Special Magistrate Jamie Barrow on Feb. 12 found violations and issued orders in a series of Fort Pierce code-enforcement and citation cases, imposing time-limited compliance deadlines and daily fines for failure to act.

Barrow opened the session with routine hearing instructions and then heard cases presented by City of Fort Pierce code-enforcement staff, including Charmaine Kirkland, Heather De Bevec and Mr. Saucedo. For each case the city submitted photographs and notices of violation; respondents and property representatives were given an opportunity to speak before the magistrate issued orders.

Among the rulings, the magistrate ordered Carlos Brown, owner of 1054 Trinidad Avenue (case CE2024-62), to pressure-wash or paint areas of chipping, mold or deterioration within 10 days. "This court finds that a violation exists," Barrow said, and warned that failure to comply would result in a $100-per-day fine.

In a separate case (CE2020-5128) involving Showtime Customs at 225 S. U.S. Highway 1, owner Miguel Angel Ruiz Jr. told the magistrate he had begun applying for a required certificate of use and had visited the city clerk’s office. Barrow granted the business 30 days to obtain the certificate or cease operations and ordered that failure to comply would trigger a $250-per-day fine and suspension of utility services under city ordinance section 22-28. Ruiz said he had submitted paperwork and was following the clerk’s office process.

At 1132 Avenue D (CE2024-115), the Lincoln Theater (owned by Martin L. King Jr. ComCom Inc.) and theater committee representatives said recent work had begun — including removal of a tree growing on the roof — and that they were pursuing estimates and grant or fundraising options for larger repairs. The magistrate gave the owner 60 days to replace damaged signs, remove roof vegetation, repair broken windows, obtain required permits, and pressure-wash or paint areas of deterioration. The order carries a $250-per-day fine for noncompliance.

The Church of the New Jerusalem, Inc., at 2806 Okeechobee Road (CE2024-120), represented at the hearing by Pastor Jean Philippe and a Haitian-Creole interpreter, was ordered to remove outside storage and tires, remove debris, repair broken windows and pressure-wash or paint deteriorated surfaces within 20 days. The magistrate set a $250-per-day fine for continued violations.

Several parking citations at JC Park (PK2024-154 and PK2024-158) were upheld. The magistrate assessed each violator a $50 parking fine, $10 administrative fee and an $18 late fee for a total due of $78; unpaid fines will be forwarded to county court after 15 days.

A residential fence at 831 Bent Creek Drive (CE2024-125) was the subject of a compliance order after the city found a fence had been installed without a permit. The magistrate gave the owners 10 days to obtain the required permit from the building department and warned of a $250-per-day fine for noncompliance.

At 2903 S. U.S. Highway 1 (CE2024-104), the code-enforcement officer said the property (operating as Pep Boys) lacked visible address numbers, had potholes in the parking lot and peeling paint. The magistrate ordered the owner 30 days to repair potholes, repaint peeling areas and display street-visible address numbers; failure to comply will trigger a $250-per-day fine.

A vacant property at 915 N. 20th Street (CE2024-113) was found to have a large caved-in hole that the city described as a safety hazard. The magistrate ordered the owner to secure the hole and obtain any necessary permits within 10 days; failure to comply would result in a $250-per-day fine.

A lot-clearing case for property linked to the estate of Elizabeth Daley at 11018 Trinidad Avenue (LTCL2025-11018) was continued with an order that the property be mowed, trees trimmed and debris removed within seven days. The magistrate said the city would abate the nuisance if the owner failed to comply and assess abatement costs to the property; the daily fine for ongoing violation was set at $100.

The magistrate also continued or rescheduled several other code cases and identified the administrative process for posting and service when owners could not be contacted. In most enforcement orders the magistrate noted that the city had submitted photos and certified notices and that failure to comply by deadline would trigger daily fines and, in some cases, additional remedies such as utility suspension or city abatement.

Votes at a glance

- CE2024-62 (1054 Trinidad Ave., owner Carlos Brown): Violation found; 10 days to pressure wash/paint; $100/day fine if not done.

- CE2020-5128 (225 S. U.S. Hwy 1, Showtime Customs; owner Miguel Angel Ruiz Jr.): 30 days to obtain certificate of use or cease operations; $250/day fine; utilities may be suspended per city ordinance 22-28.

- CE2024-115 (1132 Avenue D, Lincoln Theater / Martin L. King Jr. ComCom Inc.): 60 days to replace damaged signs, remove tree from roof, repair broken windows, obtain permits, pressure wash/paint; $250/day fine.

- CE2024-120 (2806 Okeechobee Rd., Church of the New Jerusalem): 20 days to remove outside storage and tires, repair windows, trim landscaping, remove debris; $250/day fine.

- PK2024-154 & PK2024-158 (JC Park parking citations): Fines assessed — $78 each (includes fines/fees); forwarded to county court if unpaid after 15 days.

- CE2024-125 (831 Bent Creek Dr.): 10 days to obtain permit for installed fence; $250/day fine.

- CE2024-104 (2903 S. U.S. Hwy 1, property operating as Pep Boys): 30 days to repair potholes, repaint, post visible address numbers; $250/day fine.

- CE2024-113 (915 N. 20th St.): 10 days to secure caved-in hole and obtain permits; $250/day fine.

- LTCL2025-11018 (11018 Trinidad Ave., estate of Elizabeth Daley): 7 days to mow and trim, remove debris; $100/day fine and city abatement costs if not addressed.

Procedure and next steps

Magistrate Barrow and city staff noted that photographic evidence and certified notices were entered into the record for each case, and several matters were continued to allow owners time to obtain permits or complete repairs. Property owners who receive orders were told to contact the Code Enforcement Office for questions and to document compliance; the city may bid out abatement work or suspend utilities where authorized by ordinance.

(Reporting note: all quoted rulings above are drawn directly from the Special Magistrate hearing record of Feb. 12, 2025.)