[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",5979947,"mediaKeyId","5775424-0f1005a890bef2cdb782d58efe10b418","parentId",5775424,"title","City updates on code enforcement at Spring Lake Square properties; owner pulls demolition permit for Floridinos building","audioSeconds",2086,"startMs",127000,"endMs",2213000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775424-0f1005a890bef2cdb782d58efe10b418&start=127&end=2213","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775424-0f1005a890bef2cdb782d58efe10b418/thumbnail_127000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/5979947/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/City-updates-on-code-enforcement-at-Spring-Lake-Square-properties-owner-pulls-demolition-permit-for-Floridinos-building","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979947-d8cf1d3553edaced8d14c001b1edc90f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040579&Signature=HCjEcgZa-wqJi6JK0HWev1t25EO1SrwIa4sxgxH8x9YtAAifiFzrLDepVHWJK6GTrKfrW-2eGDWMgFWTyvrvchfHGuFfb8q-M7QIsMQgSECI2dEszGk-WjXCR3RFXI5Rgq~uKxB737iDc1D~BoDTexr~NUSyTGaScD9J1V6UPX1KaJto6igGxvqhiB1C9PjhMSKIBRcgKk13kyBLdq2xPwGiOe8ZneYDcf0yWP-Al4NCrYJxZw7csUjmBwdmq~OvakCbnZiRGGoq~Qr3QrJgHfwOJVKe~UacDc~qSTnKtq3daLe~rdy3KBSfq33N46kjYWYMmG3mix8lXndxvmgV1A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Winter Haven, FL","date","2025-09-18T00:00:00Z","article","Assistant City Manager Bird provided the Winter Haven City Commission with an update on three active code-compliance cases at properties in the Spring Lake Square area, saying the information was “accurate as of today.” The properties are Floridinos at 1919 Eighth Street NW, Chile Verde at 1925 Eighth Street and the Havendale Strip Plaza along Havendale Boulevard.

The city reported that Floridinos was inspected after a tree fell into the building and the city’s building official condemned it; a special magistrate first continued the case and later ordered 120 days for compliance. Assistant City Manager Bird said an asbestos survey was performed and, “As of the twelfth of this month, Wynn Brand's contractor has officially filed for a notice of demolition for a permit for demolition.” Bird added that the permit application was confirmed by city staff the day before the meeting.

The city has accumulated $8,250 in code-enforcement fines on the Floridinos property, and daily fines continue to accrue while the issue remains unresolved. “Until that building is down, that register is still ringing every day, $250,” a city official noted, describing the daily accrual.

City staff told commissioners the special magistrate had authorized the city’s code-compliance team to proceed to demolition if the owner failed to act, but that direction was overtaken when the property owner’s contractor pulled its own demolition permit. “So we cannot demolish it. You can't have two active permits on the property,” the city manager said; staff said that outcome is nonetheless “the desired result” because the owner-led demolition would avoid taxpayer expense.

At the Chile Verde property at 1925 Eighth Street, the city said inspections beginning in October 2024 produced violations and that, after a reinspection, the special magistrate ordered 30 days for compliance and set a $50-per-day fine thereafter. City staff reported 10 violations were originally cited at Chile Verde, two have been corrected and eight remain; the city has assessed $6,150 in fines there.

For the Havendale Strip Plaza, inspections identified 15 violations and the city reported three have been corrected so far. The accumulated fines for that property total $4,650. Examples of the violations cited across properties included fence maintenance, trash and debris, exterior walls in poor condition, roof and drainage issues, sign maintenance and unauthorized advertising on outdated signage.

City staff explained how costs are recovered: statutory guidelines govern what the city may recoup and city costs are certified by affidavit for the magistrate, and some work done by the city (mowing, trash removal, demolition) can be assessed back to the property as a special assessment and, if unpaid, become a lien on the tax bill. The city also procured an asbestos survey for the Floridinos property; staff said that cost will be added to the property’s assessed expenses.

Commissioners asked about patterns for repeat violators and reductions in fines. The city attorney explained the city follows Chapter 162, Florida Statutes, particularly section 162.09, permitting fines up to $250 per day for a first violation, up to $500 per day for a repeat violation and, under certain findings, fines not to exceed $5,000 per violation. The attorney added that magistrates may reduce enforcement fines in some circumstances but that the city’s documented costs are not reduced.

City staff said they will refine policy recommendations to prevent delays that arose when the city secured a condemned building and then could not enter it without amending the magistrate’s order, and they are prepared to proceed with a city-led demolition should owner-led work not occur.

Ending: City staff said the owner-led demolition permit for the Floridinos building should lead to faster removal; fines and special assessments remain in place and city staff will return with more details or next steps if the owner fails to complete demolition or compliance.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Agenda Review Meeting, September 17, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Assistant City Manager Bird told commissioners that three Spring Lake Square properties have active code-enforcement cases and that the contractor for the Floridinos building has filed a demolition permit.","taxTitle","Winter Haven City, Polk County, Florida","taxId",12580,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5979936,"City attorney seeks authorization to sign national opioid settlements; local share to flow to Polk County abatement plan",186,2500000,2686000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775424-0f1005a890bef2cdb782d58efe10b418&start=2500&end=2686","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775424-0f1005a890bef2cdb782d58efe10b418/thumbnail_2500000.jpg","/articles/5979936/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/City-attorney-seeks-authorization-to-sign-national-opioid-settlements-local-share-to-flow-to-Polk-County-abatement-plan","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979936-e0a353727f8ca5e95ac3f5577c1e19c2/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040579&Signature=gt14UL~yRAx8wgvLKaPJRba2DrTJYV6emQIms5-Kf1oWyiPT-0VrvLTo85K5fkfylIgiDPtyxovAyw6s-ND6ZcL71ovYKbDcQfOapaldw4OW9TTcu2MK6qPelcxzAFLYTGXsR8nF7dR-T3FbR8B6UAf4nIm2o1Wsh0OLO7iNL85pAQZ1V8cQ6xrCWoxXs3PLQpyIAJHEXqr2fst08lPmnBcEc01RT12usIQZI5hA6TV~~sZ6yVYTPwHzzWj7PXxqVdRvc5MmWoRUyE3M2e5-Xwm9Qzgp1tH9pK1dkTFxnEvakx~jHW1Oi4D1nyZC46u~G-QyLQDFSY1JVAM6Qw3CNg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The city attorney asked the commission to authorize timely signature of two settlement packages in national litigation over opioid manufacturers and distributors, one with Purdue Pharma (deadline September 30) and a second group of settlements with several secondary manufacturers (deadline October 8).

The attorney explained the settlements provide national funds and that Winter Haven, like other municipalities in Polk County, would assign its share to Polk County’s opioid abatement plan under an interlocal agreement. “Polk County, the regional percentage that the county gets is 2.15% of all that number,” the city attorney said. He added that Polk County’s portion would be divided among county jurisdictions and that Winter Haven’s share would be a small fraction: “Winter Haven would be entitled to 0.09% of that 1.55% of that 2.15%.”

The city attorney said he could not provide a precise dollar amount at the meeting because allocations depend on the national totals and the various settlement options that some manufacturers offered. He cited examples from the materials: Mylan was described as offering approximately $290 million over nine years; another manufacturer could pay approximately $98 million or supply naloxone (Narcan) product in-kind; Amneal was identified as offering up to approximately $74 million over 10 years or an equivalent in generic naloxone.

The attorney said the city must sign the settlements by the stated deadlines to be included and that the city’s signature would release claims the city might have against the settling manufacturers. He asked for authorization to timely execute the documents via DocuSign and transfer proceeds to the county’s abatement plan for administration.

Commissioner Mercer asked whether the funds would be used for treatment; the city attorney and city manager said they expected Polk County’s approved abatement plan to include treatment and education among allowable uses, but said the county would administer and report on the expenditures.

Ending: The city attorney requested authority to sign the settlement documents so Winter Haven’s allocation can be assigned to the county abatement plan; exact local dollar amounts were not available at the meeting and will be reported when allocations are calculated.","The city attorney asked commissioners to authorize signing settlement agreements with Purdue Pharma, the Sackler family and several secondary manufacturers; proceeds would be channeled to Polk County's opioid abatement plan and Winter Haven's local share will be a small percentage of the county allocation.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},5979943,"Commissioners hear city enforcement steps for homeless encampments and downtown safety; cameras and trespass signs to be used",803,1209000,2012000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5775424-0f1005a890bef2cdb782d58efe10b418&start=1209&end=2012","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5775424-0f1005a890bef2cdb782d58efe10b418/thumbnail_1209000.jpg","/articles/5979943/Winter-Haven-City/Polk-County/Florida/Commissioners-hear-city-enforcement-steps-for-homeless-encampments-and-downtown-safety-cameras-and-trespass-signs-to-be-used","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/5979943-629e31a2c59fcdce5c12fa963102a0ca/orig.mp4?Expires=1771040579&Signature=RQTRv4NSc193MmzjAUrjtIZi09GYHB3gHGMpjZ0Z5V90RXCfCOnvm~XjPzg8VA-uOTbYc6RXT-VlwW4jI5akZGLGemYkh8lGQA40vBoQXiyjAwVYrMjV53bI3C-KAbQb8Qk5W3Z-gMcMY05cT1l8Ho7vA6Sg7Erv4jGtXLRqTBkK-vPtHQUJEStLjFxfYk1Ydj7CQHIQu~w4PqehuR3MgrPMwAaZC8qgcVE6~Tgwakg8hu~FSUvIXxfwLLrgFm5HUyoPNWHwbJwJra-uTYP3hqmlCiAT~URgjV~2jwPI-jLFnVN5ZyS~wp1LekqFWin2zRwWRSWeol-jq235QSRzVg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Commissioners discussed a pair of enforcement and public-safety measures aimed at transient encampments and problematic behavior in downtown public spaces: a trespass-sign program for private properties and expanded camera deployment on city infrastructure.

The city manager described a new trespass-sign program modeled on signage used by Polk County sheriff’s operations. “This gives our police officers the ability to arrest,” the city manager said, explaining property owners provide a list of authorized persons; anyone not on that list who is on the posted property may be arrested. City staff said the signs are intended for vacant or private properties where people were repeatedly trespassing.

Commissioners and staff also discussed camera placement. Mayor Pro Tem Yates relayed concerns from downtown business owners and asked whether security cameras (or even decoy cameras) could be installed near businesses and park areas. The city manager said the city has installed a camera on a post integrated with a “big belly” trash unit at Davis Park and is working with IT to add more locations. “Where we've been putting our big belly ... trash units, we can actually connect to those a post with a camera system on it,” a staff member said, adding the unit provides a “bird's-eye view of that entire park.”

City staff cautioned against dummy cameras. “I would never recommend putting up dummy cameras because it opens us up to a liability,” the city manager said, explaining visible cameras provide evidence but don’t always prevent incidents. The manager also said the city had to repeal a panhandling ordinance for First Amendment reasons but retains an ordinance restricting sitting/lying on sidewalks and benches that is actively enforced.

Staff said police are increasing visible patrols, added a bike unit for surprise checks and are using trespass authorizations on private properties to reduce repeated returns. Commissioners raised concern about compliance with a recent state statute regarding homeless encampments; the city attorney summarized that statute’s basic effect: municipalities cannot allow encampments on public property unless the site is designated and accompanied by services (restrooms, utilities and wraparound services). The city said it partners with Polk County and local service providers to manage cleanups and outreach.

Ending: Staff said the combination of visible cameras, property-owner posted trespass signs and stepped-up patrols is intended to reduce problematic behavior in downtown public spaces while the city continues outreach and coordination with county and nonprofit partners.","City leaders discussed enforcement tools for transient encampments and public-safety concerns downtown, including trespass signage that enables arrest on private property, expanded camera use on park fixtures and stepped-up patrols.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

City updates on code enforcement at Spring Lake Square properties; owner pulls demolition permit for Floridinos building

City attorney seeks authorization to sign national opioid settlements; local share to flow to Polk County abatement plan

Commissioners hear city enforcement steps for homeless encampments and downtown safety; cameras and trespass signs to be used