Hearing officer affirms dozens of Miami code-enforcement cases; one dismissed after camera photos

Hearing Officer Dawn Grace Jones presided over a City of Miami code-enforcement session that resulted in dozens of agreed settlements, several trial decisions and one dismissal after photographic evidence showed material had been placed by an adjacent property. The hearing covered alleged violations of City of Miami Code section 22-6 related to illegal dumping, bulk trash size and placement, and other solid-waste rules.

The hearing matters because the city enforces placement and size rules for yard waste and bulk materials to prevent illegal dumping in public rights-of-way and to keep neighborhoods clear. Several property owners and their representatives either accepted settlements during the pretrial settlement period or proceeded to trial; a few contested citations went to formal rulings.

Hearing Officer Jones opened the session by explaining the process and swearing witnesses. “These hearings are conducted by the city of Miami, a hearing officer,” she told attendees. Inspectors from the City of Miami Solid Waste Department presented digital case files and photographs to support citations; several individuals offered evidence, including still photos and video captured by home security cameras.

In one trial, Inspector Dukes presented photos showing construction debris and household items along a shared property line at 3144 Southwest 20 Fourth Terrace. The property representative provided date-stamped photographs from a home camera indicating the materials had been placed by a neighbor; after reviewing the photos, the hearing officer dismissed that case. “Case dismissed,” Jones said after the evidence was entered.

At another trial, Inspector Zastrow Perkins testified he first observed a large pile of tree trimmings and related debris on June 24 and said the pile exceeded size limits under section 22-6. Brian Halley, an attorney representing property owner Brett Rosen at 8501 North Bayshore Drive, argued the city had not shown that Rosen placed the material and questioned whether the pile met the weight and…