Item J1BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
AGENDA ITEM SUMMARY
Meeting Date: June 18, 2008 Division: County Administrator
Bulk Item: Yes _ No x Department: County Administrator
Staff Contact Person: Connie Cvr #4441
AGENDA ITEM WORDING: Request to speak to the Board of County Commissioners in regards
to a contractors' qualifications for construction work performed in Monroe County — Franklin D.
Greenman representing the Florida Keys Contractors Association.
ITEM BACKGROUND:
N/A
PREVIOUS RELEVANT BOCC ACTION:
N/A
CONTRACT/AGREEMENT CHANGES:
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATIONS:
N/A
TOTAL COST: -0- BUDGETED: Yes
COST TO COUNTY: -0- SOURCE OF FUNDS:
REVENUE PRODUCING: Yes No AMOUNT PER MONTH Year
APPROVED BY: County Atty OMB/Purchasing Risk Management _
DOCUMENTATION: Included Not Required
DISPOSITION:
Revised 8/06
AGENDA ITEM #
No
Franklin D. Greenman, P.A.
David L. Manz, P.A.*
Adriene L. Ables
Greenman, Manz & Ables
A Partnership of Professional Associations
Attorneys At Law
'Board Certified in Marital and Family Law
Fellow of the American Academy
of Matrimonial Lawyers
Mr. Roman Gestefi
Monroe County Administrator
The Gato Building
1100 Simonton Street
Key West, FL 33040
Attn: Connie
Gulfside Village, Suite 40
5800 Overseas Highway
Marathon, FL 33050
(305) 743-2351
(305) 743-6523 Fax
-RECETVED
May 22, 2008
1W 2 7
COUNT �r �11iSTkAIOR
RE: Florida Keys Contractor's Association Request to be Heard on Sounding Board
BOCC Meeting - June 18 - Marathon
Dear Mr. Gestefi:
This letter is to respectfully request that I be given the opportunity to speak to the BOCC at
Sounding Board on the June 18, 2008 meeting in Marathon.
I am representing the Florida Keys Contractors Association. Recently, interpretations of the
qualifications for licensing [Art. III, section 6-55 et eq. Monroe County Code] have become
controversial, particularly in light of the economic down turn, and the competition for a limited
number of construction jobs. There is a great deal of competition for the existing jobs, and some
persuasive pressure on both the Building Department and the Contractors Licensing Board for a
relaxation of the requirements for qualifications for permit issuance as a result.
I have already spoken with County Attorney Suzanne Hutton and it is my understanding that
her office is also concerned about this issue and is working to assure both specific and detailed
definitions for our contractors in Monroe County, along with eliminating inconsistencies between
definitions used by Monroe County and the Department of Business and Professional Regulations.
The purpose of speaking before the BOCC is to request direction for specific and strict
enforcement of contractor qualifications for construction work performed in Monroe County, in
compliance with Art. III, section 6-55 et eq. Monroe County Code.
The issue of unlicensed contractors, unqualified contractors, and most importantly,
improperly performed construction work within the Keys is becoming an increasing problem and an
issue of enforcement for Code Enforcement, the Building Department, and the Contractors
Licensing Board. The importance of this issue is exacerbated by our vulnerable geography and the
real threat of hurricane impacts.
It is my hope, that upon receiving clear and specific direction from the BOCC, that the
various parts of the Monroe County government that are involved in this important issue be given
direction for the strict and specific enforcement of the existing, or to be amended, Code. That the
BOCC encourage, or direct, coordination and cooperation between departments and personnel in that
enforcement, so that their efforts will assure the enforcement of the Building Codes and Land
Development Regulations on all construction in Monroe County, so that the people of Monroe
County are served by competent contractors, and competent construction work for the safety of
persons and property within our county.
If you have any questions or concerns please do not hesitate to call.
4Very T y s,
F D. Greenman
FDG/jm
cc: Suzanne Hutton, County Attorney
Florida Keys Contractors Association
H:\Greenman\Active\FL Contrators Assoc, Krause\Court Administrator OOt.wpd