Treasure Island approves unsafe‑structures ordinance to speed demolition of condemned homes

The Treasure Island City Commission on June 8 approved Ordinance 2026‑12, a second‑and‑final reading that adds a new Article 5 to Chapter 8 of the city code to define and accelerate condemnation and demolition of dangerous and unsafe structures. The vote was unanimous among members present: Vice Mayor Vasquez, Commissioner Sison, Commissioner Clark and Mayor Doctor; Commissioner Dicki was absent.

The ordinance establishes procedures for both emergency and non‑emergency condemnations, periodic inspections, hearings before a special magistrate, methods of abatement and a process to assess and record costs as a lien on the property. The ordinance text submitted for second reading included no substantive changes from the first reading, staff said.

The measure drew several public comments focused on a specific, long‑running example: a rat‑infested house on Sunset Beach that neighbors say has deteriorated for more than a decade. Resident Richard Harris said he inspected the house and concluded, “It is not repairable,” and described widespread rat infestations. Candace Quail, who lives across the street from 116 85th Avenue, said the owner has resisted offers and that fines have reached $79,500, creating confusion about whether fines stop once a property is demolished.

City staff answered those questions during the meeting. Staff explained that 2026‑12 is aimed at condemnation and demolition, while the related code‑enforcement ordinance (2026‑13) handles nuisance abatement such as rodent extermination. Staff said they are coordinating with exterminators so rats are removed or contained before demolition to avoid spreading vermin or leaving dead animals inside structures. Staff also explained that the code enforcement board or special magistrate may assess daily penalties until a property is brought into compliance; those penalties and city abatement costs (including extermination and demolition) are added to a lien and would stop accruing once the property is brought into compliance.

Neighbors asked whether residents may fund demolition and be reimbursed. Staff replied that an advisory‑board member may not contract with the city and receive reimbursement under Chapter 112 of Florida statutes; instead, the city can perform demolition, pay costs up front, place a lien on the property, and recover costs at closing.

The ordinance gives the city more explicit authority to order demolition in defined circumstances and to recover associated costs. The measure takes effect as provided in the ordinance text; commission members indicated the special meeting was scheduled to expedite work on the most hazardous properties rather than wait until the regular July meeting.

The commission voted by roll call: Vice Mayor Vasquez — yes; Commissioner Sison — yes; Commissioner Clark — yes; Mayor Doctor — yes. Commissioner Dicki was absent. The commission then moved on to two related ordinances addressing code‑enforcement procedures and methods of collecting abatement costs.