Petitioner: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
Respondent: RALPH SWERDLOFF
Judges: J. LAWRENCE JOHNSTON
Agency: Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Locations: Orlando, Florida
Filed: Mar. 20, 2017
Status: Closed
Settled and/or Dismissed prior to entry of RO/FO on Tuesday, April 18, 2017.
Latest Update: Dec. 28, 2024
STATE OF FLORIDA
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSUMER SERVICES
BOARD OF PROFESSIONAL SURVEYORS AND MAPPERS
DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND
CONSUMER SERVICES,
Petitioner,
v. Case No. 1608-32335
RALPH SWERDLOFF,
Respondent.
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ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLAINT
Petitioner, Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (“Department”), files this
Administrative Complaint before the Board of Professional Surveyors and Mappers (“Board”),
against Respondent, Ralph Swerdloff, and alleges:
1. Petitioner is the state agency charged with regulating the practice of land
surveying and mapping, pursuant to Chapter 472, Florida Statutes.
2. At all times material to this complaint, Respondent was licensed as a professional
surveyor and mapper in the State of Florida, with license number LS 3411.
3. Respondent's address of record is 370 Waymont Court, Lake Mary, FL 32746.
4. A complaint was filed by Evelyn Broxterman, with the Board on June 17, 2016,
stating that that the Respondent prepared the subject survey as a required document for a
mortgage purchase in 2013. The Complainant alleges the survey for 4886 Hancock Lake Road,
Lakeland, FL, completed on January 24, 2013, failed to include a platted easement.
5. A review of Respondent’s Survey in question, using the Minimum Technical
Standards (“MTS”) in force at that time pursuant to former Florida Administrative Code Chapter
5J-17, showed the following:
a. Noncompliance with Rule 5J-17.051(2)(b)3., F.A.C, in that the survey field
notes are based on angles and distances radiated as side shots from three random traverse points.
The survey contains bearings and distances computed between these points. The records
submitted do not contain sufficient data to substantiate the survey map and insure that the
accuracy portions of these standards have been met.
b. Noncompliance with Rule 5J-17.051(3)(b)4., F.A.C., in that note 9 of the
General Notes of the Respondent’s survey contains a statement that the original seal must be in
place for the survey to be valid. However, note 9 does not contain the requirement of the
signature of a Florida licensed surveyor and mapper.
c. Noncompliance with Rule 5J-17.051(3)(b)8., F.A.C., in that the bearings and
distances shown on the survey are not substantiated by survey measurements.
d. Noncompliance with Rule 5J-17.051(3)(b)15.b.(ID)., F.A.C., in that the survey
was controlled by thee random control points none of which were verified by redundant
measurements.
e. Noncompliance with Rule 5J-17.052(2)(a)7.c., F.A.C., in that the survey does
not tie to the nearest street intersection, right of way intersection or other identifiable reference
point.
f. Noncompliance with Rule 5J-17.052(2)(b)7, F.A.C., in that all but two of the
monuments located using side ties were not substantiated by redundancy of measurements.
g. Noncompliance with Rule 5J-17.052(2)(c)3., F.A.C., in that there is an
encroachment of the driveway onto adjoining Lot 10 that is not dimensioned adequately to show
the location or extent of the encroachment.
h. Noncompliance with Rule 5J-17.052(2)(d)2., F.A.C., in that the easement for
ingress/egress that appears on the plat of Hancock Lake Place is not located nor shown upon the
map.
6. Florida Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.010(3) states in pertinent part:
Licensees ... shall be disciplined for failing to abide by the minimum technical
standards set out in Rule 5J-17.050 through 5J-17.052, F.A.C.
7. Former §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat. , states in pertinent part:
The following acts shall constitute grounds for which the disciplinary actions
specified in subsection (2) may be taken:
(h) Failing to perform any statutory or legal obligation placed upon a licensed
surveyor and mapper; violating any provision of this chapter, a rule of the board
or department...
COUNT I
8. Petitioner incorporates and restates the allegations in paragraphs 1 — 4, 5.a., and 6,
9. Respondent violated §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat., through a violation of Florida
Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.051(2)(b)3., F.A.C, in that the survey field notes are based on
angles and distances radiated as side shots from three random traverse points. The survey
contains bearings and distances computed between these points. The records submitted do not
contain sufficient data to substantiate the survey map and insure that the accuracy portions of
these standards have been met.
COUNT Il
10. Petitioner incorporates and restates the allegations in paragraphs | — 4, 5.b., and 6,
11. Respondent violated §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat., through a violation of Florida
Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.051(3)(b)4., F.A.C., in that note 9 of the General Notes of the
Respondent’s survey contains a statement that the original seal must be in place for the survey to
be valid. However, note 9 does not contain the requirement of the signature of a Florida licensed
surveyor and mapper.
COUNT Il
12. Petitioner incorporates and restates the allegations in paragraphs 1 — 4, 5.c., and 6,
13. Respondent violated §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat., through a violation of Florida
Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.051(3)(b)8., F.A.C., in that the bearings and distances shown
on the survey are not substantiated by survey measurements.
COUNT IV
14. Petitioner incorporates and restates the allegations in paragraphs 1 — 4, 5.d., and 6,
15. Respondent violated §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat., through a violation of Florida
Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.051(3)(b)15.b.(ID)., F.A.C., in that the survey was controlled by
thee random control points none of which were verified by redundant measurements.
COUNT V.
16. Petitioner incorporates and restates the allegations in paragraphs 1 — 4, 5.e., and 6,
17. Respondent violated §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat., through a violation of Florida
Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.052(2)(a)7.c., F.A.C., in that the survey does not tie to the
nearest street intersection, right of way intersection or other identifiable reference point.
COUNT VI
18. Petitioner incorporates and restates the allegations in paragraphs 1 — 4, 5.f., and 6,
19. Respondent violated §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat., through a violation of Florida
Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.052(2)\{b)7, F.A.C., in that all but two of the monuments located
using side ties were not substantiated by redundancy of measurements.
COUNT VII
20. Petitioner incorporates and restates the allegations in paragraphs 1 — 4, 5.g., and 6,
21. Respondent violated former §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat., through a violation of
Florida Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.052(2)(c)3., F.A.C., in that there is an encroachment of
the driveway onto adjoining Lot 10 that is not dimensioned adequately to show the location or
extent of the encroachment.
COUNT VIII
22. Petitioner incorporates and restates the allegations in paragraphs 1 — 4, 5.h., and 6,
23. Respondent violated §472.0351(1)(h), Fla. Stat., through a violation of Florida
Administrative Code Rule 5J-17.052(2)(d)2., F.A.C., in that the easement for ingress/egress that
appears on the plat of Hancock Lake Place is not located nor shown upon the map.
WHEREFORE, Petitioner respectfully requests an order from the Board imposing one or
more of the following penalties: imposition of an administrative fine not to exceed one thousand
dollars ($1000.00) for each count or separate offense, issuance of a reprimand, assessment of
costs associated with investigation and prosecution, imposition of any or all penalties delineated
within Section 472.0351(2), Florida Statutes, and/or any other relief that the Board or the
Department is authorized to impose pursuant to Chapter 472, Florida Statutes, and/or the rules
promulgated thereunder.
Signed this 2Uth day of __ Octo per 2016.
Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
2005 Apalachee Parkway
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
(850) 245-1029
(850) 245-1000 (telefacsimile)
Courtney.Frazier@FreshFromFlorida.com
PCP Date: Dclovey 2. 201
PCP Members: Fusco ,Talvott, Cooniee
Certified U.S. Mail, Return Receipt #JO|1 5") ) apa Wis x04
NOTICE OF RIGHTS
Respondent has the right to request a hearing to be conducted in accordance with
§§120.569 and 120.57, Florida Statutes, to be represented by counsel or other qualified
representative, to present evidence and argument, to call and cross-examine witnesses and to
have subpoenas and subpoenas duces tecum issued on his or her behalf if'a hearing is requested.
Florida Administrative Code Rule 28-106.111 provides in part that if Respondent fails to request
a hearing within twenty-one (21) days of receipt of an agency pleading, Respondent waives the
right to request a hearing on the facts alleged.
NOTICE REGARDING ASSESSMENT OF COSTS
Respondent is placed on notice that Petitioner has incurred costs related to the
investigation and prosecution of this matter. Pursuant to §472.0351(4)(a), Florida Statutes, the
Board may assess costs and attorneys fees related to the investigation and prosecution of the case
against the Respondent in addition to any other discipline imposed.
Docket for Case No: 17-001614PL
Issue Date |
Proceedings |
Apr. 18, 2017 |
Order Closing File and Relinquishing Jurisdiction CASE CLOSED.
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Apr. 17, 2017 |
Joint Motion to Relinquish Jurisdiction filed.
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Mar. 28, 2017 |
Order of Pre-hearing Instructions.
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Mar. 28, 2017 |
Notice of Hearing by Video Teleconference (hearing set for May 25, 2017; 9:30 a.m.; Orlando and Tallahassee, FL).
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Mar. 27, 2017 |
Petitioner's Joint Response to Initial Order filed.
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Mar. 21, 2017 |
Initial Order.
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Mar. 20, 2017 |
Petition for Formal Administrative Hearing filed.
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Mar. 20, 2017 |
Administrative Complaint filed.
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Mar. 20, 2017 |
Agency referral filed.
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