative. So the recommendation is for the property to comply with the necessary permits. The property has been approved by the 250 per day since January 23rd, 2025, 365 days, total of $91,250 as of today. we would like to cap the fines, just report a lien on the property. And once the property is in compliance, they can request a litigation hearing.

Okay. And you said no one's there, correct? No, you're on. Okay. We're going to go ahead and accept the religious recommendation. Thank you.

Case number 6895, property address 7909 East Drive, Unit 203. Owner, June F. Cohen. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, work commenced without the required premise. AC mini-split was replaced and electrical work was done on the electrical panel on a Saturday. Respect on this case. Maria Tovar.

Good afternoon, Maria Tavares, Court Enforcement Officer. This property came before you last on May 22nd, 2025. It was voted to obtain the necessary permit to comply with the violation. This property has been accumulated fines of $250 per day since August 15th, 2024 for 526 days for the total of $131,500. We have no communication with the owner. So we are recommending for this property to obtain the necessary permit to comply with the work done. The fines are $250 per day that has been accumulated since August 13, 2024 for 526 days for a total of $131,500. So today should be capped and recorded as the lien on the property. And once they comply, a hearing can be requested to meet the fines.

Okay.

And Mr. June, I see Mr. June here.

You said he's here? Yeah, I'm here. Okay. Go ahead and please state your name, your relationship to the property, and then let me know whether you have any objection to the Villagers' Recommendation.

My name is Mark Clayton. I'm June's partner. And I have no objections. We're still working on the permit. We have the electrical portion of it ready to go, but I can't send, I can't apply just portion of it. I've got to apply both.

Yeah. Okay. Thank you so much.

We're continuing to work on it.

Yeah.

You know, hopefully we'll get it done here in the next month or two.

Absolutely. Absolutely. Continue to work with the village in that regard.

Okay. Thank you much.

Thank you so much.

Take care.

Case number 5336, property address 1865, 79th Street, Causeway, 16-0. Owner, Randolph Martz. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Business Code. Work commenced without the required permits. A new bathroom was installed with a sink and cabinets. Inspecting this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Okay, Your Honor. This is the last case. This also was before you. May 22nd, 2025, property was ordered to obtain their permits. Property had been accruing fines at that time for 92 days, total $23,000. Property was ordered for the fines to continue and for them to return for a status report when we reschedule. As an update, the property owner, Mr. Randy, has not communicated with us, doesn't answer text messages, stuff like that. He does not apply for any permits at this point. So our recommendation is for the property to obtain that permit as soon as they can. As of today, fines have been running for 337 days, total of $84,250. We just ask for those fines to be kept as of today, be reported as a lien. And once the property's in compliance, we'll go ahead and schedule them for mitigation. And Mr. Randy's not here again.

Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the permit as a recommendation. Thank you.

problem. Your honor, that does it for our agenda.

Okay, great. Thank you so much.

All right. Have a great afternoon.

Have a great day. Have a good weekend.

Thank you.

Take care.

Bye-bye.

Recording stopped.