Ocala Code Enforcement Board approves liens, fines and deadline extensions, including negotiated $15,000 lien

At a meeting of the Ocala Code Enforcement Board, members voted to file liens, impose or preserve prior orders and extend compliance dates on multiple code-enforcement cases affecting properties across Ocala.

The most notable vote reduced a proposed lien in a long-running case at 1007 Northeast 19th Street (case 20239640). Staff asked to file a lien totaling $18,043.45 (hard costs of $8,203.45 plus a reduced fine), but the property owner requested a larger reduction. The board approved filing a reduced lien for $15,000. The motion to accept the $15,000 filing was made by Ms. Wright and seconded by Daryl O'Kane; the motion carried.

The board also voted to proceed with the previous order and impose fines where staff recommended continuing enforcement in several persistent noncompliance matters. That included the old-business case against GS Properties for Sale, LLC (case 20228802; 124 NW 19th Ave), where staff asked the board to proceed with the prior order; the board voted to do so.

Separately, the board approved extensions to allow property owners time to obtain permits and finish repairs. Several extensions run to May 1, 2025, for permit issuance or completion of limited corrective work (for example: 507 Southwest 10th Street, case 202410605; multiple residential shed and site-plan matters). For cases where property owners showed ongoing project work or redevelopment coordination with city staff, the board extended compliance windows to June 5, 2025 (for example: redevelopment projects and some housing-code matters).

Two cases concerning structures the city’s building staff described as dangerous and requiring structural evaluation were heard together for the same owner (Gamage LLC). Staff recommended staggered compliance dates: a near-term date to clear yard and debris, and a later date for permits and structural repairs. The board accepted staff recommendation with those split compliance dates and ordered prosecution costs to be assessed.

In another matter involving rental housing (case 202411189, Johnny’s Homes Inc., 33 SW 20th Ave), the board approved staff’s recommendation to require permits for electrical work and an adequate heating source and added a condition that the structure remain vacant until the code items are addressed. The board set a June 5, 2025 deadline for permit submissions and allowed 90 days for final inspections after permit issuance.

Enforcement actions with fines or costs already assessed were finalized in some cases. For example, the board accepted staff’s recommendation to find a local restaurant (Veracol Taverna) in violation of the city’s litter ordinance after a documented balloon release; the owner had already delivered payment for the penalty and prosecution cost before the hearing, and the board accepted the paperwork.

Votes at a glance (case number → respondent → action/outcome → compliance or lien amount; motion maker / second): - Minutes approval: meeting minutes approved. (Motion: Kevin Steiner; second: Daryl O'Kane.) - 20228802 — City of Ocala v. GS Properties for Sale, LLC (124 NW 19th Ave): proceed with prior order as recommended by staff. (Motion: Eddie Ferrantino; second: Ms. Wright.) - 202410605 — City of Ocala v. Nathan Saenz (507 SW 10th St): extension; staff recommendation accepted to obtain permit/complete work by May 1, 2025. (Motion: Kevin Steiner; second: Daryl O'Kane.) - 20239640 — City of Ocala v. (owner): board approved filing of lien for $15,000 (staff had sought $18,043.45; parties discussed a buyer and ability to pay). (Motion: Ms. Wright; second: Daryl O'Kane.) - 202411303 — City of Ocala v. Eddie Floyd McNeil (521 SW 2nd St): staff request to file lien for $5,747.28 approved. (Motion: Eddie Ferrantino; second: Ms. Wright.) - 202411427 — City of Ocala v. Dorothy May Moore (1837 NW 2nd St): extension to May 1, 2025; prosecution costs ($331.66) to be paid by that date. (Motion: Ms. Wright; second: Daryl O'Kane.) - 202411255 — City of Ocala v. Tammy Young (1126 SW Fort King St): extension to May 1, 2025. (Motion: Kevin Steiner; second: Ms. Wright.) - 202410678 — City of Ocala v. Albert Lee Howard (238 NW 8th Place): extension to May 1, 2025. (Motion: Ms. Wright; second: Kevin Steiner.) - 202410503 — City of Ocala v. Carlo Ebru (1901 NW 12th Ave): Massey hearing; board proceeded with the prior order and authorized fines at the prior per‑day rate starting March 7, 2025, as recommended by staff. (Motion: Daryl O'Kane; second: Eddie Ferrantino.) - CE25-0117 (1948 NW 1st St) — Gamage LLC: staff recommendation with split compliance dates (yard clean by early April and permits by May 1; 90 days after permit issuance to finish structural repairs); prosecution cost assessed ($244.29). Board accepted recommendation. (Motion: Kevin Steiner; second: Ms. Wright.) - CE25-0120 (adjacent property, same owner): staff recommendation with split compliance dates; board accepted recommendation (motion and second recorded). (Motion: Eddie Ferrantino; second: Daryl O'Kane.) - 202411189 — Johnny’s Homes Inc. (33 SW 20th Ave): board approved staff recommendation, required the structure remain vacant until electrical and heating code items are addressed, permits pulled by June 5, 2025, with 90 days after permit issuance to complete work. (Motion: Eddie Ferrentino; second: Ms. Wright.) - 20228006 / 20228711 (development/redevelopment projects): board granted three‑month extensions through June 5, 2025, as recommended by staff for projects coordinating with city review. (Motions: Ms. Wright / Kevin Steiner and Kevin Steiner / Daryl O'Kane; seconds recorded.) - Consent‑agenda liens and prior‑order continuations: the board approved staff recommendations to file liens or proceed with previous orders across a group of cases listed on the agenda (multiple case numbers). (Motion: Kevin Steiner; second: Daryl O'Kane.) - 202410804 (Annie L. Snow / estate matters): staff recommendation accepted; permit due May 1, 2025, then 90 days to complete work. (Motion: Ms. Wright; second: Eddie Ferrantino.) - 202410948 (shed permit): permit issuance requested by May 1, 2025; 30 days from issuance for final inspection. (Motion: Daryl O'Kane; second: Eddie Ferrantino.) - 202410950 (interior renovation; stop‑work history): permit by May 1, 2025, with 90 days after issuance to complete work. (Motion: Eddie Ferrantino; second: Daryl O'Kane.) - 202411353 (standard housing violations): staff recommendation accepted to pursue compliance per the agenda (motion/second recorded). (Motion: Daryl O'Kane; second: Kevin Steiner.) - CE24-0071 (Donagill Atwater): staff recommendation accepted (motion by Kevin Steiner; second by Eddie Ferrantino). - ENV25-0038 (Veracol Taverna, balloon release/litter law): board accepted staff recommendation; owner had already paid the statutory penalty and prosecution costs and staff was directed to close the case after the order. (Motion: Kevin Steiner; second: Eddie Fantino.)

What the board said and what happens next Board members repeatedly told property owners that the city’s timeline and fines exist to prompt repair or demolition and that owners may petition to reduce fines after they complete work. Staff repeatedly advised owners to stay in contact with their assigned code officer and with building-permit staff, and the board accepted staff recommendations when cases showed active progress or mitigation plans.

The board did not adopt any new ordinances or change thresholds for enforcement at this meeting. Several cases were continued to the board’s next hearing cycle for progress review and, where applicable, the imposition of fines if deadlines are missed.

A complete list of cases, motions and staff exhibits was entered into the hearing record; parties were advised to follow up with city code enforcement staff for the specific paperwork and payment amounts ordered by the board.