Clearwater Municipal Code Enforcement Board Meeting - December 17, 2025

The Municipal Code Enforcement Board of Clearwater, Florida, convened on December 17, 2025, at 1:30 PM in the City Hall Council Chambers to address a lengthy agenda of code enforcement cases, including new violations, continued cases, affidavits of compliance and non-compliance, and nuisance abatement lien filings. The meeting lasted approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes.

Consent Calendar

• Approval of Minutes (ID#25-1302): The board unanimously approved the minutes from the November 19, 2025 meeting as submitted.
• Affidavits of Compliance (ID#25-1304): The board accepted affidavits for five cases: 48-24 (Nicholas Stewart, Fences & Walls), 52-25 (Gonzalo & Celine Diaz, Short Term Rental), 165-25 (Clearwater Beach BK Investors, Lot Clearing), 193-25 (Jolanta & Miroslaw Wasowski, Lot Clearing), and 195-25 (Noel & Cleo Allen, Inoperative Vehicle). Each was found to have corrected the violation.

Discussion Items

• Case 147-25 (2371 Chaucer St.) – Exterior Storage: Continued from November 19. Respondent Clemente Dezha Teran admitted the violation. Inspector Kevin Mattocks reported partial cleanup but remaining items. The board found a violation and ordered compliance by January 14, 2026, with a $150 per day fine if not met.
• Case 167-25 (1659 Long St.) – Exterior Surfaces and Roof Maintenance: Inspector Daniel Kasman reported compliance before the hearing. The board declared a violation with no fine, but authorized a $500 per day fine if the violation recurs.
• Case 168-25 (1400 N Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave.) – Exterior Surfaces and Abandoned Building: No respondent appeared. Inspector Dixon noted the property had rotted wood, overgrown grass, and broken-down vehicles. The board found a violation and ordered compliance by January 14, 2026, with $150 per day per violation.
• Cases 170-25 through 174-25 (Prohibited Signage – Mandalay Ave. and Coronado Dr.): Inspector Stephen Burghardt presented five cases (170-25, 171-25, 172-25, 173-25, 174-25) all brought into compliance before the hearing. The board declared violations with no fines, but authorized $500 per day fines if repeated.
• Case 181-25 (2901 Brigadoon Dr.) – Exterior Surfaces and Clean Roof: Respondent Andrew Smokler admitted the violation. Inspector Jared Daniels detailed remaining mildew and mold. The board ordered compliance by February 1, 2026, with $150 per day fine.
• Case 183-25 (200 Leeward Island) – Unsafe Building: Respondent Elizabeth Anderson admitted the violation. The property had been damaged by a hurricane and fire, and the structure was deemed unsafe. Inspector James Larson noted the only feasible option was demolition or elevation. The board ordered compliance by March 18, 2026, and authorized the city to enter the property and demolish if necessary, with costs becoming a lien. No fine was imposed. The board expressed sympathy for the respondent's situation.
• Case 184-25 (2390 Willow Tree Trl.) – Unsafe Building: Continued to the January 28, 2026 meeting at the request of the respondent.
• Case 186-25 (534 S Keystone Ave.) – Permits (Deck): No respondent appeared. Inspector Cat Reese reported unpermitted deck work. The board found a violation and ordered compliance by January 19, 2026, with $150 per day fine.
• Case 187-25 (1028 Iroquois St.) – Permits (Pool): No respondent. The violation had been open since 2020. Inspector Reese noted the permit application was recent but not finalized. The board found a violation and ordered compliance by January 19, 2026, with $150 per day fine.
• Case 188-25 (1039 West Ave.) – Permits (Shed): No respondent. Inspector Reese reported a 150-square-foot shed with extension cords, possibly used as living space. The board found a violation and ordered compliance by January 19, 2026, with $150 per day fine.
• Case 191-25 (3268 San Mateo St.) – Permits (Pavers): Respondent Richard Pendleton admitted the violation. Inspector Reese stated he was working on a permit. The board ordered compliance by January 19, 2026, with $150 per day fine.

Old Business

• Affidavit of Non-Compliance – Case 71-25 (1877 Springtime Ave.): Inspector Dixon presented evidence of continuing violations (tarp on roof, boarded windows). The board accepted the affidavit and imposed fines, with authorization to foreclose if unpaid.
• Affidavit of Non-Compliance – Case 92-25 (30 Island Dr.): Inspector Kasman reported that address numbers were improperly spray-painted on a garage and roof maintenance was incomplete. The board accepted the affidavit and imposed fines.

Nuisance Abatement Lien Filings

• Case 198-25 (1090 Apache Trail) – Lot Clearing: Inspector Dixon reported a large homeless encampment with debris. The owner had begun cleanup. The board ordered compliance within 5 days, authorizing city abatement if not met.
• Case 200-25 (54 Somerset St.) – Inoperative Vehicle: Inspector Mattocks reported a vehicle that the owner claimed belonged to an ex-girlfriend. The board ordered compliance within 5 days, authorizing city removal.

Key Outcomes

• Violations Found and Orders Issued: The board found violations in 12 cases and issued compliance orders with deadlines ranging from 5 days to March 18, 2026, and daily fines of $150 per violation (or $500 for repeat violations).
• Declarations of Violation (No Fine): Six cases (167-25, 170-25, 171-25, 172-25, 173-25, 174-25) were declared in violation but already in compliance, with no fines imposed.
• Continued Cases: Cases 184-25 and 190-25 were continued to January 2026, and case 178-25 to February 2026.
• Withdrawn Cases: Numerous cases (3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.14, 3.15, 3.17, 3.18, 3.20, 3.23, 3.27, 4.2, 6.2) were withdrawn prior to the meeting.
• Nuisance Abatement Authorized: The board authorized city entry and abatement for two properties (198-25 and 200-25) if compliance is not achieved within 5 days.