Special Magistrate Lonnie Grama announced Sept. 10 that he will enter an order imposing penalties and a property lien against the owner of 300 South Orlando Avenue, Michael Sirocco, after city staff presented evidence the property continued to be advertised while the owner failed to obtain a required business tax receipt.

Grama summarized a July 9 finding that the respondent was in violation of Section 13-2 (license/permit required) and Section 26.5-21 (registration). The July order imposed a $250 fine for late BTR and required compliance by Aug. 9; it warned of a $100 first-day fine and $50 per day thereafter if not corrected.

City staff told the magistrate that listings for the property remained active on online platforms as of Aug. 12 and again on the day before this hearing, and asked Grama to find the respondent in violation of the magistrate’s order and impose the daily fines retroactive to Aug. 12 until the code officer confirms compliance.

As city staff stated in the hearing: “staff respectfully request the magistrate find the respondent in violation of the magistrate's order and impose a fine of a $100 for the first day of noncompliance and $50 every day thereafter retroactive back to August 12 until compliance is confirmed by the code officer.”

Grama said he would enter an order imposing the penalty and record a lien for the unpaid fines and noncompliance, based on the evidence presented. The respondent was cited as having been noticed and given an opportunity to attend but was not present at the hearing.

The written order will reflect the magistrate’s oral findings and the fines retroactive to Aug. 12 until compliance is confirmed by the city code officer.