The City of Fort Pierce Special Magistrate Jamie Barone on Jan. 15 ordered multiple property owners to correct code violations, set deadlines for compliance and granted several lien-reduction requests after evidence and testimony were presented by city code enforcement staff.

The orders covered a range of violations — from faded business signage and potholes at a U.S. Highway 1 property to nuisance landscaping, nonoperable vehicles and the absence of required business certificates. The magistrate granted lien reductions for two related properties on North 20th Street and reduced administrative penalties in several other cases.

The most immediate compliance deadlines set by the court require property owners to correct violations by Feb. 15, 2025 or Jan. 22, 2025 depending on the case. Daily fines for noncompliance were ordered at amounts ranging from $100 to $250 per day, and in one instance utilities may be suspended under city ordinance if a certificate-of-use is not obtained.

City staff presented photographic evidence and mailed notices for each case. Officers who testified included Heather Bebek (code enforcement), Charmaine Kirkland (code enforcement officer), Manuel Fernandez Jr. (code enforcement), and Officer Debevec. Peggy Reyes, director of the code enforcement department, and Isaac Socido (Court Enforcement) provided procedural clarifications. Assistant City Attorney Felicia Holloman appeared for the city in several matters.

Votes at a glance
- CE2024-842 — 2202 N. U.S. Highway 1 (Dover Neal Development, Inc.): The court found violations for signage, address identification, exterior structure, sidewalks/driveways and maintenance. The owner was ordered to cure listed violations by 02/15/2025. Failure to comply will result in a $250-per-day fine. (City composite exhibit 1 entered into evidence.)

- CE2024-00103 — 701 Texas Court (owners: Stephanie Ecker and Julie Swanson): The court found a violation for landscape height (sec. 125-322(c)(1)) and ordered trimming of hedges in the front yard by 02/15/2025. Failure to comply will result in a $100-per-day fine.

- LTCL2020-766 & LTCL2020-769 — 712 N. 20th Street (requester: Michael Bartley): Two historic lien cases were heard for the same property. The magistrate granted reductions limited to administrative costs: $1,371.41 (reduced) in one matter and $1,430.91 (reduced) in the second matter, both payable within 30 days; if unpaid the reductions revert to the original lien amounts.

- LTCL2024-139 — 804 N. 20th Street (owner: Priya Arana, represented by Jonathan Daley): A Massey lien reduction request was reduced to administrative costs of $975.89; the magistrate allowed 60 days for payment before the reduction reverts to the original $5,000 amount.

- 13-575705 — 705 Boston Ave. (requester related to Kathleen Ambridge): The magistrate granted the city-recommended reduction to $1,540 (administrative), payable in 30 days; if unpaid the reduction will revert to the original balance.

- Parking citation 15416 — 200 block Boston Ave. (Nicholas Colangelo): Court found a parking violation (no parking/safety zone) and assessed a $78 fine; failure to pay by 01/30/2025 will forward the citation to the county court.

- CE2020-450 — 1408 Farmers Market Road, Unit 6 (Tamiya's Auto Collision): The court found no certificate of use and ordered attainment of a certificate of use or cessation of business activities by 01/22/2025. Failure to comply will result in a $250-per-day fine and utilities to the premises may be suspended under city ordinance sec. 22-28.

- Lot clearing and nuisance cases (multiple South U.S. Highway 1 parcels and others): For properties identified by parcel numbers on South U.S. Highway 1 and other addresses, the court found nuisance conditions (excess weeds/grass, overgrown trees/shrubs, debris) and ordered compliance by 01/22/2025. Failure to comply will result in a $100-per-day fine per violation day; city to abate and assess abatement costs against property.

- Nonoperative vehicle and board-up cases (3120 South U.S. Highway 1 and related parcels): Court found violations for nonoperative motor vehicles and vacant structures; ordered owners to make vehicles operable and to board or secure openings using specified materials by 01/22/2025. Failure to comply will result in fines of $100 per day and possible city abatement assessed to the property.

City staff said mailed notices, certified mail receipts, property postings and photographs were included in the hearing record as exhibits. Several respondents or their representatives spoke on the record, presented additional photographs, or requested reductions; where reductions were granted the magistrate limited relief to administrative costs in several cases and set 30- or 60-day payment timelines with reversion to full lien amounts if unpaid.

The hearing record shows routine code-enforcement practice: city officers inspect a block when a complaint is received, document violations, issue notices and, if violations persist, present evidence to the special magistrate for orders, fines or abatement. The magistrate closed the session after completing the docket.

Ending
Orders issued by the special magistrate carry specified compliance deadlines and daily fines for noncompliance; where reductions were granted they were limited and conditioned on payment within the ordered timelines, with reversion to full lien amounts if not paid. Several cases were set for abatement by the city if owners fail to act.