On Oct. 13 the City Commission approved first reading of Ordinance 2025-31, a measure that creates Section 8-117 in city code to implement state requirements for milestone inspections and repair timelines for condominiums and cooperatives.

Buddy Shaw, the city building official, told commissioners the ordinance follows a 2005 Florida statute enacted after the Surfside condominium collapse. Under the statute and the proposed local section, buildings subject to milestone inspections (condominium or cooperative associations three stories or higher and 30 years or older) must comply with a two-phase inspection process. If a phase 1 inspection shows substantial structural deterioration, a phase 2 inspection follows to determine required repairs. The ordinance sets a 180-day deadline for associations to schedule or commence repairs after the city receives a phase 2 report, allows a 185-day extension, and requires repairs to commence within 365 days of the phase 2 report. If an association fails to submit proof repairs were scheduled or commenced, the city will review the buildings safety and could declare it unsafe for human occupancy.

Commissioners expressed concern about liability and unfunded mandates but noted the language is verbatim from state statute. Commissioner Cynthia Garris urged having engineering reports to protect the city; staff confirmed engineering reviews would be used.

The motion to pass Ordinance 2025-31 on first reading carried on a roll-call vote with all five commissioners present recorded as voting yes: Nancy Sikes Klein, Jim Springfield, John de Prater, Cynthia Garris and Barbara Blonder. The ordinance now proceeds to public hearing at the commissions next meeting.

Ending: The ordinance brings city code into alignment with state law governing milestone inspections and repair timelines; it will return for a public hearing and second reading.