North Bay Village magistrate continues most code-enforcement cases, approves one $15,000 settlement

Special Magistrate Regine Monastem opened the North Bay Village code-enforcement hearing and said the session was conducted under chapter 162 of the Florida Statutes, with ‘‘formal rules of evidence’’ not applying to the proceedings.

The village presented a docket of unpermitted-work and recertification cases. In most matters the magistrate accepted the village’s recommendations to continue fines and return for a status report rather than issue a finding or mitigation at this hearing.

Inspector Maria Tovar described the first matter, case 08617 at 7904 West Drive Unit 1002, saying the property was found on Oct. 28, 2025, doing work ‘‘without a required permit’’ and that a $250 citation had been issued. Owner Cassandra Bosiri told the magistrate she ‘‘agree[d] with everything that Miss Tovar said’’ and that ‘‘we are in the process of actually getting all of those permits.’’ The magistrate continued the case to the next hearing to allow permit processing.

Several large condominium and commercial properties were similarly continued while inspections, permit submittals or structural assessments remain under review. Orlando Rodriguez, North Bay Village code enforcement director, said a required settlement/study for Bridgewater Tower had been completed and was under review; he reported fines had been accruing and recommended continued monitoring and a status return. For Causeway Tower (1666 Kennedy Causeway) Rodriguez said progress on the parking-garage repairs was underway and recommended the fines remain in place pending completion.

The most concrete resolution came in case 210723: the Bell Al Condominium Association completed recertification and agreed to a settlement payment. Rodriguez told the magistrate that ‘‘the building has recertified’’ and that the association ‘‘will pay the village a one-time fine of $15,000 payable within 30 days; if not, it will revert back to the original amount.’’ The association accepted the settlement and the magistrate approved it pending the written order.

Other matters included multiple units under the North Bay White House associations, where inspectors reported unpermitted elevator and electrical controller work; a newly appointed property manager, Valentina Escobano, said the work ‘‘has been done’’ and expressed confusion over jurisdictional permit requirements. Rodriguez clarified that work performed without a permit must be validated by qualified professionals and legalized through the proper permit process.

Several properties had already accumulated substantial fines: inspectors reported running tallies such as $61,500 for Bridgewater Tower (as of the update) and $328,500 for Causeway Tower; others ranged from tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on the duration of noncompliance. In cases where owners did not appear, the magistrate routinely accepted the village recommendation to continue fines and, where recommended, record liens pending compliance.

The hearing closed after the docket was completed and the magistrate said she would issue written orders for the matters heard. Most continuances were to allow owners or contractors to submit complete permit applications or to finish required studies; the clerk will list each item again on the next hearing docket.