Item N1
.
Memo
Business Solutions in the Florida Key's!
"Our Mission is to provide your office with a detailed appraisal of what are deficient in the daily operations of your business as it applies to Safety
and Physical Security."
To: James Roberts
From: Mark J. Vitale
cc: Dixie Spehar
Date: 4/15/02
Re: Sounding Board Registration {Proposal for a creation of a Consumer Protection Agency}
Dear James,
As per directives from your office staff, please accept this request for a re-notification for the next date
and time of the BOCC Meeting in Marathon.
I was never notified on the last request ergo, the March date was not attended.
Please have your office contact me upon reciept of the request and the exact date and time of my
presentation so I can properly inform several guest speakers accordingly.
Thank you for your time and help in this matter.
Sincerely,
Mark J. Vitale, President
Po Box # 5193
Key West, FL 33045-5193
1-305-296-2504
latitude24@email.com
http://www.latitude24.net
N/
June 18, 2002
Mark 1. Vitale
1800 Atlantic Blvd., C-319
Key West, FL 33040
Dear Dixie M. Spehar & BOCC,
Enclosed please find a copy of a Business Plan for the Proposal for the creation of a "Consumer
Protection Agency" in the Florida Key's.
In the Executive Summery [1-1] I sight several benefits to the establishment of a Consumer Protection
Agency.
This is followed by the Mission [2-1] and the philosophy of Consumer Affairs, as we know it here in
Monroe County and its incorporated areas!
I have been working on this project for approximately [2] years keeping both the city and county
commissioner's briefed on my progress and it is now time to share my findings and possible solutions to a
problem that has become increasingly prevalent in our community.
Enclosed is a (9) page document in Business Plan Format for your review and evaluation that can assist by
providing a brief description of my plan to solve several or our problems and respond to communities
needs.
If this is something that the BOCC feels needs to be pursued immediately or to be placed on the back
burner pending other more pressing issues, please keep me appraised and additional action can be
forthcoming.
I would like to take this time to thank you for your time and help in this matter.
Sincerely,
Mark J. Vitale
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page 1
1
6/18/02
Business Plan
Proposal for the creation of a ((Comsumer
Protection Agency" in the Florida Keys.
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc
Business Plan Copy Number [1]
This document is confidential. It is not for re-distribution.
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page 2
2
6/19/02
06/19/02
[Mark J. Vitale]
[President]
[Owner]
[1800 Atlantic Blvd., C-319]
[Key West, Florida, 33040]
305-296-2504 voice mail/fax
305-849-5220 portable
305-659-3917 digital pager
[e-mail: latitude24kw@yahoo.com]
[company home page URL : http://www.1atitude24.net]
This is a business plan. It does not
i1mll.v an offering of Securities.
06/19/02
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page 3
03/11/02
3
5/7/02
Table of Contents
Introduction
Executive Summary
Mission
Company Overview
Legal Business Description
Strategic Alliances
Product
Current Product
Research and Development
The Market
Market Definition
Customer Profile
Competition
Risk/Opportunity
Management Team
Capital Requirements
Financial Plan
Regulations and Permits
Officers & Key Employees
Ownership
Professional Support
Board of [Advisors, Directors]
Exhibits
pg. 1 & 2
1-1 pg. 4 & 5
2-1 pg. 5
3-1 pg. 5
3-2 pg. 5
3-3 pg. 5 & 6
4-1 pg. 6
4-2 pg. 6
4-3 pg. 6
5-1 pg. 6
5-2 pg. 6
5-3 pg. 7
6-1 pg. 7
7-1 pg. 7
8-1 pg. 7
9-1 pg. 7 & 8
10-1 pg. 8
11-1 pg. 8
12-1 pg. 8
12-2 pg. 8
13-1 pg. 8
13-2 pg. 8
14-1 pg. 9
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page 4
Executive Summary [1-1].
One of several benefits to the establishment of a Consumer
Protection Agency of the Florida Keys would be to free up local
law enforcement, code officers and chamber of commerce
personnel from complaints logged with their respective offices
when they in essence do not have the immediate jurisdiction nor
resources for such an initial complaint. The Police and Sheriffs
Department do not have the time nor staffing to add this to their
present numerous assigned duties, functions and responsibilities
unless this particular incident does after proper investigation, fall
into a practiced criminal activity requiring action as per Florida
Statue [FS]. At that time, a police report can be forwarded to the
states attorney for action and prosecution.
It has been brought to our attention by the Chamber of
Commerce's in the entire Florida Keys that generally all
complaints taken [and they vary dramatically from Key Largo to
Key West] and are not handled locally but are referred to
Tallahassee for processing. The City of Key West code
enforcement & police department advises that they averaged
approximately 1.5 calls per week for all consumer related incidents
[1999 statistics]. It is fair to say that this number has increased
almost by three times due to the increase of "rip-offs" from illegal
and unethical businesses here. There was no other information or
statistics available to us by any of our other sources [chamber of
commerce] after a verbal request for numbers of complaints for the
past five years was made to assist in this proposal.
As per state officials in Tallahassee, the time frame for initial
contact has been stated to be from 14 to 24 business days just to
receive and log the incident. It will then be forwarded to the
appropriate office for further review, evaluation and action if,
deemed so at that time. It will be several months before the wheels
of progress then take effect.
In the mean time, if criminal activity and/or unethical related
activities are evident, this condition remains unchanged allowing
further improprieties to perpetuate.
The end result is that the Florida Keys risks a negative image in the
Tourism and Hospitality Industry on a large scale that will affect
this great community.
This can be curtailed with the establishment of a specialized, well-
organized office of Consumer Protection. We propose to have a
walk-in office available to the General Public for referrals and
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Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page 5
complaint forms readily available for persons here on short trips,
that live out of town as well as visiting from other countries.
Additional information will be available on line from our
WebPages, E-mails, and Downloads in a Formatted Complaint
Form.
Mission [2-1].
The Consumer Protection Agency's mission is to protect
purchasers of goods and services; provide consumer education;
achieve excellence in customer service; use all available resources
efficiently and effectively. This mission is accomplished through
aiding registered businesses in complying with federal, state and
local regulations & policies regarding consumer protection related
items thereby freeing up law enforcement, code officers and
chamber of commerce personnel from complaints logged with their
respective offices. The Agency provides education and information
on many consumer topics and intervenes on behalf of consumers
by investigating and mediating consumer complaints. The
establishment of a Consumers Affairs Agency in conjunction with
actively working in a proactive capacity with BBB will continue to
enhance a positive image of our business community as a whole in
the Florida Keys!
Company Overview [3-1].
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc. was founded in October 1999.
This corporation was initially established to provide physical
safety & security\ consulting with inspections as requested.
My background, certification, experience and training are in law
enforcement [local-state- federal codes], background investigations,
criminal procedural rules, consumer protection, customer service,
inspections, ordinances, penal law regulations, physical safety and
security.
Legal Description [3-2].
It is a LLC, S-Corporation, P99000087658. Our principal office is
located at 1800 Atlantic Blvd. C-319, Key West, FL 33040.
Strategic Alliances [3-3].
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc. has developed important and
strategic alliances with the following larger, more established
businesses:
{Not endorsed by AAA & SOCAP pending affiliate membership
in this year 2002} :
AAA National Member Relations Robert A. Huffman, Manager
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Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page 6
1-407-444-8391, 8416\fax. www.aaa.com
[e-mail: bhuffman@national.aaa.com] and The Society of
Consumer Affairs Professionals in Business [SOCAP] Patti Rivera
1-703-519-3700, 549-4886\fax www.socap.org
[e-mail: socap~socap.orgl. The Better Business Bureau [BBB]
Kim Overton & Ben Rubenstein 1-800-834-1267, 1-561-845-7254
www.bbb.southeastflorida.org [ e-mail: westpalm@gte.net].
Product or Service [4-1 & 2].
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc. has a professional staff
specializing in, but limited to physical security surveys, property
inspections [American Disabilities Act] providing avenues of
technology for state of the art security products as a direct dealer
and consumer protection.
The assignment is to provide your office with a detailed appraisal
of what is or is not deficient in the daily operations of your
business as it related to safety & security, and to afford you with
the opportunity for insurance premium reductions up to 25% if you
qualify .
The Survey uncovers various potential code, life safety violations
and non-compliance to ADA that can lead to fines, business
closure pending rectification of violations in addition to preventing
lawsuits from consumers through educating the Business Owner on
various topics of interest highlighted in this inspection of their
operation of business practices.
Upon completion of a Physical Security Survey and related
evaluations, a concise proposal of what your particular needs
consist of will be provided accordingly.
Research and Development [4-3].
I have researched this project on my own time for more than 24
months. It has been brought to my attention through direct
participation that there is a real need for a Consumers Protection
Agency in the Florida Keys.
Once this has been established, it can be customized and structured
to meet our needs from outside resources available to us for an
efficient and productive department.
The Market [5-1 & 2].
The Market is virtually all-legitimate businesses in the Florida
Keys.
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Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page 7
Customer Profile [5-3].
Our customer would consist of local residents as well as out of
town guests, renters and visitors [tourists].
As stated in [2-1] we would be assisting the complainants in
Consumer Related Complaints by walk-in or computer generated
incident forms [Downloads and Emails}. Local Free Press, Radio
Spots [FCC authorizes free airtime for community events] as well
as referrals from various business groups would be available
offering websites and related needed directives.
[LE. AAA National Members Relations, Better Business Bureau,
Chambers of Commerce, Governmental entities, Hotel & Motel
Association, Key West Inn Keepers Association, and SOCAP].
Competition [6-1].
We have no direct competition at this point in time for this service
in the marketplace or as a structured part of any local government
entity as in other sections of the state. Our service is unique
because of the fact there is no overhead, existing equipment and
resources are already on line. Only man-hours and supplies need
to be compensated for this Independent Contract position at this
time.
Risk/Opportunity [7-1].
There are no risks and this is a win-win situation for the residents
and businesses located in Monroe County and the other
incorporated areas within the Florida Keys!
As a community dependent upon tourism for its life's blood, Key
West and the entire Florida Keys cannot afford to ignore the topics
of interest mentioned in [1-1,2-1,4-1 & 2].
Management Team [8-1].
The Management Team will consist of Mark J Vitale, and staff
with direct input & assistance from AAA Regional Office, BBB,
SOCAP and local, city, county, state, federal resources. We would
be under direct supervision of a dedicated department [IE: code
enforcement] chosen by the county\city commissioners.
Capital Requirements [9-1].
I seek compensation for my time [$25.00 per hour - negotiable]
while creating and organizing the department, investigating
consumer related complaints and for inspections of businesses
located within our jurisdiction. The businesses would then be
registered by updating all needed contact information for
7
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Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page B
investigating consumer related complaints. This action will enable
us to qualify potential consumer indiscretions and handle at our
level appropriately. Should other actions and agencies be needed,
referrals would be forthcoming.
Financial Plan [10-1].
Operating on a budget provided by the City of Key West; County
of Monroe sharing the hourly wage @ [$ 25.00 per hour]. The
TDC [Tourist Development Council] should be approached for
possible funding available for this proposal.
[Note: for fiscal year 2002 - TDC has approximately $6.8 million
dollars allocated for advertisement].
Once established and after a review of one year; this could change
and be supplemented by grant money and other resources offered
by state & federal agencies plus a reasonable membership fee.
Regulations and Permits [11-1].
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc. operates as a Consultant,
Inspection and Investigative capacity that falls under the
jurisdiction of the State of Florida, Florida Department of State:
government agency.
Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc. has all necessary permits to
operate. These permits include; City of Key West Occupational
License 02 11321 GENERAL Expiration date 09-30-02
[Inspection Service] and County of Monroe Occupational License
47161-0077653 Miscellaneous Service Expiration date 09-30-02.
These agencies regulate our business.
Officers and Key Employees [12-1].
[Mark 1. Vitale], President age 47 Stocks 100%
Ownership [12-2].
The company is owned and operated by Mark J. Vitale.
Professional Support [13-1].
AAA National Member Relations, BBB, SOCAP and various
resources from state and federal consumer affairs agencies.
Board of [Advisors, Directors] [13-2].
We will be securing the assistance and support oflocal business,
industry and municipality's experts for input towards the decision-
making, formulating strategy, and the overall efficiency of this
department.
B
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Latitude 24 Inspection Services, Inc.
Key West, Florida.Miles Spencer Page 9
9
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Exhibits [14-1].
o Media coverage