Special Magistrate orders repairs, deadlines for multiple Fort Pierce properties

Special Magistrate Jamie Barrow ordered owners of multiple Fort Pierce properties on June 3 to correct code violations — including sign repair, landscaping, painting, roof work, fence repair and removal of nonoperable vehicles — and set deadlines ranging from 10 to 45 days or assessed daily fines for noncompliance.

The court session, held in City Hall chambers and livestreamed, followed the city’s presentation of notices of violation and photographs for each property. City code-enforcement officers testified about observed violations; property representatives described ongoing repair plans and requested additional time in several cases. Magistrate Barrow accepted the city’s exhibits and entered compliance orders, repeatedly noting that owners have 30 days to appeal the court’s determinations.

Officer Charmaine Kirkland presented the first case, CE2026-169 (216 North 25th Street), showing photographs of a deteriorated sign. Property owner Ali Ali said, "I worked on everything, that's there except the sign," and said he had contacted two companies and expected the sign work to be completed within 30 days. Magistrate Barrow allowed 45 days to repair the sign and obtain any required permits and warned that "failure to comply by the date ordered will result in a fine of $250 per day being assessed." (Jamie Barrow, special magistrate.)

At 5403 Okeechobee Road (CE2026-256), Jason Gravel, district manager for the tenant, said the tenant had completed one item and requested additional time to arrange landscaping; the court granted 15 days to cut the grass and trim landscaping. For several residential properties on Naylor Terrace and Skylark Drive (cases CE2026-102, CE2026-103, CE2026-113 and CE2026-114), Dietre Kidwell, a general manager appearing for the property manager, told the court that roof repairs and paint purchases were in progress; the court entered uniform 30-day orders to pressure-wash or paint exterior walls and trim, repair roofs where tarps remained and obtain any necessary permits, with $250-per-day fines for failures to comply.

At 2904 Orange Avenue (CE2026-195), the city documented multiple repeat nuisance violations including outdoor storage, nonoperable vehicles and a damaged fence; the court ordered 15 days to remove pallets and trash, repair the fence and correct parking/landscape-area violations. For 301 Orange Avenue (CE2026-75), the city sought rapid abatement of nonoperable vehicles and outside storage in a highly visible location; Officer Heather Dubovic said multiple complaints prompted the case, and the magistrate ordered 15 days to remove or properly register trailers and clear debris.

In a remote appearance, Angela Park asked the court to determine that violations at an East Sanderling Lane property had been cured; she told the magistrate that she had been working with her tenant (her father) and that the property was currently in compliance. Magistrate Barrow found the violation cured but warned that a repeat violation on any property owned by Park could proceed immediately under state statute without additional time to cure; Barrow referenced state statute 162.06 and 162.09 and noted the potential for fines up to $500 per day for repeat violations.

At a vacant commercial parcel on South U.S. Highway 1 (CE2026-1116), the city introduced evidence showing potholes, peeling paint and unmarked spaces; the city said a repair quote near $80,000 had been discussed. The magistrate ordered 30 days for parking-lot repairs, painting and marking, and required any necessary permits. At the same parcel the court ordered 15 days to remove dead or diseased trees (CE2026-1216).

Officer Manuel Fernandez Jr. presented CE2026-14218 (Savannah Avenue), recommending a 10-day correction period and a reduced daily fine of $50 because he believed occupants were elderly; the magistrate ordered 10 days to cut grass, remove appliances from under a carport and make required repairs, with the $50-per-day penalty specified in the order.

Officer Jarvis Gamble presented NOOP2026-76 (North Eighth Street) concerning a gold Dodge Caravan that had been nonoperable; animal control had requested a short delay because ducklings were nesting under the vehicle. Gamble and the magistrate agreed on a 14-day period for the vehicle to be made road-safe; if not corrected, the city may abate the nuisance and tow the vehicle, and fines would accrue as ordered.

Magistrate Barrow repeatedly told respondents the orders were being entered "for the record" and reminded property owners and managers that they have 30 days to appeal. The magistrate also read a list of additional cases that were rescheduled for compliance or further hearings before adjourning the session.

The hearing record contains the notices of violation and photographs the city introduced; for many items the court explicitly limited fines and timelines (for example the $50-per-day fine in CE2026-14218 and the 45-day allowance for CE2026-169 sign repairs). Several respondents said they were already arranging contractors, had purchased paint or had maintenance crews lined up.

Several speakers urged coordination with the building department for required permits; the magistrate and city staff repeatedly advised owners to contact the city if they needed more time. The hearing closed after Magistrate Barrow entered the orders and Crespo Martinez read a list of rescheduled matters.