Clermont Code Enforcement meeting Transcript 4-29-26

13:37 Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen,
13:38 and I would like to welcome you to the uh Clermont Code Enforcement Board. board meeting for tonight.
13:46 At this time, we'd like to pledge our allegiance. And if you could stand,
13:50 could you please and pledge our allegiance to the flag
13:58 to the flag of the United States of America and to the republic for it stands, one nation under God,
14:06 indivisible, with liberty and justice for all. Thank you very much.
14:18 At this time, I understand that we have a new member that we need to swear in.
14:25 Yes, Madam Chair, it's my pleasure at this time to welcome our new member, uh,
14:28 Mr. Anthony Baron. And I know you've served on boards previously. Um, if you I will swear you in at this time. You're
14:37 welcome to remain seated and raise your right hand or you can stand. We can do it however you choose. All right, that's fine. So, if you would please raise your right hand
14:44 and then repeat after me. I state your name. I, Anthony Baron,
14:49 a citizen of the United States of America.
14:52 The citizen of the United States of America and resident in the city of Clermont.
14:56 And the city and resident of the city of Clermont being appointed appointed to the code enforcement board of the city of Clermont.
15:02 Being appointed to the code enforcement board of the city of Clermont.
15:06 Do hereby swall so solemnly swear or affirm. I hereby solemnly swear or affirm that I will support the Constitution of the United States
15:14 I will support the Constitution of the United States the laws of the state of Florida and the laws of the state of Florida and the charter and ordinances of the city of Clermont
15:22 and the charter and the ordinances of the city of Clermont that I am duly qualified to serve I am duly qualified to serve under the constitution of the state of
15:30 Florida under the constitution of the state of Florida and the of the city of Clermont and the city of Clermont and that I will well and faithfully
15:38 perform and I will well and fairly perform the duties of the board the duties of the board on which I am now which I am about to enter and which now I'm about to enter.
15:47 So help me God. So help me God.
15:49 And if you would please then just sign uh the oath which is before you and then madame clerk who witnessed your oath will notoriize it after the meeting.
15:57 Okay.
15:58 You can sign it between the notary block and the oath.
16:06 Yeah. My pen is dry, of course. Right.
16:18 You're good. Thank you, sir. All right.
16:23 Okay. Thank you very much and welcome to the board. Thank you. Pleasure. Honor.
16:31 I would like to welcome everyone to the April 29th, 2026 City of Clermont Code Enforcement Board meeting. Before we
16:40 begin, I would like to advise everyone about the procedures that govern appearance before this board.
16:48 This meeting is open to the public under Florida government in the Sunshine Law and is being recorded on YouTube. The
16:56 code enforcement board is acting in a quasi judicial capacity when considering individual cases. However, every effort
17:06 will be made to be every effort will be made to hear all persons having relevant evidence or argument to offer in
17:14 accordance with rules for such proceedings.
17:19 We ask that each person who speaks before the code enforcement board sign the sign-in sheet located on the table
17:26 up front. After the opening remarks, all those who intend to speak today will be sworn in or affirmed. When asked if a respondent is present for your case,
17:38 please come up to the podium. All proceedings before this board are electronically recorded. Please speak
17:45 directly into the microphone at the podium and state your name and address clearly for the record. Additionally,
17:53 please limit your comments to only information relating to the case being presented.
17:59 The city of Clermont has the burden of proving a violation exists. The city presents their case and then the
18:07 respondent presents theirs. Once all cases where respondents are present have been heard, the board will then hear the
18:15 remaining cases. Each party may question witnesses offered by on behalf of the other party. Additionally, the board
18:24 members and their attorney may question those appearing before the board.
18:30 This board will then make its decisions based upon the evidence and testimony presented by both parties. The board's
18:37 role is to determine if a violation exists and if so in most cases set a date for the violation to be corrected
18:45 and set a fine if comp compliance is not met. It is not the board's role to
18:53 advise you of a specific method or act that you can take to come into compliance.
19:00 The code enforcement board is appointed by the city of Clermont to review alleged violations of city of Clermont code of ordinance fairly and objectedly.
19:11 Its members are volunteers and non-emp employees of the city. The board's authority is limited to determining if a
19:18 violation of the code exists. It does not have the authority to change the codes or ordinance. Although you may
19:27 have evidence, argument, or circumstances that could justify being excused from compliance with the
19:34 applicable code, you are advised that this board does not have the authority to grant you an excuse.
19:41 Such an excuse is commonly referred to as a variance or exemption and may be granted through other procedures such as
19:49 application to the city, but not by this code enforcement board. To avoid interference with cases being presented
19:56 to the board, all cell phones are to be turned off or silenced while in the chambers.
20:05 Do we have anyone who wishes to testify? We need to swear in.
20:13 Yes, ma'am. So, at this time, anyone who's here, we only have one case on the agenda. Anyone who's here to give testimony in that case, I do have to
20:20 swear you in. and the any some members of city staff that are going to testify also have to swear them in. So, if you know you're going to speak on this case,
20:29 you can remain seated. Um, but if you would please raise your right hand.
20:34 All right. About half the room. All right. Do you swear or affirm the testimony you're about to give in these proceedings will be the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth?
20:42 All right. Thank you. And if you didn't raise your right hand and take the oath, but you decide you do want to speak,
20:48 that's fine. Please, when you come up to the podium, before you state your name,
20:52 let give me the opportunity to place you under oath and we'll proceed.
21:06 Um, good evening everyone. Did I turn it off? Yeah. Good evening everyone. My name is Avery Diane. I'm the assistant city attorney. I'm just going to go over
21:13 the agenda for tonight, which is just one item. Um that will be case number 26 00000055
21:21 respondent Cobb Trust and the property address 1919 Sunset Lane.
21:41 Good evening board. Andrew Snodgrass, Clermont Code Enforcement. Uh, this is case number 26-000055,
21:51 1919 Sunset Lane, Cold Trust.
21:55 Uh, this is the city code section stated in the notice of violations 1853 subsections 2 3 6 11 and 14.
22:05 1854 1855.
22:12 Also listed on the notice of violation is the international property maintenance codes 109.1 unsafe conditions 109.1.3
22:21 structure unfit for human occupancy and 302.5 rodent harbor bridge.
22:28 This is the location of the property per Lake County property appraiser.
22:34 It's a quick case summary. Notice violation was uh given March 12th, 2026. Notice of hearing sent out April 21st,
22:41 2026. Compliance status as of today's hearing is the property is in compliance.
22:49 the notice of violation,
22:55 the notice to appear along with the affidavit of hand delivery.
23:03 This is the red tag that was placed on the property per IPMC, the International Property Maintenance Code.
23:14 This is a picture from the front door of the property um showing the accumulation and the egress issues.
23:24 This is to the right of the front door. It's the living room area.
23:38 This is another picture of the living room area.
23:42 There are, if you look towards the center of that picture, there is a room towards the back left in the center that is a utility closet and then to the
23:50 right is another bedroom. So, it's definitely egress issues due to the accumulation.
24:01 the closer picture of that location.
24:10 It's the bedroom to the left.
24:19 This is uh taken on April 15th. That bedroom to the left.
24:26 This is the bedroom to the right.
24:30 Again, showing egress issues. You would not be able to reach that window.
24:38 The kitchen, the accumulation, unsanitary in the kitchen.
24:57 Uh this is April 15th. So it's approximately 28 29 days after the original um picture that was shown.
25:06 So the living room at this point is compliant for egress issues.
25:13 This is following up on April 20th.
25:22 So that bedroom to the left on April 20th showing the property is this bedroom is in compliance at that time with the egress issues
25:35 the loc location of the property and showing the exterior of the property.
25:42 So a quick case summary case was open in March 2026 after being notified of the state of the interior.
25:48 uh multiple egress egress issues throughout the home uh due to severe accumulation of materials. The interior contain interior contained filth
25:56 accumulation and lacked proper maintenance causing unsanitary conditions. Due to the accumulation on the interior, lack of illumination,
26:04 ventilation, general filth, and rodent harbor bridge, the unsafe and unsanitary conditions were multiplied.
26:10 Uh the interior, while still unclean, is free from violations at this time. The property owner has stayed in contact with code enforcement on daily basis
26:19 since the March uh 2026 hearing and the owner is planning to have the interior gutted and replaced in some locations uh once the home is vacant.
26:34 So staff recommendation on this case is to find the respondent was in violation of the section stated and that the property needs to stay in compliance for
26:41 a period of sex 60 days and the code enforcement will have the right to inspect the property upon any reasonable
26:48 request during that 60-day period. If the property is found to not be in compliance during this period, the city may make all reasonable repairs, which
26:56 are required to bring the property into compliance and charge the violator with reasonable cost of repairs and to assess administrative costs the property in the
27:04 amount of $61.35 for the cost associated with the case.
27:09 Uh, that is all I have. Do you have any questions for me? Yes.
27:18 Andrew, can I ask a question? Well, if if you don't mind, before we get to that, um my name is Christian Juan. I am
27:25 the city attorney. Um first of all, it's it's nice to see everyone tonight. I wish it didn't have to be at a special meeting, but I wanted to give you some
27:33 context about the city's case uh in this matter. So, we're here on a special meeting. It has not been done in modern
27:41 history. And part of the reason why uh this has been done is because the city is taking this case very seriously. And it's not that we don't think you
27:49 normally take cases seriously, but we're asking you to take this especially seriously. Um, and indicative of that
27:56 fact, I'm here, uh, there are members of the city council here, members of the public, uh, here on this case who I'm
28:04 I'm going to ask you to listen to very carefully as you consider this case. Um,
28:09 this is not the only remedy that we're pursuing, but in this staff recommendation, you will see things that you have not seen in other cases before,
28:19 such as investigative costs. And the reason why is because we're asking you to consider applying the maximum possible remedies based on the
28:27 situation. It is rare that the city presents a case to you where from the city's perspective, the violation is
28:34 actually already in compliance. The reason why the city's doing that is because the city needs you to find I
28:42 mean from our perspective that there is a violation so that the next time it happens it will be considered a repeat and our remedies increase the fine
28:50 amounts increase the other remedies that we can pursue increase when it's a repeat. So it's very important for us and maybe you've asked yourself that
28:58 question why are we bringing something that's already been in compliance. It's because we don't want to have to come back here again. The city's main objective is compliance. All right,
29:06 that's number one. But this is not the only case that you've seen on this property. It's not the only case that
29:14 we're currently pursuing on the property. Uh some of the details of what we are pursuing is not for this hearing. I don't need to get into those details,
29:22 but uh we're just asking that you do everything that you can to help enforce uh the laws that we have. Thank you.
29:32 Any questions? Any questions for me?
29:34 No. The question was, did the owner of the property give you an action plan or did you have to develop the action plan?
29:42 Oh, I'm sorry, my mic's not on. Did you actually get an action plan from the owner of the property or did you actually create the action plan?
29:50 So, we cannot create an action plan. We can tell them what needs done. We do not create a plan for them to come into compliance. We just state what is required for them to be in compliance.
29:59 Okay.
30:00 So the owner themselves came up with um the the gutting of the interior and you know pro possibly making the home vacant in the future. That's all the the donor.
30:10 We cannot require them to do things. That's down the road, right? What's what's the action plan to today?
30:16 I mean you can you can speak with the owner about that whenever he speaks but I cannot talk about what he is what we are forcing him to do so to speak.
30:24 All right. That should be like the first day.
30:29 I have a question. You say that the property is in compliance now? Yes.
30:35 Does that mean all that rubbish and stuff has been removed? The egress violations, the accumulation, yes,
30:42 is is gone. While like I said in the uh previous one, it may not be to everybody's expectation,
30:48 being uncleanly, being unclean is not a violation. But the violations of the egress issues,
30:55 the rodent harborage, things of that nature. Yes, they are gone. Okay. Thank you. Yes.
31:04 Any other questions?
31:05 Uh you were this case was before us in our last meeting and that was uh the accumulated outdoor rubbish. Yes.
31:11 And I had asked you a question about the carport. Um and then I see on the picture that there's just some blinds uh over the carport. Now is the carport now cleared?
31:21 Yes, I was actually by there earlier today. Um there is a little bit of storage under there but it is not accumulation causing an egress issue from the home.
31:29 Okay. Thank you. Yes. Any other questions for me?
31:35 Are there are respondents and um public that wish to speak as well? Thank you.
31:42 Is there anybody who wants to uh speak on behalf of this case? Please come forward to the podium.
32:00 Please state your name and address.
32:02 William Gold, 11618 Holmes Drive, former owner of the property at 1919 Sunset.
32:10 Mhm.
32:13 It is in in fact my intention to vacate the property completely. Not down the
32:20 road very soon. I within weeks I want to get the property empty so I can get the plur
32:28 completely cleaned out. Start not just cleaning it out but rehabbing the
32:35 property. It needs serious work and I want to do that all in a very rapid fashion.
32:43 Is there somebody occupying the property now? My son is there. Yes. Living there. He is.
32:53 Does anyone else have any other questions?
32:56 It's not my intention to come here and and argue any of the case here. It's my intention to apologize
33:03 for what's transpired there for the last several years. Not just to you, but to the residents of Sunset Lane who've had
33:11 to endure his living there and the repeat violations for for what I can
33:18 see. And I'm going to try and remedy that situation by eliminating him from the property and anyone else.
33:26 Do you have a timeline?
33:28 I I would like to do it within a couple of weeks.
33:34 Is Is it reasonable to ask for 30 days?
33:44 The property is in compliance at this time. It'd be very simple.
33:49 Okay. And within 30 days, I'll have him removed. Make sure there is no one coming to that property. Again, it's
33:57 been a frequent visitation spot for homeless people and it's just
34:04 And how do you plan on solving that problem?
34:07 Well, with nobody being there, no one can go in. I mean, there I I intend to replace doors, locks, make sure there's
34:15 no way anyone else can get in the property.
34:20 And that would be including securing the windows and Oh, yes, absolutely. I'd like to replace the windows since we're coming into the
34:28 warmer season, but it it's the property is old. It's from the 1950s and it still has older windows, so it they're not
34:37 very secure. Well,
34:42 from my perspective, they're they're not very uh efficient, for sure.
34:50 They they are pretty secure. Some of them don't move. They're not openable windows. They're just plate glass and
34:57 things like that. But do you have any contractors or vendors at this time who are ready to do this work?
35:03 Under contract right now that I can certainly obtain some of the ones that I
35:09 need. But you know the immediate
35:16 is just cleaning it out and that's that's you know a trash out thing that I can hire out. I can get a dumpster to
35:25 make sure that everything is out of the property. Then I can make sure it's clean, disinfected,
35:31 so no bugs or rodents could come back in. And how do you plan on vacating the uh occupants who are in the home now if
35:40 they are you going to uh I'm told that the two squatters that are living in the
35:48 house will be gone by tomorrow and my son will be gone within 30 days. I'll be leaving voluntarily.
35:57 What's that? I'll be leaving voluntarily. He won't need to be forced out.
36:05 Okay. Does anyone here have any questions? Yes, ma'am.
36:10 Uh, sir, I take it that you've personally inspected this property from your comments. Is that correct?
36:16 Today I've been there. I'm I'm there almost every day now.
36:19 And and you do I take it from your comments that you agree with the charges uh violations that the code enforcement officers have made?
36:27 They have been, you know, happening and cleaning up. Yes. Thank you, sir.
36:36 One more question for Chris. I mean Andrew. Yes. 109 usually covers structural damages.
36:42 Is did you notice any structural damage with the propert?
36:45 No. 109.1.3 also covers unsanitary conditions as well. Unsanitary unsafe conditions as well.
36:50 Yeah. Okay. That's right. I was just curious if you noticed any like roof coming down or ceilings coming down. Solid. It's okay.
37:04 And if there are no further questions from the board, I was wondering if I would have an opportunity to cross-examine the witness on I had a question.
37:12 Please.
37:13 All right, Mr. Cole. First of all, thank you for being here. Um I I I thought I heard you say that you you were the former owner. Is the former resident?
37:22 I see. I lived there for up until 200 18. That answers my question. Thank you.
37:37 Any other questions?
37:38 Does anyone else have any other questions?
37:43 I can certainly abide by that timeline and we can make everything happen to uh everyone's satisfaction, I believe.
37:50 Well, you do understand at this point uh what the town is asking for is that you must stay in compliance for a period of
37:58 60 days and if you fall out of compliance within that 60 days, this will be considered a re a repeat offense.
38:06 Understand? Yes. You're aware of that? Of course. Okay. Thank you. Would anyone like to make a motion?
38:15 We have members of the public also. Oh, I I apologize. Anything else, sir?
38:25 Would anyone else like to speak on behalf of this case?
38:30 Please come to the podium. State your name and address.
38:40 My name is Patricia Woodhouse. I live at 2010 Sunset Lane, Clermont, Florida.
38:45 I've been before the board before regarding this case and I understand well first of all those pictures are disgusting and those things are still
38:53 there and the residents never left when the uh red sticker was on the door. Um Andrew failed to mention that he found
39:01 needles and there were seven pitbulls in the house at the time. Okay, those pit bulls have been roaming the streets.
39:07 Whether they're there now, I have no idea. They were in my yard two or three days ago.
39:13 How would you like to live three doors down from this? And I have many neighbors here tonight. Some of them may speak, they may not speak. My tenant is
39:20 here. They live two doors down. There is another rental next door that does not belong to me, but there are two 5-year-olds in that that property. They were riding their bikes on the street.
39:30 They can't do that any longer because they don't know if the pit bulls are going to come out. The situation has gone on for more than seven years. And I'm going to try and speak slow. My New
39:39 York accent's going to come in. This should not be the first time that this board is hearing about the condition of this property. Interior-wise, this is
39:47 the first time, but the board deserves the full picture on this. Um, not only do the window, there's two windows that are boarded up, so I don't know what they're going to do to remedy all this,
39:58 but the house is disgusting. I understand code enforcement was told to stand down for a period of time on this property. Had enforcement been pursuing
40:07 this this properly seven years ago when this all started, this property may have already been brought into compliance or gone into foreclosure. Instead,
40:16 neighbors have been forced to live beside this long-term nuisance. And let me be clear, this is not about a messy yard, one old vehicle, or cosmetic
40:25 issues. Florida law gives the cities tools to act. Under Chapter 162, Florida statutes, which I know you all know,
40:33 local governments can pursue chronic nuisance properties through code enforcement fines, leans, unsafe structures, actions, and court remedies.
40:41 I'm not telling you anything you don't know. This is about a property with a long history of police presence, criminal activity, unsafe conditions,
40:49 garbage, illegal occupancy concerns,
40:52 loose dogs, vermin, and repeated disruption to the neighborhood. Chapter 162 may not be for criminal code, but
41:00 when repeated criminal activity creates unsafe, unsanitary, and nuisance conditions, the board has authority to
41:08 act on the violations that have been pre presented before you now and before.
41:15 Neighbors have been awakened by SWAT raids twice. The last one was just in February. There were four arrests. Two years ago, there were als four arrests.
41:23 They break the windows at 5:00 in the morning. One of my tenants is here. They've got a little baby back there.
41:29 Imagine living with this swat rave coming in two doors down. The comingings and goings are constant. There's people
41:37 on bicycles. There's people walking in the middle of the night. One of my neighbors here will attest to that. And there's so many unsavory characters. You
41:45 just you there are some days you just wonder who is in that house. A stolen vehicle was confiscated just this last SWAT raid the day after police took it
41:54 away. um Easter weekend, which what is less than a month ago, someone was pounding on the door in the middle of
42:01 the night um asking where his fentanyl was. There have been overdoses. There's been emergency incidents tied to the to
42:08 activity. The police logs are read readily available to all of you. U Mr. W had them in um his letter that was sent
42:16 to Bill Cole. And I really would ask you, I spoke with the chief of police yesterday. I would ask you to have him
42:23 come before you and speak about this. We were told um tonight that this meeting was truly only about the condition of
42:30 the inside of the property, which Andrew, of course, I understand what he has to do as far as compliance, but all that junk, but still in the property.
42:40 Um, but the condition of the property cannot be separated from the repeated criminal nuisance surrounding it. After
42:47 the Easter weekend incident, I called the detective with the Clermont Police Department to ask why people were still still living there despite the red
42:55 sticker. His response was, "Ma'am, it's a crack house. We can't make them get out." The property attracts the worst
43:02 behavior and everyone nearby has to live with the consequences. Just last week, now you know what's been going on. Mr.
43:10 Wah has sent notices. Andrew has sent notices. Bill Cop has been notified.
43:14 He's not there every day, by the way. On April 24th, last week, two Clermont residents were arrested at a home at
43:22 1919 Sunset Lane. Detectives from the Clermont Police Department Criminal Investigations Division were assigned to investigate several reports of copper wiring thefts throughout the city.
43:33 Warrants were issued. Both men were quick quickly arrested. Their names are Bishop and Sperland. I see them there all the time. And they're pulling wire.
43:42 That's what they're doing, among other things.
43:46 Um the last time Andrew went there also there were needles in the front yard. Um both were charged with criminal uh grand theft, felony grand theft and criminal
43:54 mischief. That was last week. All this is going on. And Chase Cob and Bill Cob have criminals still in the property.
44:06 The structure if the structure is unsafe, unsanitary, which we know it's unsanitary. We also know it's vermin infested. There are rats in the property
44:13 from what I understand. Also, Andrew told me when Chase was trying to clear out the um carport, he was bitten by a rat. It's unfit for habitation. The city has the authority to require repair,
44:24 vacate the property, pursue demolition if it's legally justified. So, this is not whether the issue the city has the authority. The issue is whether the city will have the will, the urgency,
44:35 enforcement priority to use the authority you already have. Residents who pay taxes, maintain their homes, and
44:43 follow rules deserve better than have to living on this block.
44:48 My husband's lived on his block his whole his whole life. He will speak with you next. We are asking for immediate action. If another meeting is necessary
44:55 to discuss it further for what was not supposed to be discussed here tonight,
44:59 then let's schedule it so that we can have an aggressive code enforcement,
45:03 maximum fines and lease, a court injunction if necessary, and you asked him for a timeline. This has been going on for seven years. There is no way.
45:13 I'll come back and I'll apologize if this is done in 30 days. It's not going to be. And let me say plainly, Clermont is no longer a small town. I sell real
45:21 estate all over Central Florida. This is one of the fastest growing communities in Central Florida. Bill Cob is a realtor. He's letting his own property
45:30 rot. He's letting this these drug incidents. Let's not forget two years ago someone died on the front yard. The
45:40 ambulances come, the police come in the middle of the night. People are screaming all the time. You You need to be living there to to to have to deal
45:48 with this. The residents here deserve modern, enforcable codes and leadership willing to use them. I've told you
45:56 before when I was here, I pay taxes on three properties on Sunset Lane. I don't deserve this and we're really done waiting. this should have been brought.
46:06 Okay, so he moved out seven years ago or six years ago. This all started right after that. It's unfortunate that the mistake was able to continue for years
46:14 and this is only the second time that you're from what I understand are hearing about these horrible conditions.
46:22 This board and city, we I would love you to just try to really start correcting this mistake. And the city attorney um Christian has done a very good job.
46:31 Andrew's done an amazing job. I want to thank the mayor for being here tonight.
46:35 That's how serious this is. We have gone in front of the city council. Brian Bain, the city council person, has also
46:42 helped us. I'm sorry, I don't know who he is, but I think he could be back there. Um, I spoke with the chief of police just yesterday. Um, I'm a thorn
46:51 in their side. I'm a thorn in everybody's side. But it is not fair that my tenant who is sitting back here with that young child, my neighbor who
46:59 lives across the street, another neighbor who is down the street, why we have to put up with this roaming pit bulls, drug addicts, and never knowing
47:08 what we're going to wake up to if we're going to have half of Lake County Sheriff's Department, City of Clermont,
47:15 or the DEA standing in front of our door. Thank you very much, and I appreciate your consideration. Thank you.
47:26 Thank you.
47:28 Anyone else would like to speak? Please step forward, state your name and address.
47:36 I'm Pat Susman. I'm Daryl Woodhouse live 2010 Sunset Lane. Um I'm pleased that Bill Cole was here and I'm pleased to
47:44 hear what he has said. Hopefully uh he follows through with that. It has been a seven-year problem. It's been a a
47:51 nuisance with the drugs and I don't need to repeat everything my wife said, but it's we've just had enough. We've just
47:58 really had enough. And I know the state I've looked into the state does have the right to to bulldoze nuisance properties
48:06 if it gets to that point. I'm saying I don't want that to happen. I don't want that for the owner. I hope they're able to rehab the property,
48:14 put a proper tenant in there, sell the property, whatever they wanted to do.
48:18 But I hope it doesn't get to that. But that's how serious this is. The the police are constant criminals constant.
48:26 I shouldn't be asked to live with criminal activity going on just a few doors down. It is unacceptable. So, I
48:35 appreciate your time. I appreciate your concern on this. and we finally feel like steps are being made and
48:42 hopefully the owner is taking this seriously. I appreciate Thank you. Thank you.
48:50 Would anyone else like to come up and speak on this behalf of this case?
49:00 Please state your name and address. Paul Shaver uh 800 Central Lane in beautiful Clermont, Florida. I can remember when this was Jenkins Auditorium at one time.
49:12 Longtime residence seen the growth was here with Mayor Pool and and uh and
49:20 Wayne Saunders and uh had a lot of uh good conversations through the years.
49:27 But this is I've lived in that uh community uh for 30 years. I've seen the good and the bad. We've had several other incidents that were similar to Mr.
49:37 Cove uh house. Um it has been a nightmare. This has been a
49:44 bad case of cops episode and we're living through it, right? We're living through this and it's not fair to this
49:53 community to endure this for our children
50:01 or my wife. Okay, me I'm getting upset because the whole community is they're not representative here. Okay, because
50:09 everybody has their own things they're doing. Unfortunately, we don't get a bigger turnout. But the point is this has to stop.
50:19 Okay, the interior is one thing. Okay,
50:23 it's the exterior. It's how the ripple effect goes through our community. It just doesn't affect Lake Minihaha
50:30 estates. It affects Buxom all the way on up to Key Foods. It affects the city
50:37 with the repeated tax burden, the cost that it costs for law enforcement for them to continue to have SWAT teams,
50:48 special force teams have come there,
50:50 EMTs for the overdose, the deaths that has occurred in this in in this house, a surrounding area be due to the activity,
51:00 the illegal activity that is happening in this house with it. It has caused our community. Nobody wants to go down at
51:07 that end of the street. We don't know if we're going to get hurt. Our family gets hurt and that
51:14 is a tour fair to go to our community shopping, schools, bus stops there. All
51:21 right. This is a 247 nightmare is what's happened. So,
51:29 here we are. You have to make the hard choice on here. I don't believe Mr. Cob said he'll fix the property, but he
51:37 won't fix his son and he won't fix the residents, the nuisance people that are there, the squatters that continue
51:46 to get in on his property. I don't believe by him to go ahead and fix it up,
51:55 keep his son there, it's going to work.
51:57 It's not. He needs to sell the place and get somebody in there. Okay, that'll that
52:06 It's it's very upsetting that this could continue to happen for over
52:15 seven years, almost seven years that we're at this point, okay?
52:22 Their families represented today,
52:25 all right, that live there and they're going to tell you their testimonies with it, but
52:37 I just pray that you all go ahead and make the right decision on this. Okay. About with with this piece of property. Thank you.
52:45 Thank you, sir. Good evening.
52:55 Please state your name and address.
52:57 My name is Deborah Navaro. I live at 1947 Sunset Lane. I am a tenant there.
53:05 Uh we moved in the middle of December of 2025.
53:11 And in the time that I've been there, I have seen police activity more than I've
53:18 seen in the 30 years that I've lived in the state of Florida on this one street.
53:24 Okay. Up until last night, there was police presence right in front of my house.
53:31 Two people were arrested yesterday and they came out of that they were from that house but were arrested in front of
53:38 my house which is at the opposite end of that property. Okay. I have been
53:47 um cornered by one of the pit bulls that were roaming around growling at me. I couldn't move. I had my two
53:55 grandchildren with me and I was in fear for the kids, for myself. Um, I understand that,
54:04 you know, everybody has family problems.
54:08 Everybody, but this is a community. I love this community in the four months that the people around it besides that
54:15 house are amazing. I would love to buy that house that I'm living in, but with this situation, I'm hesitating
54:24 because it's not something I want my grandchildren around. My what? Last month, six people were arrested from
54:33 that house. There was a woman in handcuffs. I have a 10-year-old granddaughter having to witness this at
54:40 7:30 in the morning. Okay. people on the floor in handcuffs, people standing up.
54:47 I mean, so many police cars, so many in on this small tiny street. It's not fair
54:55 to the people that live there. They, you know, the people that own the houses,
54:59 it's not right. I think that um from what I've been told or from the other residents, this has been going on
55:06 for many, many years. But in just the four months that I've been here, I've seen police presence four times already.
55:13 in four months. And in the past month and a half, it's been three out of the four times. And I I hope that you guys
55:20 make the right decision on whether or not he should sell his house. I think he should sell it and move on and get
55:28 everybody out of there that belongs that doesn't belong there. I hope you folks have a blessed evening. Thank you.
55:35 Thank you.
55:38 Would anyone else like to step forward?
55:50 Hi. State your name and address, please.
55:52 My name is Riley Scott. I live at 1929 Sunset Lane. Um, forgive me. I haven't publicly spoke in a very long time, so have a little nerves. Um,
56:03 I want to say I have sympathy to Mr. Cole for the choices his son has made.
56:07 You guys saw my son in here earlier. I can't imagine my son choosing to take that path in life. What I don't have
56:14 sympathy for is for how he's allowed his son to terrorize this street. Allow his
56:21 son to harbor and house all his criminal friends um and allowing them to cause a
56:29 feeling of unsafety on the street. um his son was tased in my front yard um
56:35 while my son was a newborn. Um there is a lot of drug activity that constantly
56:42 happens at this house day in day out. Um I've had health problems where I've got home from the hospital at 4:00 a.m. and
56:49 there is still congregations of people standing out front of this home. Um there is never really a true feeling of
56:57 safety. I've smelled several odors coming from this home, which concerns me with my son playing in the backyard. Um,
57:07 yeah, I I genuinely hope this is taken seriously. This comes to an end. We have two young kids that live in between us,
57:16 beside this house as well. The dogs have been a problem. I've spoke to the dad that lives there. He sleeps in fear at
57:24 night for his family's safety. Um yeah, I I just I really hope something
57:32 is done here. Um I do think that if the son continues to live at this house, these problems will continue to go on.
57:41 Um because of the company he keeps and the company he allows to come to this house. Um it has not stopped. They will
57:48 be rated by the DEA and within 48 hours traffic is coming back and back in the home. Um, the amount of times I've seen
57:57 the police, my son wakes up and actually when we open the blinds, it's like, "Where are the police cars today?" Um,
58:05 it's it's awful. You know, I love our landlords. We've become really close with them. Um, thankful to have them across the street and times as such. Um,
58:18 yeah, it's a beautiful street except for the end of it. And so, I really hope that day we can all have the kids
58:26 playing back on our end of the street that the kids can go outside and not have dogs running around or other criminals or any of the nonsense that
58:35 does constantly take place at this house. Thank you. Thank you very much.
58:52 Hello Thomas. at 4049 Greystone Drive. And I apologize, I had my eyes dilated,
58:58 so I'm going to put my sunglasses back on. Okay.
59:00 I was a landlord for over 30 years in another state. I found out one of my tenants was dealing drugs. I moved to
59:08 And it's very hard in the state of Massachusetts to evict somebody. I evicted her and I chose to keep the property unrened in a three and a half
59:16 family for four years to make sure that nothing came back. My concern is yes,
59:22 he's going to rehab the property. What's he going to do for the next tenant? What is he going to do on background checks to make sure this doesn't happen? And if
59:29 it does, how swiftly is he going to move to evict so that we're not back here again? And
59:37 that's my concern as a Clermont resident. I just wanted to bring that to you. Thank you. Thank you.
59:50 Would anyone else like to speak on this case?
1:00:05 Your name and address, please.
1:00:07 Uh, Chase Cole and it's 1919 Sunset is where I live. Um, were you sworn in earlier? Sorry.
1:00:15 No. Okay. Would you please raise your hand?
1:00:18 You swear affirm the testimony about the truth. The whole truth is about the truth. Yes, sir. Thanks, sir.
1:00:24 Um, I just like to say for the last 23 years that I've been at the property,
1:00:31 um, the neighborhood has changed a great deal. It's never been uh anywhere where
1:00:37 anybody had to be in fear for anything except maybe a bicycle going missing occasionally. Um,
1:00:45 the the dogs that that live in my home,
1:00:48 uh, they won't be there after today. I don't have any pets myself. Uh I allowed
1:00:55 some friends to come and stay I said for a few days. Um they've stretched that a little bit longer. Uh they got kicked
1:01:04 out of their home. They have the animals and didn't know where they were going to go.
1:01:10 I have kind of a a soft spot for that. I feel bad for people when they don't have a roof over their heads. So that's been
1:01:20 my biggest issue with the homeless people as well. Uh I've told them
1:01:27 several of them they showers, uh charge their phones, things like that. I don't really
1:01:35 judge most of these people in the way that I should. I should maybe take a a step back and assess what it looks like
1:01:42 from afar. But most of these people, I don't ask too many questions. I I converse with them. They seem like people in need. So, I offer what I have.
1:01:54 I don't have much to offer except maybe an outlet and a shower, maybe a warm meal. But
1:02:02 there hasn't been any drug sales out of that home. There have been
1:02:09 issues with the police coming and arresting some people uh recently.
1:02:18 the charges that were brought on them, I don't think they're going to stand. They don't actually meet the description of the individuals that committed the
1:02:26 crimes. Um, but it was very convenient that the two guys that were staying in my house
1:02:34 were um active and about during the times that they were committed. So, they did come and pick them up on that. I've
1:02:42 had apologies from most of Clmont officers that have come to the house for different things. They come to the house
1:02:49 for more than just problems though. They come to the house and they ask for our help. A lot of things on the list of
1:02:57 incidents that we were given. Um there's three of those where officers came ask
1:03:03 for help in solving some issues that they had. Um,
1:03:11 the dogs are just about the most harmless animals you'll ever meet.
1:03:17 They're they're big and they're scary looking. And if you uh you don't know them, I can definitely understand why.
1:03:25 They would freak some people out. I wouldn't want them running around if uh I had little
1:03:33 kids and I didn't know them. So, I I do understand that, but They we will not ever hurt anybody and
1:03:42 uh I've tried to keep them as locked up as possible. They like to dig out. And they have some friends down at the end
1:03:49 of the street. George, the last guy on the on the left head down the street. He uh he's kind of adopted a
1:03:58 couple of them just uh part time. I never know when they're down there. They just disappear and they come running
1:04:05 back after he sends them home. likes to feed him. Um,
1:04:10 most of my neighbors haven't really told me they had any problems. I I've had
1:04:16 issues with uh Mr. Woodhouse um for some reason or another, and it's felt like a bit of a witch hunt for some reason. Um,
1:04:27 most of the things that are being said aren't exactly true. They're more exaggerations than anything. I've I've not terrorized the
1:04:36 neighborhood. I've not tried to create any problems. I've not brought hardened criminals in my home. Um there just been
1:04:46 some issues that uh arise from bringing people into your home that you don't
1:04:54 really know very well. And I'm definitely paying for that. And I I take full responsibility for that. As far as my dad is concerned, he didn't know
1:05:03 about probably 95% of what was happening at the house um until after uh something would blow up my face. So,
1:05:15 he's uh definitely not to blame for any of it. And when he finds out um he fixes it quickly. He's Could you tell me who he is?
1:05:25 My My father. Mr. Mr. P. Thank you.
1:05:31 Um he's he's managed many properties around Clermont for a long time. He's never had any tenants like myself. Um
1:05:40 definitely the special case there. I've uh tried to keep the place clean. Um but
1:05:48 there's an issue when you have people bringing stuff. they think they're helping, you know, like bringing bags of clothes and
1:05:56 stuff for other people that have, you know, nowhere to go. And it's a it's not a donation bin. And tried to curb that
1:06:05 quite a bit, but it still happens occasionally. It won't anymore because um I've passed out some some flyers and sent some text messages and definitely
1:06:13 tried to get in touch with everybody who has ever stepped foot on the property and let them know that I won't be there anymore. So, um it's
1:06:24 it's definitely going to be taken care of. Uh I won't be uh a part of the property anymore except
1:06:31 to help him clean it up as much as possible. And um like even right now,
1:06:37 it's it's definitely much much much better than it was especially in the photos.
1:06:47 when they kicked the doors in on some very bad information uh twice now.
1:06:55 They did not find what they were looking for. They they didn't find anything.
1:07:00 Um I I didn't figure they'd make the same mistake again, but with all of the traffic and people coming through, it
1:07:08 does seem like there's something going on. It's just homeless people trying to not be outside.
1:07:18 Um I do apologize to uh my neighbors and everybody for having to put up with it
1:07:25 for as long as I have, but um it has come to a stop and I'm
1:07:33 hoping that uh everybody puts their faith in Mr.
1:07:40 understands that I will be stepping away from the property completely. I won't have anything to do with it.
1:07:48 I have a question. May I ask a question? Yes, please.
1:07:52 When uh are you to turn around and apologize to the community and reiterate what you just said? Can
1:07:59 I'd like to address him for a moment if as well if I can. Well, so you go first,
1:08:07 Mr. Co, are you still occupying the property at 1919?
1:08:12 Uh, as of last night, yes. I When do you expect to leave?
1:08:17 Um, well, I was waiting to find out exactly what happened here today. And, uh, I was looking for a place to go. Um,
1:08:26 I mean, I'll be out of there as soon as like I I need to be, but um, at the very
1:08:32 latest at the 30th day, at the earliest like it's whenever I'm just there to help right now.
1:08:43 Thank you.
1:08:46 I I just I just have a comment. Um so hearing what you had to say at the last meeting and then hearing what you had to
1:08:54 say at this one. You don't get to minimize and this is just this is a a comment to you. You can't minimize what
1:09:02 your neighbors feel. So, it's unfair to say that they're not afraid.
1:09:07 If you have So, but you did and you minimized it at the last meeting a month ago and we're
1:09:16 here again. So, I'm glad this gentleman spoke up because you owe all of your neighbors an apology in my opinion. You
1:09:23 owe your father an apology in my opinion. And at the end of the day, you're the resident of that home. So,
1:09:31 you're responsible for everything that goes on there. You're responsible for every person that comes and goes, every item that comes and goes. And if you get overwhelmed, there's help that you can get for it.
1:09:40 But your neighbors all have a right to quiet enjoyment, just like you have the same right afforded to you. And if the
1:09:48 tables were turned, you could be here standing and speaking out against them if they were taking that away from you.
1:09:57 Also, I like to mention you uh start out by saying that you invite
1:10:05 homeless people or people who need a place to stay, but uh you don't know too much about their activities and you stay out of that.
1:10:13 Um if I'm inviting them to stay, I I definitely get to know them a little. I would just like invite random people to
1:10:21 stay. But I will ask if they need like a shower or a meal. Like I've done that before.
1:10:28 Yes. So the point I'm trying to make is this. You mentioned that you try, you know, you there to help, give them a
1:10:35 place to stay, but you don't get too involved with them, but yet you seem to know quite a bit about their arrest history and why they should be arrested
1:10:43 or whether or not the charges are going to be valid. It's just the the two gentlemen that were staying in my house currently.
1:10:52 Uh Zack,
1:10:54 so when a person gets arrested, it's usually due to criminal activity.
1:11:00 Yeah, very true. Um I I read his arrest affidavit which is why I said that um it just
1:11:08 so inviting someone who is involved with criminal activity especially in a residential area where there are children
1:11:15 within 150 ft is quite irresponsible.
1:11:21 Well, if if anybody was actually involved in a criminal activity, they wouldn't be allowed to to keep staying in my home. Like I haven't seen that.
1:11:31 Like as far as uh Zach uh as soon as he was arrested, he was told that he would have to find a place to go even though
1:11:40 it wasn't something that was actually going to he wasn't going to get in trouble for it. uh once it's clarified
1:11:48 um it still it looked very bad and that the rest of the neighborhood seeing it on Facebook and everything they wouldn't
1:11:56 know what really happened anyway so I took that into account like I understand what it looks like
1:12:05 from the outside now I did didn't for a while it took but um I
1:12:13 I've had a a bit of realization as what it may look like from the outside and I am taking the
1:12:20 steps to rectify what I can apologize for what I can and try to eliminate
1:12:27 myself from the situation. So I I know that uh well when the situation becomes where
1:12:35 the residence is has an infestation of rodents that doesn't happen overnight. It it's
1:12:44 um I haven't had infestation of rodents until fairly recently and it w it kind of went
1:12:51 away when I moved all the stuff out of that area. Um I I don't have an infestation anymore.
1:13:00 Well, based on the photographs we can see was pretty bad.
1:13:04 It I I hoarded a lot of uh stuff for a long time.
1:13:10 probably not the the greatest choice. I I will admit that. But um my intention was not to draw roses. I just uh a lot
1:13:19 of projects that I like to do and uh I don't know. I probably should have found a place to put them in the backyard. The
1:13:27 carport area was just where most of the stuff seemed to gather.
1:13:35 Does anyone else have any other questions? No, but I'd like to make a a motion.
1:13:40 Well, I have one more ask senior a couple of questions.
1:13:47 Okay. Thank you, sir. And I would like to apologize to my
1:13:54 neighbor. I wasn't trying to create any problems for anybody, make it uncomfortable for everybody.
1:14:04 I just want to ask you to keep make sure your microphone is on when when talking. It's on.
1:14:15 Uh Mr. Cob, I had the impression that your property was vacant when you were speaking uh with us before.
1:14:22 It is not vacant. No.
1:14:24 Okay. I would I would ask you uh would you be willing to consent to evict any and all tenants from that property by
1:14:34 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 1st. And we would make that part of this order. Give them to give them too long.
1:14:41 I can Okay. And number two, will you uh during the course of your rehabilitating
1:14:48 of this property make it no trespass for anyone to be there during the period of your
1:14:55 rehabilitation until such time as you're ready to rent it? Absolutely.
1:14:59 And anybody violating the the entering that property would be considered by a trespasser under the law? Yes.
1:15:07 You agree to make that as part of the any order that this this body would make? I agree. Yes. Okay. Thank you.
1:15:14 And I it it's going to be hard for me to just make some of the things that I need to do.
1:15:22 I'm going to need a little bit of help.
1:15:24 It's which is why I had Chase help me is I'm currently in the process of undergoing chemotherapy and I don't have
1:15:30 the the energy to do a lot of what I want to do immediately. So I'm I will be
1:15:38 I would I would condition his presence being there when you are there not alone. Okay.
1:15:46 Thank you. You want to put that in the motion? No.
1:15:49 Uh public's hearing closed. I'd like if I
1:15:57 could just an opportunity to talk about the the matter that's actually before you. Okay. Thank you. Thank you, sir.
1:16:04 Thank you, sir. Would you like to come up and speak, sir? I wasn't going to.
1:16:15 We need to limit them to two minutes. State your name and address, please.
1:16:23 Terry Bell, 705 Hook Street. I'm the direct north neighbor of 1919.
1:16:30 Sir, do I I don't recall if you were sworn in. Okay. Thank you. Apologize.
1:16:35 You swear affirm the testimony you're about to give me the truth.
1:16:37 The whole truth and nothing but the truth. It is. Thank you, sir.
1:16:40 Really, I only had a something to say about the last part. I know that Bill's going to take every um
1:16:48 he's going to try to fulfill the promises that he's made to here today. But uh what I wanted to say to Bill,
1:16:55 which I didn't know what he was going to do, is that if Chase is there, you made a stipulation that he be the one that is
1:17:03 with him. I would just say that uh it be uh that he be uh supervised whether it's
1:17:11 me or or a contractor on the job site or someone else is doing the work. As long as he's supervised and doing doing his work there,
1:17:22 responsible adult, right?
1:17:25 And that's pretty much it. I would like to make a comment to the to the neighbors if that's all right.
1:17:32 Go ahead, sir. So, I just wanted to apologize.
1:17:38 I'm probably um I know more about what's been going on over at this house than anybody here. I've complained. Um this
1:17:48 took years and I was gone. You people have been suffering every day. I work out of town a lot of times. Uh I love Chase and Tabitha and Bill.
1:18:01 They're great people individually.
1:18:04 uh whatever happened to chase it got away from it and uh I'm sorry I didn't step up sooner because I knew a lot of
1:18:12 what was going on but a lot of it is a local problem that you have here in Clermont that is I haven't heard
1:18:20 anybody address it today maybe maybe Pat did but you have a homeless problem here
1:18:27 you have and they end up on his doorstep that some of those people are nothing but homeless people. And the problem that
1:18:36 you have with homeless people is a lot of them have psychological issues. Some of the uh commentary I've heard from
1:18:44 some of the neighbors here, the people that were accosted were the homeless or people that uh
1:18:53 didn't have a place to be or go at that time. They may have been on drugs, but I guarantee that at least 60 to 70% of
1:19:01 them were just people that have mental issues.
1:19:05 And I really wish that you would take care of that problem. And I'll do whatever I could as a, you know, as a resident of Clermont. I've lived here
1:19:14 since 1990. I've owned that house since 1997. My ex-wife owned it before that. I bought it back from her. So, um, the police presence,
1:19:26 I appreciate everything that they do and everything that they could do, but I can't imagine that as many times as they have visited that house
1:19:35 that there wasn't something more that they could have done at times. And, you know, maybe they can tell me why that
1:19:43 is. And I'm sure they have reasons for it, probably legal reasons. But, uh, I can't tell you how many times I've
1:19:52 watched my cameras with the people that come and go in there multiple times a night. Sometimes they'll come, somebody will come down and they'll turn right around and go back out.
1:20:05 Chase and Tabitha have no control over these people because they just run right over them. They've given them a place to
1:20:13 stay and then, you know, they they take advantage of them. But that's going to end. Bill's going to take care of the problem. And uh thank you for letting me
1:20:21 talk. And again to my resource
1:20:39 sunset line. I'm back. I'm sorry. Okay.
1:20:41 So I spoke to the chief last night and the two people that were arrested um were pulling wire from city lights, your
1:20:50 street lights. Maybe not necessarily on our block, but that's what they were doing. The week before, the one guy was on a four-wheeler and he was pulling
1:20:59 wire off this massive truck that they have had in the yard with probably had about, I don't know, 100 bicycle frames on it. So, this innocent act of, oh, I'm
1:21:09 only helping homeless people and they're showering in my house and all this. Did you see the pictures of the interior of that house? These people live there.
1:21:16 These two people live in that house in that condition with children next door.
1:21:23 And only recently there's vermin. Only recently there's seven pitbulls. The lady down the street who was accosted with her two children. If four pit bulls
1:21:31 or two pit bulls or one pitbull comes up to if any dog comes up to you, you're not going to be and is growling at you,
1:21:37 you're not going to be terrified. So I'm sorry, but I really Yeah. Apologies.
1:21:43 apologies over six years. This isn't the first time. And there last time I was
1:21:50 here, I don't know who was not here at last meeting, there's was a stove in the front yard for years there. This isn't just, oh, we brought a bag of clothes.
1:21:59 So, please, what's enforceable? And that's what I would ask you. You're giving him 30 days. Is what's
1:22:06 enforceable? I work from home. I will see that house every day. And they did not leave when there was a sticker put on it that said it was uninhabitable.
1:22:15 And I don't know about your opinion. I understand Andrew only has what he can do and they only have to have a three-foot egress walking through the house, but the house is disgusting. I
1:22:24 understand that's the way they choose to live. I know I'm sure all of you don't choose to live that way, but what's
1:22:32 enforcable? What can be done? Because as far as I'm concerned, it needs to be bulldozed. And people have offered to buy the property and Bill Cole will not
1:22:41 sell the property. And I know you can't make them do him do that. I know that is absolutely you can't make him do that.
1:22:48 But what's enforceable? So what's going to happen? Am I going to have to call the police every day and say Chase is in the house or Bill's not there or
1:22:56 nobody's supervising? I mean I know I had Tabitha tell she Facebook put a page on there and said that the police are
1:23:04 sick and tired of me calling. Well, no they're not. I had a long conversation with the chief last night. So, like I said, I would like to thank the mayor,
1:23:12 everyone here. I would like to thank Christian. Christian's got an hopefully a different lawsuit that's going to come and I'm not going away. And I'll go to
1:23:20 every city council meeting and I'll come here every single time until this is taken care of. Thank you. Thank you,
1:23:33 Madam Chair. Um Yes.
1:23:36 Judging by Mr. Brackens's facial reactions to some of the things that I heard,
1:23:41 I think I know what he's going to tell you about some of the recommendations that you've heard. Um, and I'm not going to comment on those. It's his duty to
1:23:48 advise you. But I represent the city and what that means is I have to think about the public interest. And I wasn't going
1:23:57 to talk about it to you until I started hearing some of the comments. And before I say what I have to say and what I
1:24:04 think I have a mandate to say, um I want to say I I think it's somewhat brave for Chase Cole to come speak to you today.
1:24:12 And I also think that you were uh fair and restrained and moderate in what your questions and concerns were because I
1:24:19 think you could have taken advantage of the situation, said a lot worse and said a lot more and really tried to, you know, crucify him.
1:24:28 But let me say this. What I heard was a complete complete abdication of responsibility.
1:24:36 Every now and then it was thrown in there, but that's not what I took away from it. What I took away I even heard criticism of the Clermont Police
1:24:45 Department for making necessary arrests in and around the property. I'm here to tell you as the attorney for the city,
1:24:53 the Clermont Police Department is not just sitting on its job arresting people that it doesn't have probable cause or reasonable suspicion to arrest.
1:25:04 Clermont Police Department is a willing partner with you and us on the staff's side in cleaning up this property and
1:25:11 trying to give the people you heard from some safety, some security. None of us,
1:25:17 no one in the public should have to deal with that. That's the city's position.
1:25:21 You have members of the city council here tonight because that is the city's position and management has directed me to be very firm about that with you. So that's all I wanted to say.
1:25:34 Thank you, Mr. Brackens. Is the public hearing closed?
1:25:42 Do we have anyone else who wish to speak on this matter? Okay. Thank you, Mr. Bre.
1:25:51 So, the public hearing is closed. Yes, sir.
1:25:53 Okay. Uh, a couple things. Th This is a an incredibly unfortunate incident where
1:26:01 uh the realities of living in a pro near a property that's dangerous and the risk
1:26:08 to other people are presented with and and a problem that can be solved. You you talked about issues about not being there anymore, not being on the
1:26:16 property, things like that. It kind of comes at the center point of what you can do as a code enforcement board and what's
1:26:25 actually before you tonight. So, you do have some things you can do. And I'm not telling you not to recommend
1:26:31 that an eviction action be pursued. I'm the bad guy that has to tell you you have no authority under chapter 162 to order anybody to file an eviction action.
1:26:41 But you can sit here and each of you can tell them do this, do this, do this. We want you to do this. Please hear us.
1:26:48 But what you have before you is a notice of violation that was issued on March 12th.
1:26:52 All of the violations have to do with the interior of the home.
1:26:57 There is not a repeat violation before you. Even though you all heard a violation at the last hearing. What you have before you are these violations.
1:27:09 The and as a quasi judicial body, you have to base your decision on competent
1:27:16 substantial evidence regarding whether or not a violation these violations occurred, not other violations, not
1:27:25 violations that weren't properly noticed and aren't before you. This is what you're limited to determining whether or not a violation occurred here today. And
1:27:33 I don't think there was any evidence offered, just my opinion. and you all get to decide whether or not they it is or was not in violation. I think what
1:27:41 you heard from the city was that the property was in violation on March 12th and was in violation all the way up until um maybe yesterday. What I forget
1:27:50 the date on the pictures and then you have to determine what to do about the testimony from the city that the property is presently in
1:27:57 compliance. And what the city recommended in their staff recommendation is a little different than what we normally do in our cases where if the property is in violation,
1:28:05 you give them a time period to come into compliance. 30 days to come into compliance. If you don't, then a fine occurs uh beyond that time um until you
1:28:13 and it continues to acrew until you come into compliance. What you have before you is different.
1:28:20 It was in violation. the city needs or it's asking for the adjudication of a violation
1:28:27 so that if it ever within the next five year whether ever it comes out of compliance again they can then do the repeat and they can go up to $500 and
1:28:35 they can do other things. They've asked for additional um uh recommendations that it stay in
1:28:42 compliance for 60-day period. They've asked that um that the city be able to make reasonable repairs and to charge those back. and they've also asked for
1:28:51 the $61.35 in administrative cost to be assessed. All that's within your authority.
1:28:58 Um it it's not one of the neat motions uh neat and tidy motions we have in our packet, but if you found the staff's
1:29:06 recommendation acceptable, you could if you wanted to find that the property was in violation, that it came into compliance on such and such date and to
1:29:14 accept accept the staff's recommendation. You can do more.
1:29:19 One of the things you can do, and it's on uh page four of your packet under number 11, um it's a it's a motion about the public health, safety, and welfare.
1:29:29 If you believe that the that the violation that has now been cured, but that that violation presented a serious threat to the public health, safety, and
1:29:35 welfare, you could make a motion that by a copy of your order that the city of Clermont be notified of said condition
1:29:42 pursuant to section 162.06 subsection 4 and section 162.09. 091 Florida statutes
1:29:50 that provides the city with additional authority should the threat to the public health safety and welfare return or uh continue for them to take additional actions under those statutes.
1:30:01 That is something you can do.
1:30:05 What you can't do is anything that's outside of what's in 162. So the evictions, any anything related to
1:30:13 criminal stuff, who can be there, who can't be there. you don't even have the authority to order right now. Tear the property down. That that's not one of the remedies before you. There are remedies that can achieve that result,
1:30:24 but they and they can come before you,
1:30:26 but that's a different proceeding. It's not on this notice of violation. So, it hearing the testimony, it pains me to
1:30:34 say you can't do everything you can do to give satisfaction to the people that are there. But I do, it's my job to
1:30:42 advise you not to do something that you don't have the authority to do.
1:30:46 That doesn't stop each and every one of you from sharing your thoughts and making recommendations. I hear it all the time. Hey, I get the fact that you
1:30:54 can't control whether or not you can individually evict people. State of Florida self-help evictions is illegal.
1:31:00 You they they either leave or they don't leave and then you have to go to court and you got to get a judgment. Okay, you can't solve all those things today, but
1:31:07 you can strongly recommend that they proceed.
1:31:10 Um, and there are other remedies the city has. So, anyhow, if I can answer any of your questions or concerns, I will. But I did just want to I I have a couple of just points. Mr.
1:31:21 Mr. Hol uh acknowledged that the violations that were charged by the code enforcement officer, he accepted as
1:31:30 being correct and and and justified. So the question of innocence or guilt I think is is clearly he admitted it.
1:31:39 Secondly, are you saying that we cannot have a voluntary agreement uh from someone who is in violation who
1:31:48 has been in repeated violation for years that he cannot consent to evict anybody from that property and leave it vacant?
1:31:57 You can't put in an or you don't have the authority to put in an order to any property owner that they evict somebody by a date certain. That's not part of your authority under chapter 162. You
1:32:05 asked him on the record to consent to it and he did and you can recommend that he do it, but I can't advise you to make that part of this board's order.
1:32:12 So, it can't be an addendum to the order. No, I I I would advise you not to do that.
1:32:16 The other thing I I do have to tell you is uh all clients are free to reject the advice of their attorney and sometimes they do. That's okay. Happens.
1:32:29 Let me just say on behalf of the city, I I think that's good advice and I I ask that you not do it because we don't want an order that can be appealed um and that we would lose on.
1:32:41 I have one question uh for the code enforcement staff. Yes.
1:32:47 One thing I'm interested in um are drug paraphernalia, needles, stuff like that.
1:32:54 Uh do we have any codes that that would uh cause a violation if
1:33:02 there there's drug paraphernalia and all that type you know drugs even evidence of drugs
1:33:10 in the location? Do we have a code that we can include in this?
1:33:16 Not in this specific case but the answer to your broader question is yes. There is a code section that's relevant for those facts. There's multiple.
1:33:25 Yes.
1:33:25 So, you may be seeing something about that in the future.
1:33:29 And on my side, you've heard uh a case referenced um where I'm pursuing something related to that separate, not for this hearing.
1:33:38 Okay. Thank you.
1:33:46 Does anyone else have any other questions? Okay.
1:33:54 Um, would anyone care to make a motion?
1:34:01 And uh,
1:34:04 I'm suggesting uh, number 11. It's Mr. Brackets.
1:34:10 Uh, no, it's a it's it doesn't fit neatly into trying to understand how we can move forward.
1:34:17 Okay. So, the staff's recommendation,
1:34:19 there's there's nothing inappropriate about the staff's recommendation. Okay.
1:34:22 If you if that is your wish, my recommendation to you, if you wanted to add to it for perhaps for clarity, was that the property was in violation, you
1:34:30 find the property was in violation, but came into compliance prior to today's hearing and then move to accept the staff's recommendation and then further
1:34:38 move at the bottom of page 11 the the blurb about uh public health, safety, and welfare.
1:34:47 Okay. Do I have someone who would like to make a motion?
1:34:55 Okay. I move that the uh the board accept the staff's recommendation to find that the respondent was in
1:35:01 violation of section stated and that the property needs to stay in compliance for a period of 60 days and that code
1:35:09 enforcement will have the right to reinspect the property upon any reasonable request during that 60-day
1:35:15 period. If the property is found not to be in compliance during this period, the
1:35:22 city may make all reasonable repairs which are required to bring the property into compliance and charge the violator
1:35:30 with reasonable cost of repairs and to assess administrative costs to the property in the amount of $61.35 for costs associated with the case.
1:35:44 Further, I further move that the board finds that the violation presents a serious threat to the public health,
1:35:51 safety, and welfare. That it is further ordered that by a copy of this order,
1:35:57 the city of Clermont be notified of said condition pursuant to section 162.06
1:36:04 parentheses 4 and section 162.09 parentheses 1, Florida statutes.
1:36:13 Do I have a second on this motion? I second. All in favor?
1:36:18 I I. Those opposed? The eyes have it.
1:36:33 At this time, is there anyone who would like to make a further statement about non-aggenda items?
1:36:42 Yes, non-aggenda items. Yeah. Uh, first of all, thank you. Um,
1:36:52 second of all, there are going to be some proposed amendments to the code that will affect what you do here at the
1:36:59 board soon. Um, one of which is there's a Florida statute that says once you get to 50,000 people in a city, we can
1:37:07 increase the amount of fines that you have at your disposal to levy. Well,
1:37:11 guess what? We're at 50,000. So, that's going to be coming for the city council's consideration, and if they
1:37:19 pass it, it'll be for you to consider as well. But that's it. Thank you. Thank you,
1:37:25 Madam Chair. If I may, I just we have uh several new members and at our next meeting I we I think we're going to have several cases, but I'm probably going to
1:37:33 take about 20 minutes at the end of the meeting uh to just do a brief blurb about Sunshine public records and and ethics. There's also a packet, many of you have it from the last time I did it.
1:37:44 I'll provide a new packet on that. Um basic rules of sunshine laws as two or more members of the same board cannot
1:37:51 speak to each other between the GA outside of the gables. So when the meeting starts and when the meeting ends, that's the only time two or more
1:37:58 of you can speak about any matter which may foreseeably come before this board.
1:38:03 So that means you can't go out in the parking lot and talk about it together before the meeting. You can't talk about it. Um violations of the sunshine law do carry uh in addition to civil penalties,
1:38:13 an intentional violation is a secondderee misdemeanor in the state of Florida. You get 60 days in the county jail. uh with respect to public records
1:38:21 um I do all of you I think all of you use your own email addresses but if you have a city of Clermont address that's great but if you don't use your email
1:38:28 address that's fine any emails you receive um about any matter that may have come before this board or about a
1:38:34 board matter maybe the new uh code just be advised those are public records so you're not allowed to intentionally destroy them they can be produced upon
1:38:43 request um uh other issues uh it comes comes up sometimes usually more with
1:38:50 planning boards and things like that. Um but the idea of exparte communication.
1:38:55 So you all as a quasi judicial body you make decisions based on the evidence you hear before you at the hearing. Uh you
1:39:02 know any communications with respondents or staff about a matter which might come before you is considered exparte communications. Those have to be disclosed in advance of the hearing.
1:39:13 There's a form you got to fill out and you can be questioned by either the city or a respondent about it. Um I I generally urge my planning board
1:39:21 members. Uh if you're going to go out and visit the site, that's fine, but make sure you say that you went and visited the site. And I also recommend
1:39:28 they don't talk to applicants on a regular basis or or staff because if they fail to uh disclose the communications and it comes out in the
1:39:36 public records request later, it's an issue. But all that has to do with bias and due process. And I think that what everybody can say here today is
1:39:44 everybody got plenty of time to say what they needed to say about every issue. So all of those issues have to do with fairness and due process. And that's it.
1:39:51 I won't say a whole lot more at the next meeting, but we'll have a presentation. Thank you. Thank you.
1:40:00 Uh does this uh staff have anything more?
1:40:06 Okay. Motion to adjurnn. Second. All in favor?