HomeMy WebLinkAboutPacket 08-28-2007 WorkshopCity of Cape Canaveral
SICIL WORKSHOP MEETING
'LANNING & ZONING BOARD
:ITY HALL ANNEX
;nue, Cape Canaveral, Florida
TUESDAY
August 28, 2007
5:30 PM
AGENDA
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
DISCUSSION:
1. Proposed Chronic Nuisance Ordinance and Civil Citation
Program.
ADJOURNMENT:
Pursuant to Section 286.0105, Florida Statutes, the City hereby advises the
public that: If a person decides to appeal any decision made by the City Council
with respect to any matter considered at this meeting, that person will need a
record of the proceedings, and for such purpose that person may need to ensure
that a verbatim record of the proceedings is made, which record includes the
testimony and evidence upon which the appeal is to be based. This notice does
not constitute consent by the City for the introduction or admission into evidence
of otherwise inadmissible or irrelevant evidence, nor does it authorize challenges
or appeals not otherwise allowed by law. Persons with disabilities needing
assistance to participate in any of these proceedings should contact the City
Clerk's office (868-1221) 48 hours in advance of the meeting.
105 Polk Avenue - Post Office Box 326 - Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-0326
Telephone: (321) 868-1220 - SUNCOM: 982-1220 - FAX: (321) 868-1248
www.myflorida.com/cape - e-mail: ccapecanaveral@cfl.rr.com
Meeting Type: Workshop
Meeting Date: 08-28-07
AGENDA
Heading
Discussion
Item
j
No.
Commander Scragg will present his views on the proposed ordinances.
AGENDA REPORT
CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL
SUBJECT: DISCUSSION: PROPOSED CHRONIC NUISANCE ORDINANCE AND CIVIL
CITATION PROGRAM
DEPT/DIVISION: PUBLIC SAFETY/CODE ENFORCEMENT
Requested Action:
City Council review and comment on the proposed chronic nuisance ordinance and civil citation program as
recommended by the Code Enforcement Board.
Summary Explanation & Background:
On June 25, 2007, the Code Enforcement Board, by unanimous vote, recommended the proposed chronic
nuisance ordinance for City Council's consideration and on July 30, the civil citation program.
Commander Scragg will present his views on the proposed ordinances.
Exhibits Attached:
Code Enforcement Board's memo; draft ordinance
City Manager= ,Office
Department PUBLIC SAFETY/CODE
ENFORCEMENT
(.q,ape.-nt mm\mydo mehts\admin\council\meeting\2007\08-28-07\nuisance.doc
Law. i unu /.v, /-vv i
City of Gape Canaveral
To: Bennett Boucher, City Manager
Susan Stills, City Clerk
From: Joy Lombardi, Code Enforcement Board Secretary
Re: Recommendation to the City Council Regarding the Chronic Nuisance
& Civil Citation Codes
On June 25, 2007 The Code Enforcement Board reviewed the Chronic Nuisance Code
and the Civil Citation Code.
By unanimous vote, the Board recommended approval of the proposed Chronic Nuisance
Ordinance. However, the Board postponed recommendation of the Civil Citation Code
until the July meeting for further review.
105 Polk Avenue • Post Office Box 326 • Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-0326
Telephone: (321) 868-1222 • SUNCOM: 982-1222 • FAX: (321) 868-1247
wwwmyilorida.com/rape • email: ccapecanaveral@cfl.rr.com
Draft June 21, 2007
ORDINANCE NO. -2007
AN ORDINANCE OF THE CITY OF CAPE CANAVERAL,
FLORIDA, AMENDING CHAPTER 2, ARTICLE VI., OF THE
CAPE CANAVERAL CODE OF ORDINANCES REGARDING
CODE ENFORCEMENT; CREATING A NEW DIVISION
REGARDING CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTIES;
ESTABLISHING A REASONABLE NUMBER OF NUISANCE
ACTIVITY CALLS PER PROPERTY IN ANY THIRTY (30)
DAY PERIOD AND SETTING FORTH USER CHARGES FOR
NUISANCE ACTIVITIES CALLS IN EXCESS OF THE
REASONABLE NUMBER; AUTHORIZING A LIEN TO BE
FILED FOR FAILURE OF PROPERTY OWNERS TO PAY
USER CHARGES; PROVIDING FOR EXEMPTIONS AND
APPEALS; PROVIDING FOR THE REPEAL OF PRIOR
INCONSISTENT ORDINANCES AND RESOLUTIONS;
INCORPORATION INTO THE CODE; SEVERABILITY; AND
AN EFFECTIVE DATE.
WHEREAS, the City is granted the authority, under Section 2(b), Article VIII, of the State
Constitution, to exercise any power for municipal purposes, except when expressly prohibited by
law; and
WHEREAS, certain properties located within the City of Cape Canaveral, due to their
appearance or condition or due to activities taking place at said properties, generate more than the
average number of law enforcement and/or code enforcement calls in response to said appearance,
condition or activities at said properties; and
WHEREAS, excessive law enforcement and/or code enforcement calls to the same
properties place an undue and inappropriate burden on the taxpayers of the City of Cape Canaveral
and create chronic nuisances; and
WHEREAS, the City Council desires to charge the owners of the properties at which these
chronic nuisance activities repeatedly occur under the terms set forth in this ordinance; and
WHEREAS, the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida, hereby finds this
Ordinance to be in the best interests of the public health, safety, and welfare of the citizens of Cape
Canaveral.
BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Brevard
County, Florida, as follows:
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2007
Page 1 of 8
Draft June 21, 2007
Section 1. Recitals. The foregoing recitals are hereby fully incorporated herein by this
reference as legislative findings and the intent and purpose of the City Council of the City of Cape
Canaveral.
Section 2. Code Amendment. Chapter 2, Administration, of the Code of Ordinances,
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida, is hereby amended as follows (underlined type indicates additions
and strikecnit type indicates deletions, while asterisks (* * *) indicate a deletion from this Ordinance
of text existing in Chapter 2. It is intended that the text in Chapter 2 denoted by the asterisks and
set forth in this Ordinance shall remain unchanged from the language existing prior to adoption of
this Ordinance):
CHAPTER 2. ADMINISTRATION
ARTICLE VI. CODE ENFORCEMENT
DIVISION 3. CODE ENFORCEMENT CITATIONS
***
DIVISION 4. CHRONIC NUISANCE PROPERTY
Sec. 2.292. Purpose and intent.
The purpose of this division is to discourage repeat law enforcement and/or code enforcement
responses to the same properties in the City of Cape Canaveral. Properties causing an inordinate
number of law enforcement and/or code enforcement responses to certain activities or conditions
existing at said properties unduly and inappropriately burden the taxpayers of the City of Cape
Canaveral. As such, it is the intent of the City Council to impose the financial burden resultingfrom
rom
the repeat law enforcement and/or code enforcement responses on the persons and/or property
owners necessitating said responses.
Sec. 2-293. Definitions.
As used in this division, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the
context clearly indicates that a different meaning is intended:
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2007
Page 2 of 8
Draft June 21, 2007
City means the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
City manager means the city manager of the City of Cape Canaveral or the city manager's
designee.
Consumption of law enforcement services means the presence of one or more certified law
enforcement officer or code enforcement officer employed or retained by the city on a unit of real
propertyin response to an activity or condition existing or alleged to be existing upon thern op=
resulting from a response other than at the convenience of the law enforcement agency or the city
code enforcement office The presence may be caused by the a request of any person upon the
property or information developed by the law enforcement agency or the city code enforcement
office from any source warranting a response to the property. Excluded from this definition are
courtesypections, criminal investigations of matters not arising from or connected with the
property and paid off-dutXdetails of law enforcement officers.
Incident of service means each time one or more law enforcement officer or city code
enforcement officer commences and completes a response to an identifiable unit of property as
recorded in a written report of the law enforcement officer or code enforcement officer settingforth
orth
the time the officers were present upon the property. Responses caused by false reports of nuisance
activily initiated by third parties with the intent of harassing the unit of 12rol2erty, or for criminal
activity that commences elsewhere and subsequently comes upon a unit of property despite
reasonable efforts of persons responsible for the unit of property to exclude it, will not constitute an
incident of service.
Unit of real property means any contiguous lands within the city which are under common
ownership or are devoted to a single use whichever is greater. Common ownership shall include
all entities from which the same natural or fictitious person or people have ultimate benefit.,
Contiguous land shall include those separated by easements, sidewalks, alleys, right-of-ways and
water bodies.
Monthlyperiod means any consecutive 30-day_period.
Nuisance activity means any activity, behavior or conduct whenever engaged in by property
owners, operators, occupants or persons associated with a property that could be enforced by means
of a proceeding before the ci , 's code enforcement board, through nuisance abatement or relating to
any actions or offenses relating to the following subject matter:
Firearms and weapons:
(2) False alarms:
Harassment of a neighbor, disorderly conduct, or disturbing the peace:
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2007
Page 3 of 8
Draft June 21, 2007
Battery, substantial battery or aggravated battery;
(5) Indecent exposure;
(h Keeping_a place of prostitution, or otherwise using the property for the purpose of
prostitution;
21 Littering, solid waste or public health;
Arson;_
Possession, manufacture or delivery of a controlled or illegal substance or related
offenses:
(10) Gambling-,
LLI)_ Animal or fowl;
(12) Trespass to land or criminal trespass to a dwelling,
(13)_ Production or creation of excessive noise or vibration;
(14) Loitering;
(15) Public drinking and other matters relating to alcoholic beverages;
(16) Intoxicating beverages,
(17) Unpermitted or illegal business;
(18)_ Selling or giving away tobacco products to underage persons;
L9 Illegal sale, discharge and use of fireworks;
(20) Junk vehicles;
(21) Action deemed a nuisance under state Iaw;
(22) Any action that is a violation of this Code which could be enforced by the provisions
of this Code implementing the provisions of F.S. ch. 162;
2233) Act of aiding and abetting of the activities, behaviors or conduct enumerated in this
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2007
Page 4 of 8
Draft June 21, 2007
article; or
L24)- Conspiracy to commit or attempt to commit any of the activities behaviors or
conduct enumerated in this article.
Person associated with means any person who, whenever engaged in a nuisance activity,
enters, patronizes, visits or attempts to enter, patronize or visit or waits to enter, patronize or visit
a property or person present on a property including but not limited to any officer, director,
customer, agent, employee or independent contractor of a property owner.
Sec. 2-294. Monthly allowance of services; user charges, service fees imposed.
(a) The city council has determined that the following number of service calls is a
reasonable and allowable number of nuisance activities calls for law enforcement and/or code
enforcement personnel to respond to on a monthly basis:
TABLE INSET:
Type of Property
Single-family resident or duplex..........
Multi -family residences, including_
Apartments; hotels; motels..........
Businesses..........
30 -Day Period Allowance
3 calls
3 calls
3 calls
The city council has determined that nuisance activity calls in excess of the monthly
allowance of nuisance activity calls as set forth in this division shall be subject to a
reasonable user charge/service fee as set forth in this section.
(c) No user fee shall be charged for the first three (3) calls for service pertaining to a
nuisance activity in a 30-day12eriod.
The fourth call for service pertaining to a nuisance activity in a 30 -day period shall
result in a $250.00 service fee being charged to the owner of the property on which the
nuisance activity has occurred.
(e) The fifth call for service pertaining. to a nuisance activity in a 30 -day period, and
every call thereafter within said 30 -day period, shall result in a $500.00 service fee being
charged to the owner of the property on which the nuisance activity has occurred.
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2007
Page 5 of 8
Draft June 21, 2007
Sec. 2-295. Notification of the nuisance activity_ procedures.
Whenever the city manager determines that more than the monthly allowed services for
nuisance activities could occur or have occurred at a property during a 30-dU period the city
manager may notify the property owner and the person causing the nuisance activity, if the person
causing the nuisance activities resides at the properLy and is not the owner, in writing that the
property is in danger of becoming or has became a chronic nuisance. This notice shall be deemed
to be properly delivered if sent either by certified U.S. Mail return receipt requested to the property
owners last known address or if delivered in person to the property owner. If the propggy owner
cannot be located, the notice shall be deemed to be properly served on any person as may be
permitted by F.S. ch. 48. If a current address cannot be located, it shall be deemed sufficient if a copy -
of the notice is sent by certified U.S. Mail, return receipt requested to the last known address of the
owner as identified by the records of the county property appraiser. Additionally, the notice may be
perfected, if posted or published in accordance with the provisions of F.S. $ 162.12 or its successor
provision. The notice shall contain:
M The street address or legal description sufficient for identification of the property
which shall be sufficient if the tax parcel identification number assigned by the county
property appraiser is used:
A description of the nuisance activities that have occurred at the property and a
statement indicating that a service fee will be or is being assessed against the owner of the
property,
A notice of the property owners right to appeal pursuant to this division;
A statement that the property owner shall within ten 10 days of the date of the
notice, respond to the city manager, either in person or writing with a request for an appeal
Sec. 2-296. Filing of liens.
The 61y may file a notice of lien in the public records of the county with regard to the costs
of the city incurred pursuant to this division. Upon failure of the property owner to pay the costs
incurred by the city, after a demand for payment being, made by the city, the lien mgy be recorded.
Sec. 2-297. Exemptions.
(a) A property owner may a12121y for and be exempt from assessment of the user
charge/service fee assessed in this division and the provisions of sections 2-294-2-296 of this
division by accomplishing the actions required in subsection Wof this section.
The following_ property owners shall be exempt from assessment of the user
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2007
Page 6 of 8
Draft June 21, 2007
charge/service fee assessed in this article and the provisions of sections 78-117--78-120 of
this article upon approval b, the he city manager:
Multifamily residences, apartments, hotels. motels and businesses who
employ off-duty law enforcement officers who provide for additional security for
their property.
La Multifamily residences, apartments hotels and motels which provide for a
law enforcement officer to live on the property in order to provide for additional
security or their property.
Sec. 2-298. Appeals.
Determinations of the city manager shall be finalprovided, however, that if the city adopts
a hearing officer/special magistrate system, an appeal may be filed with the hearing officer/special
magistrate whose decision shall be final. An appeal must be filed within ten 10 calendar days from
the date of the decision appealed.
Sec. 2-299. Reports: administrative rules.
(a The cAy manaizer shall provide an annual report to the ci council apprising the ci
council of the success of the programs set forth in this article and any matters relating
thereto.
The city manajzer is hereby authorized to promulgate administrative rules to
implement the provisions of this article to include, but not be limited to the assessment of
fees for applications and appeals as set forth in this article. Rules adopted b try manager
shall be provided to the city council upon adoption.
Section 3. Repeal of Prior Inconsistent Ordinances and Resolutions. All prior
inconsistent ordinances and resolutions adoptedby the City Council, orparts of prior ordinances and
resolutions in conflict herewith, are hereby repealed to the extent of the conflict.
Section 4. Incorporation Into Code. This Ordinance shall be incorporated into the
Cape Canaveral City Code and any section or paragraph, number or letter, and any heading may be
changed or modified as necessary to effectuate the foregoing. Grammatical, typographical, and like
errors may be corrected and additions, alterations, and omissions, not affecting the construction or
meaning of this ordinance and the City Code may be freely made.
Section 5. Severability. If any section, subsection, sentence, clause, phrase, word or
provision of this Ordinance is for any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by any court of
competent jurisdiction, whether for substantive, procedural, or any other reason, such portion shall
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2007
Page 7 of 8
Draft June 21, 2007
be deemed a separate, distinct and independent provision, and such holding shall not affect the
validity of the remaining portions of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
ADOPTED by the City Council of the City of Cape Canaveral, Florida, this day of
, 2007.
ATTEST:
ROCKY RANDELS, Mayor
For Against
Bob Hoog
Leo Nicholas
Buzz Petsos
Rocky Randels
SUSAN STILLS, City Clerk C. Shannon Roberts
First Reading:
Legal Ad published:
Second Reading:
Approved as to legal form and sufficiency for
the City of Cape Canaveral only:
ANTHONY A. GARGANESE, City Attorney
City of Cape Canaveral
Ordinance No. _-2007
Page 8 of 8
City of Cape Canaveral
To: Bennett Boucher, City Manager
Susan Stills, City Clerk
From: Joy Lombardi, Code Enforcement Board Secretary,;
Re: Recommendation to the City Council Regarding the Civil Citation Code
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
On July 30, 2007, the Code Enforcement Board reviewed the Civil Citation Code and
recommended that City Council approve the proposed code.
105 Polk Avenue • Post Office Box 326 • Cape Canaveral, FL 32920-0326
Telephone: (321) 868-1222 • SUNCOM: 982-1222 • FAX: (321) 868-1247
www.myflorida.com/cape • email: ccapecanaveralCcfl.rr.com
CITY COUNCIL WORKSHOP MEETING
CITY HALL ANNEX
111 Polk Avenue, Cape Canaveral, Florida
TUESDAY
July 10, 2007
5:30 PM
MINUTES
CALL TO ORDER:
ROLL CALL:
Council Members Present:
Mayor Pro Tem
Bob Hoog
Council Member
Leo Nicholas
Council Member
Buzz Petsos
Mayor
Rocky Randels
Council Member
Shannon Roberts
Others Present:
City Manager Bennett Boucher
City Clerk Susan Stills
Assistant City Attorney Kate Latorre
Building Official Todd Morley
DISCUSSION:
1. Chronic Nuisance Ordinance.
Prior to start of discussion, Mr. Boucher distributed a flow chart from the City Attorney's
office related to the discussion. Attorney Latorre explained how a Code Enforcement
action and a chronic nuisance violation might progress concurrently. She stated that a
user fee was attached to the chronic nuisance violation in order to recoup for the
services of law enforcement intervention.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog read the heading of an Ordinance amending Chapter II, Article VI
of the City code regarding Code Enforcement creating a new division regarding Chronic
Nuisance properties.
Ms. Roberts recommended inserting language related to the City's quality of life as
one of the intents as one the Ordinance purposes. Discussion concluded to place
language related to quality of life in the WHEREAS provisions. Ms. Roberts
questioned the meaning of Purpose and Intent. Attorney Latorre explained that the
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Workshop Meeting
Chronic Nuisance Ordinance
July 10, 2007
Page 2 of 6
WHEREAS clauses would not be codified in the City code, however, the Purpose and
Intent would be codified. Attorney Latorre recommended placing the language in both
portions. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog clarified that "quality of life" language would be
added to the first sentence of Section 2-292., Purpose and Intent.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog reviewed Section 2-293., Definitions. Ms. Roberts suggested
adding an "s" to the terms, law enforcement and code enforcement officer under the
definition for Consumption of Law Enforcement Services. Mr. Nicholas questioned the
meaning of, "other then at the convenience of the law enforcement agency or the city
code enforcement office." Attorney Latorre explained that if the officer was in the
routine course of duty and noticed a code enforcement infraction, then no
inconvenience to service was imposed. Mr. Nicholas explained that some code
enforcement action was still required which resulted in use of service. Mr. Petsos
stated that the code enforcement action would probably occur during the weekday and
not during the days of a nuisance call such as on the weekend.
Ms. Joyce Hamilton stated that the City already had a False Alarm Ordinance and this
would impose a second fine as a nuisance. Todd Morley, Building Official, explained
that the Code Enforcement services were performed on a drive-by basis. He requested
that the Council allow for a one-time occurrence unless Code Enforcement was called
out on a violation. Mr. Boucher explained how several types of criminal violations, such
as a false alarm, a domestic violence incident, or a narcotics complaint, could occur
during one month at one unit.
Mr. Petsos stated that the City has a successful False Alarm code and it should stand
alone. Ms. Roberts pointed out how at some large complexes, as the City Manager
said, multiple violations were possible. Attorney Latorre stated that the City ordinance
allows for three false alarm occurrences in any one year, in which emergency services
were called out, before any fines were imposed.
Duree Alexander, Code Enforcement Officer, explained that a call from a resident
established the nuisance activity. Mr. Boucher pointed out that the definition for Incident
of Service established the different type of service calls for law enforcement or code
enforcement. Mr. Boucher clarified his proposed amendment to the definition for
Consumption of Law Enforcement Services, at the third line, end -of -sentence: add a
period after "alleged to be existing upon the property" and strike out the remainder of
the sentence.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog asked for clarification on an "identifiable" unit. Attorney Latorre
explained the difficulty of taking action on a violator when a unit might not be identifiable
at the location of the call. Council members discussed the "third parties." Attorney
Latorre responded that this was a judgment call on an officer's part. Mr. Boucher
confirmed for Mr. Nicholas that every dispatched law enforcement call was documented.
Ms. Alexander explained that she submits her calls in a software program; she also logs
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Workshop Meeting
Chronic Nuisance Ordinance
July 10, 2007
Page 3 of 6
in Incident Reports as well as calls from the City's E -Better Place citizen complaint
process from the web site.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog questioned the resulting action for a property that had a
percentage of renters and owners. Attorney Latorre replied that the City would contact
the property owner related to the unit. Discussion followed on the types of ownership.
Mr. Morley suggested inserting the word "real" before the word property in Incident of
Service as was done in Unit of Real Property.
Ms. Roberts stated her concern with the 30 -day time in the Monthly Period definition.
Ms. Latorre explained that the unit of time related to any 30 -day period, from date to
date, not a calendar month.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog proceeded to the definition for Nuisance Activity. Harry Pearson,
Planning and Zoning Board Member, related to previous discussion that used the City of
Sanford ordinance which included misdemeanors and felonies under its list of nuisance
activity. He stated that arson was not a nuisance activity. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog and
Mr. Petsos agreed. Attorney Latorre explained how recurring crime was a nuisance to
the neighbors. There was no intent to prosecute arson before the Code Enforcement
Board. Mr. Nicholas asked if prostitution at a property also constituted a nuisance.
Attorney Latorre replied that the City has a Code provision to prosecute violations of its
code as a public nuisance which could be applied in this instance. Discussion followed
on relief for a neighbor of nuisance activity.
Attorney Latorre stated that her flowchart was intended to depict the complete realm of
prosecution efforts. She explained how the Ordinance was a tool to impose a user fee
related to law and code enforcement services. Mr. Pearson stated that this Ordinance
generated from the short-term rental discussion wherein nuisance activity was said to
have occurred. He said that he did not realize that the City was seeking to address
felonies through this Ordinance. Ms. Roberts pointed out that this was previously
discussed as a solution to any one who disturbed the peace.
Ms. Roberts also suggested including growing marijuana. Attorney Latorre replied that
she believed "manufacturing" was relative to growing marijuana. Ms. Roberts
suggested another category related to feeding or harboring animals, such as feral cats
or peacocks, which could become a nuisance to neighbors. Mr. Boucher stated that the
the condominium associations handled the matter for their premises within their
regulations. Ms. Roberts went on record and stated that feeding wildlife was a public
safety and health issue for the City.
Mr. Morley pointed out that perhaps there were statutory definitions that exist for the
items on the enumerated list. Attorney Latorre explained that the list was just an
example of what could constitute a nuisance activity and the Ordinance was written
"broadly" to allow the City to address what it considers a nuisance activity. Ms. Roberts
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Workshop Meeting
Chronic Nuisance Ordinance
July 10, 2007
Page 4 of 6
pointed out that the issues of violation could relate to the person as well as the property.
Attorney Latorre reminded that this Ordinance was written to address repeat nuisance
properties and subject to a civil citation. She stated that the Civil Citation Ordinance
would address someone feeding wildlife. Mr. Boucher clarified that this Ordinance,
Chronic Nuisance, related to service usage; the next Ordinance, Civil Citation, would
relate to a penalty for a violation. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog made note to include
"domestic animals" to Item Number (11) and the City Attorney could draft
nuisance language related to wildlife.
Mayor Pro Tem proceeded to Item Number (12) in the enumerated list under Nuisance
Activity. Ms. Robert asked if the property's amenities, such as a swimming pool were
included in Item 12. Attorney Latorre replied that a swimming pool was covered under
land. On the next item, Production or Creation of Excessive Noise or Vibration, Ms.
Roberts asked what this item covered. Mr. Boucher replied to Ms. Roberts that there
was a Statute that covered her concern related to motor cycle revving. Mayor Pro Tem
Hoog stated that this could also be addressed through the Condominium Association.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog proceeded to, Loitering. Ms. Hamilton questioned if it were illegal
to sit on one's own property and drink an alcoholic beverage outdoors. Mayor Pro Tem
Hoog replied that this was permissible as long as the person remained on their own
property and their behavior was not unruly which became subject to law.
Ms. Roberts asked why alcohol was not included in Item No. (18). Attorney Latorre
stated that this was covered in Item No. (15) and drugs were included in Item No. (9).
Mr. Boucher replied to Ms. Roberts that Item No. (20) addressed a property owner that
continued to keep junk vehicles on his premises. Mr. Morley addressed No. (22) and
requested to replace the word "this" with the word "City" before code. Attorney Latorre
agreed that she could specify that the Ordinance related to the City code chapter
for Code Enforcement.
Attorney Latorre explained how the, Person Associated With, provision was intended to
prohibit nuisance persons from entering a property.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog proceeded to Section 2-294., Monthly Allowance of Services;
User Charges; Service Fees Imposed. Ms. Roberts stated her concern with the
sufficiency of the 30 -day period as they relate to short-term rentals. Secondly, Ms.
Roberts requested to reduce the number of calls to two within a 30 -day period. Mr.
Petsos pointed out that this would allow up to three calls per month and for violations
twice per month. Mr. Petsos also noted that short-term rental might constitute another
classification.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog stated that three calls were too many within a 30 -day period and
a fine at the fourth call; however, he did not agree with up to a fifth call but a revocation
of license. Discussion brought out three calls per year. Mr. Boucher referred to Sub-
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Workshop Meeting
Chronic Nuisance Ordinance
July 10, 2007
Page 5 of 6
paragraph (e) and the provision which called for fines of a $500.00 service fee charged
to the property owner for calls after the fifth violation.
Mr. Boucher reminded that this Ordinance would also apply to hotels and businesses
too and it was difficult to revoke hotel licenses using a City Ordinance. Mr. Nicholas
stated that a more stringent Code would bring about the intent to maintain the City's
residential character. Ms. Roberts stated that one of the things that would bring about
license revocation was reaching a threshold and Council would need to determine that
threshold. Attorney Latorre clarified that the City could only revoke their
Certificate of Non -Conforming Status. The City could not revoke their State
Resort -Dwelling license; however, the City could impose a fine under this
Ordinance.
Ms. Roberts stated that she thought those Resort Dwellings in the non -C-1 zoning
district would fall under the revocation of license provision. Ms. Roberts stated that if it
were not defined in this Ordinance, then there was no provision to revoke their license.
Mr. Boucher clarified that the Council was not prosecuting under this Ordinance.
Mr. Morley clarified that discussion was not for revoking the State license but for the
Non -Conforming Status. Mr. Morley also pointed out that vacant property was not
included in types of properties. He questioned why the differentiation service calls when
calls would occur at any type of property. Attorney Latorre replied that they could
remove the Table inset on Page five. Discussion followed on the amount of the fine.
Attorney Latorre advised against becoming too severe in the penalties.
Attorney Latorre referred to the Resort Dwelling and Resort Condominium Ordinance
relating to losing non -conforming status when a person violated the three times within
one-year rental provision. Attorney Latorre read the provision related to the City
Manager taking lawful action which included seeking injunctive relief.
Attorney Latorre explained how Section 2-295, Notification of the Nuisance Activity
Procedures, was procedural to noticing the violator. Discussion ended in the
agreement to strike the word "may" in the third sentence and insert the word
"shall" to read "the City Manager shall notify the property owner."
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog read the four instances of what the Notice shall contain. [Copy of
the proposed attached.] Discussion clarified that the violator was required to file an
Appeal within ten days of the Notice and the City Manager would have within 30 days to
make a final decision. Ms. Roberts questioned Section 2-298 in which the City
Manager's determination would be final. Attorney Latorre explained that the City
Manager's final decision was based on the whether or not three infractions had
occurred. This would set the fining process in motion. Attorney Latorre stated that
the Appeals process in Section 2-298 would be clarified in the next Draft.
City of Cape Canaveral, Florida
City Council Workshop Meeting
Chronic Nuisance Ordinance
July 10, 2007
Page 6 of 6
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog read Section 2-296. Attorney Latorre replied to Ms. Roberts that
the Lien was based on non-payment of the fine. Ms. Roberts referred to past instances
of Liens and stated how staff time and Attorney's fees were also included as
Administrative cost along with in those imposed Liens.
Mr. Morley responded that the purpose of the fine was to cover Administrative costs
involved in enforcement. Attorney Latorre explained that this was an Administrative fee
based on the user charge. Ms. Roberts stated that there was a cost to the community
for the nuisance upon reaching this stage. Mr. Boucher responded that Ms. Robert's
recommendation would defer to the penalty structure and emphasized that this was a
cost recovery action.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog read Section 2-297. Ms. Roberts requested to strike Section
2-297, Exemptions, in its entirety. Attorney Latorre informed that this was one of the
provisions in the model Ordinance. Council members agreed by consensus to
strike Section 2-297, Exemptions, from this Ordinance.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog made note that discussion would skip Section 2-298, Appeals, in
order for the City Attorney's office to amend the language.
Mayor Pro Tem Hoog read Section 2-299. Reports- Administrative Rules. Attorney
Latorre explained that this would allow the City Manager to develop Administrative
Rules. Mayor Pro Tem Hoog recommended changing the word "Rules" to
"Procedures."
Mr. Petsos pointed out that parking and excessive vehicles were not on the enumerated
list of Page 4. Attorney Latorre clarified that those were included in Item No. (22) since
these were already included in the City code. Mr. Boucher reiterated that the Chronic
Nuisance Ordinance did not provide for a penalty but was an Administrative action for
law enforcement and code enforcement service use. Attorney Latorre reminded that the
Civil Citation would count toward the user fee. Mr. Boucher replied to Ms. Roberts that
an applicant would make the Appeal to the Council for loss of Non -Conforming Use
Status.
ADJOURNMENT:
There being no further business, the Chair adjourned the meeting at 8:15 P.M.
Susan Stills, CMC, CITY CLERK