HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes 09.20.2023
Contractor Licensing Board Minutes – Draft
September 20, 2023, at 8:30 a.m. St. Lucie County Administration Board of County Commissioners
Commission Chambers
PRESENT ABSENT STAFF PRESENT
Contractor Licensing Supervisor…………………………………………………… Danielle Williams Interim Building Official……………………………………………….……………. Alphanette Waters Assistant County Attorney………………………………………………………….. Ciara Forbes Board Recorder……………………………………………………………………... Roxann Johnson A. CALL TO ORDER: The meeting was called to order at 8:40 a.m. B. ROLL CALL OF BOARD MEMBERS: The roll was called. Board members, Mr. Adam Sampson, Mr. Tony Jerger, and Mr. Michael Kauffmann were absent. Mr. Morris arrived at 8:42am. C. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: July 19, 2023 Contractor Examining Licensing Board Meeting Motion was made by Mrs. McCarthy-Taylor to approve the Minutes of the July 19, 2023 meeting. Mr. Priest seconded and the motion carried unanimously. D. SWEARING IN OF STAFF: The following staff members were sworn in by the Recording Secretary: Danielle Williams and Alphanette Waters. E. PUBLIC COMMENT: Chairman Leonard asked the audience if anyone present wanted to speak to the Board under public comment. There being none the Board moved on to Applications to be approved.
Chairman.…………………………..................................................................... Travis Leonard
Secretary…………………………………………………………………………… Michael DiFrancesco
………………………………………………………………………………………… Adam Sampson
……………………...………………………………………………………………… Michael Pride
………………………………………………………………………………………… Roger Priest
………………...……………………………………………………………………… Sheila McCarthy-Taylor
……………………………………………………………………………………….. Gary Morris
………………..……………………………………………………………………….. Chris Langel
………………………………………………………………………………………… Tony Jerger
………………………………………………………………………………………… Michael Kauffmann Jr.
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F. APPLICATIONS TO BE APPROVED BY CONSENT VOTE: Motion was made by Mr. Pride to approve the applicants recommended by Consent vote. Mr. Sampson seconded and the motion carried unanimously. The names were read into the record: Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor Testing Agency
APPLICATIONS RECOMMENDED FOR APPROVAL BY RECIPROCITY: Motion was made by Mr. DiFrancesco to approve the applicants recommended by Reciprocity vote. Mr. Langel seconded and the motion carried unanimously. Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor None.
APPLICATIONS APPROVED ADMINISTRATIVELY BASED ON RECIPROCITY FROM THE CITY OF PORT ST. LUCIE OR THE CITY OF FORT PIERCE: The applicant’s name was read into the record.
THE FOLLOWING APPLICATIONS ARE RECOMMENDED FOR REVIEW BY THE BOARD:
Chairman Leonard stated next on the agenda is an application for review by the Board for Mr. Juan Torres Santiago. He asked if Mr. Torres or a representative was present to speak to the Board. Mr. Torres was present. Chairman Leonard asked Mr. Torres to come up to the podium to be sworn in by the Recording Secretary. Mr. Juan Torres Santiago was sworn in by the Recording Secretary. Chairman Leornard addressed Mr. Torres and asked him why he was not present at the previous meeting. Mr. Torres stated he did not know that he was supposed to be at the meeting.
Cameron Elwood N/A Journeyman Electrician Prov
Constant Dwayne C. Sprenger DSV Fence Solutions LLC Fence Contractor Prov
Aleksander Losev N/A Journeyman Electrician Prov
Steven R. Adcock Advent AC LLC Class B Air Conditioning Contractor Prov
Christopher Camello Camello Electric LLC Electrical Contractor Prov
Edmond R. Senez Ed Senez Aluminum Specialist Inc. Aluminum With Concrete Contractor Block & Associates
Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor
Oscar A. Mendoza Sr. Oscar’s Fence Inc. Fence Contractor
James Welch Welch Plastering Inc. Plaster & Stucco Contractor
Qualifier Business Name Type of Contractor
Juan Torres Santiago N/A Journeyman Electrician
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Chairman Leonard asked Staff to update the Board on the Mr. Torres’ application. Officer Williams addressed the Board and stated Mr. Torres is applying to be reciprocated from Marion County to obtain a St Lucie County Journeyman Electrical license. She stated Staff is unable to accept the letters provided by Mr. Torres verifying the required four (4) years of experience because the letters were not signed by licensed contractor of his trade. Mr. Torres has provided over four years of W2s. Mr. DiFrancesco asked Mr. Torres why he can’t get a letter from a contractor to verify his experience. Mr. Torres stated one of the contractors he used to work for is deceased and the other one does not want to give him a letter because he thinks he will be his competition. He stated he has provided W2s to show that he was working for electrical companies for the four years required. Mr. DiFrancesco stated he would like to make a motion. He stated Mr. Torres is already licensed in another jurisdiction, so he is willing to make a motion to accept Staff’s recommendation. Mr. DiFrancesco made to accept Staff’s recommendation to approve Mr. Juan Torres Santiago’s license to work in St. Lucie County. Mr. Priest seconded and the motion carried unanimously. G. WAIVER OF RIGHT TO A HEARING FOR FAILURE TO PAY OR APPEAL THE CITATION 1) Case No. 2305-110672 – Roderick Waller and/or Sunrise City Community Housing Dev. Organization Inc. Chairman Leonard stated next on our agenda is Waver of Right No. one for Case No. 2305-110672 against Roderick Waller and/or Sunrise City Community Housing Development Organization Inc. He asked Staff to update the Board on the case. Officer Williams addressed the Board and stated this case has abated. 2) Case No. 2210-109151 – William Ash and/or Ash Empire LLC Chairman Leonard stated next on our agenda is Waver of Right No. two for Case No. 2303-110149 against William Ash and/or Ash Empire LLC. He asked Staff to update the Board on the case. Officer Williams addressed the Board and stated for the record, she is submitting the following documents into evidence: Officer Williams stated she is submitting a copy of a complaint affidavit filed by property owner Whitney O’Neill on March 9,
2023, including invoices totaling $13,936.20 from the business of Ash Empire LLC, and pictures of the work done submitted by the property owner. Officer Williams stated after further researching, it was found that William Ash of Ash Empire LLC does not hold any licenses to perform the work listed on the invoice. She stated the work should have been performed by an electric and mechanical contractor. Officer Williams on March 17, 2022, licensed investigator, Michael Cicio, issued a citation #373 in the amount of $500 for engaging in the business or act of the capacity of a contractor without being duly registered or certified. Officer Williams stated after receiving no contact from Mr. Ash and the citation remained unpaid, a certified notice to appear was issued on August 24, 2023 and served on August 28, 2023 for today’s meeting of September 20, 2023. Officer Williams stated as of today’s date, September 20, 2023, citation #373 remains unpaid, nor contested. Staff is recommending that a lien be placed on the real or personal property of William Ash and/or Ash Empire LLC if the citation is not paid within 30 days. Mr. DiFrancesco made a motion to accept staff’s recommendation of $500.00 citation fee (1st offence) to be paid within thirty (30) days of the date of this Board meeting and authorize staff to place a lien against the contractor if not paid within thirty (30) days. Mr. Pride seconded and the motion carried. Chairman Leonard asked for a roll call vote. Mr. DiFrancesco – Yes, Mr. Jerger – Yes, Mr. Langel – Yes, Chairman Leonard – No, Mr. Pride – Yes, Mr. Morris – No. The motion carried.
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I. DISCIPLINARY CASE: 1) Case No. 2303-000033 – Scott Berman and/or Florida Window and Door. Officer Williams stated and stated the contractor has retained an attorney and the issue has been resolved between both parties. The property owner, Mr. Alfred Ross, has withdrawn his complaint. Assistant County Attorney, Ciara Forbes addressed the Board and stated let the record needs to show that the issue was resolved between both parties and the complaint has been withdrawn. Mr. Ross should be sworn in and he needs to testify to this fact, so it is reflected in the record. Chairman Leonard thanked Assistant County, Ciara Forbes for her direction and asked Mr. Alfred Ross to come up to the podium to be sworn in by the Recording Secretary. Mr. Alfred Ross, 8722 Lonesome Pine Trl, was sworn in by the Recording Secretary. Mr. Ross addressed the Board and stated he and the contractor have come to an amicable agreement, they have worked out the issue and he is withdrawing his complaint. Chairman Leonard stated he is happy that both parties were able to work out the issue and come to an amicable agreement. He stated on that note, this meeting is adjourned. J. OLD BUSINESS: None. K. NEW BUSINESS: None. ADJOURNMENT: The meeting was adjourned at 9:04 a.m.
The next Contractor Examining Board Hearing will be held on WEDNESDAY, November 15, 2023, AT 8:30 A.M.
Respectfully submitted,
------------------------------------------------ Michael DiFrancesco, Board Secretary Or Travis Leonard, Chairman