00-002746 Department Of Business And Professional Regulation, Division Of Hotels And Restaurants vs. 1015 Apartments
 Status: Closed
Recommended Order on Wednesday, December 13, 2000.


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Summary: $1,000 fine recommended where Petitioner demonstrated danger to public health and safety is a violation of Rule and Statute.

1STATE OF FLORIDA

4DIVISION OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

8DEPARTMENT OF BUSINESS AND )

13PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, )

16DIVISION OF HOTELS AND )

21RESTAURANTS, )

23)

24Petitioner, )

26)

27vs. ) Case No. 00-2746

32)

331015 APARTMENTS, )

36)

37Respondent. )

39___________________________________)

40RECOMMENDED ORDER

42Pursuant to notic e, a formal hearing was conducted in this

53case on September 25, 2000, via video teleconference in Fort

63Lauderdale and Tallahassee, Florida, before Florence Snyder

70Rivas, a duly-designated Administrative Law Judge of the Division

79of Administrative Hearings.

82APPEARANCES

83For Petitioner: Charles F. Tunnicliff

88Assistant General Counsel

91Department of Business and

95Professional Regulation

971940 North Monroe Street

101Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792

104For Respondent: Jean Pierre-Lou is, pro se

1111015 Northeast 17th Avenue

115Apartment 205

117Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304-2465

121STATEMENT OF THE ISSUE

125The issue presented for decision in this case is whether

135Respondent violated Section 509.032, Florida Statutes, as set

143forth in the Administrative Complaint dated April 3, 2000.

152PRELIMINARY STATEMENT

154By Administrative Complaint dated April 3, 2000, Petitioner

162notified Respondent of its intent to pursue sanctions against

171Respondent's public lodging establishment license based upon

178violations specified in the complaint.

183Respondent timely disputed the charges. On July 7, 2000,

192Petitioner forwarded the matter to the Division of Administrative

201Hearings for assignment of an Administrative Law Judge and the

211conduct of a formal administrative hearing in this matter,

220pursuant to Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes.

226The final hearing was held on September 25, 2000, by video

237teleconference in Tallahassee and Fort Lauderdale.

243Jean Pierre-Louis, pro se , appeared on behalf of Respondent.

252During the course of the hearing, he asserted that he had been

264given insufficient notice to procure the attendance of witnesses.

273He requested, and was permitted, an additional two weeks, through

283October 9, 2000, to provide the undersigned with sworn statements

293of as many witnesses as he desired. The undersigned advised

303Respondent that Petitioner would be permitted additional time to

312depose any such witnesses, if it desired to do so, and file the

325deposition transcript(s) for consideration by the undersigned in

333the preparation of the Recommended Order. Respondent agreed to

342that procedure, and affirmatively stated that two weeks would be

352sufficient time for him to supply affidavits. However, as of

362this writing, Respondent has neither supplied any statements nor

371sought an extension of time in which to do so.

381At the final hearing, Petitioner presented the testimony of

390Sean Sylvester Grovesnor, Sanitation and Safety Specialist for

398Petitioner's Division of Hotels and Restaurants.

404Jean Pierre-Louis testifi ed on Respondent's behalf.

411Petitioner’s Exhibits 1-3 were admitted into evidence

418without objection. Official recognition was taken of the

426National Fire Protection Association Act 101-193.4.4.1; Chapter V

434of the 1997 Food Code of the United States Public Health Service,

446as incorporated into Title 61C, Florida Administrative Code; Rule

45561C-1.004, Florida Administrative Code; Rule 61C-3.002(5),

461Florida Administrative Code; Rule 61C-4.010(6), Florida

467Administrative Code, incorporating by reference Chapter 4 of the

476United States Public Health Lodging Code; and Rule 61C-1.004(1),

485Florida Administrative Code, incorporating by reference Chapter 5

493of the United States Public Health Lodging Code.

501Respondent’s Composite Exhibit 1 was admitted into evidence

509without objection.

511A Transcript of the final hearing was filed on November 2,

5222000. Petitioner filed a Proposed Recommended Order on

530November 15, 2000. No proposed recommended order was submitted

539on Respondent's behalf.

542FINDINGS OF FACT

545Based on the ora l and documentary evidence adduced at the

556final hearing, and the entire record in this proceeding, the

566following findings of fact are made.

5721. At all times relevant to this proceeding, Petitioner is

582the state agency charged with licensing, regulating, and

590inspecting public lodging establishments to protect public

597safety.

5982. To accomplish this purpose, Petitioner employs persons

606trained to respond to citizen complaints about public lodging

615establishments. Such inspectors visit and inspect the premises

623about which complaints are made, gather facts, and make reports

633to document their findings.

6373. At all times relevant to this proceeding, Petitioner

646employed Sean Sylvester Grovesnor (" Grovesnor") as a Sanitation

656and Safety Specialist assigned to its Division of Hotels and

666Restaurants.

6674. At all times relevant to this proceeding, Respondent

6761015 Apartments was a licensed public lodging establishment

684within the meaning of Section 509.013(4)(a), Florida Statutes,

692operating under license control number 16-04182H, and located at

7011015 Northeast 17th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304-2465.

7095. Responding to a complaint on or about February 10, 2000,

720Grovesnor visited 1015 Apartments.

7246. Grovesnor's inspection revealed various violations.

730Specifically, Grovesnor observed:

733a) balcony railing supports in disrepair in

740front of Apartment No. 204;

745b) no smoke detector in Apartment No. 201;

753c) an exit sign hanging from exposed wires by

762Apartment No. 205;

765d) a broken window on south side of the

774building;

775e) water stained ceiling tiles in living room

783of Apartment No. 201;

787f) holes in kitchen cabinets in Apartment no.

795201;

796g) cold water knob in Apartment No. 201 would

805not work;

807h) faucet head not properly attached to the

815bathtub in Apartment No. 201;

820i) mildew and mildew holes in bathroom

827ceiling of Apartment No. 104.

832j) the sewer line clean out pipe cover was

841missing in the parking lot.

8467. Respondent was informed that all violations must be

855corrected by February 17, 2000.

8608. On or about February 18, 200 0, Grovesnor made a

871callback/reinspection visit for the purpose of determining

878whether Respondent had corrected the violations noted on the

887previous visit. None of the violations previously noted had been

897corrected.

8989. Each of the above-described violat ions constitutes a

907separate and distinct potential hazard to the health and/or

916safety of individuals on the premises.

92210. The balcony railing violation was corrected on

930March 17, 2000, by Tim's Welding of Fort Lauderdale.

939CONCLUSIONS OF LAW

94211. The Division of Administrative Hearings has

949jurisdiction over the parties and subject matter of this cause,

959pursuant to Section 120.57(1), Florida Statutes.

96512. Pursuant to Section 509.261, Florida Statutes,

972Petitioner, through its Division of Hotels and Restaurants, is

981empowered to regulate and discipline public lodging

988establishments.

98913. Petitioner seeks to impose administrative fines upon

997Respondent and must, therefore, provide clear and convincing

1005evidence of the allegations made against Respondent. Department

1013of Banking and Finance, Division of Securities and Investor

1022Protection v. Osborne Stern and Company , 670 So. 2d 932 (Fla.

10331996).

103414. Section 509.032(6), Florida Statutes, authorizes

1040Petitioner to promulgate rules pertaining to health and safety

1049conditions at Respondent's public lodging establishment.

1055Pursuant to that grant of authority, Petitioner promulgated Rule

106461C-4.010(6), Florida Administrative Code, incorporating by

1070reference Chapter 4 of the United States Public Health Lodging

1080Code, and Rule 61C-1.004(1), Florida Administrative Code,

1087incorporating by reference Chapter 5 of the United States Public

1097Health Lodging Code.

110015. Rule 61C-1.004(6), Florida Administrative Code,

1106provides in pertinent part:

1110. . . all building structural components,

1117attachments and fixtures shall be kept in

1124good repair, clean and free of obstructions.

113116. Petitioner has demonstrated by clear and convincing

1139evidence that the defective balcony rail support; the broken

1148window; and the mildewed and water-stained ceilings each

1156constitute a violation of this Rule and create a danger to public

1168health and safety.

117117. Section 509.215(h), Florida Statutes, provides in

1178pertinent part:

1180. . . [each room] shall be equipped with an

1190approved listed single station smoke

1195detector . . . ."

120018. Petitioner has demonstrated by clear and convincing

1208evidence that Respondent failed to provide a working smoke

1217detector in Apartment no. 201. This failure violates the cited

1227statute and constitutes a danger to public health and safety.

123719. Rule 61C-1.004(11), Florida Administrative Code,

1243provides, in pertinent part:

1247To prevent fire or injury, defective

1253electrical wiring shall be replaced and

1259wiring shall be kept in good repair.

126620. Petitioner has demonstrated by clear and convincing

1274evidence that Respondent failed to prevent or correct the

1283presence of exposed wires by Apartment no. 205, which failure

1293violated the cited Rule and constitutes a danger to public health

1304and safety.

130621. Chapter 5-205.15(1997), Department of United Stat es

1314Public Health Lodging Code, incorporated into the Florida

1322Administrative Code as Rule 61C-1.004(1), provides, in pertinent

1330part:

1331. . . a plumbing system shall be. . .

1341maintained in good repair.

134522. Petitioner has demonstrated by clear and convincing

1353evidence that Respondent failed to cover the sewer line clean out

1364pipe; and to repair the cold water knob on the bathroom sink and

1377the bathtub faucet in Apartment no. 201. These failures violate

1387the cited Rule and constitute a danger to public health and

1398safety.

139923. Rule 61C-3.001(5), Florida Administrative Code, states:

1406Furniture, upholstery, draperies, shades,

1410venetian doors, blinds, and other provided

1416furnishings in lobby, lodges, parlors and

1422bedrooms shall be kept clean, and be

1429renovated or replaced as needed . . . .

143824. Petitioner has demonstrated that Respondent failed to

1446repair holes in the kitchen cabinet in Apartment no. 201.

1456However, this Rule, by its very terms, does not apply to

1467permanent fixtures such as kitchen counters and cabinets. Thus

1476no sanction can be imposed based upon this Rule.

148525. Pursuant to Section 509.211(2), Florida Statutes,

1492Petitioner may impose administrative fines, not to exceed $1,000

1502per offense, for each violation of Chapter 509 and Rules

1512promulgated thereunder.

1514RECOMMENDATION

1515Upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law,

1525it is

1527RECOMMENDED that the Department of Business and Professional

1535Regulation, Division of Hotels and Restaurants, enter a final

1544order finding Respondent guilty of violating the above-specified

1552provisions of the Florida Statutes and Florida Administrative

1560Code, and that Respondent be required to pay a fine in the amount

1573of $1,000.

1576DONE AND ENTERED this 13th day of December, 2000, in

1586Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida.

1590___________________________________

1591FLORENCE SNYDER RIVAS

1594Administrative Law Judge

1597Division of Administrative Hearings

1601The DeSoto Building

16041230 Apalachee Parkway

1607Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060

1610(850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675

1614Fax Filing (850) 921-6847

1618www.doah.state.fl.us

1619Filed with the Clerk of the

1625Division of Administrative Hearings

1629this 13th day of December, 2000.

1635COPIES FURNISHED:

1637Susan R. McKinley, Director

1641Division of Hotels and Restaurants

1646Department of Business and

1650Professional Regulation

16521940 North Monroe Street

1656Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792

1659Barbara D. Auger, General Counsel

1664Department of Business and

1668Professional Regulation

16701940 North Monroe Street

1674Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792

1677Charles F. Tunnicliff

1680Assistant General Counsel

1683Department of Business and

1687Professional Regulation

16891940 North Monroe Street

1693Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792

1696Jean Pierre-Louis

16981015 Northeast 17th Avenue

1702Apartment 205

1704Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33304-2465

1708NOTICE OF RIGHT TO SUBMIT EXCEPTIONS

1714All parties have the right to submit written exceptions within 15

1725days from the date of this recommended order. Any exceptions to

1736this recommended order should be filed with the agency that will

1747issue the final order in this case.

Select the PDF icon to view the document.
PDF
Date
Proceedings
PDF:
Date: 01/09/2001
Proceedings: Agency Final Order
PDF:
Date: 01/09/2001
Proceedings: Final Order filed.
PDF:
Date: 12/13/2000
Proceedings: Recommended Order
Date: 12/13/2000
Proceedings: Recommended Order cover letter identifying hearing record referred to the Agency sent out.
PDF:
Date: 12/13/2000
Proceedings: Recommended Order issued (hearing held September 25, 2000) CASE CLOSED.
PDF:
Date: 11/15/2000
Proceedings: Petitioner`s Proposed Recommended Order filed.
Date: 11/02/2000
Proceedings: Transcript (Volume 1) filed.
Date: 09/25/2000
Proceedings: CASE STATUS: Hearing Held; see case file for applicable time frames.
PDF:
Date: 09/21/2000
Proceedings: Amended Notice of Video Teleconference issued. (hearing scheduled for September 25, 2000; 10:00 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale and Tallahassee, FL, amended as to Location and Video Hearing).
PDF:
Date: 07/28/2000
Proceedings: Order of Pre-hearing Instructions issued.
PDF:
Date: 07/28/2000
Proceedings: Notice of Hearing issued. (hearing set for September 25, 2000; 10:00 a.m.; Fort Lauderdale, FL)
Date: 07/11/2000
Proceedings: Initial Order issued.
PDF:
Date: 07/03/2000
Proceedings: Administrative Complaint filed.
PDF:
Date: 07/03/2000
Proceedings: Agency referral filed.

Case Information

Judge:
FLORENCE SNYDER RIVAS
Date Filed:
07/03/2000
Date Assignment:
09/25/2000
Last Docket Entry:
01/09/2001
Location:
Fort Lauderdale, Florida
District:
Southern
Agency:
ADOPTED IN TOTO
 

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