Magistrate fines owner $1,000 after city cites fuel spill from vessel at Fort Lauderdale property

Inspector Shaquin Kendrick, representing the city of Fort Lauderdale, told the special magistrate on May 12 that property at 2901 Northeast 51st Street was the site of a fuel spill linked to a vessel named the Thomas Bahama, and that the spill created a public nuisance that could threaten public health and city waterways. Kendrick said the city was asking that fines of up to $15,000 be imposed for an ‘‘irreparable and irreversible violation.’’

The owner who appeared and identified himself as Mosam said the property is a rental and that a tenant caused the spill. ‘‘I don’t really understand why I’m here when I’m trying … answering for some things that I didn’t do,’’ Mosam said, adding that he had been notified by Inspector Kendrick and was present to respond. City Attorney Ronald Mononttoya Hassan said the matter was being taken seriously because of the environmental risks to the city’s waterways: ‘‘There’s an environmental impact obviously to the city waterways having … the fuel spill … which is … taken quite seriously by the city.’’

After hearing arguments and testimony, the special magistrate imposed a $1,000 fine. The order was recorded as an imposition of a monetary penalty rather than a referral for criminal prosecution; the magistrate did not adopt the maximum amount sought by the city.

Why it matters: Fuel and oil discharges into Fort Lauderdale’s waterways can harm aquatic life and create public-health and recreational hazards; the city’s code-enforcement process authorizes fines and compliance deadlines to address such incidents.

What’s next: The owner was given the magistrate’s ruling at the hearing. The transcript does not record additional follow-up tasks or a compliance deadline beyond the fine imposed.