Palatka: Palatka City Council Meeting
Summary. This was a special magistrate hearing for code enforcement for the City of Palatka, presided over by Special Magistrate Ron Brown. The primary case discussed was a second hearing for code violations at 709 North 12th Street, owned by Vontel Walita Mills. The property, a former grocery store built in 1945, had multiple code violations including rotten wood, deteriorating paint, mold and mildew, empty electrical conduit, overgrown grass, and roof disrepair. Ms. Mills stated she was unaware of the first hearing due to postal service issues with certified mail delivery to her Boynton Beach P.O. Box. Code Compliance Officer Harold Bartelli presented evidence showing the violations persisted from the original July 2025 hearing through January 2026. Fines of $12,300 had accrued at $150 per day since the October 14, 2025 compliance deadline. Ms. Mills expressed intent to address the violations and potentially develop the historic property, though the transcript cuts off before any final resolution.
Agenda Items
2024-184. Code Enforcement Case - 709 North 12th Street
Second hearing for multiple code violations on property owned by Vontel Walita Mills
- Property owner did not receive notice of first hearing in July 2025
- Multiple code violations including structural, maintenance and safety issues
- Fines of $12,300 have accrued since compliance deadline
- Property is historic former grocery store from 1945
- Owner expressed intent to address violations and potentially develop property
Action Items
Address code violations including: pressure wash building for mold/mildew, repair roof, mow grass, remove empty electrical conduit, address rotten wood
Assigned to Vontel Walita Mills (property owner) · Due Not specified in available transcript
Frequently Asked Questions
What was decided at this meeting?
This was a special magistrate hearing for code enforcement for the City of Palatka, presided over by Special Magistrate Ron Brown. The primary case discussed was a second hearing for code violations at 709 North 12th Street, owned by Vontel Walita Mills. The property, a former grocery store built in 1945, had multiple code violations including rotten wood, deteriorating paint, mold and mildew, empty electrical conduit, overgrown grass, and roof disrepair. Ms. Mills stated she was unaware of the first hearing due to postal service issues with certified mail delivery to her Boynton Beach P.O. Box. Code Compliance Officer Harold Bartelli presented evidence showing the violations persisted from the original July 2025 hearing through January 2026. Fines of $12,300 had accrued at $150 per day since the October 14, 2025 compliance deadline. Ms. Mills expressed intent to address the violations and potentially develop the historic property, though the transcript cuts off before any final resolution.
What was on the agenda?
This meeting covered 1 agenda item: Code Enforcement Case - 709 North 12th Street.
What action items came out of this meeting?
1 action item were identified. See the Action Items section above for details and who they were assigned to.
Who attended this meeting?
6 members were recorded as present: Ron Brown (Special Magistrate), Vontel Walita Mills (Property Owner), Harold Bartelli (Code Compliance Officer), Miss Lowe, Miss Dyer, Miss Bart.
What county is Palatka in?
Palatka is located in Putnam County, Florida. Browse other Putnam County meeting summaries to see what local governments across the county are working on.
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