Palatka magistrate orders cleanups, sets fines and liens in multiple code-enforcement cases

Special Magistrate Ron Brown presiding over the City of Palatka’s code-enforcement hearing on July 21 ordered owners of five properties to correct city-code violations and authorized liens or daily fines if they fail to comply.

Brown opened the hearing by explaining it is an administrative proceeding, not a formal court, and noted that appeals of his orders go to circuit court. He heard presentations from code-enforcement staff and accepted testimony from property owners or their representatives before issuing orders in each case.

The most extensive enforcement action involved an industrial-zoned parcel at 2811 Peter Street, where Code Compliance Officer Harold Bartelli said staff found "trash and debris, tires, abandoned vehicles and a ConEx shipping container" that posed health and safety risks. Owner Jason Kismoke acknowledged moving large numbers of tires onto the site and estimated "probably 2,000 tires." Kismoke told the magistrate he is working with a recycler and has been removing material at a slow pace; he said he could load about 80 tires during a five-hour session.

Brown ordered a staggered compliance schedule for the Peter Street parcel: "You're gonna have 7 days to fix the Connex box and put a lock on it. You're gonna have 45 days to get the tires gone. You're gonna have 45 days to get the vehicles gone," he told the owner, and set a post-deadline fine of $100 per violation per day as motivation for compliance. Bartelli explained the ConEx box must be secured or disabled to prevent entrapment, and that tires with standing water present mosquito and health hazards.

At 2001 Edgemoor Street (case 2026102), the magistrate found three violations — overgrown grass, accumulation of man-made debris and a vehicle parked in front of the home’s front elevation — and ordered owner Gabriel Long to bring the property into compliance by the close of business on Aug. 20, 2026. Brown said the local grass standard is under 16 inches and that items must be removed from view; he warned fines would accrue at $75 per day in the event of noncompliance and could become a lien.

The city also obtained authorization to place liens on multiple residential properties after second hearings showed little or no progress. For 608 Madison Street (case 2025010), Code Enforcement Officer Christie Lowe said only limited repairs had been completed after an initial finding and that registration as an abandoned/blighted structure remains outstanding; Brown authorized a lien for $10,800 in accrued fines. At 314 Emmett Street (case 2026076), in Palatka’s historic district, Lowe presented 12 continuing violations including rotted siding, unsecured openings and leaning structural elements; the city reported $63,000 in fines to date and the magistrate authorized the city to file a lien. For 2104 Kirby Street (case 2025117), Bartelli said two of four original violations had been corrected but roof and broken-window issues remained; Brown authorized a lien of $7,000 for accrued fines.

Across the cases the magistrate emphasized that fines are intended as a compliance incentive and that continued noncompliance can lead to liens recorded against properties. Brown reminded owners that orders will be signed and that either party may appeal to circuit court within 30 days.

The special magistrate concluded the hearing at 2:43 a.m. with instructions that owners notify code staff when corrections are complete so staff can verify compliance and stop fines from accruing.