The Special Magistrate Hearing on Code Compliance and Community Enhancement held on May 29, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, focused on property violations and the imposition of fines. The meeting addressed several cases, with a significant discussion surrounding case number CE24090334, involving the property at 1660 Southwest 20 Second Avenue, owned by Elite Parking LLC.

Inspector Ramon Olivera presented the case, detailing that the property had been out of compliance for 69 days, accruing fines totaling $34,500. The city requested the full amount of the fines, which had been suspended during a previous extension. Alfredo Riviere, the new owner, argued that he was unaware of the fines when he purchased the property in January 2025, as they had been imposed prior to his ownership. He expressed his commitment to renovating the property and requested a waiver of the fines, citing the previous owner's circumstances that led to the property's neglect.

The magistrate explained that waiving the fines would disqualify Riviere from applying for an amnesty program designed to reduce fines for compliant property owners. Ultimately, the magistrate imposed the full fine of $34,500, allowing Riviere to pursue amnesty, which could reduce the fine to approximately $3,400 if he completed the necessary compliance steps.

Riviere indicated that he was actively working on the property and planned to complete renovations soon, which would allow him to apply for amnesty. The magistrate encouraged him to ensure all violations were resolved to facilitate the amnesty process.

The hearing also included other cases, but the discussion surrounding Riviere's property highlighted the challenges faced by new owners dealing with pre-existing fines and the importance of compliance in the city’s efforts to enhance community standards. The meeting underscored the city's commitment to enforcing code compliance while providing avenues for property owners to rectify violations and reduce financial burdens through amnesty programs.