Transcript: Code Board of Appeals Meeting

Roy Sudler, Jr.

I now call to order the City of Dover Code Board of Appeals meeting scheduled for Thursday, August 20th, 2026 at 3:37 p.m. The chair will entertain a motion for the adoption of the agenda.

Fred A. Neil

Move adoption for the Dover Code violations of 209 Property-

Public Commenter

Are they talking to me or is that a separate case?

City Staff

No, ma'am, they're just accepting the agenda.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you. It has been properly moved by Council President Neil to adopt the agenda for item one, properly seconded by Councilwoman Dr. Pillsbury. Is any discussion on the motion?

Fred A. Neil

No.

Julia M. Pillsbury

No.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Hearing none, all those in favor, please state by saying aye.

Fred A. Neil

Aye.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Those who oppose, please state by saying nay.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

The motion is adopted unanimously. We now have item number one: Dover Code Ordinance violation, 2009 Property Maintenance Code, Chapter 1 114, 114 Vegetation, Article I, in general, Section 114-2, uh Arbor Culture Arboricultural specifications and standards of practice, H. Pruning and removal, appeal of citation and related fees - 39 Periwinkle Court. Um, I The Chair now recognizes uh Chief Code Enforcement Officer Eddie Kopp to explain the code, and then and then the Chair will then recognize the applicant uh to express why she feels it-

Roy Sudler, Jr.

as though the her appeal should be upheld.

City Staff

All right. So, um, for this code, the pruning and removal, all large or established trees shall be pruned to the following sufficient heights to allow free passages of pedestrian and vehicular traffic: uh A, 8 feet over sidewalks, and B, 14 feet over streets.

City Staff

Um, okay. It is it is my knowledge of this case that the violation was corrected. It has been brought into compliance, but at the time the citation was issued, the violation was not in compliance with the code.

City Staff

Um, the property owner disagrees with it, and that's why we're here today for the violation. It

City Staff

just to remind the board and for the record, the purpose of this appeal board is did the Code Enforcement Officer Thomas Miller interpret this code correctly. So at the time the citation was issued, was it lawfully issued in accordance with the code?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you for the interpretation of the code to the staff. Uh thank you very much. Uh the chair now recognizes the applicant. Uh ma'am, you have the floor. Can you explain why you feel as though your appeal should be upheld?

Appellant

the actual door. So, I actually travel for work. Um, so in the month that you guys cited me, I was not home. I was home for one weekend that entire month, and I never received the first notice. It wasn't until you guys sent out the fine because they put a note on the door again, and I can see from like the camera that I went and got it, and I was aware of the citation. Um, and I spoke I called someone in regards to that and spoke to them, and they told me that this was the process that I had to go through. But uh had I known about the first um the citation the first time given, I would have corrected it corrected it, but I didn't I wasn't aware of the first one.

Appellant

Hello? Hello. Can you hear me?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes.

Appellant

Um, so I wasn't aware of the first, um, citation. Um, I just moved to Dover this year, so I was not aware of all these things, um, as a homeowner, that these are things that I had to um take care of as far as like the tree and a walkway and stuff like that. The first time, um, there was like a note on

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Thank you. So, when you were made aware of the citation—

Appellant

It was already a fine.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

When you were made aware of the citation, how long did it take you to to correct the action, the defective action?

Appellant

I corrected it right away, and I also talked to the person who gave me the citation, um and I corrected it right away, and he told me that it was already um a fine at this point, and uh you know, to do a appeal.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay, so how do you define right away? One week, two weeks, three weeks, one day, two days, three days?

Caller

I'm sorry, what did you say?

Chair

What's the status of the ownership? Are you the owner of the premises? Are you renting? Did you just acquire the the uh property?

Appellant

The same day I got the citation for the fine is when it was corrected because I didn't know that that was an issue. So, when I got it and I knew it was an issue, it was the it was the fine that I had to pick up from the post office, and I only knew that because they put a note on the actual door. And that's when I went and got it and saw it and corrected it and spoke to Thomas, and then we're here.

Caller

No, I'm the owner. I'm the owner of it. Um yes, I just bought it. Um and I'm I don't live in I never lived in Dover before. I lived in Bear, and these were not requirements in Bear, so I didn't even know that these were things as a homeowner that I needed to keep up with.

Chair

Okay. Thank you. The chair now recognizes uh committee member. Just please state your name for the record.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay, one last question from the chair. Are you Did you just acquire this premises or did you just purchase it from someone recently?

Steve Leban

My My name is Steve Leban. Thank you for participating. Can you hear me okay?

Appellant

Yeah, I just closed this year.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

What what is what is the status of your home ownership?

Caller

Yes, I can hear you.

Steve Leban

I I just have maybe two questions. My first question, you said you traveled for four or five weeks. Who was maintaining your lawn while you were away? And and my second question is what if the person if you hired a third person, would they be responsible for cutting and trimming the uh shrubs?

Caller

Well now they are because I talked to my neighbor and he explained this, and he had got like a citation, too, and that's when he explained this this to me. And he offered to uh keep up with the lawn while I'm gone. But this was and this was made of like once I noticed this and looked into all of these things from the citation, um he agreed to keep up with it for me for moving forward. Like my the person directly next door for me.

Appellant

camera, and it was a note there, and then I went and got the letter, and that's when I was first aware of this issue. Otherwise, I would have corrected it if I would have got the warning.

Committee Member

Oh, okay. All right. Um, I may have another question, but um I'll wait my turn.

Steve Leban

Okay. So you're saying he was your next-door neighbor was maintaining your grass now?

Chairman

Did any- any other questions from committee members before we go to code enforcement?

Caller

Yes, correct.

Chairman

Okay. The chair- the chairman thank you. Uh, the chairman recognizes uh code enforcement chief, Eddie Kopp. Please state your name for the record.

Steve Leban

At the time when you got the first notice, which you didn't realize you got the first notice.

Caller

Yeah, I never I didn't didn't realize I got the first notice. My I wasn't aware of uh this until I got the second notice, and again it was because it was put on the door, so I could see on the

Eddie Kopp

Uh, Eddie Kopp, Chief Code Enforcement Officer. Just for clarification, uh according to the Kent County tax records, the property sold July 28th of 2021.

Chairman

July 28th of 2021. So, a lot of time. Yes. Okay. Okay.

Chairman

Um, are there any other questions?

Chairman

Okay. Uh, the Yes, chair- chair recognizes committee member, please state your name for the record.

Belinda Minner

Uh, Belinda Minner. Um, I do have a question cuz I have three- I have the official citation, the one that you should have received somewhere around June, and then the- the second notice that you should have received in July. Um, I understand that you were probably away during the first one and didn't get it, and you probably just got notified of the second notice, um which also states that you have to at least comply by the date that's on this. So it did give you a little bit of time, but like you said, you travel. Um, I'm not saying, you know, we should just say, "Oh, you know, favoritize the people that aren't at their properties,"

Board Member

all parts of the year, and you did rectify, you know, that the problem.

Board Member

My thing is, is from reading the notices, it not just states the grass, but it states that like the trees and the grooming of the trees that are hanging over sidewalks.

Board Member

Was that rectified or is that are the branches still hanging over? Because the pictures that are that are given, dated in June, they're hanging over the sidewalk, and then in July again they're still hanging over the sidewalk and it looks like into the sign or lamp post. Were they trimmed and updated?

Appellant

Um, sir, you're speaking You're asking me? I can't hear you that well, but from what I gathered from the bits and pieces that I did hear, you're asking if the the tree Was everything fixed correctly?

Board Member

The the trees that are on your property that are near the sidewalk, were the branches trimmed back away from the sidewalk? Because the two the two pictures that we have, it doesn't show that anything has been corrected. So I'm not sure if they came back to see if it was—

Appellant

anything I had it forwarded, so I signed up at the post office, so anything that gets sent to me or gets sent out in my name, it comes to my phone. So, that way, I can see everything, even with me being away um as much as I am. Um, and then moving forward, I have someone that is going to keep up with it. And then before the call, I was going to ask, how do I see everything? Because I was told that you guys have a lot more that y'all come around and go over and and things of that nature, so, um before the call ended, I wanted to ask you guys how do I actually look that up so that I can keep track of every single thing um that I need to. As As of right now, all I know about is the grass and the tree now. Um, so that way I won't have any any more issues.

Appellant

Yes, correct.

Appellant

That's not the correct picture because I even spoke with Thomas and he told me that he went out and and that everything was corrected, and there was no issues.

Board Member

So in other words, you're in total compliance and to your knowledge, you're in total compliance, all of the defective conditions have been brought to have been satisfied, been corrected, correct?

Appellant

Yes, and moving forward, I also signed so I won't ever miss a—

Board Chair

Okay, we'll we'll get we'll get you that information after after this hearing. Um the chair recognizes the chair recognizes the code enforcement officer. Please state your name for the record.

Cierra Brown

Uh Cierra Brown, Code Enforcement Officer, City of Dover. Um, in reference to the question about if the property was brought into compliance, if I can introduce these to everybody, these pictures were taken yesterday by myself and Thomas at 2:16 in the afternoon. Um, the code states that anything above the sidewalk has to be cut to at least eight feet um above the sidewalk. She's roughly about seven and a half feet, which we, well, gave a little bit of grace to that. We we consider that in compliance, but just if we pass these around just so you can see that she is in compliance.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

And so, ma'am, how long have you been in possession, have you been in possession of this dwelling since July 28th, 2021?

Appellant

Yes. Actually, right now I am looking into if I'm going to rent it out or do whatever, because with with my work, it's just too far for me to start trav- like to continuously travel. That's why I'm not home.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Right, I understand.

Appellant

Um, but yes.

Board Chair

So she is in compliance?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Right. So my other question to you is, last year, since July 28th, 2021, since you've been in possession of the dwelling, who how did you maintain your property last year this time?

Appellant

On the paper that I don't have it, um that was originally sent out, I thought it said six though on it, but maybe it said eight.

Appellant

Um, the tree was I didn't know the tree was a thing, so nothing was really done to the tree, um, and didn't look that. And then the grass, um, once when I first got there, I had found someone that was doing it, um, I found another kid down the street that was cutting grass, and then now the neighbor. So the grass was maintained by like just people that I was finding as, you know, as they were going to to do the job.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

So would it be...

Appellant

As far as the tree, I didn't know the tree didn't look bad, and it it wasn't nothing ever done, and I didn't know that they had to be cut back because it wasn't growing out like that.

Chair

code enforcement officers, uh, final statement remarks or, um, anything you'd like to add, take away? Is there just anything you would like to

Appellant

Again, I didn't notice it. I was home the month of June for one weekend, and that was it out of June. And then July is when I got the notice with the petition.

Eddie Kopp

Uh, Eddie Kopp, Chief Code Enforcement Inspector. Um,

Chair

What's your thought?

Eddie Kopp

In in review of the case, Thomas Miller did do um did follow the case in accordance with code. Um, he sent the first notice in accordance with code by first class mail. Uh, upon follow-up, the case was not in compliance, and uh, the second notice and citation was issued. And then upon the third inspection to the property, it was brought into compliance. Uh, one things to take to consider here is uh, Thomas Miller had to visit this property three times um before compliance was made. Uh, so everything was done in accordance with code. The citation was issued in accordance with code. So on behalf of code enforcement, it's our recommendation that Thomas Mill- that Thomas Miller did uphold the code um in accordance with his official duties as a code enforcement officer. And therefore, it's our recommendation the appeal be denied.

Chair

Okay, thank you, thank you. Um, are there any other questions from committee members? Any other comments from Code Enforcement?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay, at this um juncture, what would be the the chief...

Board Chair

he made one visit citing or identifying a problem, then he then he made a second visit where you saw he came to the door and you retrieved the notice and rectified the problem. Is that what you're saying? That's what you That's what you took note of?

Applicant

Uh, can I ask a question?

Chair

Yes, the chair recognizes the applicant. Yes, ma'am.

Applicant

Uh, when did he have to come out three times? So he came out the first time where he saw that the issue was an issue, and he sent something out. And then he came out again after I received the second notice and said that it was it was fine.

Appellant

Yes, because the day that I got the actual notice, the when I first got the notice on my behalf, I spoke to him that same day

Appellant

to inquire about the situation and to see what was going on. That's when he instructed me what to do.

Chair

Okay. So so to your knowledge and to your recollection,

Board Chair

Okay. I'm going to look... Um, the chair recognizes the code enforcement officer, please.

Ciera Brown

Um, for the record, Ciera Brown, code enforcement officer. First inspection was performed by Thomas on June 3rd at 2:48. Second inspection to see if the property was brought into compliance was on July 7th at 1:38, um, so 30 days later. Her property was found not to be in compliance, so the second notice along with citation was sent out. Third inspection was performed on August 6th when the property was found to be in compliance with code.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Unfortunately, from from my viewpoint, I'm only one person as a chair, from my viewpoint, it appears that there's a breakdown between, um, you receiving, um, proper notice on your end because you're not, you know, there physically daily. Do you think that most likely if you were there at the premises that you would have received the first and second notice, or at least the first one, do you think that you would have received it if you were physically there or had someone there checking, um, your mail or there? Do you think that you would have received it?

Appellant

How can I make something of compliance and I wasn't like If he came out on the 7th, I talked to him on the 15th. I was not aware of either of those those times, and he didn't mention that. When we spoke on the 15th, that's when I got the notice. When we spoke that day, he told me just correct it and go for appeal.

Board Chair

Thank Thank thank you for your feedback, and we and we hear you. Um, I do believe that at this juncture, the notice were properly According to the code, the notice was properly executed. Um,

Appellant

Um, I'm not really too sure. The first time when he told me, cuz that's how I knew about the grass and what the grass requirements were, it was a sticker on the actual door. And then I guess you guys just don't do that at every time, which I wasn't aware. So it was sent out, like the first time when it came about the grass, that got corrected immediately. Um, and that's how I knew about the the grass.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Right. Thank you. Um, Chair recognizes, uh, code enforcement officer.

Code Enforcement Officer

Um, to bring a little bit of clarity, um, there was a separate case back in June— April. Um, there was a previous case in April 2026 in reference to the grass. That's the note that she's talking about that was on the door. That is a separate case. Um, it was a what we call a door hanger, which is a warning for 48 hours to bring the grass into compliance. So back in April, the grass was over 8 inches, which prompted the door hanger. That was brought into compliance within the 48 hours. Um, so that's what she's referencing about the the notice on the door. So that is a separate case from a few—

Appellant

months prior.

City Staff

If I may further explain that, uh, and the Chief Code Enforcement Officer, uh, within Chapter 104, which is the grass ordinance, it has a very particular requirement to post a door hanger on specific sweetgrass cases. So, right, it's unique for grass cases only. Um, right, so just to clarify, uh, and it wouldn't be something attainable for every case that was an issue. Thanks.

Chair

The Chair recognizes Council President Neil. Council President Neil.

Fred A. Neil

Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Um, basically, the city has designated...

Appellant

Hello?

Fred A. Neil

We're still here.

Appellant

Okay, it went out a little bit.

Fred A. Neil

high grass, things of that nature, harbored things that you don't want in and around neighborhoods and houses. It is a serious type of thing. My concern only is the fact is that she did not see that first notice. What is the penalty for the first notice? How much is that?

City Staff

If I may?

Chair

Yes, the Chair recognizes, uh, Chief Code— a Code Enforcement Officer.

Committee Member

...have been there several different times, for a third time, and to make sure that it got done is a cost to the taxpayers in this city for sending people out to follow the code on this thing. So I think it's terribly unfortunate that it has to happen this way, particularly if you're away. There is something in the code, if you're away, if you have an agent that we can contact, we could conceivably save you the trouble if that agent is able to to do the things to take care of the lawn, do the cuttings, whatever. But that was not the case in in this case. So therefore, I basically think that we have to deny your appeal with great regret.

City Staff

Um, the first notice, there is no citation, no fee attached. Right. Um, the first notice in a case such as this is what we would consider the warning notice, um, that gives you 30 days to come into compliance before there is any additional enforcement.

Appellant

Um, the phone is going out really really bad. I can't hear anything.

Fred A. Neil

And so basically, the warning was there in plenty of time for this to be taken care of, and it didn't take place until the second warning is concerned. We're not interested in taking your money, but basically, you're— just the fact that our code inspectors have...

Appellant

Um, I can't It's going out. What Um what did you say? What was the last part you said?

Committee Member

I said

Appellant

Because the phone is breaking up really bad, so I hear you I hear bits and pieces.

Committee Member

I I I like I'm sad to say I think we have to deny your appeal with great regret.

Appellant

Okay.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

And that's one of the commit- and that's one of, ma'am, that's one of the committee members speaking in and his view. We have not voted yet. But that's he's But he's speaking in his review that that's his viewpoint that he feels though that we should deny it based on the facts that he brought forward. But we have not voted yet. Not saying we will or not, but just letting you know just for clarity.

Appellant

Okay, thank you.

Committee Member 2

Council President, whenever you're ready. I got a question, but she was first.

Committee Member

I had to make sure. I'm finished. I yield.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay. Sorry about that. The Chair recognizes uh committee member, please state your name for the record.

Belinda Payne

Uh Belinda Payne. I do have a question for

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes, ma'am.

Belinda Payne

Uh Belinda Payne, um I do

Board Member

Do you have a question for Code Enforcement? Um, you said that the first notice was for grass.

Code Enforcement Officer

April.

Board Member

Am I correct? In April.

Code Enforcement Officer

Yes, ma'am.

Board Member

The paperwork that we received here for the letters, it says maintenance of property, but it doesn't say anything about grass. It just pretty much states the shrubberies and the trees. So if you're going out there multiple times for multiple different things, and you're only bringing up in this one that the shrubbery needed to be trimmed back or weed, then that this is a separate issue than the grass. So, in in all of respect, you went how many times did you go to the property for for just the trees?

Code Enforcement Officer 2

For just the trees, it's the three. Um the grass case is an entirely separate case, that has not been factored into this case at all. Um that's a separate case with a separate case number.

Board Member

Okay. That That's That was my one concern there is is we're we're adding you you've been there multiple times for different things.

Code Enforcement Officer 2

Yeah.

Board Member

This is This is only covering the trees crossing the sidewalk and and pretty much, you know, maybe the grass in the cracks or something like that. But, yeah the the notices here, if she didn't receive the first notice, I I can forgive the first notice cuz like you said, she's not there. But the second notice, she had to have come back to the property at some time in order to rectify this. Um then of course, you went back again, and it still wasn't rectified by the second the letter that she received, which was certified.

Chair

hearing that as the chair. So the first time, and and you can correct me, the first time was a warning that she was unaware of, okay? The second time that you came out, she saw it in her Ring camera and she, she was made aware of it, and then she, um, rectified the problem immediately. And then for the third notice, it was already rectified, so by the time the third notice came out, which is August 6th, it was, it had already been rectified by July 7th.

City Staff

Correct. And, and just for clarification, um, when it comes down to citations and when they're issued, uh, we don't remove citations because you come into compliance. What happens is you don't get more citations. So, uh, take it like speeding, right? So if you get caught speeding, you're on the hook for it. If you stop speeding, you don't get any more tickets. But if you continue to speed, you're going to continue to get tickets. Same concept here. Um, it's a misconception a lot of times that uh, constituents believe that because they brought the property into compliance, we remove citations, and that is a misconception. Uh, thank you.

Code Enforcement Officer 2

Right, that's what was certified.

Board Member

Yeah, that's okay.

Board Member 2

Just Just to make it clear Make it clear to

Appellant

Now, I—

Chair

I'm, just a minute, ma'am. Uh, Chair recognizes uh code enforcement officer Mr. Miller. Mr. Miller, please state your name for the record.

Thomas Miller

Yeah. Thomas Miller, uh code enforcement officer. So, I just want to clarify. Um, so I was out in the area on June, uh, 3rd for a complaint of a neighbor neighboring property with a tree hanging over obstructing the sidewalk, and happened to notice that her tree was also obstructing the sidewalk. So, I gotta be fair and consistent, and, you know, take care of both.

Inspector Henderson

cases. Um so issued the initial violation letter June 3rd. Um went back out for July 7th for the re-inspection. No action was taken. Issued the first um citation and second notice. Um I spoke to her on July 15th, and went out for a re-inspection on the case on July 20th, and the case was brought into compliance.

Chair

Thank you, Inspector Henderson. That was very detailed, and that makes a big difference.

Chair

Um, and then August Tell me Explain to me about August 6th.

Inspector Henderson

So August 6th was just a scheduled date to to do a a third um inspection on the violation, and she had already brought it into compliance on July 20th.

Chair

Okay. Okay, so there was wasn't any notations on

Inspector Henderson

Yeah, yeah. The case was actually closed. Yeah, it was

Chair

That makes sense. Okay, thank you, Inspector Henderson. Absolutely. Appreciate it.

Chair

All right. Are there um any other questions or any other uh comments from the committee members? Chair recognizes, please state your name, committee member.

Board Member

So all right so you heavily rely on your Ring doorbell camera for the second capture. But why why didn't the first one?

Steve LeVan

Steve LeVan here. Um my question to you is, and I'm just trying to play devil's advocate here, and my background's in human resources. My question to you is, when you're traveling, you said it was for work. Are you tra- Where do you reside when you're not in your home in Dover, Delaware?

Appellant

I'm sorry. You said do I do what?

Board Member

You heavily rely on your Ring doorbell, your video surveillance to that's how you know about the second notice?

Appellant

Yes, so I believe someone said they said that I had gotten the first notice was sent out, I didn't see it, I returned back to the property, and then that's when I got the second notice, which was the fine. No, I returned back because I saw my mail guy on the the Ring camera put something on the door, which I came and got. And then that's what notified me that there was something waiting for me at the post office as far as um the second notice. So

Appellant

Um I stay My My fiancé lives in PA. So I stay between the two when I'm not working. I work 14 hours a day, so that's why sometimes it's too much for me to drive back and forth. Um so I'll stay there or somewhere near where I'm working at.

Board Member

Right.

Appellant

I never returned back to the property after you guys sent out the first notice. I never was back home at that point. I came back home because I saw the note on the door. And as I stated before, last time there was a note on the door, it was from a warning for the grass. So that's when I came home right away. And at that point it was a second notice, not even the first.

Board Member

All right. Real quick, just I don't mean I'm not trying to pester you. How long you've you've been in possession of this Ring doorbell?

Appellant

my work schedule, cuz uh

Board Member

No, not your work, not your work schedule. I'm talking about like GPS records, receipts from a restaurant, an- anything, hotel stay, for a duration...

Appellant

Um, I had the Ring doorbell since I since I got the home.

Appellant

I could pull something like that. Yes.

Board Member

So for almost 10 months it's been in service?

Board Member

Could you send that over in like two, three minutes?

Appellant

Yes.

Board Member

All right. And then my other question is, just just just just to throw it out there, do you have any documentation I'm not saying like GPS records showing your location out of state, but do you have any documentation showing like three or four days, a couple days after the first five citation that you were out of state, anything?

Appellant

Um, let me see.

Board Member

Because this meeting is only probably going to be—uh, it's up to the chair, but—it's only going to last for another 10 minutes.

Appellant

So what what day are you referring to to send this? Cuz are you saying something from June, July, or...

Board Member

When, when you got your fine, your first notification.

Eddie Kopp

June 3rd.

Board Member

June 3rd. Yeah, June 3rd, June 2nd, June 1st.

Appellant

So the first one, which is the warning one? Because the first one I got was this this ticket.

Appellant

Um, I mean, what can show you that I

Board Member

Yeah, you you said you were traveling. What what documentation that you have right now that you could snap over, text it to, you know, send it to the city?

Appellant

Okay, I'll pull up something from June. Let me see. Just go to my credit cards.

Board Member

And if you have it that's great, if you don't, I appreciate it.

Unknown Speaker

think if we're going to use that kind of evidence, we would have to show a full 30 days from the first notice to the second notice, showing evidence that she was out of town and couldn't obtain that first notice in order to know. So.

Appellant

Yeah, I'm just logging in to my account, and I'll pull something up and screenshot it from June.

Unknown Speaker

So, just to reclarify my question, do you have a a 30-day or even a 25-day showing a cyclical pattern of your traveling, GPS records?

Eddie Kopp

So, if if I can, uh...

Appellant

Or I can actually pull up the Ring camera as well.

Eddie Kopp

Nick, if I can, on behalf of...

Chair

Oh, I'm sorry, Eddie. The chair recognizes, um, Code Enforcement Officer, please state your name for the record.

Appellant

I mean other than like purchases outside of like in PA or I don't know how else, but I don't have anything on GPS that it kind of tracks me. Let me see if my job clock-in thing, cause that's GPS.

Eddie Kopp

Um, Eddie Kopp, Chief Code Enforcement Officer for the City of Dover. Um, I know um the board member asked for three days, but I would...

Roy Sudler, Jr.

This is Chair this is Chairman Sudler. Unfortunately, um I don't think that we'll have the time for you to do that kind of research. Um I'm just speaking from my viewpoint. Uh if you've had the ring camera for that period of time, I believe that you've had adequate that you've had adequate um mechanisms or means of making sure that you're able to you know receive information and these notices. Unfortunately—

Appellant

Well that's what I'm saying you guys did not do this time. I don't know where where you guys sent it to or what, but before the first time it was on the door like I said, so that's how I was able to know and be aware of something. This time it was not.

Board Member

...premises. So we actually mailed it to the to the premises address. So we so we checked that off in addition to the...

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay so Okay, if you allow me, if you allow me to continue, I will ask the question: where did we where did we did we mail any of these notices to the

Board Member

In addition to the point that we uh went out there physically and had them to put something on the door.

Appellant

That siren's going off so I can't hear you. Is it a tornado siren or something?

Emergency Alert System

Tornado warning in this area until 4:45 p.m. Eastern Daylight Saving Time.

Board Member

Hold on. Just a minute, ma'am.

Emergency Alert System

Take shelter now. In an interior room on the lowest floor of a sturdy building. If you are outdoors, in a mobile home, or in a vehicle, move to the closest substantial shelter and protect yourself from flying debris. Check media...

Board Member

Yeah, just a minute, ma'am. We have a a a a warning.

Board Member

Thank you. Sorry. Okay, so would you agree that your your mail you do pick up your mail if something's sent to you through the mail, you do have a means of picking up that mail, correct?

Appellant

I don't have any important mail that gets sent there. Usually the only thing in my mail is flyers for the market or

Board Member

Right. But what I'm what I'm asking you, ma'am, is do you do you do you receive mail at that address? Yes or no.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

And then you also have a ring camera that's been installed during the period of these, uh, notices. So, so there's, in my view, that's just my view, you have three means, there's been three means of you being notified, and it's unfortunate that, you know, you may not receive it, or you may have overlooked it. And, um, and welcome to Delaware, Dover, but, you know, we're sorry you had to welcome at this point, but it's very imperative that, you know, you stay up on, you know, our codes. Um, so I just the Chair is ready to entertain a a to the pleasure of the committee. Um, and then and then that will give us our final judgment.

Appellant

Oh, yeah. Yeah, I have a mailbox.

Board Member

Okay, thank you. And so in other words, it's my view, and I'm just one person from the committee, but it's my view that you've had there's been two attempts. You had two means: one via mail, which the city did mail out to your mailbox, okay, so to your address. So you have that there. That also comes with the junk mail that you're saying that you receive, right? And then you also have where they physically came out or had or had um the mail person to post something on your door. So there's been two attempts.

Fred A. Neil

I thought—

Roy Sudler, Jr.

The Chair the Chair recognizes committee member, please state your name for the record.

Steven Gilbert

Steven Gilbert, I'd like to file a motion to deny the appeal.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

It's been properly moved to deny the appeal.

Fred A. Neil

Fred Neil, second.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

It's been properly seconded. For denial, is there any discussion? All those in favor please state by saying aye. Those opposed please state by saying nay. The appeal has been denied unanimously. Sorry, ma'am, but your appeal has been denied. And and moving forward, we will put you on the list of where because we are going to have some workshops, uh, and we are going to get information out as additional going the extra mile. It's not something that we have to do as municipalities, but it's something that we feel as though that we're want to do, uh, to help be more proactive, help our constituents to be a little bit more proactive so they won't be in situations like this. And we're sorry that we could not rule in your favor, however, uh, there was a compelling—

Unknown Committee Member

Aye.

Board Chair

evidence that, you know, with the City of Dover has done all that we were supposed to do, and then some. And so at this time, we will now and then we will we will now close the hearing. Is there something that you need, Chief? I seen you stand like you wanted to say to the appellant.

Eddie Kopp

Yeah, if I could, just to answer, or...

Board Chair

Please state your name for the record, please.

Eddie Kopp

Eddie Kopp, Chief Code Enforcement Officer. Just so you're aware, all City of Dover codes—can you hear me okay?

Appellant

Yes, I can hear you.

Eddie Kopp

All City of Dover codes, if you go to cityofdover.gov, once you go to the website, there's a box on there that says Municipal Code. All of our codes and ordinances are under there. So you can search, and you can look through the chapters, just to familiarize yourself with the regulations of Dover.

Board Chair

Yes, and and just to elaborate on that, you just you can just go Google Dover MuniCode. MuniCode, right? Dover MuniCode. It's very easy to do. You can just Google Dover MuniCode and which is basically municipal codes, and you and you can just do a search for different things. The Chair recognizes Code Enforcement Officer. Please state your name for the record.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

situation again and it's I'm I'm sorry that, um, we have to, you know, that we had to encounter this, but, you know, it's a growing it's a growing process. And at one point or some point, we all have gone through it, including myself. So, um, please note that we're here to help you, not to hurt you. Um, but we do have to be in compliance ourselves to set, you know, to make sure that everyone is, um, in you know, in compliance, okay?

Cierra Brown

Cierra Brown, Code Enforcement Officer. Just to assist the appellant, I'd be more than happy to take her email, and I can email her some of our brochures and some of our common code violations. That way, she has that.

Board Chair

Yes, so we will also provide you we will provide you, our Ms. Brown, our Code Enforcement Officer Brown, she's going to reach out to you—are you okay with that? She's going to reach out to you and provide you with some links and some information so that you won't be in this...

Public Commenter

Okay. Um, one question. If I can

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Yes, ma'am.

Public Commenter

Is there any way for me to change my the address, cuz I'm looking into either renting or doing something else with my house, um, uh, very soon? So is there any way I I can change my address with you guys or do I just do it through the post office that way when I figure that out?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay, so in other words in other words, what I'm hearing is In other words, uh this is what I recommend from my experience, and then and then Code Enforcement is going to also provide you some information to speak to that matter. I recommend that you contact Code Enforcement and let them know your new current address for the record. Additionally, since you are traveling back and forth out of town, if you need some time, or like, let's say your lawn mower breaks down, or let's say that the individual that you contracted out to do the job cannot do the job and it's going to be late, you know, you're having problems, let Code Enforcement, um, know ahead of time. Call in and they will, you know, note it down, or you can speak to that, um, I'll let Code Enforcement, cuz I do know that that is a proactive approach in this matter. Mr. Kopp, could you please elaborate on that?

Mr. Kopp

In In order to change your address, you need to update the City of Dover

Code Enforcement Officer

tax office tax records. So and that is with the City of Dover with customer service, not to be confused with county tax records. City of Dover has their own tax assessors office, and that's where the record has to be updated. When we, as code enforcement, pull our records, it comes from the City of Dover tax parcel, whatever is on file with the City of Dover tax office.

Public Commenter

Okay. All right, thank you guys. Thank you all.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Just a minute, just a minute. We, uh, one of our committee members would like to have a word to this. It's Dr. Pillsbury. Uh, Mr. Chairman.

Julia M. Pillsbury

Thank you.

Chairman

Councilwoman Pillsbury, you have the floor.

Julia M. Pillsbury

Thank you very much. Um, you could also forward your mail if you know you're not going to be home for an extended period of time. You can have your mail forwarded up to Pennsylvania to your boyfriend's house, and you'll get your notices in a timely fashion that way.

Public Commenter

Okay. Yeah, so all of my I have a property as well in Bear, so everything was I never really switched everything over, so that's why I was saying I I never the I wasn't getting important mail. And uh because I was under the impression it was going to be on the door, I didn't check it, but I understand. Thank you guys for all the suggestions and I am going to do that. That way, I won't have this issue again.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Is there any other uh business of the Code Board of Appeals meeting? Hearing none, all the- chair will entertain a motion to um adjourn.

Fred A. Neil

Neil moves so to adjourn.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

It's been properly moved by Council President Neil to adjourn. It's been properly seconded by Councilwoman Dr. Pillsbury. Any- any discussion on the motion?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Right, and thank you for being so understanding. Like I said, we're we're here to help you and and but we have to set a uni- a uniform, uh, precedence, you know, so that everyone will be in compliance, okay?

Fred A. Neil

I have discussion. I don't want to adjourn. No.

Julia M. Pillsbury

All right. Depending on what the weather is out there, I may not want to adjourn.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

All those in favor signify by saying aye.

Public Commenter

All right.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

You have a blessed day and and um, you know, have safe travels from A to B, okay?

Julia M. Pillsbury

Aye.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Those opposed, nay?

Roy Sudler, Jr.

Okay. Ayes have it. It's been adopted. We are adjourned. Everyone have safe travels back and forth in this weather, okay?

Public Commenter

Yes, thank you.

Roy Sudler, Jr.

You're welcome. Bye-bye.

Public Commenter

Bye-bye.

Chairman

Okay, is