Magistrate recommends reducing Dollar Tree fine to $1,180 after long delay in final inspection for alarm communicator

A special magistrate recommended reducing the enforcement amount against Dollar Tree Stores Inc. to $1,180 after staff agreed the delay in completing final inspections of a cellular fire-alarm communicator arose from procedural issues.

City staff documented that a permit had been issued in 2022 for a cellular communicator but final inspections were not completed. Subsequent permit activity in 2023 generated an incomplete submittal and a denied review; staff told the magistrate that two plan reviewers had not coordinated and that reopening the original permit and completing the final inspection was the appropriate remedy.

City staff reported 472 days of noncompliance and calculated accrued fines (the record shows a clerical inconsistency in the agenda but staff confirmed the longer accrual). Staff recommended a reduction; the magistrate said staff costs totaled $1,155.04 and recommended a reduced fine equal to 10% ($1,180) in light of permit-administration confusion and because the alarm system had been installed and functioning.

John Henn, representing Dollar Tree Stores Inc., said the contractor failed to call for the final inspection after performing the work and that, once identified, the company reactivated the permit, paid reactivation fees, and passed the final inspection. Henn asked the magistrate to recommend reduction to permit staff costs so the company could pay and release the lien.

The magistrate described the recommendation as advisory to the city commission and said she would recommend reducing the fine to $1,180, an amount roughly equal to staff costs plus a small adjustment. The order and any final lien change depend on city commission action.