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Plantation council directs administration to review $62,776 lien after resident repairs damaged city wall
Summary
A dealership owner told the City Council he paid more than $25,000 to repair a damaged city wall and faces code enforcement fines totaling $62,775.72; council members asked administration to work with him on possible reduction through existing processes rather than resolve the matter at tonight's meeting.
Warren Yardley told the Plantation City Council on Wednesday that his business repaired a damaged city-owned wall after the council had told him the property line required him to do so, and he asked the council to assist in removing code-enforcement fines and a lien against the property.
Yardley said he had closed all required permits and paid more than $25,000 to have the wall fabricated and repaired but the building department has recorded fines and a lien balance he reported as $62,775.72 as of May 19. “We did not cause this accident,” Yardley said, adding that he had difficulty finding contractors willing to do the work because the repairs required custom fabrication.
City Attorney told the dais that the municipal code provides three options after a lien is entered: the mayor has limited authority to reduce a lien by up to 25%, the property owner may appeal to the special magistrate, or the owner may apply to the city council. The attorney said the governing body (the city) has authority to compromise a lien but that the city also typically preserves administrative costs in any reduction. CAO Jason Elamaker told council the administration needs time to gather documents and said staff would typically preserve administrative costs if a magistrate or the mayor reduces a lien.
Council members urged Yardley to begin with administrative staff rather than expect an on-the-spot council reduction. Council member Fadgen and others said they preferred managing such matters through the established administrative or magistrate process, or by agendizing a full review with documentation if the property owner wished the council to consider a formal compromise.
Council’s direction: Yardley was advised to meet with administration (the mayor’s office or staff identified by the CAO) to pursue a lien reduction request or, if that does not resolve the matter, to request a formal agenda item with documentation for council consideration. No vote was taken.
