Clearwater Municipal Code Enforcement Board Meeting - June 24, 2026

The Municipal Code Enforcement Board of Clearwater, Florida, met on June 24, 2026, at 1:30 PM in the Main Library Council Chambers to adjudicate numerous code enforcement cases, including violations for permits, exterior surfaces, exterior storage, short-term rentals, outdoor cafe permits, and nuisance abatement. The board also considered two lien reduction requests. The meeting lasted approximately 3.5 hours and included discussion of procedural improvements for future fine reduction hearings.

Call to Order and Approval of Minutes

• The meeting was called to order at 1:30 PM. The board approved the minutes of the May 27, 2026 meeting by unanimous voice vote.

New Business: Violation Cases

Case 80-26 (Perez) – Permits

• Respondent absent. Inspector Reese presented evidence of unpermitted garage conversion at 2021 N Betty Ln. Compliance deadline set for July 24, 2026, with a fine of $150 per day thereafter. Unanimously approved.

Case 107-26 (Jones) – Exterior Surfaces

• Respondent Jose Jones admitted the violation, citing health issues and financial hardship. He requested additional time to complete repairs. The board extended the compliance deadline to September 1, 2026, with a $150 per day fine if not met. Unanimously approved.

Case 108-26 (Paz-Mateos) – Exterior Storage

• Inspector Kasman reported items such as construction materials, tires, and buckets in the yard. Compliance ordered by July 24, 2026, with a $150 per day fine. Unanimously approved.

Case 113-26 (Meisner) – Short-Term Rental

• City Manager Sarah Green presented evidence of two stays (6-night and 7-night) in March 2026, violating the monthly minimum requirement. The violation was corrected prior to the hearing. The board declared a violation but imposed no fine, warning that a repeat violation could result in fines up to $500 per day. Unanimously approved.

Case 114-26 (Ehrhardt) – Short-Term Rental

• Neighbor Bob Burge testified about ongoing short-term rental issues. The case was similar to 113-26; the board declared a violation with no fine, but warned of $500 per day for repeats. Unanimously approved.

Case 115-26 (SCI Pelican Walk LLC) – Outdoor Cafe Permit

• Inspector Maddox showed the business lacked a required outdoor cafe permit. Compliance ordered by July 24, 2026, with a $50 per day fine (lower due to the small permit fee). Unanimously approved.

Case 116-26 (Victory 888 Inc.) – Outdoor Storage

• Tenant Christopher Steiner requested a continuance to build sheds. The board found a violation and ordered compliance by July 24, 2026, with a $150 per day fine. Unanimously approved.

Case 118-26 (Brigadoon Clearwater Hmowns Assn Inc.) – Exterior Surfaces

• Inspector Daniels reported rotten wood at a pool gazebo. Compliance ordered by August 1, 2026, with a $150 per day fine. Unanimously approved.

Case 121-26 (Zelic) – Oversize Vehicle Parking

• Respondent Marko Zelic explained his work truck exceeded height limits. The board allowed an extended compliance date of August 7, 2026, with a $150 per day fine. Unanimously approved.

Case 122-26 (Cheveresan) – Trailer Parking

• Property already in compliance; the board declared a violation but imposed no fine, warning of $500 per day for repeats. Unanimously approved.

Old Business: Lien Reduction Requests

Case 122-25 (Reece) – Fine Reduction

• Petitioner William Reece (represented by real estate agent April Cloyd) requested reduction of a $10,850 lien for failure to obtain a residential rental business tax receipt. The board reduced the lien to $3,350 (including administrative costs of $1,031.20) after discussion of the respondent's lack of notice. Approved by voice vote.

Case 196-17 (Bassett) – Fine Reduction

• Robert Bassett (representing the trust) requested reduction of a lien for exterior surfaces and abandoned building violations. The city did not object. After a split vote (4-3), the board reduced the lien to $1,291.26 (administrative costs only). Discussion ensued about proper authorization and the need for more complete documentation in future cases.

Other Board Action

• Affidavits of Compliance: The board accepted six affidavits for cases 104-25, 122-25, 162-25, 60-26, 74-26, and 99-26 (unanimous).
• Affidavit of Non-Compliance: The board accepted the affidavit for Brendan Ryan-Buchanan (Case 32-26) for permits, authorizing fines and lien foreclosure if unpaid (unanimous).

Nuisance Abatement Liens

• Six nuisance abatement cases were considered (Case 154-26 through 159-26). All were approved with orders requiring compliance within five days of the board's written order, authorizing the city to abate and place a lien for costs if not met. One owner (Brett Harris for 154-26) requested a continuance but was denied; the board granted the standard five-day period. All votes were unanimous.

Procedural Discussion

• At the end of the meeting, the board discussed the need for more detailed information in lien reduction requests, particularly regarding case history and compliance timelines. City attorney Matthew Salzman clarified that board members should not conduct independent investigations but should rely on evidence presented by the city. The board agreed to schedule a future discussion on standardizing the process.

Key Outcomes

• Total cases heard: 19 new business items (including continuances and withdrawals), 2 old business items, 6 nuisance abatements, and 2 affidavits.
• Fines imposed: Daily fines of $150 (most violations), $50 (outdoor cafe permit), and $500 per day for repeat short-term rental or trailer violations.
• Lien reductions granted: Two reductions totaling $13,370.51 in relief.
• Compliance deadlines: Ranged from July 24, 2026, to September 1, 2026.
• Next meeting: Scheduled for July 22, 2026, with a special discussion on fine reduction procedures.