Special Magistrate - Regular Meeting

Good afternoon.

Good afternoon. You want to let everyone in? Good afternoon. Oh, yeah.

Good afternoon. All right. Let's do it. Let me hit record.

Recording in progress.

You're on it for now. That is all we have.

Oh, it's a short. Yeah. Okay.

Somewhat. Yeah. But yeah, some other folks usually here could make it as soon as that people started traveling early.

Oh, got it. Yeah. Okay. Well, we are ready to go. Yes. So everyone's in. Okay. Wonderful. Okay, good afternoon, everyone. My name is Regine Monassim. I am the special magistrate for this afternoon's hearing. Welcome to the North Bay Village Code Enforcement Hearing. This hearing is conducted pursuant to Chapter 162 of the Florida statutes. Formal rules of evidence shall not apply, but fundamental due process shall be observed and shall govern the 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. The alleged violator will have an opportunity to examine as well as cross-examine the religious witness. At the conclusion of the presentation, I will announce a decision. and issue a written order thereafter. If you are found guilty of the village code, you will be ordered to comply within a certain time. If you do not do so, you may be fined up to $250 per day for the first violation and up to $500 per day 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. You will have 30 days within which to do so. At this time, Madam Clerk, please swear everyone in who will be testifying and then you may call your first case.

Good afternoon. If you're going to give a testimony, please turn on your camera. Okay. Do you swear that your testimony will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God?

I do.

Thank you. Case number 250303, property address 7529 Mutiny Avenue. In violation of Code Section 8.15J and 1 of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, building maintenance and standards violation. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Good afternoon, Your Honor. Orlando Rodriguez for the record. Code Enforcement Director, North Bay Village. We're happy to report this case complied before the hearing. We reached an agreement for mitigation. They agreed to pay the village a one-time payment of $1,387.50 within the next 30 days. If not, the amount will revert back to the original amount and be reported as a lien on the property just pending your approval. The owner said he wouldn't be here this afternoon. Oh, I think it muted, Your Honor.

Apologies. So approved. Thank you. Okay. Thank you.

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.

Yeah, it's him again, Orlando Rodriguez, for the record. Yeah, I know this case was before you last hearing, October 23rd. Property was ordered to comply with the violations, and there had been accruing fines of $250 per day at that point for 155 days, total of $38,750. Fines ordered to continue for them to return today. Last hearing, Mr. Diaz was here. Omar Diaz, the property manager. It seems like he didn't make it this afternoon. As an update, he continues to address the issues there. He was actually able to find a vendor to And he even signed the contract with them. So he thinks that that settlement study should be done in the next couple of weeks so they could go ahead and get the permit. Our recommendation is for the property to comply as soon as they can. Fines as of today have been running for 183 days, a total of $45,000 instead of $150,000. We'd ask for the fines to continue and for the property to return as needed. Okay. Mr. Diaz is not here.

He's not here? Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation. Thank you.

Thank you. Case number 5350, property address 7511 Coquina Drive, owner Muhammad Hossain N.W. Chessman, in violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code. were performed without the required permits, new kitchen at the rear of the property, a screen porch, and a roof and electrical work. Inspector on this case, Maria Tovar.

Good afternoon, Maria Tovar, Court Enforcement Officer. This property came before you last on October 23, 2025. It was found to be in violations and 30 days was given to attend the necessary permit to comply with the violations. The property has been accumulated fines of $250 per day since June 26, 2025, for 148 days, for a total of $37,000. Last time they were here, they had submitted all the permits needed to comply with the violations, but they were pending some documentation requested by the building department to complete the review process. Today, they're still in the same condition. They haven't resubmitted the paper that they needed to comply. So we are recommending for them to obtain the necessary permit to comply with the violations for the fines to continue accumulating until they come to compliance. And they come back the next hearing if needed.

Okay. Is anyone here?

No, I don't see anybody here.

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

Case number 08051, property address 7929, West Drive, Unit 402, owner Jilla Renee Azabal. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, where performed without the required permits, remodeled two bathrooms that required building, electrical, and plumbing permits. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Excellent. Again, Your Honor, Orlando for the record, Northview Village Code. This case was also before you last hearing, October 23rd. Property was ordered to obtain their permits to comply. At that point, fines of $250 per day had been running for 120 days, total of $30,000. Fines are ordered to continue for them to return today. Last hearing, Mr. Denny's indicated that he was working on the paperwork for the permits. He's back again this afternoon representing the owner. We spoke this week again, and he stated that he has all the items to submit for the permit this week. I'm not sure if he's done so already, if we will do tomorrow. but he could update us. Our recommendation is for the property to comply with these permits as soon as they can. As of today, fines have been running for 148 days, $37,000. We'd ask for the fines to continue and for the property to return next hearing. We have the contractor, Mr. Denny's, here this afternoon.

Okay, sir, please state your name and your relationship to the property for the record.

Yes, I'm Dennis Lopez. We were working with a contractor who is doing the paperwork.

Do you accept the village's recommendation?

Yes, yes. Actually, we already have the paperwork. I'm not close to the city, but I'll be here. I'll be there on Monday, Tuesday, presenting all the paperwork for the permits. Okay, wonderful.

Okay, so thank you so much for coming, and I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation.

Thanks. Thank you. Thank you, sir.

Case number 221201, property address 7904 West Drive, owner, Bayshore Yacht and Tennis Club Condo. In violation of Code Section 151.20A of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, failure to obtain recertification of buildings and components. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Yes, and again, Your Honor. Orlando, for the record, North Bay Village Code Director. This case is also before your last hearing. October 23rd, property was ordered to obtain their building certification. The property had been accruing fines at that point for 946 days, total of $236,500. Those fines are ordered to continue in front of the return today. As we reported in the last hearing, that building did obtain their structural repair permit and the work has already commenced. They have swing stages in place and they're going and doing all the exterior restoration. Ms. Mona, on behalf of the board, we spoke today. She actually told me that they went ahead and added another swing stage so they could go ahead and work in two areas simultaneously to expedite the work. So that's great. We'll continue to monitor that for their progress. At this point, our recommendation is for them to comply and obtain their certification as soon as they can. As of today, FINE's been running for 974 days. Total $243,500. We'd ask for the fines to continue and for the property to return for the next year. And again, we have Ms. Mona here of Saxony representing Bayshore.

Okay. Ma'am, please state your name, your relationship to the property, and let me know whether you object to the village's recommendation.

Good afternoon, Your Honor. My name is Mona. Last name is Issa, and I'm the president of Bayshore Yacht and Tennis Club, and I do agree to the recommendation of the village. Thank you very much.

Okay. Thank you so much for coming. We'll see you next time.

Thank you. See you next time.

Thank you. Thank you. Ms. Clerk, if you could read the next four cases in a row. It's all the same update, same owner as we did last time.

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, where it performed without the required permits to install a hydraulic power unit, new controller, and a mini split AC unit. Inspecting on this case, Orlando Rodriguez. Case number 08063, property address 1790 79th Street Causeway, owner North Bay White House Association, number two, Inc., in violation of code section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code. Work performed without the required permits. Install hydraulic power unit, new controller, and a mini split AC unit. Inspector on this case, Maria Tovar. Case number 08066, property address 1780, 79th Street Causeway. Owner, North Bay White House Association, number three, Inc., In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, work performed without the required permits installed a hydraulic power unit and a new electrical controller for the elevator. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez. Case number 08062, property address 1879 Street Causeway. Owner, North Bay White House Association No. 1, Inc. IN VIOLATION OF POST SECTION 105.1 OF THE FLORIDA BUILDING CODE, BERT PERFORMS WITHOUT THE REQUIRED PERMITS, INSTALLED HYDRAULIC POWER UNIT AND AN ELECTRICAL CONTROLLER FOR THE ELEVATOR. INSPECTOR ON THIS CASE, MARIA TORO.

THANK YOU FOR THAT. AGAIN, YOUR HONOR, ORLANDO RODRIGUEZ, NORTHVILLE VILLAGE BUILD DIRECTOR. This case came before you last year and also October 23rd, 2025. They were all ordered to comply as soon as they can. Fines were running for 64 days, total of $16,000 at that point. Fines were ordered to continue for them to return for a status report. I did speak to Joel from American Elevator, who did a lot of the work for them there. And he did actually attempt to make a submission for the permit. which was good progress. However, he did get various notes on that submission saying he was missing a lot of documents and some items. So they're working on gathering those to resubmit, but they're on the right track. A recommendation is for them to comply with that permit as soon as they can. The property has been accruing fines, as of today, for 92 days, $23,000, and we'd ask for the fines to continue for them to return next hearing as needed.

Okay, and Is someone here.

I don't see anyone here.

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

Case number 2, 1, 0, 7, 2, 3. Property address 7920 East Drive. Owner, Belle Isle Condominium Association, Inc. In violation of Code Section 151.20A of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, failure to obtain recertification of buildings and components. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Good afternoon again. Your Honor, Orlando Rodriguez for the record, North Bay Village Code Director. This case was before you last hearing as well, October 23rd. Properties ordered to obtain their certification as soon as they could. Fires have been running. at that point for a hundred, pardon me, 1,448 days for total $360,000 fines ordered to continue for them to return for this hearing. They've been the closest they've ever been to getting this certification as of today, which is great. They did submit their final report to the building department. The electrical portion was rejected just for something very minor, like signature was missing. and uh there's a few items on the um on the structural portion that they need to review uh due to uh their guard rails they need to submit some specs the building officials asking for some photos of their seawall uh but it seems like hopefully they'll be able to get those things in and hopefully next hearing will be discussing their mitigation But as of today, our recommendation is for their property to obtain that certification as soon as they can. As of today, fines have been running for 1,476 days, $369,000. We ask for the fines to continue for the property to return as needed. We have Mr. Augustine Palombano back representing the property this afternoon.

Okay. Please state your name, your relationship to the property, and whether you have any objection to the village's recommendation.

Good afternoon. As you might know, my name is Agustin Codombano. I'm the president of Bell Air Condominium. We resubmit the reports. I asked today the engineers to provide the things that we're questioning, and we already submit the reports. Leilani has already advised of the resubmittal. And we would like to ask if right now that we already submit the reports, maybe we can stop with the fines. I know it's been a long process and that you've been very patient with us. But as Mr. Orlando said, we are very close to finalize with this and we would like to end up having some some easy task with us.

I understand. I understand. And of course, as you know, the village is more than amenable to working with all of the folks before us. But at this point, we're not able to mitigate anything until we're closed out. Okay. So why don't you continue working hard, continue to keep in touch with the village, and we'll come back and I'm sure they will address mitigation with you.

Okay. Okay. Okay. Thank you. Thank you very much. Thank you.

Case number 6899 property address 1540 North treasure drive owner Julio says that and our loans or Churchill and violation of code section 105.1 of the Florida building code were performed without the required permits and started underground glass fiberglass pool and a wooden fence. Inspector on this case, Maria Tolburn.

Good afternoon, Your Honor. We're happy to report that this case was able to comply before the hearing and we reached an agreement for their outstanding fines. They agreed to pay the village a one-time fee of $5,587.50 within the next 30 days to satisfy the fines. If not, it will revert back to the original amount and be recorded as a lien on the property, just pending your approval.

Okay. Are they here?

No, he wasn't.

Okay. All right. I'm going to go ahead and approve the recommendation and the settlement as stated.

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, bailiff to obtain recertification of buildings and components. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Good afternoon again. Your Honor, Orlando Rodriguez, North Bay Village Code. This case was also before you last hearing, October 23rd. Property is ordered to comply as soon as they can. Fines are running at that point for 1,190 days, 297 days. $1,000 fine order to continue for them to return today. As an update, I did speak with their contractor here for the property, Orestes, that Mr. Frank Richmond hired. He indicated that the building permit for the structural repairs is still under review at Durham. However, they were able to finish the asbestos report that was required and none was found. So he should be submitting that report soon, which is good. And another great update, they actually, as of probably an hour ago, they just obtained their permit to begin repairs on their parking garage here at the property. So they're going to mobilize. Next week is the holiday week, so they're going to think of moving in the week after just to make sure they get a good start. So that's good news. Our recommendation is for Let me just read in that permit number two for the record, BLDR000392-2025 that was issued today. Our recommendation is for them to keep working on the certification and obtain it. As of today, fines have been running for 1,223 days, total $305,750. We'd ask for the fines to continue and for the property to return. Usually, Your Honor, Mr. Frank Richmond is here for this property. He is somewhere in Europe right now, and he told me he couldn't make it, and so that's the update.

Okay. Well, we're jealous that we're not with him, but I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation. Thank you.

All right. Thank you.

Case number 250341, property address 1508 79th Street Causeway. owner has wealthy LLC and violation of call section 8.17 J and one of the North Bay Village. Code of Ordinances, building maintenance and standards violation. Inspector on this case, Maria Tovar.

Good afternoon, Maria Tovar, Code Enforcement Officer. This property came before you last on October 23rd, 2025. It was found to be in violation. 30 days were given to attempt the permit to comply with the violation. No one was here representing the property at that time. Yesterday, we were able to communicate with Mr. Jason Cavare, present here today, representing the building. who stated that they had been receiving the special emergency notice. As of today, the property is still in the same condition. They haven't even started the process, haven't done anything as of today. The property has been accumulated fine of $250 per day since October 23rd, 2025 for 28 days for a total of 7,000. Our recommendation is to obtain the necessary permit to repair the building to comply with the violations, to continue accumulating the fines of $250 per day until they come into compliance and to return as needed.

Okay. And you said they're there?

Yeah. Someone? Mr. Savard?

Hey, good afternoon. I'm here. Yes.

Hi, good afternoon. Please state your name, your relationship to the property and let me know whether you have any objection to the religious recommendation.

All right. Good afternoon. So my name is Jason Tavares. Um, I'm the district manager for the property. Basically. Um, I want to start apologizing for missing the last heading. Uh, it was some missing communication between us and the corporate side of the company. Um, So where we are right now is we're waiting for one signature that was sent to the corporation. It should be back to us tomorrow, and then we're going to submit other permits next week. That's where we are right now. So absolutely looking forward to fix this. It was just a miscommunication between the property management and the maintenance department from our side.

Yeah, understood. That happens. Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the village's recommendation and we look forward to working with you to make sure that we get this resolved as soon as possible. Thank you.

Absolutely. Thank you.

Thank you. Case number 08057, property address 7801 Center Bay Drive. Owner, Amir D. Aviman. In violation of Code Section 105.1 of the Florida Building Code, constructed a wall in front of the property without building premise. Inspector on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Afternoon again, Your Honor. Orlando Rodriguez for the record. Happy to report. This property also complied before the hearing. We reached settlement for their fines. They agreed to pay the village a one-time payment of $700 within the next 30 days. If not, it will revert back to the original amount and be reported as a lien on the property, just pending your approval.

Okay. And are they there?

No, they weren't.

Okay. I'm going to go to accept the village's recommendation. Thank you. 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 mooring piles and two electrical jet ski lifts in the rear of the property. Inspect on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Absolutely. Again, Orlando Rodriguez for the record. The yarn of this case is also before you last hearing, October 23rd, property is ordered to comply with the violation. They started recruiting fines of $250 per day. At that point, it's been running for 34 days, total of $8,500. Fines are ordered to continue for them to return for status report. i don't see anybody here again this afternoon however i was able to speak with the owner mr silvio uh we have not received any permit applications from him um as previously mentioned they did remove the mooring piles which complied that portion now we just have the jet ski lifts to deal with and he stated that he has decided to eliminate them completely he's just going to remove them in order to comply however as of today they still remain in place So our recommendation at this point is for the fines to continue $250 today, for them to remove those lifts or legalize them as soon as possible, and for them to return for status report next year.

Okay. And are they there? No. No. Okay. I'm going to go to an acceptable address recommendation.

Thank you.

Case number 250743, property address 7410 Beachview Drive, owner life is Selby, 7410 LLC, violation of section 94.02D and 3 of the North Bay Village Code of Ordinances, derelict vehicles are prohibited on the property. In violation of Code Section 94.021C and 1 of the Norway Village Code of Ordinances, open air storage and residential area. In violation of Code Section 8.16J of the Norway Village Code of Ordinances, built-in maintenance violation, roof, soffit, knees, repair. Inspect on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Yes, and again, Your Honor, Orlando Rodriguez. Cases before you, last hearing, October 23rd, property was ordered to comply with the violation and ordered just to return with no fines at the moment. Since the last hearing, the owner, Mr. Garland, he was actually here last hearing. He did message me earlier and said he wouldn't be able to make it today because he's still actively repairing those issues. that are in violation today. But since the last hearing, he has made some good progress. He fixed the dilapidated vehicle. He did clean up a lot of the outside storage and items from the front yard. And also he began to remove a lot of that rotted soffit area. He rented a lift and they're actively working on it as of right now. So he's almost there, but not quite there. So he should be good by next hearing though. So our recommendation at this point is for the property just to comply as soon as they can. We'd ask for fines of $250 per day to start today until compliance is achieved and for the property to return for status report next year.

Okay. Great. You said they are not there.

No, he didn't make it.

Okay. I'm going to go ahead and accept the alleged recommendation. No problem.

Thank you. Then we got the last case this afternoon. Next.

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 required permits. Respect on this case, Orlando Rodriguez.

Good afternoon again, Orlando Rodriguez, for the record, North Bay Village Co-Director. This case is also before you last hearing, October 23rd. Property is ordered to comply with the violation as soon as they can and no signs to run at the moment just to return for status report. As you may recall, Your Honor, this case was the, they came before you first time last hearing for a large canopy they installed in the rear of the property that was sited by Durham. And then Durham sent that to the village. We followed up on the Durham side as of October 30th. They did issue the property a letter, kind of a final notice, indicating that they have one last chance to enter into a consent agreement with them for compliance or they'll be subject to further enforcement and liens. As a result, I just speak with the owner of the property, Ms. Alley, this week. She did retain a firm called Ocean Consulting and she's been dealing with a gentleman named uh, resolving this issues. He's, uh, supposed to be an expert in these marine issues. So he's gonna take the reins on this one for her. Um, so he's already asked Durham, uh, to begin that process for that consent agreement. And, uh, basically Durham sends them an agreement of what they want to see happen. And then they'll have a chance to rebuttal reaching, you know, an agreement of how they're going to deal with this canopy. Um, so that's what they're doing right now. Ali did mention to me that she might be on an airplane while the hearing was going on, but she'd have somebody else here. It looks like nobody made it. Our recommendation at this point is for the property to comply with this violation as soon as they can. We'd ask for fines of $250 per day to start today until the property is in compliance and for them to return for a status report when we schedule the next hearing.

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

All right. Your Honor, that does it for our agenda.

Okay. Sounds great.

Thank you so much.

Have a great Thanksgiving to you as well. Take care.

Thank you, Jose.

Take care. Happy Thanksgiving.

Recording stopped.