Palatka Special Magistrate Imposes Liens After Ongoing Property Violations

The Palatka Special Magistrate meeting centered on two significant cases involving property code violations, resulting in the imposition of liens due to persistent non-compliance. The cases, concerning properties on West Oakill Drive and North 15th Street, highlighted issues such as deteriorating paint, mold, and structural disrepair. Both property owners failed to address the violations despite substantial fines and multiple notifications.

One notable issue addressed during the meeting was the case concerning a property located on West Oakill Drive, owned by Jesse Ring. This property had been under scrutiny since violations were first noted on April 1, 2025. The violations included broken or missing windows, deteriorating paint, and the presence of mold. Despite an original hearing held on June 18, 2024, no compliance measures were taken, and the property’s condition worsened, as evidenced by recent photographs. The code compliance officer, Christy Lo, reported that multiple attempts to contact Mr. Ring had been unsuccessful. Notices were sent to the official address and posted on the property and in local publications. However, the certified letter was returned unsigned. The city, therefore, pursued a lien on the property due to the accumulated fines totaling $15,300, with fines continuing to accrue at a rate of $75 per day until compliance is achieved.

The presiding authority confirmed that all due process requirements had been met, with substantial evidence of ongoing violations. The decision to grant the city’s request for a lien was based on the continued presence of broken windows, deteriorating paint, and mold issues. The authority emphasized the necessity of recording the lien in public records to ensure compliance and address the ongoing violations.

The meeting also covered case number 2024077, concerning a property located on North 15th Street, owned by Warren Fels. Similar to the previous case, this property was reported for multiple violations, including deteriorating paint, mold, mildew, and roofing issues. The case had been transferred to the current magistrate from Mr. David Green and originated from a complaint. Notifications were sent to the official address, 4511 Song Sparrow Drive in Middle Florida, but communication attempts were largely unsuccessful. The property appeared vacant after multiple visits, and there were no interactions with Mr. Fels or any other claimed owners.

The case referenced city code 30-169, related to deteriorating paint, and additional codes for mold and mildew, roofing issues, and missing architectural components. Initially, five charges were cited, but one violation regarding debris and trash had been resolved. The total fines stood at $20,900, with adjustments made for the compliance of the resolved violation. Photographs were presented as evidence, illustrating the property’s disrepair, including deteriorating paint, a roof in disrepair, and visible mold and mildew. Sections of the roof appeared to be hanging down, with parts of the structure missing due to decay or prior damage.

The magistrate noted that the violations of deteriorating paint and roofing disrepair had not improved and may have worsened since the last inspection. Mold and mildew conditions remained unchanged. A missing component of the gate in the garage area continued to expose sections of the house. The property showed no improvement, leading to the recommendation for a lien to be placed. The city sought an order to authorize this lien, with fines accruing at $25 per day for each unaddressed violation until compliance is achieved.

The magistrate confirmed that all due process requirements were satisfied, with substantial evidence supporting ongoing violations. The meeting concluded with no additional comments from Warren Fels or representatives, reiterating the findings of continued violations, including deteriorating paint, mold and mildew presence, worsening roofing conditions, and the missing component on the garage area. The magistrate affirmed the necessity of the lien and the ongoing accrual of fines until compliance is reached.

Note: This meeting summary was generated by AI, which can occasionally misspell names, misattribute actions, and state inaccuracies. This summary is intended to be a starting point and you should review the meeting record linked above before acting on anything you read. If we got something wrong, let us know. We’re working every day to improve our process in pursuit of universal local government transparency.
Mayor:
Robbi Correa
Special Magistrate Officials:

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