WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=MwNQZtyV09Y

Part: 1

1
00:00:04.600 --> 00:00:19.440
Is our YouTube on? >> Yes. >> All right. All right, good morning ladies and gentlemen. Welcome to the Town of Loxahatchee Groves Special Magistrate Hearing for June 24th, 2026. According to Verizon, it's 9:01, so I can get started. My name is Doug

2
00:00:19.440 --> 00:00:36.640
MacGiven. I'm the Special Magistrate. We seem to have three hearings here today, which all seem like violation hearings. Am I right? What we don't have is a fine reduction hearing, so When we have a violation hearing and you

3
00:00:36.640 --> 00:00:52.320
hear your name being called, please come up. Where do they come up to the podium? >> Yes. >> And identify yourself and your property address. The Code Enforcement Officer will try to show you some documents they'll try to get into evidence. They will testify about their case. You

4
00:00:52.320 --> 00:01:08.320
can ask them questions. You can put on your own witnesses, do your own evidence, and at the end of it all, I get to make a decision. Uh first thing we're going to do is swear everyone in. So, everyone who's going to speak, raise your right hand, say I do when we're done.

5
00:01:08.320 --> 00:01:23.280
Does everyone swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> I do. >> I do. >> Everyone does. Excellent. All right. So, with that all being said, please get us started. We have a person here. What case is he on?

6
00:01:23.280 --> 00:01:41.000
>> It's It's It's a not on one of these cases. It's something else. >> Just something else. The visitor. All right. Start with number one. >> Number one, uh case Steven Manis, case number CE2606136, address 4332 145th Avenue North,

7
00:01:41.000 --> 00:01:56.760
violation Section Code of Ordinance 22-135A, Business Tax Receipt BTR, and this is I'll turn this matter over to the Code Compliance Officer Deanna Thomas. >> All right. Thomas, you've been sworn. >> Yes, I Yes, I have.

8
00:01:56.760 --> 00:02:14.000
Good morning. Um for the record, code compliance officer Diana Thomas and I have been sworn. I'm presenting case number CE26-06-136 in reference to the property located at 4332 145th Avenue North.

9
00:02:14.000 --> 00:02:29.640
The code department has service for this case. The NOV/NOAH was written on June 5th, 2026. The property was posted with the NOV/NOAH on June 6th, 2026 by code officer Chris Johnson. There is a picture of the property

10
00:02:29.640 --> 00:02:44.440
posting in the case file, which we will will have up on the screen. >> We can see it now. Go ahead. >> Um his notarized affidavit of service is also in the case file. I mailed the NOV/NOAH regular and

11
00:02:44.440 --> 00:03:02.160
certified mail, post and posted town hall all on June 8th, 2026. My notarized affidavit of service is in the case file. The green card has not been returned. The respondent was given until June 19th, 2026 to comply by obtaining his

12
00:03:02.160 --> 00:03:19.200
business tax receipt. As of today, no business tax receipt has been obtained. On 6/18/2026, I sent a request to Zillow asking for assistance in getting in touch with the with the property owner.

13
00:03:19.200 --> 00:03:34.600
I received an email back stating the message was sent to the property owner and or landlord. That is also in the case file for you to see. This house is advertised on Zillow for rent and it is also um

14
00:03:34.600 --> 00:03:53.480
advised uh um advertised on realtor.com. I also contacted the realtor, Zach Klein Kleindienst, and we spoke yesterday. He did advise me he received my text and that the Zillow and the Zillow email and

15
00:03:53.480 --> 00:04:10.480
he forwarded them to the respondent Stephen Manos. I have not had any contact with Mr. Manos. The town is requesting compliance by July 10th, 2026. The maximum penalty for the BTR is $100

16
00:04:10.480 --> 00:04:29.040
plus 25% of the business tax due. The respondent is also subject to these enforcement actions including collection of admin costs in the amount of $409.66 plus a fine up to $250.

17
00:04:31.919 --> 00:04:48.680
>> Okay. The gentleman who just walked in, what case is he on? >> He's for case number two. >> Okay, good. So we don't have to worry about that yet. All right. So, do I get to look at the file or can we do that here? Yeah, let's go put all this together. I was looking at the screen seeing most

18
00:04:48.680 --> 00:05:26.480
of what you were talking about, so that was lovely. It's $5,800 a month? Okay. I think we have some sort of BTR ordinance for property rentals. >> Yes, we do.

19
00:05:26.480 --> 00:05:42.400
>> Got you. >> That is also in the um folder on the right-hand side, the very last page. >> 22-135 (a) >> Yes. >> Got you. All right. Just trying to be complete.

20
00:06:01.520 --> 00:06:19.840
>> All right. So, you've pretty much done all you can do. You have service via posting. They need to comply by 7/10 or they will face a fine of $100 and also 25% penalty along with a $250

21
00:06:19.840 --> 00:06:37.160
state penalty plus 409.66 in admin fees. Did I get everything? >> Yes, you did. >> Granted. >> Thank you. >> Submit an order. I will sign that. Uh sir, yes, you need to raise your right hand and say I do when we're done. Do you swear or affirm the testimony

22
00:06:37.160 --> 00:06:55.800
you're about to give is the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth? >> Yes, I do. >> All right, great. You can start with case number two now. >> Thank you. Uh this is case number CE260403. Address is 14796 North Avenue. Violation is ULDC

23
00:06:55.800 --> 00:07:11.800
20-010G1, outdoor storage. ULDC 175-110, permits required. ULDC 20-017, prohibited uses. ULDC 175-170, general inspections. Code of ordinance 3020 of 43, manure

24
00:07:11.800 --> 00:07:29.720
violation. ULDC 175-240 violations. And I will turn this over to the code officer, John Suarez. >> All right, Suarez. Sir, why don't you come on up to the microphone? You're going to be talking there once we get through this. >> Good morning, Your Honor. For the record, code compliance officer John

25
00:07:29.720 --> 00:07:45.520
Suarez presenting case CE260493 reference to the property located at 14796 North Road. The notice of violation notice of hearing was posted on the property on April 28th, 2026. Same copy was mailed via certified

26
00:07:45.520 --> 00:08:03.840
to the property owner on record. And a copy was also posted here at town hall on the same day, April 28th, 2026. I have a notarized affidavit of service for the record. And for the record, we we're removing

27
00:08:03.840 --> 00:08:20.080
the manure violation. It looked like manure from the street, but it is not manure. It is compost. So, that violation is going to be removed. The property use code for a property appraiser is classification ornamental

28
00:08:20.080 --> 00:08:35.440
miscellaneous agriculture. It's on 10 acres. We started this case proactively. We observed piles of fill being brought in. So, on April 28th, 2026, CO Johnson and I arrived at the property. We did not

29
00:08:35.440 --> 00:08:50.920
make contact with the property owner at the time. We could see everything from the streets. Piles of fill, piles of wood log debris. And we even observed pickup trucks dropping off loads that which we did could not

30
00:08:50.920 --> 00:09:06.880
make contact. On the June 2nd, 2026, CO Johnson and I did meet with the property owner, George, and his son. They escorted us to the pile of compost. I informed them I you know, I took

31
00:09:06.880 --> 00:09:22.960
pictures and I would show that public works director, Craig Lower, where we agreed that he's effectively with so much compost that he's effectively changing the drainage on the site. If he did not remove it, he would need a flip lane development permit.

32
00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:40.640
We explained the violation and ways to comply with the property owner, George. He understood. We visited the property multiple times. He has been working with us, but there just has been so much that he removed a lot, but there's still remains plenty.

33
00:09:40.760 --> 00:09:55.880
Um the town is requesting to comply by July 24th, 2026, which is 30 days for full removal or obtain or apply for an FDA permit. But he said he would remove it. The town is requesting a fine of $150

34
00:09:55.880 --> 00:10:11.880
per day per violation uh be assessed upon non-compliance. Additionally, it is recommended that administration costs incurred in amount of $409.66 be assessed in order to be paid to the town of Lock Shatty Groves. And I'll submit the full case folder as

35
00:10:11.880 --> 00:10:57.240
evidence. >> All right, why don't you show it to the respondent so he can object to it if you wish? >> Yes, sir. >> All right, admitted without objection then. I mean, look through it. You have an affidavit of posting, you have a USPS tracking confirm you have service.

36
00:11:14.360 --> 00:11:46.360
You had a ton of pictures. >> Yeah. Bet your toner bill's pretty big. >> [laughter] >> Did you also want to see it on the television screen? >> I'm watching it as well. It's all good. >> For the record, Your Honor, the property owner that's here, Mr. George, is the

37
00:11:46.360 --> 00:12:04.520
same person I've been dealing with on the multiple visits in June. >> All right. So, they say your property has too much mulch on it. You said you were going to get rid of it. Is that Is that all correct? Um they want you to do it by July 24th.

38
00:12:04.520 --> 00:12:27.720
That gives you a little over a month. When is the July hearing? When's the August hearing? >> The July hearing is July 22nd. >> So, it's after that hearing. What's the August hearing? >> The August hearing would be 26th.

39
00:12:27.720 --> 00:12:44.240
>> All right. Since you are agreeing to cooperate with the town blocks, hedge grows, and remove it by yourself, and since the hearing date is not until the latter part of August, I'm going to actually tack on a couple of extra weeks, so you have a little bit more of

40
00:12:44.240 --> 00:13:00.280
opportunity, given that this is the rainy season, and sometimes it would not stop the stuff while we're waiting for the rains to pass. This looks like a large amount of material, and based upon your cooperation here, I think we're going to bounce this to

41
00:13:00.280 --> 00:13:16.240
sometime in mid-August, so he has an extra few weeks to deal with it, because nothing's going to happen except fine, and while you're cooperating, I love to see people come here and take responsibility. So, because you are here, and because this is the only time where I really

42
00:13:16.240 --> 00:13:33.520
have any power to do anything, because when it comes to fine assessments, it's just did you do it by X date? This is when I change the X date. So, give me a nice date in August, somewhere around the midpoint, so we can give the gentleman a little bit more time and a cushion to get this done.

43
00:13:42.640 --> 00:13:59.560
Give yourself a week or two to inspect it. >> Yes. >> You do you want to do August 12th? Two weeks before? >> Give yourself a week before inspection. >> Yeah, that that's gives him more time. >> All right, good inspection. >> Let's um August 18th.

44
00:13:59.560 --> 00:14:14.840
>> 8/18. All right, sir. You need to uh have this down to an acceptable level by August 18th or you will appear at the August 26th fine assessment hearing and face a $150 a day potential fine.

45
00:14:14.840 --> 00:14:30.600
I find that the costs in the amount of $409.66 are reasonable for the inspections and uh investigative efforts by the town so I'll put that in the order as well.

46
00:14:30.600 --> 00:14:45.480
Good luck getting it all cleaned up. You'll get an order in the mail. Yeah. >> Do I get the bill sent to me or >> Yeah, you'll get an order in the mail signed by me that gives you these dates again so you'll have them. But just keep in touch with Mr. Suarez

47
00:14:45.480 --> 00:15:02.200
and make sure that he knows what's going on. Cuz uh the main part of code enforcement, at least in my world, is compliance and if people are working towards compliance and doing a good job, things tend to get stretched and things grace tends to be granted,

48
00:15:02.200 --> 00:15:18.400
especially if you're doing good. All right, sir. >> Yeah. >> Thank you very much for coming here. >> I don't know what I am fighting for. I hope that's the only issue. The the sand will still be all removed and used around the plants and will be nothing left there. >> Excellent. Okay.

49
00:15:18.400 --> 00:15:35.520
>> Thank you. >> Code enforcement officer will be out there on the 18th to to check. >> Yes, sir. >> Okay. Thank you very much. >> Thank you. Bye y'all. >> All right, case number three, please. >> Case number three is case number

50
00:15:35.520 --> 00:15:52.520
CE2606135 Selvin, address 3056D Road, violation section code of ordinance 18-24A mitigation, code of ordinance 18-21A1-2 tree and vegetation removal. I will turn this over to the code compliance officer

51
00:15:52.520 --> 00:16:07.720
Chris Johnson. >> Good morning, your honor. For the record, code compliance officer Chris Johnson presenting case CE2606 134 in reference to the property located at 3056D Road.

52
00:16:07.720 --> 00:16:23.320
The notice of violation Excuse me, the notice of violation notice of hearing was posted on June 4th, 2026 at the property. A copy of the NOV and NOAH was mailed via certified mail to the property owner of record as listed by the Palm Beach County Property

53
00:16:23.320 --> 00:16:40.080
Appraiser on June 5th, 2026. A copy of the order was also posted at town hall on the same date, June 5th, 2026. For the record, I have a notarized affidavit of service dated June 5th, 2026. We've been in constant contact with the

54
00:16:40.080 --> 00:16:57.400
property owner who is currently out of town and we have mutually agreed for a continuance to July 22nd, 2026. >> You mutually agreed, granted. That's easy. All right. I like that everyone got a case, you know, spread them out nicely.

55
00:16:57.400 --> 00:17:13.920
Everyone got to talk. Life is good that way. Is there anything else we brought before the special magistrate? >> Nope, there are no other items for the special magistrate. For your next hearing, it would be July 22nd, 2026. >> 7/22

56
00:17:13.920 --> 00:17:31.840
next meeting. Give me some orders and I'll sign them. >> Okay, so you want us to draft the orders and send you cuz um Mindy does it the other way. She drafts it. >> She She's the queen of drafting, Laura. >> [laughter] >> Okay. >> I I have her for Royal Palm Beach. We've been doing that dance probably a

57
00:17:31.840 --> 00:17:48.360
decade with the two of us. She drafts 50 to 100 orders per meeting >> Mhm. >> there. It's usually 60, 75. >> Wow. Okay. >> And that's not the big one. Tomorrow I get to do Lake Worth Beach and I'll probably do 100 hearings.

58
00:17:48.360 --> 00:18:04.600
About 4 or 5 hours. >> Wow. >> So. >> All right. >> This is nice and easy. >> Yeah. >> I I will be on my way to McDonald's here in a minute. >> thank you for joining us. We appreciate it. It's nice to have you um help us along on the cases that we have and we appreciate it. If there's anything else

59
00:18:04.600 --> 00:18:19.720
that we can do to make your job easier or anything that you need us to do, just let us know. >> I will tell you what I'm really concerned about in this world is due process. Notice and an opportunity to be heard. I don't care if they show up, I just care

60
00:18:19.720 --> 00:18:35.400
that they have been served properly. And if you actually read the service statute, because I had to do it for this some police chief in Clewiston, if you post the property and you prove that you posted the property and I love the pictures, even if the posting is

61
00:18:35.400 --> 00:18:51.920
ripped apart or blown away by the wind, that is still good service. And personal service is always better, you know, the mail thing is great. But as long as you have service on them, that is what I'm looking for. Once that happens, you know, it becomes your opportunity to

62
00:18:51.920 --> 00:19:07.000
tell me what you need to happen, but if you don't have service on a case, don't even bother. >> Yeah. Okay. Sounds good. >> Everyone good? And it's 9:20 and we're adjourned. >> Perfect. Thank you. >> Yeah, I I go quick.

63
00:19:07.000 --> 00:19:18.680
>> You can stay in here if you want to. Perfect. And then I'm going to do this.