WEBVTT

METADATA
Video-Count: 1
Video-1: youtube.com/watch?v=qR0abOh8uOg

Part: 1

1
00:10:49.440 --> 00:11:06.800
Good morning and welcome to the special commission meeting for June 8th, 2026. I'd like to call this meeting to order. Now, if we could please stand for the pledge of allegiance. I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America and to the

2
00:11:06.800 --> 00:11:28.399
republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. >> All right. As I said in the opening that uh this is a special meeting. We'll be covering only three items and uh these

3
00:11:28.399 --> 00:11:44.160
three items were the ones that were posted. So uh I'd like for the city clerk to call the role. >> Good morning. Vice Mayor Vasquez >> here. >> Commissioner Clark >> here. >> Commissioner Sison >> here. >> Commissioner Dicki is absent. Mayor Doctor >> here.

4
00:11:44.160 --> 00:12:05.279
>> Thank you. >> All right. Let me pull this up. Okay. The first item of business, C1, second and final reading of public hearing ordinance 2026-12. >> Thank you. This is the

5
00:12:05.279 --> 00:12:22.880
This is the unsafe structures ordinance. Ordinance number 2026-12, an ordinance of the city of Treasure Island, Florida, relating to public health, safety, and general welfare of the city of Treasure Island, Florida. amending the code of ordinances of the

6
00:12:22.880 --> 00:12:38.320
city of Treasure Island, Florida by amending chapter 8, building regulations and fire code by establishing article five dangerous and unsafe structures which includes division one generally section 8-91

7
00:12:38.320 --> 00:12:54.480
definitions. Section 8-92 certain structures declared to be a nuisance cost to be assessed as a lean. Section 8-93, periodic inspection of buildings, notice of condemnation and hearings. Section

8
00:12:54.480 --> 00:13:09.120
8-94, appearance of interested parties before city commission. Section 8-95, alternative procedure for abading nuisances. Section 8-96, implementing administrative actions,

9
00:13:09.120 --> 00:13:25.600
division 2, emergency procedures. Section 8-97, purpose. Section 8-98, authority to condemn hazardous structures in emergency conditions. Reporting referral to special magistrate notice. Section

10
00:13:25.600 --> 00:13:41.120
8-99 emergency hearing procedure contents of order notice to parties of interest. Section 8-100, manner of abatement. Division 3, non-emergency procedure. Section 8-101,

11
00:13:41.120 --> 00:13:56.720
purpose. Section 8-102, determination of unfit or unsafe structure. Notice to parties of interest. Section 8-103, hearing procedure. Contents of order. Notice of notice to parties of in

12
00:13:56.720 --> 00:14:14.480
interest. Section 8-104, extension of time to comply. Section 8-105, manner of abatement, action by city on failure to comply. Division 4, assessment of costs and position of lean on property. Section 8-106 hearing on cost notice of

13
00:14:14.480 --> 00:14:33.120
hearing. Section 8-107 hearing procedure imposition of lean. Section 8-108 satisfaction of assessment providing for severability conflict codification and an effective date. We have no changes from first reading in this ordinance.

14
00:14:33.120 --> 00:14:49.440
>> Is there any discussion? Can we have a motion, please? I move to approve ordinance 2026-12 at the second and final public hearing. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Let's go to public comment. And I do have a few

15
00:14:49.440 --> 00:15:11.920
cards for public comment. Richard Harris. >> Good morning, commissioners and mayor. Richard here, 374 Bay Plaza. actually uh live right down the street from one of the houses that should be considered and

16
00:15:11.920 --> 00:15:28.480
is a unsafe structure. This is not a new situation from Hurricane Hela. This has been going on for at least 10 years. The uh neighbors, several of which are here today and you will hear from have been putting up with

17
00:15:28.480 --> 00:15:46.320
this situation for a long time. The latest development that I was trying to do is I was actually going to volunteer to front the money to tear the thing down. The a demo contractor named Randy Tester who runs Demolition Inc. actually has a house uh about two blocks away

18
00:15:46.320 --> 00:16:02.720
from this house. He said that he would jump on it and get it done. Fumigate it to make sure the rats that are thousands of rats that are inside this thing probably um make sure that they don't escape and run to the neighbors houses and then we would tear it down and

19
00:16:02.720 --> 00:16:18.720
improve the situation. It is currently up for sale. I am trying to get the real estate agent to get me a letter saying that the owner has given permission for us to proceed to tear this thing down. I now uh greatly want to get reimbursed. I

20
00:16:18.720 --> 00:16:35.120
found out that I cannot be reimbursed by the city of Treasure Island um because I'm on the LPA and also it's just not a process that uh through fines that were able to do that at this point. But I'm still working on it to go forward. I

21
00:16:35.120 --> 00:16:50.320
really think that the uh property would sell quicker if that house was gone. I don't know if y'all seen u pictures of it. I know John Doctor's uh been by there because I took him by there and uh it's been a hideous situation for at

22
00:16:50.320 --> 00:17:07.280
least 10 years and quite frankly I don't I live about 200 yards away. I drive by it every day but because of my position on the LPA I thought I would throw my two cents in here. The neighbors put up with this every day and it's hideous and

23
00:17:07.280 --> 00:17:22.079
I know that they and I would just like it if something would happen to uh demolish that house. There is no other alternative. It cannot be repaired. I'm a civil engineer with 40 years experience. I inspected the house. It is

24
00:17:22.079 --> 00:17:38.160
not repairable. So the one situation is tear it down, sell it. the uh poor owner suffers from a little bit of dementia and uh but this would give her enough money to live on for the rest of her life. Thanks. >> Thank you, Richard.

25
00:17:38.160 --> 00:17:57.679
>> Mark Hoey. >> Uh good morning, Mark Hoey, District 3. I just wanted to uh add my support to this ordinance and the intent of that to give the code enforcement team uh some teeth uh and some definition so that

26
00:17:57.679 --> 00:18:14.320
they can move forward on what has been a tenuous situation. that they really had their hands tied to a certain extent about approaching uh dilapidated buildings or ones that just are not getting the proper attention uh and need to be either addressed or or

27
00:18:14.320 --> 00:18:29.520
we move on. And I'm also interested in the fact that it applies as well to the commercial properties that we have in the the market. Normally, we wouldn't have a whole lot of that, but right now we have several that uh are approaching

28
00:18:29.520 --> 00:18:46.799
the point of no return rapidly while awaiting whatever remedial message or methods need to come. So, let's hope uh the code enforcement board can now move forward with the strength to kind of force the action where it needs to be done. Thank you.

29
00:18:46.799 --> 00:19:08.960
>> Thank you, Mark. Sarah Pennington. >> Good morning. Sarah Pennington, Isisle of Palms. Um, I am glad that we're talking about this today and I was thinking we've done such a good job about having workshops regarding big issues and it would have been really smart for us, I think, to have a

30
00:19:08.960 --> 00:19:26.400
workshop about this topic and have our attorney come to us with all of the legal options available to us, hear from the residents, the neighbors that are next to these properties. Um, I think that would have been a smart thing to do, but since we haven't and we're here now, I did want to point out a couple

31
00:19:26.400 --> 00:19:43.120
things. I noticed on this ordinance, the definition of abandoned has zero time frame on it whatsoever. And I thought that seems a little gray and vague if you know, we want to be careful about people uh suing the city, of course. And

32
00:19:43.120 --> 00:19:59.200
so I think there's just some areas where the language could be a little more clear specifically on what regards an abandoned property in regards what makes an abandoned property. Another issue um Richard had just mentioned this this bad house and gosh I feel terrible for the

33
00:19:59.200 --> 00:20:14.080
people living next to it. I'm actually living next to a bad house myself and I've looked into the rat issue and correct me if I'm wrong. I'm not seeing anything in this ordinance to deal with the rats. And Richard had mentioned the person coming to tear down was going to

34
00:20:14.080 --> 00:20:29.600
fumigate for the rats, but there's a lot of houses that maybe don't meet the criteria to be torn down, but they are severely ratinfested. And this ordinance talks about sanitation, unsafe properties, and this rat issue is very

35
00:20:29.600 --> 00:20:46.320
serious. I've looked into trying to control it myself. I can buy the bait. I can put all the stuff out, but you're supposed to do this responsibly by cor collecting the carcasses of the rats. Not fun, but that's what's supposed to be done. And I can't go on my neighbors

36
00:20:46.320 --> 00:21:03.039
property and go collect dead rats, even if I wanted to. And so, the citizens have no way of dealing with this rat problem on our own. And we really need help with it. And I'm not seeing anything in this ordinance regarding the rats. And it has reached a really, really bad state. and I would love for

37
00:21:03.039 --> 00:21:17.120
you guys to come up with something as soon as possible to help us with that. Thank you. >> Thank you, Sarah. And I'm not sure I've got a card for Candace and I'm not sure which one she wants to speak on or all of them or

38
00:21:17.120 --> 00:21:38.720
>> Okay, great. Thank you. >> Good morning. >> Good morning, >> Candace Quail. Here I am again. Um, in regards to 116 85th Avenue, um, I live across the street, as you I'm sure you know, I've been dealing with

39
00:21:38.720 --> 00:21:52.799
that problem for eight years now, and it's just continually gets worse. As I spoke of the last time I was here, I drove around the other day and counted how many empty lots are on Sunset Beach.

40
00:21:52.799 --> 00:22:11.440
We have 69 empty lots. We have um four empty lots that are for multiple houses. So I counted maybe 20 to 30 houses could go in there. So we're talking about a 100 empty lots on Sunset Beach alone. I didn't do the abandoned

41
00:22:11.440 --> 00:22:28.480
houses, but off the top of my head, I have two on my street and there's two down the road. I think it's 79th. I'm not sure exactly the street number, but there's two there that have been abandoned. Um, this lady at 116, she got an offer on

42
00:22:28.480 --> 00:22:44.080
her house. She's listed it at 3.49 with real estate and she got an offer from a friend of ours for $300,000 cash. She signed it back at 3.49 with condition that the buyer pays all the

43
00:22:44.080 --> 00:23:00.240
previous fines, which were now at $79,500. So, in actual fact, she would be getting $400 and some thousand for it. The woman has no intention whatsoever to sell this house. The last time I was at this meeting, the sign went on the house for

44
00:23:00.240 --> 00:23:16.080
sale. So, she knew we were at this meeting to complain about the house. She hired the real estate. They put the sign on. She had an offer within Well, she had two offers of 200,000. She signed them back. She had a solid offer of $300,000 cash and she signed it back at

45
00:23:16.080 --> 00:23:30.799
full price and they pay the fines. Who in the right mind would do that? Who in the who what buyer would pay her $80,000 fine? So my question is the house has to be condemned. The house has to come down.

46
00:23:30.799 --> 00:23:47.840
It we deal with rats every night. Every Well, actually they're coming out in the daytime now, not just at night time. Um they run along the telephone wire. Last night I was sitting in my my screened in porch and I seen something go across my back fence. It wasn't a rat. Thank

47
00:23:47.840 --> 00:24:06.320
goodness it was a squirrel, but they're there. They're coming out. Um, so if the city agrees to tear the house down, the actually actually let me go back. The lady that put the offer in agreed to

48
00:24:06.320 --> 00:24:22.880
um tent it, take the rat, get rid, kill all the rats and tear the house down at her expense, and she still said no. So, as I say, she has no intentions of selling. So, if the city agrees to tear the house down,

49
00:24:22.880 --> 00:24:39.840
they have to kill the rats first, but in a matter of two to three days, that house would have to come down because the smell of dead rats inside the house would be, I think, worse than what we're smelling now. So that's I'm asking the city to

50
00:24:39.840 --> 00:24:57.120
consider that that once you decide to tear the house down, you will deal with the rats and then immediately after 2 days, maybe 3 days after tear the house down. Um we're 263 days in since she was under

51
00:24:57.120 --> 00:25:12.320
non-compliance since September the 19th of last year. So her fine is now $79,500. So my question to the city is if the house comes down does the fines stop or does is she under compliance once the

52
00:25:12.320 --> 00:25:26.559
house comes down that's what I wonder you know do is does it carry on forever if the house comes down is that means she's in compliance if the house comes down that's a question that I have um

53
00:25:26.559 --> 00:25:44.799
there's not just 116 or 116 there's 128 on our street too that needs to come down It's also infested with rats. Um, there hasn't been anybody in there in 2 years, but those people did remove the drywall and they did remove the mold and the furniture, but it's

54
00:25:44.799 --> 00:26:00.320
still it's just it's just another house that is just bad. The city also hired maintenance, a lawn maintenance uh company to come around and cut the grass on some of these properties on 116. They've been there once. The grass is

55
00:26:00.320 --> 00:26:15.600
now back up. the um these so-called snake plants I think they're called. I forget exact name. They're growing back up and we don't I mean the houses is bad enough let alone now the grass in the trees. Um one tree this Brazilian pepper

56
00:26:15.600 --> 00:26:31.679
which is is just growing wild. I mean how you get it out of the backyard I have no idea. It would have to come out before they even tented it or they even took the house down. It's now growing into the next door neighbor's um house into his windows. I mean something

57
00:26:31.679 --> 00:26:54.080
something has to be done. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Candace. >> All right. I do not have any other responses or anyone that would like to speak. Okay. >> Sure. >> While Richard's coming up, can I just

58
00:26:54.080 --> 00:27:11.039
ask, is there a way we can get an answer for that? I know you may not have. >> Yeah. After Richard's done, I'll explain how the three work together. >> Okay, good. Thank you. >> I just uh forgot part of my comments to begin with and I wanted to bring this up. I've talked with James Dixon with

59
00:27:11.039 --> 00:27:28.000
Code Enforcement about how many houses on Treasure Island are currently in such bad shape that they need to be demolished immediately. There's only two. There's one on Fifth Street in Palms. There's this one that we've been

60
00:27:28.000 --> 00:27:43.600
talking about on Sunset Beach. So, it's not like it's a widpread situation. There are several I mean dozens of abandoned houses. But the good thing, for instance, there's one on Sixth Street in Palms that the outside is being maintained. So, it doesn't look

61
00:27:43.600 --> 00:27:59.840
bad from the inside. From the outside, from the inside, no no telling how bad it is. So, this is not a huge problem as far as numbers. uh the one where a demo contractor should be hired as soon as possible and torn down. There's only two

62
00:27:59.840 --> 00:28:16.480
that come to mind. Just want to point that out. >> Great. Thank you, Richard. All right. We're now going to close the public hearing. Um do we have any comments? No comments. >> Um I did want to address a couple of

63
00:28:16.480 --> 00:28:31.760
questions and explain how the ordinances work together. The first ordinance that we're talking about right now, uh, 202612, is for unsafe structures. This is condemnation of an unsafe building, and this is about tearing down the

64
00:28:31.760 --> 00:28:46.480
building. Um, and then the issue with rats and nuisances comes up in conjunction with the second ordinance and the third ordinance. The second ordinance has code of enforcement updates. Um, and it does

65
00:28:46.480 --> 00:29:02.799
allow us to require abatement of a nuisance. If there's specific findings, what is the nuisance on the property? Um, in other words, we wouldn't require, for example, tearing down a house if the grass was just too tall. You would have to tear down the gr cut down the grass.

66
00:29:02.799 --> 00:29:18.720
We wouldn't require tearing down a house if it was just rats. Uh, you would just require removal of the rats. Um, but in some cases, you may have all three of these things going on. I think we've heard of one or two examples. Um, so

67
00:29:18.720 --> 00:29:34.880
code enforcement, uh, James and Nancy are working on that particular house and they are in contact with rat exterminators that would work in conjunction with any demolition of the house so that we're not releasing rats and we're not having dead smelly rats

68
00:29:34.880 --> 00:29:51.840
within a house before it's demolished. We're trying to get that done as soon as possible. That's why we wanted to have this emergency well special meeting almost like an emergency ordinance but it's the second reading um in a special meeting so that we can get started on this right right away rather than having

69
00:29:51.840 --> 00:30:09.919
to wait until the July meeting. So these three all work together and we're right now we're on the first one about tearing down buildings that are unsafe. >> So she asked one question and actually I would it's a very good question. Um, so

70
00:30:09.919 --> 00:30:25.200
once it's torn down and the rats are gone, will the property still accumulate or >> Okay, that was a good question. I have a note here to talk about that and I forgot. Um, so the the first part uh in this second ordinance 2026-13,

71
00:30:25.200 --> 00:30:41.360
the code enforcement board or special magistrate, if they find a violation, they assess a daily penalty until the propertyy's brought into compliance. Um, so that penalty accumulates and it's still accumulating now each day. If the

72
00:30:41.360 --> 00:30:58.000
rats are are taken out by the city and if the house is demolished by the city and the and the property is brought into compliance, the penalty part would stop and that would that would say what your ultimate penalty would be somewhere more than 79,500

73
00:30:58.000 --> 00:31:13.279
adding on these additional days. Plus, it would add on the costs that are incurred by the city for the demolition and for the extermination of the rats. That would be added on as well, as well as administrative fees and costs um that we have for the special magistrate

74
00:31:13.279 --> 00:31:29.279
hearing. Um I think Richard was kindly enough to offer to pay upfront. The problem is he can't do business with your own city. You can only do up to $500 once a year, and this would be more than $500. So,

75
00:31:29.279 --> 00:31:45.039
you can't um contract with the city or contract with them and they get reimbursed by the city if you're on an elected board or an advisory board. Uh because Richard's still on the LPA, he can't can't do that under chapter 112 Florida statutes, but the city has

76
00:31:45.039 --> 00:32:01.279
resources and we can't uh hire uh a demolition contractor and it may very well be the same same one. It could turn out that way. And then we would pay directly and then we put a lean on the property and when the realer sells the property that lean will get paid at the

77
00:32:01.279 --> 00:32:18.559
closing >> and the penalties would get paid at the closing. >> Do you know what account that money would go into for the city? >> I would have to defer to finance on that. >> There's some line item probably for code

78
00:32:18.559 --> 00:32:33.679
enforcement. >> Yes, sir. Um, it would probably go back into the general fund, but don't hold me to that. I'll get you a specific answer. I don't see Mr. Ortiz in here this morning, but um, like the building department within

79
00:32:33.679 --> 00:32:49.600
CDD is its own set of funds separate and apart from code enforcement and permitting. So, I I'll figure out that nuance and get it to all of you. >> Great. Thank you. >> I have one more question. Um

80
00:32:49.600 --> 00:33:06.320
the exactly what was said earlier that it seems very obvious that the woman doesn't really want to sell the property and with the fines adding up even if we demo the property. It basically sounds like we're going to have to maintain the

81
00:33:06.320 --> 00:33:23.039
property if the real estate agent doesn't sell it. Don't we have repercussions against the realtor themselves if the property is not kept up if it's not sold being that it's under contract with them? And at what point,

82
00:33:23.039 --> 00:33:39.200
you know, is it just ongoing forever? I mean, if she until she whatever happens, um, if she just basically refuses to sell it because exactly what the neighbor said, she's not I mean, it's pretty obvious she doesn't want to sell

83
00:33:39.200 --> 00:33:57.360
it and no one is going to come in and and pay all the fines and such. So, what does that are there any repercussions to the realer as far as maintaining the property even if it's torn down as far as mowing the grass, making sure that the property is kept? What What is the

84
00:33:57.360 --> 00:34:13.119
repercussions on that if any? >> Yeah, they go against the property owner and not a realtor who has the property listed for sale. Um, the realtors, if they're part of the National Association, realators are subject to the code of ethics for realators. Um,

85
00:34:13.119 --> 00:34:30.399
but certainly I you are allowed to list a property that's not not in compliance. Um, it doesn't go against you unless you are somehow responsible for it. Um, so I don't have any indication that they're not actually trying to sell it. I think

86
00:34:30.399 --> 00:34:45.359
it I think I heard from Nancy that it is listed in the MLS perhaps. Um, so it is up for sale. One of the problems is if you're a buyer, you can imagine, do I want to buy a property that I know is not in compliance? And if you do, we

87
00:34:45.359 --> 00:34:59.599
have written into this second ordinance 2613 um that they can immediately clean up the property and that can stop the line or the fines. Um and then there is a process to come in and ask for uh

88
00:34:59.599 --> 00:35:17.280
reduction in fines and leans. Um sometimes buyers will do that. They'll say, "Hey, I rescued this property. I deserve some credit for my rescue. I'd like to have a reduced fine." Um, sometimes the buyers and the sellers will put the money for the fines into an

89
00:35:17.280 --> 00:35:33.119
escrow account so that if the fines aren't reduced, that's already been paid for and then that transfers to the city. So, um, that can either be done at closing or after closing. So, there's various ways of taking care of that money. Um, but you can imagine if the

90
00:35:33.119 --> 00:35:48.800
property is in bad shape, then the sales price is typically reduced. So you're getting a bargain price on property that in good shape would be worth more. So some of that bargain price if it's can be used to offset the fines and the

91
00:35:48.800 --> 00:36:07.839
penalties and the leans. Um, that's part of the bargaining that goes on between the properties. >> Any further discussion? Please call roll. >> Vice Mayor Vasquez. >> I. Commissioner Sison. >> I. >> Commissioner Clark. >> I. >> Mayor Doctor >> I.

92
00:36:07.839 --> 00:36:28.400
>> Thank you. >> The next ordinance is ordinance 2026-13. An ordinance. This is the code enforcement ordinance. an ordinance of the city of Treasure Island, Florida, updating and amending article 3 entitled code enforcement in chapter 2 of the code of ordinances providing for a

93
00:36:28.400 --> 00:36:43.920
definition of irreparable and irreversible violations. We've now in the body of the ordinance called it irreparable or irreversible, but that will not need to be reverted. Providing for clarifying language regarding membership qualifications,

94
00:36:43.920 --> 00:36:58.960
exparte disclosures and conflict of interest of code enforcement board members. Qualifications of a special magistrate. Enforcement and hearing procedures. Legal counsel to the code enforcement board. Authorization for administrative fees. Criteria for

95
00:36:58.960 --> 00:37:14.720
reduction and elimination of fines. Each party to pay for their own costs and attorneys fees. And an action to foreclose on a lean. correcting scrivener's errors in ambiguous and outdated language throughout the article providing for conflicts providing for severability and providing for an

96
00:37:14.720 --> 00:37:30.560
effective date. Now the ordinance in front of you is stamped staff recommended changes for second reading. Uh we had a meeting on Friday with James the code enforcement inspector Nancy uh myself and Don who is the uh who's here

97
00:37:30.560 --> 00:37:45.119
and he's the chairman of the code enforcement board. Don happens to be a lawyer uh from Indiana. He's not a Florida uh licensed lawyer, but he's actually a very good lawyer and um he had some excellent comments and

98
00:37:45.119 --> 00:38:00.880
suggestions. So, we spent uh two and a half hours going through the ordinance and some of the changes um and uh we incorporated the ones we agreed with and thought were good and um James from code enforcement was also in agreement with

99
00:38:00.880 --> 00:38:18.160
those. Um, this does have language about the nuisance and making specific findings what the nuisance is. Um, which will help and it'll also help us defend uh the orders that we get in court because we are seeing attorneys show up for violators and taking certain cases

100
00:38:18.160 --> 00:38:38.960
to court. So, we want to make sure we're ironclad and tight on on these. And so, that's uh what you see in front of you with these changes. Do we have a motion? >> I move to approve 2026-13

101
00:38:38.960 --> 00:38:54.480
with the staff changes. >> Second. >> We have a motion and a second. Is there any discussion? Then I'd like to open it up to the the audience. Um we have two.

102
00:38:54.480 --> 00:39:17.359
The first one being Don Sneemas. >> Thank you, Mr. Mayor, Madam Vice Mayor, Commissioners. I'm Don Nemus, District 1, and I'm the chair of the code enforcement board. I'll try and be brief. That doesn't always work out. I'll try. I want to recognize Ralph and

103
00:39:17.359 --> 00:39:33.440
Nancy in particular for their excellent work on these changes. um and their uh willingness to confer and and and make it even better. I think um these changes clarify a lot of rights and a

104
00:39:33.440 --> 00:39:50.640
lot of procedures that were a little murky in the past. um they maintain good due process rights and in some cases actually add due process rights for alleged violators which is important and they give the board the code enforcement board the uh some additional powers and

105
00:39:50.640 --> 00:40:08.000
authorities which are are much needed. These include the ability to impose an administrative fee because the code enforcement folks work very hard and incur a lot of expense of the city in doing this and I think that that is fair that that administrative fee be passed on to violators were appropriate. It

106
00:40:08.000 --> 00:40:24.480
also clarifies that any costs incurred by the city in remedying uh particularly dangerous situations be passed along to violators as well. Um it clarifies that now requests to reduce or eliminate fines and leans uh

107
00:40:24.480 --> 00:40:40.240
come to you rather than the code enforcement board. Um which because it's a lean really only the commission would have the authority I think to reduce that lean. And so and that makes perfect sense as well. Um I wanted to add a

108
00:40:40.240 --> 00:40:57.040
comment to Vice Mayor Vasquez's question about well what happens if they just don't do it? Remember, you could if you have a penalty on these properties or you've imposed costs or administrative fees or whatever, that's a lean. You can foreclose that lean. You can start a foreclosure period

109
00:40:57.040 --> 00:41:12.640
process, foreclose on that property, then sell it, then remedy the situation that way. So, you always do have that right. And I think, you know, given our special circumstances now, uh, out from a couple years out from the flood, we do

110
00:41:12.640 --> 00:41:29.280
have a lot of properties that come before us that, um, missing owners, non-ooperative owners. You heard Mr. Harris talk. You know, those places do exist. And I I think that you're going to start seeing those things in front of you. Um, we are going to start working on rules.

111
00:41:29.280 --> 00:41:45.920
We don't we don't have rules that says we're supposed to, but we but we've been waiting for these changes so that the rules can comply with the changes. So, you'll be seeing that soon. Um uh there's a a another change here is that um the legal council

112
00:41:45.920 --> 00:42:01.760
and this is going to be a big change for us. We we'll no longer be representing the code enforcement board. legal counsel will now be assisting the city in preparing the cases that are brought before us and the cases I believe that are brought before magistrate. So you will have a legal counsel available to

113
00:42:01.760 --> 00:42:17.520
staff to make sure that these cases when they're brought before us uh can make their primmaaccia evidence and make their case in a proper way and I think probably in a little more streamlined way because these are quasi judicial proceedings and so uh we we certainly

114
00:42:17.520 --> 00:42:34.960
support that. But that does mean though that the code enforcement board still needs legal counsel and this accounts for that. So we're really going to have to have now an extra expense. Please understand that. Um I leave it to the attorneys to um decide whether that can come from the same firm with some sort

115
00:42:34.960 --> 00:42:50.880
of wall. I don't know if that's possible, but you if not, then you're going to be looking at another firm to provide us the legal counsel we need to interpret some of these things. Most of us are are lay people. And I'm I'm not an attorney. Uh I'm a recovering

116
00:42:50.880 --> 00:43:07.440
attorney. Oh, Ralph, I've earned my one-year coin. Uh hoping for two. So, uh I'm not sure I I can provide legal counsel. I know I can't. Um but I'm certainly not a Florida lawyer and not an expert in

117
00:43:07.440 --> 00:43:22.880
these laws. At least not until recently when I really started to have to dig into them. Anyway, I'm I'm rambling. Thank you to Ralph and Nancy and thank you for these much needed changes. >> Thank you, Don. >> I do need to make one apology to my board members.

118
00:43:22.880 --> 00:43:39.520
These the first reading of this came the night before our last meeting. The second reading and final reading is coming before our next meeting. We were going to discuss it. We didn't have that chance and because the sunshine laws, I can't call up my members and just ask for their input in getting back. It's

119
00:43:39.520 --> 00:43:57.440
really a hamstring. So, public apologies to them. Um, if they have any problems with it, I know we can always bring more changes if we think it's that important. So, again, thank you. >> Great. Thank you, Mark Hoey. >> Thank you, Mark Hoey, District 3. I want

120
00:43:57.440 --> 00:44:15.680
to add my uh uh thanks to Ralph and also to chairman Sneemas for reaching a much stronger set of rules and guidelines and ordinance to direct their efforts. uh

121
00:44:15.680 --> 00:44:31.760
having followed code enforcement uh and then now attending the meetings, you can see that they had been hamstrung in some cases by how loose our regulations were for them to be able to move forward with

122
00:44:31.760 --> 00:44:49.280
some of these cases. Uh and that's been a problem and it's frustrating and it's frustrating to residents because they don't see movement on things that they're seeing firsthand. Uh, I think we also must recognize, you know, code enforcement was this sleepy little thing

123
00:44:49.280 --> 00:45:05.920
before two years ago. You'd get an occasional, oh, somebody's grass is too tall or they're not picking up their yard waste, whatever. Well, now we have literally hundreds and hundreds of properties that are in various stages of non-compliance

124
00:45:05.920 --> 00:45:21.359
and that's put a burden on the department uh to try to maintain that. And again, we need to have stronger ordinances like these and rules underneath them so that they can move them through. They're not seeing the same cases because they're being

125
00:45:21.359 --> 00:45:36.640
continued month after month after month because there's workarounds. Workarounds. And you're going to see and I and I want to applaud again the code enforcement people. They're starting to move into that area that we all know has been

126
00:45:36.640 --> 00:45:53.440
happening and that's work being done without permits. big- time renovation being done to damaged buildings without permits. And that hasn't really been in their radar. Uh they know it's been happening, but no, you know, other than

127
00:45:53.440 --> 00:46:09.440
reports from individuals, it hasn't really reared its head. It's happening. And that's not only uh uh unfair to all the owners who fixed their properties properly and paid their uh fees and they

128
00:46:09.440 --> 00:46:26.319
paid their permit fees and stuff. The city's losing out on income from that. We're talking about maybe needing more money for code enforcement. Well, it doesn't come from when you got people uh not paying permit fees and just fixing the buildings and putting them back on

129
00:46:26.319 --> 00:46:42.240
the market or turning them into rentals without any sort of involvement with the permit process. So hopefully this is the start of that and uh we'll be able to support them going forward. Thank you. >> Thank you, Mark. Do we have anyone else

130
00:46:42.240 --> 00:46:58.960
that would like to speak? Seeing none, we'll close the public comment. Any additional discussion? >> I just want to thank >> I want to say one thing. Um we were talking about foreclosing on uh leans. U we would always come to you before doing

131
00:46:58.960 --> 00:47:14.240
something like that. Um also if you have a declared homestead on the property, we can't foreclose on those. That's why we sometimes have to wait for the properties to sell. >> Got it. >> I'm sorry to interrupt. >> No, no, not at all. I just wanted to thank cuz I know there's a few people

132
00:47:14.240 --> 00:47:29.119
watching that had reached out to me um and and I had the same uh questions is because I am definitely a huge advocate for private property rights and there was a few things that

133
00:47:29.119 --> 00:47:46.640
concerned me along the way um and the few changes that were made definitely addressed that. So for those few people who reached out to me who I know are watching, I just want to say that every step was taken to reserve the

134
00:47:46.640 --> 00:48:02.160
private property rights of everyone who owns their property. And because government overreach is never a good thing because of who future boards, code boards, commission, one thing we don't

135
00:48:02.160 --> 00:48:19.280
want is, you know, just the ability to, like you said earlier, uh, Ralph, you know, if the grass is too long, we're tearing the house down. So, those precautions and changes were definitely taken. And I want to thank you for doing that and for answering and and I was

136
00:48:19.280 --> 00:48:35.839
able to to feel comfortable with voting this forward because I know it's needed, but we have to look forward to make sure everybody is protected in the future as well. So, I just want to thank you and Don, I did not realize you were the chair of the code board and I'm glad to hear that. That's that's very good and I

137
00:48:35.839 --> 00:48:52.079
think that will be very helpful as well. So, thank you. >> All right. I just want to make sure that uh construction costs uh match the permit fees. Uh the issue I keep bringing up. Uh so I hope city staff uh could look into that and city manager

138
00:48:52.079 --> 00:49:09.119
could lead city staff and making sure uh we get the proper permit fees for reconstruction and building. There is a new bill that we'll be bringing you a report about um that says you have to assess building permit fees

139
00:49:09.119 --> 00:49:24.240
commensurate with the work you're doing on the building permit application and rather than basing it on project cost. So beginning in January it can't be based on project cost have to be based on the amount of time that the staff

140
00:49:24.240 --> 00:49:46.160
spends on each application. That's all I have. All right. Uh, roll call, please. >> Vice Mayor Vasquez, >> I. Commissioner Clark, >> I. >> Commissioner Sison, >> I. >> Mayor Doctor, >> I. >> Thanks, >> Mayor. Shall I read the third ordinance?

141
00:49:46.160 --> 00:50:03.119
>> Yes, please. Ordinance 2026-14, an ordinance of the city of Treasure Island, Florida, amend amending chapter 18 environment of the code of ordinances of the city of Treasure Island, Florida by amending section 18-37 vacant lots to

142
00:50:03.119 --> 00:50:19.520
incorporate stabilization methods and amending section 18-38 abatement relating to the abatement of nuisances clarifying the method of collection to include any means of collection available under Florida law including but not limited to foreclosure

143
00:50:19.520 --> 00:50:35.280
and collection on the tax bill as a non-advelorum special assessment lean providing for appeals to be presented to the special magistrate providing for conflicts providing for severability providing for codification and providing

144
00:50:35.280 --> 00:50:51.119
for an effective date. And this ordinance establishes this alternative method for homestead properties that have leans that can be put on the tax bill as a non-advelorum method of collecting the money back that the city spends abating nuisances. So this gives

145
00:50:51.119 --> 00:51:06.640
us the option of doing that particularly on homestead properties. >> Great. Thank you. Can we have a motion please? >> I move to approve ordinance 2026-14 at this second and final reading. Second.

146
00:51:06.640 --> 00:51:22.800
>> We have a motion and a second. I'd like to open it up to public comments. And we have one Mark Hoey. >> Okay. Thank you. Any others? Sarah, please step forward. Um,

147
00:51:22.800 --> 00:51:38.240
so I understand we're going through all the back end of how this is dealt with and managed, but I would love to make a request, which is from the resident point of view, could our public information officer or someone put out information for the residents so we understand besides those couple

148
00:51:38.240 --> 00:51:53.440
properties that have been identified, for example, a house next door that has rats or an issue, how what are our steps as a resident to help get that abatement going? what kind of timeline should we expect and just give us the kind of

149
00:51:53.440 --> 00:52:10.079
footprint of of what our steps are for residents. I would love that at some point. It'd be helpful. Thanks. >> Great. Thank you, Sarah. All right. We'll close public comment. Do we have any further discussion? >> Yeah. I just want to say I disagree with the I agree with the comment that she just made because I would say in the

150
00:52:10.079 --> 00:52:26.960
last year this is probably the most amount of emails and phone calls I've got gotten is on you know what do I do properties next to me you know I've seen properties that have right currently have complete walls missing you can see insulation in there and so I think it'd

151
00:52:26.960 --> 00:52:42.160
be great for the public to know what to do because if we have these new ordinances let's let's get input from maybe stuff we don't all see and start getting stuff taken care of. >> I would agree with that. I think some type of a >> maybe put together like a flowchart

152
00:52:42.160 --> 00:52:58.640
maybe picture and with some phone numbers to call. >> Yep. I think that would be because something we get asked a lot is what >> process. Let's explain it >> like a simple instruction manual. >> Okay. >> It's a great idea.

153
00:52:58.640 --> 00:53:15.800
>> All right. Any further discussion? >> All right. Call roll please. >> Vice Mayor Vasquez. >> I. Commissioner Clark. >> I. >> Commissioner Sesan. >> Hi. >> Mayor Doctor. >> I. >> And that concludes

154
00:53:16.400 --> 00:53:30.040
our business for today. I appreciate all of you coming. And we're adjourned. Okay.