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Widow asks Hallandale Beach to reduce code‑enforcement lien; city staff points to mitigation policy and settlement expiration
Summary
An attorney representing a recently widowed property owner asked the commission to help reduce a code‑enforcement lien. Staff said a mitigation offer was negotiated but expired; commissioners said the mitigation process is handled by staff and special magistrate, not the commission.
An attorney appearing on behalf of a Hallandale Beach property owner asked the city commission on May 7 to grant mercy after the client lost her husband and faces a four‑figure code‑enforcement lien.
Hans Autzenott of Autzenott Law said his client, identified in the meeting as Malene Matias at 729 Northwest Fourth Street, had already taken corrective steps and could not pay the final lien figure, which he said “came down to $21,249.50.” Autzenott said his client offered $10,000 on an installment plan and was seeking a lower mitigation amount because of financial hardship after her husband’s recent death.
Vanessa Leroy, director of Development Services and Code (DSC), told the commission staff had negotiated mitigation petitions and that a settlement offer had been made. Leroy said there were two mitigation petitions and one appeal; the city manager signed an agreement following a meeting with the property owner and attorney. Leroy said the settlement offer had expired and noted the mitigation policy is “very black and white.” She said typical mitigation for rental or multi‑unit properties is 20 percent, but staff had previously reduced the lien to a lower percentage as a particular settlement offer. She explained that, once a settlement offer expires, the lien reverts to the original amount and the property owner must wait a prescribed time before filing another petition.
Mayor Joy F. Cooper and several commissioners expressed sympathy for the property owner but said the commission does not intervene in mitigation decisions that are handled administratively under ordinance and special‑magistrate procedures. Commissioner Topol criticized the attorney’s approach to bring the matter before the commission rather than continuing to work with the city manager and staff. The commission did not take formal action on the request; staff advised the attorney and homeowner to work directly with DSC about the mitigation petition and the possibility of re‑filing after the required waiting period.
Key clarifications from staff included that: staff had reduced the mitigation amount below the standard guideline in prior negotiations; a settlement letter existed but had expired on Monday, May 5; and the mitigation policy prescribes which properties qualify for reduced amounts (examples cited included homesteaded properties with proven hardship). DSC offered to meet again with the attorney and property owner to explain next steps.
No formal vote or commission directive to alter the mitigation decision was recorded.
