13:54Mr. Aragon’s property on South Atlantic Avenue was at the center of the meeting’s discussions. Facing a lien of approximately $70,000, Mr. Aragon sought a reduction, arguing that his rental activities in 2022 were limited to just 50 days. He proposed recalculating the lien to a reduced amount of $12,500, based on this rental period and the associated daily fines. The city’s representative, M. Danel Crawford, clarified that the lien was connected to Mr. Aragon’s failure to pay the local business tax registration and incomplete application process. Despite these issues, the city had ceased accruing the lien at the end of 2024 as a courtesy.

After deliberations, the magistrate agreed to reduce the lien to $37,500, provided it was paid within 30 days of the order being issued. This decision was contingent upon immediate payment, failing which the lien would revert to the original $70,000. Mr. Aragon expressed uncertainty about his ability to pay this amount upfront, citing the need for a payment plan due to his precarious financial situation. He also highlighted his intentions to sell the property, listed at $2.6 million, to clear the lien and cover his considerable mortgage of $2.3 million, which had increased due to hurricane-related renovations.

The meeting further revealed that Mr. Aragon was hopeful of using the proceeds from the property’s sale to settle the reduced lien, and he sought clarification on the payment process. The magistrate emphasized the need for Mr. Aragon to coordinate with the closing agent to ensure the lien payment was facilitated efficiently, underscoring that the city would only satisfy the lien upon full payment receipt.

0:00In a separate case, Brendan Miller’s property on Bimy Road was discussed concerning compliance with city regulations for vacation rentals. Miller had been previously non-compliant for not obtaining a business tax receipt and an RS1 registration for his rental business. Despite efforts to comply, he encountered challenges, including failing a fire inspection, which led him to pause future rental listings. The city requested that Miller pay a $250 past-due local business tax fine while agreeing to rescind a $500 fine for a first-day violation. This agreement aimed to ensure future compliance and prevent further violations.

The meeting also addressed the case of Rachel Aragon, who faced fines totaling approximately $70,000 for her property, similar to Mr. Aragon’s situation. Rachel Aragon explained that her rental activities were primarily to manage her mortgage due to health-related financial strains. She contested the fines, asserting adherence to occupancy limits and noting ongoing efforts to comply with city regulations. Her financial predicament, compounded by health issues and attempts to sell the property, mirrored broader themes of financial strain among property owners navigating city compliance requirements.