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HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 04 Approval of Code Enforcement Board Reappointments and Discussion on Changing Meeting Day City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761 Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org STAFF REPORT Meeting Date: June 17, 2025 Item #: 4 Contact Name: Melanie Sibbitt Department Director: Melanie Sibbitt Contact Number: Ext. 1026 City Manager: Craig Shadrix Subject: Approval of Code Enforcement Board Reappointments and Discussion on Changing Meeting Day. (City Clerk Sibbitt) Background Summary: The Code Enforcement Board was created by Ordinance No. 741 on June 16, 1981. The purpose of this Board is to review residential property infractions of the City Technical Codes, negotiate compliance and impose fines for failure to comply. The City utilizes a magistrate apart from the Code Board for code enforcement issues involving commercial properties. The Code Enforcement Board shall consist of seven (7) regular members and two (2) alternate members, all with three-year terms. Currently, the Board has seven (7) regular members and no alternate members. There are three (3) regular member seats with terms set to expire June 2025. Staff reached out to the three (3) regular members whose terms are set to expire in June 2025 to confirm their interest in reappointment and requested updated applications. The three-year terms of Members Joe Bandur, William Mann, and Laini Schultz will conclude in June 2025. Members Bandur and Schultz have expressed interest in being considered for reappointment and have submitted updated applications, which are attached. Member Mann has not responded regarding his interest in reappointment; therefore, his seat will be considered vacant at the end of the month. In 2024, Member Bandur, who currently serves as Chair, attended all scheduled meetings. In 2024, Member Schultz attended eight (8) of nine (9) meetings. At the Regular City Commission Meeting held on May 20, 2025, the Police Department requested that the City Commission reconsider the current use of the Code Enforcement Board and proposed that all code enforcement cases, both residential and commercial, be referred to a Special Magistrate instead. Following discussion, the City Commission voted to maintain the seven-member Code Enforcement Board and to begin accepting new applications in an effort to secure future quorums. Additionally, questions were raised about the cancellation of the Board’s November and December meetings. Since no information was available at the time, a Commissioner later contacted staff to follow up on the cancellation reasons and requested a solution. Upon reviewing past meeting minutes, staff determined that the Board began canceling its December meetings in 1993 through a memorandum from the Chair, with subsequent cancellations continued by Board motions in the following years. Since September 2021, the Board has also voted to cancel its November meetings following discussion. If the City Commission prefers that the November and December meetings continue as scheduled, staff recommends considering a change in the meeting day to the third Thursday of each month to help avoid conflicts with holiday weeks. Issue: Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners consider reappointing Members Bandur and Schultz to City of Ocoee ▪ 1 N. Bluford Avenue ▪ Ocoee, Florida 34761 Phone: (407) 905-3100 ▪ www.ocoee.org serve another three-year term ending June 2028 on the Code Enforcement Board, and consider a change in the meeting day to the third Thursday of each month to help avoid conflicts with holiday weeks? Recommendations: Staff respectfully recommends that the Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners consider reappointing Members Bandur and Schultz to serve another three-year term ending June 2028, and consider a change in the meeting day to the third Thursday of each month to help avoid conflicts with holiday weeks. Attachments: 1. Code Enforcement Board List 2. Board Application - Bandur 3. Board Application - Schultz 4. 2024 Attendance Log 5. 2025 Attendance Log 6. 12-07-1993 Meeting Canceled 7. 11-22-1994 Minutes 8. 09-28-2021 Minutes 9. 10-25-2022 Minutes 10. 09-26-2023 Minutes 11. 10-24-2023 Minutes 12. 09-24-2024 Minutes 13. 10-22-2024 Minutes Financial Impacts: None Type of Item: Regular Updated 6/04/2025 CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD Created by Ord. #741 on 6-16-81/Amended by Ord. #1004 on 9-1-87/ #89-43 on 11-21-89/ #95-06 on 3-7-95 / #2017-005 on 1-17-17. Members must be City residents per § 7-5.A, Code of Ordinances and they will serve 3 year terms. Election for Chair and Vice-Chair held in June. (7 Regular and 2 Alternate Members ~ 4 is a Quorum) Member District Email Term Expires 1. Johnmichael Fernandez 4 Johnmichaelf98@yahoo.com June 2027 2. Warren Lewis 1 walewis051515@gmail.com June 2026 3. Joe Bandur 1 joecodee@yahoo.com June 2025 4. William Mann 4 Malachiyehuda17@gmail.com June 2025 5. Ravi Bickram 2 ravibickram@aol.com June 2027 6. Laini Schultz 2 lainischultz@gmail.com June 2025 7. Crystal Smalldon 2 crystalsmalldon@gmail.com June 2026 Alternate Members District Email Term Expires 1. Vacant 2. Vacant Board Attorney Fowler, Feeney & Associates 407/425-2684 (W) James A. Fowler “Skip”, Esq. 407/487-0005 (Fax) Sharyn Hudson – Executive Assistant sharyn@ffalaw.org 28 West Central Blvd. Suite 400 Orlando, FL 32801 APPLICATION FOR SERVING ON CITY BOARDS Please use this form to apply for appointment to a citizen advisory or quasi-judicial board. Completed applications must be signed and submitted to the Office of the City Clerk, 1 N. Bluford Ave., Ocoee, FL 34761 or emailed to ccdl@ocoee.org. Applications are valid for one (1) year from the date of submission. Please direct any questions to the Office of the City Clerk, 407-905-3105. All submitted applications are public records under Chapter 119, Florida Statutes, and are open to inspection by all persons. Name (please print) _____________________________________E-mail Address Home Address Phone ______________________ __ City Resident at Least 6 Months? [ ] Yes [ ] No City District # When possible, equal representation for all districts shall be maintained on all advisory boards, and the City Commission shall consider the demographic makeup of the board upon making their appointment. Place of Work Position ______ Business Address US Citizen? [ ] Yes [ ] No Registered Voter? [ ] Yes [ ] No City Employee? [ ] Yes [ ] No Dept. Presently Serve on Quasi-judicial Board? [ ] Yes [ ] No If yes, please describe State law prohibits service on more than one quasi-judicial board or elected/appointed office. Please indicate the board(s) for which you seek appointment by the City Commission. Financial disclosure and/or background checks are required for certain citizen board members; see footnotes. Citizen Advisory Council for Fire Dept.2 Parks & Recreation Advisory Board2 Citizen Advisory Council for Police Dept.2 Planning & Zoning Commission1 Code Enforcement Board1 Personnel Board General Employees’ Retirement Trust Fund Board of Trustees1 Police Officers’ and Firefighters’ Retirement Trust Fund Board of Trustees1 Human Relations Diversity Board2 1 Financial disclosure forms must be submitted after appointment to a quasi-judicial board. 2 Background checks are required before a member may participate in public-contact events. Is this for Reappointment? [ ] Yes [ ] No Have Attended at Least 1 Meeting of Requested Board(s)? [ ] Yes [ ] No You are strongly encouraged to attend at least one meeting of any board for which you seek appointment prior to submitting your application. JOSEPH BANDUR JOECODEE@YAHOO.COM 505 SPRING LAKE CIRCLE OCOEE FLORIDA 407-509-1556 4 SELF EMPLOYED OWNER 17307 PAGONIA ROAD CLERMONT, FL 34711 4 4 4 4 CODE ENFORCEMENT 4 4 4 List any education, experience, and/or skill or civic involvement that would be relevant to serving on a board. Is a Resume Attached? [ ] Yes [ ] No Education: ______________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Experience: ____________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Special Knowledge or Skills: ________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Community/Civic Organizations & Involvement: ________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ Hobbies or Special Interests: ________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________________________ ACKNOWLEDGMENT (Check Below): I understand that in accordance with the Florida Sunshine Law, this information will be available for public review and I waive any objections to such publication. If appointed, I agree to faithfully and fully perform the duties of the Board, make every endeavor to serve my full term, and will comply with all laws or Ordinances of the City, County, and State of Florida. I understand, if appointed, an updated application must be submitted to seek appointment to another advisory board. I understand that Financial disclosure forms must be submitted after appointment to a quasi-judicial board. STATE REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Section 760.80, F.S., requires the City submit a report annually to the Secretary of State disclosing race, gender, and physical disabilities of board and committee members. Please check the appropriate boxes below: Race Gender Disability __ African-American __ Male __ Physically Disabled __ Asian- American __ Female __ Hispanic-American __ Native American __ Caucasian By my signature below, I attest that the information provided herein is true and correct, and I acknowledge and agree that a background check will be required when my duties include contact with the public. Signature __________________________________________ Date __________________________________ 4 POST GRADUATE DEGREES BOARD MEMBER, CURRENT CHAIR FOR THE OCOEE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD TOO MANY TO LIST NONE AT THE PRESENT TIME NUMEROUS 4 4 4 4 06/04/2025 CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD ATTENDANCE 2024 Board Member Term Expires Ja n u a r y Fe b r u a r y Ma r c h Ap r i l Ma y Ju n e Ju l y Au g u s t Se p t e m b e r Oc t o b e r No v e m b e r De c e m b e r No M e e t i n g S c h e d u l e d Att e n d a n c e R a t i o Chair Joe Bandur Jun-25 P N P P P P P P P P N N 9/9 O O O Vice-Chair Warren Lewis Jun-26 P P P P P P P P P 9/9 M M M Member William Mann Jun-25 A/E E A/E A/E P A/E A/E P A/E P E E 3/9 E E E Member Laini Schultz Jun-25 P T P P P P P P P A/U T T 8/9 I I I Member Crystal Smalldon Jun-26 P N P A/E A/E A/E A/E A/E P A/E N N 3/9 G G G Member Johnmichael Fernandez Jun-27 P P P A/E P P A/E P 6/8 Resigned David Brennan Jun-27 P P P A/U P RSND 4/5 ALTERNATE MEMBERS Alt. Member #1 Vacant N/A N/A Alt. Member #2 Vacant N/A N/A RSND = resigned CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD ATTENDANCE 2025 Board Member Term Expires Ja n u a r y Fe b r u a r y Ma r c h Ap r i l Ma y Ju n e Ju l y Au g u s t Se p t e m b e r Oc t o b e r No v e m b e r De c e m b e r No M e e t i n g S c h e d u l e d "A t t e n d a n c e " Ra t i o Chair Joe Bandur Jun-25 N Y No Repsonse N /11 O Vice-Chair Warren Lewis Jun-26 Y N Y /11 Key M MEETING Member William Mann Jun-25 N N Y E /11 NO MEETING E Member Laini Schultz Jun-25 Y Y Y T /11 I Member Crystal Smalldon Jun-26 N N N N /11 G Member Johnmichael Fernandez Jun-27 Y Y N /11 Member Bickram Jun-27 /6 ALTERNATE MEMBERS Alt. Member #1 Vacant N/A N/A Alt. Member #2 Vacant N/A N/A RSND = resigned CENTER OF GOOD LIVING-PRIDE OF WEST ORANGE" MAYOR•COMMISSIONER CO@@ S.SCOTT VANDERGRIFT aw CITY OF OCOEE COMMISSIONERSSN a- 150 N.LAIESHORE DRIVE PAUL W.FOSTER OCOEE FLORIDA 34761-2258 VERN COMBS py ;?:t.,• 407) 2322 JIM GLEASON 6009 CITY MANAGER ELLIS SHAPIRO MEMORANDUM TO: CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MEMBERS CITY COMMISSIONERS FROM: CHAIRMAN JIM SILLS / DATE: DECEMBER 7, 1993 REF: CANCELLATION OF DECEMBER'S BOARD MEETING Please be advised that there will be no Code Enforcement Board meeting for the month of December. The next scheduled meeting will be January 25, 1994 . HAPPY HOLIDAYS, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU IN "94" . JS/sms MINUTES OF THE CITY OF OCOEE CODE ENFORCEMENT BOARD MEETING HELD ON November 22, 1994 CALL TO ORDER Chairman Sills called the regular meeting of the Ocoee Board of Code Enforcement to order at 7:30 p.m. in the commission chambers of the Municipal Building and led in the pledge of allegiance. Vice Chairman Carlsson held a moment of prayer. The roll was called and a quorum declared present. PRESENT: Chairman Sills, Vice Chairman Carlsson, Members Alexander, Chestney, Lenko, and Alternate Glass. Also present were Attorney Cool, Building and Zoning Official Flippen, Code Enforcement Officers Braddy and Simon, Deputy Clerk Seaver, and Clerk/Stenographer Lewis. ABSENT: Members Barnett and Shagner (excused). APPROVALS This item consisted of the Minutes of the October 25, 1994 Code Enforcement Board meeting. Member Lenko, seconded by Vice Chairman Carlsson, moved to approve the Minutes of the October 25, 1994 Code Enforcement Board meeting as presented. Motion carried 5-0. COMMENTS FROM CITIZENS There were no citizens comments at this time. HEARINGS OF STATEMENT OF VIOLATIONS PURSUANT TO NOTICES OF HEARING Vice Chairman Carlsson, seconded by Member Chestney, recommended that the Board move agenda item V.G-Discussion on December's CEB Meeting to this point in the meeting. Motion carried 5-0. Chairman Sills explained that due to the holidays the City is closed Friday and Monday. The CEB meeting would be on December 27. Alternate Member Glass arrived at the meeting at 7:38 P.M. Discussion ensued on the case work load for December and the number of members remaining in town during the holidays. Vice Chairman Carlsson, seconded by Member Alexander, moved to cancel the December 27, 1994 Code Enforcement Board meeting, unless the City has a major case that should be heard by the Board. Motion carried 6-0. 94-68, ORANGE TREE CINEMA Upon Chairman Sills' request, Code Enforcement Officer Simon was sworn in by Deputy Clerk Seaver. Officer Simon stated that the original violation was for Chapter 108-22 Minimum Requirements for electrical systems: Every electrical outlet and fixture, all wiring and equipment shall be installed, maintained and connected to a source of electric power in accordance with the provisions of the Electrical Code of the authority having jurisdiction National Electric Code). Tape was over breakers in#2 Projection Room and Romex Wire had Officer Loeffler explained that as of September 28, 2021, the property was found in compliance. No further action requested. V. DISCUSS NOVEMBER MEETING Clerk Mieras explained the November 23`d Code Board Meeting is the week of Thanksgiving. The Clerk asked the Board for confirmation on which Board members plan to be in attendance, and/or if the Board wishes to not have a November meeting.There is no meeting scheduled for December.Assistant Support Services Director Doug Gaines noted the Board Attorney will not be able to be present for a November meeting. Member Bondur, seconded by Member Johnson, moved that the November 23, 2021, meeting is cancelled. Motion carried unanimously. VI. COMMENTS Assistant Support Services Director Doug Gaines introduced the new Code Enforcement Officer, Christopher Rey. He will take over for Officer Siegrist who is retiring. Meeting adjourned at 7:32 p.m. ATTESTED: APPROVED: Justin Mieras, Code Enforcement Clerk Valerie Odom, Ch it VI. NOVEMBER & DECEMBER MEETINGS Member Lewis, seconded by Member Mann, moved to cancel the November 22 2022 and December 27 2022 Code Enforcement Board meetings. Motion passed 3 -1 with Member Brennan opposed. VII. COMMENTS None. Meeting adjourned at 7:37 p.m. ATTEST: Ce Justin Mieras, Code Enforcement Clerk Valerie Odom, Chair 51.13. — Formerly Open Screen Patio Area Converted to Enclosed Room W/O Required Permit Acting Support Services Director Doug Gaines explained that as of September 26, 2023 the property is still in non- compliance. Member Bandur, seconded by Member Mann, moved that in Case #2023-01281, the Board imposes fines as of August 22, 2023, as previously set by this Board. Motion carried unanimousl . COMKENTS Code Enforcement Clerk Mlieras reminded the Board about the need to notify the Clerk with their attendance plans. Code Enforcement Clerk Mieras noted that the November Meeting is scheduled for the Tuesday after Thanksgiving and asked for consensus to schedule cases for the November meeting or for a vote to cancel the meeting in the event that a quorum is not expected. Discussion ensued. Consensus of the Board was to add "November Meeting Discussion" to the October AgLnda. Chair Odom made an announcement, stating that she would retire from the Code Enforcement Board at the conclusion ofthis year's meetings, Meeting adjourned at 7:50 p.m. ATTEST: APPROVED: Justin Mieras, Code Enforcement Clerk Valerie Odom, 7| PaKe Member Bandur, seconded bV Member Mann, moved to cancel the November 28 2023, Code Board Meeting. Motion carried unanimously. BOARD COMMENTS Chair Odom reaffirmed she will be stepping down from the Code Enforcement Board. Code Enforcement Clerk Justin Mieras informed the Board about the voting for the Chair procedures. "Chair Election" will be added to the next meeting, Meeting adjourned at 7:36 p.m. F-ANNI Justin Mieras, ' I nforcement Clerk Joe Bandur, Vice -Chair Member Lewis, seconded by Member Schuitz -00394, the Board imposes fines as of SeptembemovedthatinCase #2024 24, 2024, as 1)reviously set by this Board. Motion carried unanimousl . I OFF|CERLOEFFLER I 1I46RUSSELL0R [ NONKSTHOK ASBI | Violation Cited: §1OQ'24.[i Summary: 108~24.D. — Prohibits use of residential property for the storage of any abandoned motor vehicle, ice box refbuilding material, building rubbish orsimilar items. Observation: 108- 24.D. —Junk Debris Trash Landscape Debris Front Yard / Easement; Warning Issued by Public Works Staff. Officer Loeffler explained that as of September 24, 2024, the property is still in non-compliance. The City asked for an Order Imposing Fine. Member Lewj, seconded by Member Smalldon, moved that in Case #2024-02195, the Board imposes fines as o September 12, 2024, as previously set by this Board, Motion carried unanimousl . OFFICER LOEFFLER | 1617 DORIS ANN CT | LALL HAM ENT | Violation Cited: §115-3.B. Summary: 115- 3.13. — No person shall allow or permit excessive growth, ten inches or more on property owned, of weeds, grass, undergrowth, or other dead or living plant life. Observation: 115- 3.13. — Overgrown Tall Weeds and Grass Surrounding Dilapidated Shed. Officer Loeffler explained that as of September 24, 2024, the property is still in non-compliance. The City asked for an Order Imposing Fine. Member Lewis, seconded by Member Smaildon, moved that in Case #2024-02443, the Board imposes fines as o September 12, 2024, as previously set by this Board. Motion carried unanimousl . Code Enforcement Clerk K4ienas noted that the November Meeting is scheduled for the Tuesday before Thanksgiving. Code Enforcement ClerkMieras willcidd "November Meeting Discussion"to the OctoberAgenda during which the CitywiU ask the board members for their attendance plans and ask the Board for a consensus to have the November meeting or for avote tocancel the meeting based onexpected quorum. 6|P ge 6-4.H.(6)(b) —Trailers of all types shall not be parked or stored for more than 48 hours in a residential district unless it is located behind the front yard building line and screened with a six-foot high opaque fence with a gate. 108-24.D. — It shall be unlawful to use a residential property for the storage of any abandoned motor vehicle, ice box, refrigerator, stove, glass, building material, building rubbish, or similar items, It shall be the duty of every such owner and occupant to keep the premises of residential properties clean and to remove all such abandoned items. 143-27.A. — At non -pickup times, garbage carts shall be placed in side yards or rear yards and screened from view to the extent practicable. Except as provided herein, garbage carts shall at no time be placed in the front yard of the 165-3.A. — No person shall keep any abandoned or junk vehicle on any public property or any private property. 6-4.H.(6)(h\—Trailers Parked /StormdinProhibited Locations 1OD-24.D.—Misc. Tools, Parts, Equipment, Debris Littering Property 143-27.A. — Waste Cans Left in Prohibited Location During Non -Collection Time -Frames 1G5-3.A.—Non-Operations Vehicles onProperty Officer Loeffler explained that aoofOctober ZZ,2O24/the property is still inMon-compUance.The City asked for anOrder Imposing Fine. Member Fernandez seconded by Member Lewis -03000, the Board imposes fines as of October movedthatinCase #2024 10, 2024, as oreviously set by this Board, Motion carried unanimousl . Violation Cited: §51-13. Summary: 51- 13. — It shall be a violation to do work related to construction without first obtaining a permit. Observation: 51- 1].—Retaining Wall Construction Without Permit. Verified NoPermit Officer Loeffler explained that as of October 22, 2024, the property is still in non-compliance. The City asked for anOrder Imposing Fine. Member Mann, seconded by Member Fernandez moved that in Case #2024-03025, the Board imposes Lines as otOctober 10, 2024, as previously set bV this Board. Motion carried unanimousl . Citizen Steven Wetzel explained the issues the HOA has had with this member of the community and detailed the continued work without permit performed. Member Fernandez; seconded by Member Mann moved to cancel the November 26, 2024 Code Enforcement Board regular meeting. Motion carried unanimousl . COMMENTS Chair Bandur advised he will be absent for the January 28, 2025, meeting. 6| pi&e