Special Magistrate Erica Augello granted a lien-reduction request from Patrick and Carolyn Helmer, reducing the outstanding code-enforcement amount to $6,000 plus $448 in reasonable administrative costs and allowing 30 days for payment before the larger fine reverts.

Pete Doerr, code enforcement manager, presented the city's lien history and an earlier magistrate order dated Jan. 11, 2024. The city sought the full lien amount of $29,448. The Helmers testified they encountered contractor failures, engineering delays and the disruption of two hurricanes that hampered permit progress and led to additional inspections.

Patrick Helmer described a prolonged effort to secure permits and engineering analysis, said some interior demolition work occurred without his knowledge by a contractor, and asked for relief given the cumulative circumstances. Augello acknowledged the owners' testimony and the prior reduced $50-per-day fine but balanced owner responsibility for their agents against the documented delays.

"I am going to reduce the fine amount to $6,000 plus the $448 in reasonable administrative costs of the city," Augello said. The magistrate also set a 30-day payment window and included in the written order the required binding statement that no violation of a city ordinance exists on the property, a filing that is necessary for lien-reduction processing.

Augello said the reduction factored in the after-the-fact permit fee the owners had paid and the credible testimony regarding contractor and storm-related delays; she warned that failure to pay within 30 days would revert the fine to the prior amount. The magistrate will issue a written order specifying the payment deadline and related conditions.