Fort Pierce special magistrate cuts $24,530 fine to $1,000, sets compliance deadlines for multiple properties

Special Magistrate Jamie Barrow on July 16 reduced a $24,530 code-enforcement balance for Stately Dolphin LLC at 1117 Orange Avenue to $1,000 and gave the owner 14 days to pay or face reinstatement of the original amount. The hearing also produced compliance orders for properties at 120 North Twelfth Street, 1005 Texas Court, 1217 Texas Court and 608 Cedar Place, and several cases were continued to the magistrate's next hearing on Aug. 20, 2025.

The reduction was granted after the city presented photographs showing the property at 1117 Orange Avenue had been brought into compliance and the respondent, represented by attorney Michael Yates, said the owner wants to demolish the structure. "I'll allow the reduction to a thousand dollars," Barrow said after hearing from city staff and the respondent. Barrow set a 14-day payment deadline and said the original $24,530 balance would become due if the settlement was not paid in time.

Why it matters: Fort Pierce's special magistrate enforces city code and can assess daily fines and order abatement; the hearing affected multiple residential properties and imposed short compliance windows that can lead to substantial cumulative fines if not met.

The hearing — City of Fort Pierce code enforcement staff, including Heather De Bevec and officer Jarvis Gamble, presented evidence and photographs in each matter. Barrow read the relevant code sections aloud in several cases and issued written orders and deadlines on the record.

Case summaries and key orders

1117 Orange Avenue (case 24-404) — Stately Dolphin LLC: The city said violations under the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC 304.2 and IPMC 304.1) had been found and that an earlier special magistrate had imposed fines that accumulated to $24,530. The city submitted photographs showing the exterior repairs. Respondent counsel Michael Yates said the owner sought demolition and asked for a reduced penalty. Barrow accepted the parties' agreement to reduce the balance to $1,000, ordered payment within 14 days and warned that the original $24,530 would be reinstated if payment was not received. City staff moved the photographic record into evidence as composite exhibit 1.

120 North Twelfth Street (lot-clearing case LTCL2025-115) — Adelu Miller: Officer Jarvis Gamble testified the property's landscaping had been improved but that a large concrete pipe remained on the lot and constituted debris under the city's nuisance code (code section referenced as 24-19 subsection 11). Respondent argued the pipe appeared to predate the purchase and cannot be moved without equipment. Barrow found a nuisance condition and ordered removal of trash and debris, trimming and mowing, and other landscaping items by Aug. 19, 2025. Failure to comply will trigger a $100-per-day fine and the city may abate and assess costs to the property.

1005 Texas Court (case CE2025-199) — Martin Selkin: City photographs documenting fencing, landscape and exterior-protective-treatment violations were admitted. Selkin told the magistrate he has been addressing the property, removed a concrete pool and expected pressure washing and fence work to be completed shortly. Barrow ordered the owner to finish specified tasks — trimming hedges to four feet at the front, mowing, pressure washing driveway and walkways and cleaning fence lines — within 30 days or face a $100-per-day fine.

1217 Texas Court (case CE2025-209) — Anil (Neil) Conway: Carrie Clement appeared by phone on behalf of her 85-year-old father, a disabled veteran. Code enforcement submitted photos and said protective-treatment violations remained. Clement said the family had pressure-washed and begun repainting and requested additional time. Barrow allowed 45 days to pressure wash, repaint awnings/doors/fascia and address areas showing rust, peeling or discoloration. A $100-per-day fine was ordered for failure to comply.

608 Cedar Place (case CE2025-280) — Cecilia Gutierrez: The city admitted photographs showing a boarded emergency escape opening. Monica Gutierrez, the owner's niece, said contractors had been scheduled but one fell ill and the family was reluctant to remove the board themselves for safety. Barrow accepted the city's recommendation and ordered removal of all boards from windows within 15 days; failure to comply will result in a $250-per-day fine. The magistrate also noted the owner has 30 days to appeal the order.

Continuances and administrative notes: Two Massey cases scheduled for the day and a code case at 2050 S. U.S. Highway 1 (CE2025-301) were continued to the magistrate's Aug. 20, 2025 hearing. At the close of the docket, staff summarized additional cases on the calendar and recited the city's notice procedures under Florida Statute 162.12 for hearings.

Quotes from the hearing

"I'll allow the reduction to a thousand dollars," Special Magistrate Jamie Barrow said when approving the settlement in the 1117 Orange Avenue matter.

On the 120 North Twelfth Street case, Barrow said: "This court finds that a nuisance condition exists in violation of the code of ordinances and that such nuisance condition poses a threat to the public health, safety, and welfare of the community and that nuisance be addressed through the city's nuisance abatement program." The magistrate set an Aug. 19 compliance date and warned of a $100-per-day fine for continued violation.

How to appeal and next steps

Barrow announced on the record that owners have the statutory right to appeal magistrate orders (time limits stated on the record for individual cases). Code enforcement staff said they can consider administrative extensions if property owners contact the department before a deadline.

(See "Votes at a glance" for a concise list of orders and deadlines.)