Code fine approaching $2.5 million and counting on Big Pine Key

Feb. 03--A single-family home on Big Pine Key, started 18 years ago, still lies unfinished.

Now the Long Beach Road structure, since damaged by Hurricane Wilma in October 2005, now faces code enforcement fines fast approaching a whopping $2.5 million.

The property owned by Ontario, Canada, resident H. Keith Munt is assessed at just $98,907 for tax purposes.

Fines of $1,100 per day "will continue to accrue until compliance is achieved and the lien is paid," says a Monroe County Attorney's Office report to the County Commission. The fines were imposed in 2009.

County attorneys will ask the commission, meeting Feb. 10 in Key West, to approve litigation to compel Munt to come into compliance with code when the building permit expired in 2008.

But according to county legal and Code Compliance staff, the house has been declared unsafe and must be demolished. Munt also was fined for not cutting high grass and weeds.

"Staff has exhausted all other mechanisms available to persuade the property owner to achieve compliance," the report says.

"The building or structure is vacant and abandoned" and "partially destroyed," a code report details.

If the county wins a foreclosure case, the property could be sold.

Munt did not attend the 2009 hearing when the daily fines were imposed by a special magistrate.

In another code case going to the commission next week, the owners of a property on Key Largo's Plante Street have fines nearing $230,000 for illegal parking, storage of trucks and allowing trash and debris to remain.

"The current owner has abandoned the property and left the Keys," according to code staff.

A neighbor has offered to buy the property but only if the county accepts an offer of $20,000 to settle the code cases. Staff recommends taking the offer.

In other issues going before the commission Feb. 10 at the Harvey Government Center:

--Mayor Heather Carruthers will ask the board to endorse a state legislative bill that would allow Monroe County to ban tobacco use on county or municipal property. Currently, only school districts can ban outdoor tobacco use on their property.

--Financial-planning manager Kevin Madok will seek guidance on a $25 million construction loan approved in 2014 for several county projects. Current costs now exceed the $25 million.

--Consider whether to allow bikes in Monroe County skate parks.

--Review an organizational chart for county managers, submitted by County Administrator Roman Gastesi.

--Consider a contract proposal for Charles Pattison, the county's top choice for new Land Authority director.

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