Hearing officer signs settlement orders for dozens of Miami code citations; Bella Mila Estates found liable in contested dumping case

Darcy Siegel, the hearing officer assigned to the City of Miami ticketing appellant hearing, entered settlement orders resolving a large number of code-enforcement citations and presided over one contested trial in which the magistrate found the defendants liable.

The session, conducted as quasi-judicial hearings under the City of Miami process, produced signed orders on cases involving illegal dumping, unauthorized use of residential containers, and tree trimming or removal without required permits. The orders recorded on the hearing record included settlements ranging from $100 to $750, as well as a small number of voided citations. For the contested trial at 330 Northwest 20 Fifth Court (Bella Mila Estates), the hearing officer heard testimony from a city inspector and property owners, found that materials were located on the property and surrounding alley, and entered an order resolving that matter for $250.

The hearing officer opened the session by explaining the process: "It is required that all persons who are going to testify as to the facts be placed under oath," and that she must make findings of fact based on the evidence of record. The hearing record shows the city admitted evidence including posting affidavits, photographs, property-appraiser and Sunbiz ownership records, and tracking numbers for mailed notices.

Orders at a glance (case number — address — outcome noted in hearing record): • 95845 — 1443 Northwest 70th Street — order settling matter for $100. • 95070 — 1661 Northwest 30 Third Avenue — order settling matter for $250. • 95480 — 3060 Southwest Seventh Street — citation voided. • 95479 — 3060 Southwest Seventh Street — order settling matter for $100. • 94960 — 1365 Northwest 20 Third Street (Thomaston 1365 LLC) — order settling matter for $750. • 96288 — 880 Northwest 20 Sixth Avenue — order settling matter for $250. • 94296 — 1119 Northwest Sixth Street — order settling matter for $250. • 95223 — 320 Southwest Thirteenth Avenue — order settling matter for $100. • 95220 — 320 Southwest Thirteenth Avenue — order settling matter for $100. • 94523 — 560 Southwest 70 First Court — order settling matter for $250. • 95068 — 1651 Northwest 30 Third Avenue — citation voided. • 95066 — 1625 Northwest Thirtieth Avenue — order settling matter for $250. • 112622 — 271 Southwest 60 Ninth Avenue — order settling matter for $100 (tree removal violation). • 95249 — 31 Northwest 50 Eighth Street — order settling matter for $250. • 96563 — 1129 Northwest 30 Fourth Avenue — order settling matter for $250. • 94374 — 7004 Northeast Fifth Avenue — order settling matter for $250. • 94692 — 280 Southwest 60 Ninth Avenue — order settling matter for $200. • 79462 — 280 Northwest 50 Second Street — order settling matter for $250. • 94117 — 3315 Northwest Fourteenth Street — order settling matter for $250. • 83248 — 5513 Northeast Miami Place, Unit 12 — order settling matter for $250. • 97208 — 940 Northwest Thirtieth Court — order settling matter for $250. • 95902 — 448 Northeast 50 Sixth Street — order settling matter for $250. • 95080 — 1000 Northwest 20 Ninth Avenue — order settling matter for $250. • 81991 — 2610 Northwest 20 Second Avenue — order settling matter for $250. • 95579 — 801 Northwest Nineteenth Court — order settling matter for $150. • 95634 (trial) — 330 Northwest 20 Fifth Court (Bella Mila Estates) — after testimony the hearing officer found the property liable for dumping/littering and entered an order resolving the matter for $250 (citation originally listed as $525).

In the Bella Mila Estates trial the city introduced photo evidence, mailing and posting affidavits, and the inspector testified the materials were on or adjacent to the property and on the alley area. The owners of Bella Mila Estates pleaded not guilty. The hearing officer overruled a defense objection about the placement of the notice (front vs. back of property) and admitted the city's exhibits. After hearing testimony, the officer said she would "enter an order resolving this matter for, dollars 250," reflecting the reduced settlement amount recorded in the file.

The hearing record includes repeated references to cleanup dates recorded by city staff (several entries noted cleanup on or about June 20, 2024) and to the municipal code sections used as the basis for citations. At least one speaker referenced the City of Miami code: "It's in the city code. It's chapter 22," and the hearing officer reminded parties that orders may be appealed to the Miami-Dade Circuit Court within 30 days.

Several property owners who settled used interpreters during the hearings; the filings and orders on the record direct owners to obtain a copy of the signed order from the clerk. The hearing officer repeatedly told respondents who wished to settle that, "based on your representations this morning, I'm gonna enter an order settling this matter for [amount]." Several respondents stressed they settled to avoid the time and expense of trial.

For those seeking specifics, the hearing file contains the case numbers, property addresses, the posted notices and mailed-tracking information, and the signed settlement orders recorded by the hearing officer. The hearing officer closed the docket after addressing the day’s cases and taking a short recess to sign orders.

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