HomeMy Public PortalAboutCase 22-716 FINDINGSCITY OF CRESTVIEW FLORIDA
SPECIAL MAGISTRATE
198 Wilson Street North
Crestview, FL 32536
City of Crestview, Florida,
Petitioner,
vs.
Luthel Matthews
608 Hill Ave
Crestview, FL 32536
Respondents.
Inst. #3566986 Bk: 3634 Pg: 2540
Page 1 of 3 Recorded: 7/26/2022 10:32 AM
RECORDING ARTICLE V: $12.00 RECORDING: $15.00
DEPUTY CLERK JDUNLAP
JD PEACOCK II CLERK OF COURTS,
OKALOOSA COUNTY, FLORIDA
CASE# 22-716
FINDINGS OF FACT, CONCLUSIONS OF LAW AND ORDER
This case was presented for public hearing before the Special Magistrate on July 19, 2022.
After due notice to the respondent, having heard testimony under oath, received evidence
and considered stipulations, the Special Magistrate finds as follows:
FINDINGS OF FACT:
1. The respondent, Luthel Matthews, whose last known mailing address is 608 Hill Avenue,
is the owner of the property located at, 608 Hill Avenue, Crestview, FL 32536, AKA PIN#
20-3N-23-0000-0108-0010, and more particularly described as: BEG 300 FT N & 166.89
FT E OF SW COR OF NW1/4 OF NW 1/4 E 100 FT S 138.12 FT W 100 FT N 138.12 FT TO
BEG 789-676.
2. The conditions on the property consist of inoperable vehicles. The violation(s) were first
observed on March 29, 2022. A Notice of Violation was mailed by certified mail March
31, 2022, and received by respondent on April 1, 2022. The Notice stated that the
condition(s), constituted a violation of Chapter 38 Property Maintenance and Housing
Standards - Sec. 18 (j). - Maintain a public nuisance prohibited, of the City of Crestview's
Code of Ordinances and requested correction of the violation by April 13, 2022. Re
inspection of the property on April 19, 2022, confirmed that violation(s) continue to exist
on the property.
3. Proper notice of the cited violations and the notice of hearing was served on the
Respondents, and the Respondents were provided with the opportunity to be heard and
submit testimony and evidence at the properly noticed hearing.
CONCLUSIONS OF LAW:
4. The respondent failed to bring the property into a full state of compliance prior to the
Notice of Violation deadline and is in violation of Chapter 38 Property Maintenance and
Housing Standards - Sec. 18 (j). - Maintain a public nuisance prohibited, of the City of
Crestview's Code of Ordinances.
5. The Respondents were provided a reasonably sufficient time to voluntarily correct the
Violations, which they failed to do within the time prescribed.
6. The city has proved the alleged Violations of the cited Ordinances and/or State Statute by
competent, substantive evidence. Therefore, the City is entitled to recover the costs
incurred in prosecuting this case before the Magistrate, which I find to be reasonable and
appropriate under the circumstances.
7. If the Respondents fail to bring the Property into compliance as ordered within the time
prescribed, I find that a fine shall be imposed per day for each day of non-compliance and
that the fine is reasonable and appropriate under the circumstances, taking into account
the gravity of the Violations, any actions taken by the Respondents to correct the
Violations, and any previous violations committed by the Respondents.
ORDER: Based on the foregoing, it is hereby ORDERED and ADJUDGED
that:
8. On or before August 19, 2022, the Respondent is to correct the violation(s) by conducting
the following action(s):
a. Remove the inoperable vehicles from the property or bring them into an
operable state.
9. If the violation(s) are not corrected by August 19, 2022, a fine in the amount of $250.00
per day will be imposed pursuant to Florida Statutes Chapter 162. It is the Respondents'
responsibility to notify the City when the Violations have been corrected so that the
Property can be inspected to confirm compliance.
10. The fines and costs imposed herein shall accrue interest at the rate of 6.77% per annum
until paid.
11. If Respondent fails to comply by the date stated above, the City Council may cause the
property to be cleaned up and the nuisance abated. The cost for such cleanup and
abatement shall be billed and mailed via certified mail to the last known address of
Respondent. If such bill is not paid within thirty (30) days from the mailing date, the costs
incurred by the City shall be added to any unpaid costs, fines, or fees hereunder and shall
be a lien on the property as authorized by law.
Done and Ordered on the 22nd day of July 2022.
Samuel B.
Taylor
Digitally signed by
Samuel B. Taylor
Date: 2022.07.22 14:46:03
-05'00'
Special Magistrate
City of Crestview, Florida
RIGHT TO APPEAL — You have the right, at your own expense, to appeal this Order
entered by the Special Magistrate by filing a writ of certiorari for appeal to the Circuit
Court. Any appeal must be filed with the Circuit Court within 30 days of this order.
NOTICE OF LIEN AND INTENT TO RECORD — A certified copy of this Order may be
recorded in the official records of Okaloosa County, and thereafter, shall become a lien
against any real and personal property owned by Respondent(s), until satisfied, and at
which the City may seek to foreclose on said recorded lien after 90 days from the date of
filing, pursuant to City of Crestview Code of Ordinances and Florida Statutes Section
162.09. Name and address of lien holder: City of Crestview, 198 North Wilson Street,
Crestview, Florida 32536.
CERTIFIED A TRUE AND CORRECT' COPY
CITY OF CRESIVIEW