HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem VII (B) Request for Reduction of Fine/Lien on Doce Enforcement Board Case #94-19- Maria Vela Agenda 09-07-04
Item VII.B.
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CITY OF OCOEE
AGENDA ITEM COVER SHEET
Date: August 27, 2004 Meeting Date: September 7, 2004
Subject: Request for Reduction of Fine and Release of Lien
Code Enforcement Board Case No. 94-19 Maria Vela
Issue: Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commission consider a
reduction of fines and release of lien on Code Enforcement Board
Case No. 94-19 Maria Vela located at 4 Sundial Key Drive Ocoee
Florida?
Recommendation: The City Code Enforcement Board at it's August 24, 2004,
meeting heard the request to reduce the fine and release
the lien. It is the Board's recommendation that the fine be
reduced to $3,000.00 based on a proposal of the then City
Manager and the City Attorney's office, provided the fine is
paid within 30 days following final determination by the City
Commission.
Background Summary: The original action came before the Code Enforcement
Board on July 26, 1994, as a result of failing to remove a
condemned mobile home from the property. Subsequently, the
Code Enforcement Board order was not complied with
resulting in a fine being assessed in the amount of$250.00 per
day that accrued to approximately $367,500.00 plus interest
and cost totaling $401,483.13 as of November 9, 1999. The city
filed foreclosure action through further legal action in July
1999. The court later issued final judgment to the City for fines,
cost, attorney's fees and interest. The City elected not to
proceed with the sale of the property and withdrew the suit
against Maria Vela and did not offer the property for sale. The
current owners, George and Isabel Marsh, were notified in
January 2002 of the amount of the judgment by the city
attorney's office. In May 2004 after a discussion with the city
attorney's office, I informed Mr. Benton that the City would
settle for$3,000.00 and I was told that was too much.
Fiscal Impacts: A reduction of fine will reduce projected revenues. The amount
recommended does not cover the actual cost and interest
associated with prosecuting the case. Any further reduction
would not recover even a portion of the actual monies spend
by the city.
Commission Action:
Reviewed by City Manager
Reviewed by City Attorney /!4 N/A
Reviewed by Finance ,,lig N/A(
Reviewed by N/A
Mayor Center of Good r,y Commissioners
S. Scott Vandergrift Danny Howell, District 1
Scott Anderson, District 2
City Manager Rusty Johnson, District 3
Robert Frank — Nancy J. Parker, District 4
STAFF REPORT
TO: The Honorable Mayor and City Commissioners
FROM: James A. Phelps, Building Official
DATE: August 26, 2004
RE: Request for Reduction of Fine and Release of Lien
Code Enforcement Board Case No. 94-19 Maria Vela
ISSUE
Should the Honorable Mayor and City Commission consider a reduction of fines and release of
lien on Code Enforcement Board Case No. 94-19, Respondent Maria Vela, property identified as
Lot 4, Block A, Pioneer Key Park II, 4 Sundial Key Drive Ocoee, Florida?
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The original action came before the Code Enforcement Board on July 26, 1994, as a result of
failing to remove a condemned mobile home from the property. Subsequently, the Code
Enforcement Board order was not complied with resulting in a fine being assessed in the amount
of $250.00 per day that accrued to approximately $367,500.00 plus interest and cost totaling
$401,483.13 as of November 9, 1999. The city filed foreclosure action through further legal
action in July 1999. The court later issued final judgment to the city for fines, cost, attorney's
fees and interest. The City elected not to proceed with the sale of the property because it would
be only part owner of the property and withdrew the suit against Maria Vela and did not offer the
property for sale.
The current owners, George and Isabel Marsh, obtained the property through a tax deed and were
notified in January 2002 of the amount of the judgment by the city attorney's office. In May
2004 after a discussion with the city attorney's office, I informed Mr. Benton the City would
settle for$3,000.00 and I was told that was too much.
RECOMMENDATION
At the August 24, 2004, meeting, the City Code Enforcement Board heard the request to reduce
the fine and release the lien. It is the Board's recommendation that the fine be reduced to
$3,000.00 based on a proposal of the then City Manager and the city attorney's office, provided
the fine is paid within 30 days following the final determination by the City Commission.