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Vero Beach council denies lien reduction request for 1945 41st Avenue after repeat code violations
Summary
The council voted 5-0 to deny a request to reduce or waive a $49,112 lien tied to repeat illicit discharge and erosion/sediment control violations at 1945 41st Avenue; staff said the property became compliant only after extensions were exhausted and the lien stands.
The Vero Beach City Council denied on May 27 a request to reduce or waive a $49,112 lien for repeat code violations at 1945 41st Avenue.
Code Enforcement Officer Melody Sanderson and Chief Curry summarized the history: the original violation dated to June 28, 2024; a $500 citation and subsequent penalties were issued after repeated illicit discharge and erosion-control failures, and staff documented a pattern of noncompliance. Melody told the council the property was found in compliance on Feb. 6, 2025, but that the compliance date fell outside the 10‑day extension given by the code board.
James Ballard, the contractor representing owner Kevin Hawkins, told the council the property owner paid fees and spent about $5,000 to pump catch basins and believed the matter was resolved. "We paid the fees. We paid over $5,000 to pump it out twice," Ballard said, asking for forgiveness and a waiver for what he called misunderstandings and service delays by the septic company. Staff replied the documentation was incomplete and that the code board and enforcement timelines had not been met.
Council member motioned to deny the reduction request with the motion and second recorded; the roll-call vote was Mister Voss — yes; Mister Dingle — yes; Mister Carroll — yes; Vice Mayor Moore — yes; Mayor Catugno — yes.
