Okaloosa County BOCC — January 7, 2014 — Action Item Printout

BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS AGENDA REQUEST DATE: January 7, 2014 TO: Honorable Chairman and Members of the Board FROM: Elliot Kampert SUBJECT: The Code Enforcement Board's Order to Lien and Clean DEPARTMENT: Growth Management BCC DISTRICT: 4 - Commissioner Don Amunds STATEMENT OF ISSUE: Due to lack of response by the property owner despite repeated efforts, the Code Enforcement Board requests that the Board of County Commissioners authorize the Code Enforcement Board to issue an order initiating the clean up of 105 Wayne Avenue in the unincorporated Fort Walton Beach area. Notice was sent to the owner to bring the property into compliance within the time specified by the Code Enforcement Board, and which also advised the owner that, if the property was not brought into compliance, that the County could initiate action, including proceeding with the clean and lien. Staff is requesting the Board authorize an amount not to exceed $5,000 from the Violations of Local Ordinances Account (0124.354000) to accomplish this task, as well as authorization to obtain a minimum of three written quotes from qualified venders to clean the property. The written quotes will be obtained through the Purchasing Department. If the actions are approved by the Board of County Commissioners, the order will issued by the Code Enforcement Board during its January meeting. BACKGROUND: A citizen complaint was filed with Code Enforcement staff in March of 2012 as well as with the Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department. The property is vacant, derelict and is littered with trash and had become an attractant for rodents and stray animals. The Sheriff has also initiated increased patrols in the area due to complaints regarding drug activity and prostitutes. After several months of no progress despite back and forth conversations and verbal agreements to bring the property into compliance and demolish the mobile home, inaction resulted in the case being brought before the Code Enforcement Board. On September 19, 2013 the Code Enforcement Board, by unanimous vote, approved a motion to "start a fine immediately of $250.00 a day and authorize staff to obtain 3 bids for the purpose of razing the existing trailer and authorizing staff to approach the BCC for funds from our budget to clean and lien the property" said motion made by John Snell and seconded by Skip Miller. OPTIONS: To approve or disapprove the requested action. RECOMMENDATIONS: The Growth Management Department recommends that the Board of County Commissioners authorize: 1.) the use of an amount not to exceed $5,000 from the Violations of Local Ordinances Account (0124.354000) to clean the subject property; 2.) solicitation of a minimum of 3 written quotes from qualified vendors to accomplish the property clean up; 3.) authorization for staff to contract the services of the vendor who provides the best, most responsive quote; and 4.) that Code Enforcement Staff and the County Attorney be authorized and directed to place a lien on the subject property to recover the fines, administrative costs, and clean up costs as provided in Section 11.03.05 of the Code. RECOMMENDED BY: APPROVED BY: Ernie Padgett, County Administrator