Skip Margerum

Community Enhancement Manager

Steven Tinsley

Assistant Director of Community and Economic Development

The Community Enhancement Division is providing an update on the following major initiatives:

• Residential Neighborhood Code Compliance Initiative:  the purpose of this ongoing initiative is to improve the quality-of-life issues in various neighborhoods throughout the City.  A team of officers is dispatched and works as one unit to identify, inform, and if necessary, issue a citation to owners of properties in violation of the Code of Ordinances.

• Lien Compliance Initiative: The purpose of this Initiative is to contact commercial and residential property owners which have code violations, fines, and liens, assist them in resolving the code violations, and settle the outstanding liens.

• Commercial Outdoor Storage:  The Outdoor Storage Ordinance became effective on July 3, 2020. Staff provided information on the requirements and the City's incentive program which were approved by the City Commission, to all businesses affected by this Ordinance.

Prospect Gardens Residential Neighborhood Code Compliance Initiative:   In December 2021, Community Enhancement started an initiative in the Prospect Gardens area, focusing on quality-of-life issues.  A team of officers contacted many owners or tenants and informed them of various Code Ordinances, and correction methods.  At that time, there were 71 properties found to have Ordinance violations.

Of the 71 properties:

• 23 Notice of Violations were issued, and 20 have come into compliance, 3 are still pending and will be brought before the Special Magistrate.

• 14 Courtesy Notices were issued, 10 have already complied, and the 4 that have not corrected the violations were issued Notices of Violations.

The other violations have complied with the City Ordinances.  

Warehouse Area NW 29 Street Lakeside Code Compliance Initiative:

In April and May 2022, Community Enhancement and Inspectors from Broward County  assisted the Broward Sheriff with their action plan to address complaints of unlicensed auto repair businesses and junk vehicles parked in the right of way.  During this program:

•  60 Notices were posted for various violations
•  25 vehicles were stickered for violations
•   4 parking tickets were issued
• 76 vehicles were towed
• 39 Businesses were inspected

Of the 39 Businesses inspected, 9 had no City business tax, and 16 businesses were issued citations by the Broward County Inspectors.  Community Enhancement is working with the business owners and property owners to bring them into compliance.

Lien Compliance Initiative Update: This Quarter, five (5) liens were settled totaling $51,697.  The collection effort added $43,103 to the City to offset expenses. Staff in partnership with Orange Lien Data are diligently working with property owners towards compliance and settlement of code enforcement liens.

This Division will continue to work with the public and City vendor to reduce the unsettled liens. 

Outdoor Commercial Storage:

The Community Enhancement Division had identified 210 Businesses that required compliance with the Outdoor Storage Ordinance.  During this initiative, the businesses were notified a minimum of four times, this includes on-site visits, informational letters that were mailed, and Hearing notices. 

To date there are 12 properties not in compliance.  Please see attached status of each property.