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Madeira Beach magistrate orders repairs, permits and deadlines across multiple storm-damaged properties
Summary
Special Magistrate Bart Valdez ordered property owners to obtain permits or business tax receipts and set compliance deadlines — mostly 30 days, one 90-day dock deadline — with daily fines ranging from $100 to $250 for noncompliance.
Madeira Beach Special Magistrate Bart Valdez on Wednesday ordered a string of property owners to make repairs, obtain permits or secure a local business tax receipt after post-storm remodeling and storm damage inspections.
Valdez opened the quasi-judicial hearing by asking the city to present evidence; code compliance specialist Connor Mechko testified in case after case, showing certified mailings, posted notices and photographs the city said document violations of local codes (sections cited included 14-69 for maintenance, 14-70 for general maintenance, and 86-52 for work without permits).
The most immediate outcomes: owners were generally given 30 days to correct violations, with one dock-repair case receiving 90 days because of county permitting timelines. Valdez said his orders would allow property owners to request extensions "if you get up against it" rather than incur fines.
Mechko told the magistrate that many properties still displayed unrepaired exteriors, missing permits for post-storm work and health-and-safety issues such as pools without compliant barriers. "It does require maintenance... it has been about over a year at this point that it's required the maintenance," Mechko said about at least one exterior-maintenance case.
Property owners repeatedly said they were actively pursuing repairs or permits. Amy Powell, owner of 15320 Harbor Drive, told the magistrate that her contractor had warned that county permitting for docks was taking "an average of 12 weeks," and she asked for more time. The magistrate granted 90 days in that dock case and set a $100-per-day fine to begin after the deadline if repairs are not completed and certified.
The magistrate made specific rulings and set potential fines in several matters (summary of orders below). In each case the magistrate also advised owners to notify city staff and seek an extension if unavoidable permitting delays arise.
Votes at a glance (case number — property — owner — compliance deadline — daily fine if not corrected): - CE25-18 — 14225 North Bayshore Drive — Anastasios Mijos — 60 days — $100/day (exterior maintenance) - CE26-59 — 15320 Harbor Drive — Amy Powell — 90 days — $100/day (damaged dock; county permitting delays cited) - CE25-118 — 223 148th Avenue East — Harry Alchin — 30 days — $250/day (after-the-fact permit; tenant-occupied) - CE25-163 — 14076 North Bayshore Drive — Anna Harper — 30 days — $100/day (demolition debris, pool barrier) - CE26-22 — 500 Normandy Road — FLA Beach Blessings LLC / Advanta IRA Services LLC — 30 days — $250/day (rental units; work without permit) - CE26-33 — 12971 Pelican Lane — Pelican Bay Apartments & Marina LLC — 30 days — $250/day (multiple units remodeled without permits) - CE26-45 — 14902 North Bayshore Drive — Jean L. Shivington — 30 days — $250/day (work without permit; tenant-occupied)
The magistrate also accepted affidavits showing that several properties had come into compliance and entered orders documenting compliance and, where appropriate, fines that had accrued (for example an $87,000 accrual was entered in a long-standing case after staff calculated 348 days at $250/day).
Why it matters: the hearing applied the city's post-storm enforcement approach: staff documents alleged violations, requests corrective action or permits, and the magistrate issues orders with firm deadlines and financial penalties to ensure public health, safety and neighborhood appearance. Several owners said supply-chain issues, contractor availability or county permitting timelines were slowing repairs; Valdez repeatedly encouraged owners to return to the magistrate for extensions rather than allow fines to accumulate.
What comes next: affected owners must obtain the permits or other required documents within the timeframes set in Valdez's orders and provide evidence of compliance to city staff, who will verify completion and have the magistrate enter orders of compliance. Owners who disagree with the findings retain the usual administrative remedies, including requesting rehearings or pursuing appeals as provided by law.
