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City hires Eugene Gracia as full-time code enforcement officer; council discusses high grass and unclear signage rules
Summary
Nassau Bay introduced Eugene Gracia as its new full-time code enforcement officer and reviewed recent code cases including high grass, Luby's property repeat violations and ambiguity in the ordinance on large advertisement signs.
The council heard a staffing announcement and enforcement update Aug. 11 as the city works on recurring property maintenance issues and ordinance clarity.
City staff introduced Eugene Gracia as the new full-time code enforcement officer. "Eugene Gracia. He's our new full time code enforcement officer," a staff member said, summarizing Gracia's background in utility inspection and plant review and noting state wastewater and distribution licenses.
Council and staff discussed current enforcement activity: about 10 active high grass cases were open in July, 17 cases handled during the month, three warnings issued and no citations in that period. Staff said certified letters had been sent in open cases and that code is pursuing compliance through warnings and courtesy calls before escalating to citation for repeat offenders.
The Luby's property was singled out as an ongoing repeat issue for long grass and other code violations; staff said contacting the corporation's representative by phone often produced faster remedial action than formal citation, which is directed to the corporate entity and can cause delays in enforcement.
Councilmembers also pressed staff about temporary "bandit" signs and larger advertisement flags. Staff said crews regularly pick up small illegal signs and that the city ordinance is not fully clear about larger advertising flags, and that tightening the ordinance language would be advisable.
No ordinance revisions or enforcement policy changes were approved at the meeting; staff said they plan to enroll the new officer in a state-certified code enforcement class as soon as one is available, with the earliest in October.
