Findings Of Fact In early September of 1979, John and Ruth E. Lockwood contracted with P & P Custom Pools, Inc. (P & P), for the construction of a swimming pool at their home, 231 El Dorado Drive, Debary, Florida. Respondent, Philip J. Mains, signed the contract on behalf of P & P and later obtained a building permit. He and his men began excavating on site in mid-September. The Lockwoods paid respondent $700.00 on September 6, 1979. As construction progressed, they paid him $1,706.25 on September 27, 1979; $1,000.00 on October 26, 1979; $1,047.50 on October 29, 1979; and $1,706.25 on November 20, 1979. At the appropriate times, a building inspector was summoned, who inspected the project, including the placement of reinforcing steel, ground wiring, and lights. Neither the "steel inspection" nor the "deck inspection" revealed any problem. The workmanship was excellent, as far as it went, but the Volusia County building inspector's office was never asked to perform a final inspection. As respondent promised there would be, there was water in the swimming pool by Christmas of 1979, but respondent did no further work after December, 1979. He never installed the pump, filter, diving board, or hand bars called for in the Lockwoods' contract. Earlier in 1979, Patrick T. Ryan, the other principal in P & P, left town and abandoned the business which was then $37,000 in debt. In November of 1979, respondent turned the company's books over to an accountant. In January of 1980 the business' financial problems became critical and, at the accountant's suggestion, respondent so advised the eight homeowners for whom he was building swimming pools, including, in January or February, Mr. Lockwood, who reacted angrily. Respondent testified that Mr. Lockwood "cussed him out." Thereafter respondent avoided the Lockwoods until April of 1980 when they found him working on another pool. There was enough money owed on the eight contracts as a group to finish all the pools, according to respondent's uncontroverted testimony, at the time the Internal Revenue Service levied on respondent's bank account and seized his tools and equipment. Even then respondent offered to finish the Lockwoods' pool if they would buy the materials. Respondent's wife asked Mrs. Lockwood to write a check to a supplier for a pump and filter so that respondent could install them and get water in the pool circulating. Instead, during the last week of April, 1980, the Lockwoods contracted with somebody else to finish the job and paid him $1,200. Respondent subcontracted with a Jacksonville cement company to pour concrete for the pool. After the concrete had been poured, the Lockwoods got a registered letter from the subcontractor threatening to place a lien on their property if he were not paid. According to Mr. Lockwood, the problem was that some check [supposedly drawn by respondent in favor of the subcontractor] had been delayed in the mail. In any event, there was no indication in the evidence that the Lockwoods heard anything further from the subcontractor.
Recommendation Upon consideration of the foregoing, it is RECOMMENDED: That petitioner suspend respondent's registration for thirty (30) days. DONE AND ENTERED this 29th day of April, 1981, in Tallahassee, Florida. ROBERT T. BENTON, II Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 30th day of April, 1981. COPIES FURNISHED: Charles F. Tunnicliff, Esquire 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301 Philip J. Mains c/o Sue Mains Route 2, Box 799A DeLand, Florida 32720 ================================================================= AGENCY FINAL ORDER ================================================================= BEFORE THE FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD DEPARTMENT OF PROFESSIONAL REGULATION, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 80-2231 PHILIP J. MAINS, RP 0024663, Respondent. /
Findings Of Fact Upon consideration of the oral and documentary evidence adduced at the hearing, the following relevant facts are found: At all times material hereto, Respondent was a certified pool contractor, holding license no. CP-C033753, issued by the State of Florida, Department of Professional Regulation, Construction Industry Licensing Board. At all times material hereto, Respondent's certified pool contractor's license qualified Artistic Pools and Spas, Inc. with the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. On or about May 19, 1986, Respondent, d/b/a Artistic Pools and Spas, Inc. entered into a contract with Joseph and Joyce Malinoski for the construction of a swimming pool at 31 Sea Harbour Drive, Ormond Beach, Florida for a contract price of $9,737.75. The contract required a down payment of ten per cent (10 percent) of the contract amount ($973.78) which was paid by the Malinoskis on May 19, 1986. The Malinoskis resided in Massachusetts at the time they contracted for the swimming pool with Respondent and had contracted for the construction of a home in Ormond Beach, Florida to begin upon the pool shell being in place. The Malinsokis returned to Massachusetts upon execution of the contract expecting Respondent to commence work on the pool two weeks after he was notified by the builder that the survey was completed and the benchmark in place. On or before June 18, 1986, Respondent contacted the Malinoskis by phone to advise them that the pool was under construction, that Respondent was ready to start pouring concrete, and that he needed the next two (2) installments (20 percent due on day of excavation and 35 percent due on day of concrete shell installation) in the amount of $5,355.76. On or about June 18, 1986, the Malinoskis forwarded a cashier's check in the amount of $5,355.76 made payable to Respondent with the understanding from Respondent that the pool was under construction. On or about June 25, 1986, the Malinoskis were advised by their building contractor that the pool was not under construction. On or about July 5, 1986, the Malinoskis returned to Ormond Beach and found that the pool was not under construction. Although the business phone at Artistic Pools and Spas, Inc. had been disconnected, the Malinoskis ultimately located the Respondent but were unable to resolve the problem until after a complaint had been filed. In early August, 1986, an agreement was reached with the Malinoskis, Respondent and David Larsen whereby Respondent would furnish the labor to build the pool, Larsen would pay the bills and the Malinoskis would pay the balance owed on the contract to Larsen and at end of construction Larsen would give the Malinoskis release of liens. The pool was constructed without the Malinoskis having to pay any additional money on the contract. The money used by Larsen to purchase materials above the amount paid to Larsen by the Malinoskis was repaid to Larsen by Respondent. Respondent supplied all the labor to construct the pool. The testimony of Respondent, which I find credible, was that the funds received by Respondent were frozen due to an Internal Revenue Service levy on the Respondent's business account which resulted in the IRS taking all the funds in the bank account, including the money from the Malinoskis. There was insufficient evidence to show that Respondent diverted the Malinoskis' funds or that the Respondent was unable to fulfill the terms of the contract. On or about November 15, 1985 Respondent, d/b/a Artistic Pools and Spas, Inc. contracted with John and Louise McGowan for the construction of a swimming pool and spa at 1266 Robbin Drive, Port Orange, Florida for an original contract price of $11,500. These were 2 addendums to the original contract bringing the total contract price to $13,005.75. The contract provided for the spa to be 7 feet long by 5 feet wide with a depth ranging from 18 inches to 36 inches. As constructed, the spa was 5 feet long by 5 feet wide with a depth of 44 inches. The spa was also unlevel resulting in water spilling on to the deck rather than into the spillway to the pool. The therapy jets were located too deep in the spa to allow them to function properly. The spa has never been operational. Respondent was aware of the deficiencies in the construction of the spa but failed to correct them. The deck around the pool was not properly finished in that it is uneven and rough in several locations and is pitched toward the pool rather than away from the pool. The deck also has several facial cracks (not structural) which indicate a nonuniform thickness. As contracted, the pool was to have 3 return fittings of which only 2 were installed. The contract called for the installation of a heater by the Respondent. Although the heater was installed, it was improperly placed resulting in the inspector putting a "red tag" on the heater and having the gas company disconnect it. The McGowans have paid all but $575 of the contract price but refuse to pay the balance until corrections are completed. Respondent was aware of the deficiencies in the construction of the pool but failed to correct them. The evidence is clear that Respondent failed to properly supervise the construction of the McGowans' pool and spa, thereby resulting in poor workmanship in the construction of the pool and spa.
Recommendation Having considered the foregoing Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law, the evidence of record and the candor and demeanor of the witnesses, it is, therefore RECOMMENDED that the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board (Board) enter a final order finding Respondent guilty of violating Section 489.129(1)(j) and (m), Florida Statutes and for such violation it is Recommended that the Board assess the respondent with an administrative fine of $500.00 and suspend the Respondent's pool contracting license for a period of two (2) years, stay the suspension, and place Respondent on probation for a period of two (2) years, provided the Respondent pays the administrative fine of $500.00 within sixty days of the date of the Final Order. It is further Recommended that the charges of violating Section 489.129(1)(h) and (k), Florida Statutes be DISMISSED. Respectfully submitted and entered this 17th day of September, 1987, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. WILLIAM R. CAVE Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The Oakland Building 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 17th day of September, 1987.
Findings Of Fact E. J. Lamberth, III, is a certified general contractor having been licensed by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. Mr. Lamberth's license was not renewed by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board when it expired in June, 1975. However, the Board does not question Mr. Lamberth's right to issuance of such a license pending the outcome of this hearing, and the failure of the Board to reissue Mr. Lamberth's license is an apparent administrative oversight. Mr. Lamberth applied and obtained building permits as a Construction Industry Licensing Board Certified General Contractor for construction of modifications or additions to the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Cohen, Mr. and Mrs. Retter, and Mr. and Mrs. DeChant. Copies of the applications for building permits were introduced in the evidence. Exhibit I is the application for the Retter's permit; Exhibit V is the application for the permit for the Cohen's permit; and Exhibit VII is the application for the DeChant's building permit. Lamberth notified the Board by letter received by the Board on or about December 24, 1974 of his resignation as qualifier for Addition Builders, Inc. Lamberth's employment with Addition Builders, Inc. began when he answered a newspaper advertisement for a certified general contractor placed by Richard Butler. Butler was looking for a certified general contractor to supervise construction and to obtain building permits for a construction business which he was at that time incorporating. Lamberth checked with the local Better Business Bureau and having determined that there were no complaints against Butler, entered into an employment agreement with Butler. Subsequently, Butler did incorporate and E. J. Lamberth be came Vice-president for Addition Builders, Inc., a Florida corporation. Lamberth's duties were to inspect plans for any modification or additions which Addition Builders, Inc. contracted to construct, to supervise construction, and to be the qualifying agent for Addition Builders, Inc. In August 1974, Richard Butler entered into a contract in behalf of Addition Builders, Inc. with Michael and Carol Retter for the construction of two-bedroom/one-bath addition to their house located at 460 N. W. Opa Locka Boulevard, North Miami, Florida. Construction of this addition was to take approximately three to six months. Construction began in September of 1974. The construction at the Retter's residence was supervised by the building superintendent or chief carpenter, Mr. Braddock. Construction on the addition was intermittent during September and slowed to a halt in October 1974. The Retters called Addition Builders, Inc. in November and were advised by Mr. Braddock that Mr. Butler had withdrawn from the business but that Braddock would continue with the construction and complete the addition. Construction on the Retter's addition was approximately 50 percent complete, the floor, roof and walls having been built but the windows, doors and plumbing fixtures not having been set. Braddock came and did some work and advised the Retters that he had taken over the business from Butler. Mrs. Retter testified that she was working full-time during this period but that on days when she and her husband were home the construction personnel came at 9:00 a.m. and left in mid-afternoon. The personnel who came, with the exception of Braddock, were subcontractors employed by Addition Builders, Inc. During this period, she did not see Mr. Lamberth who she saw for the first time the day of the formal hearing. The Retters first learned of Lamberth's association with Addition Builders, Inc. from the officials of the city of North Miami, who gave the Retters Lamberth's name as the party who had drawn the construction permit. In January the Retters contacted Mr. Lamberth who advised them that he had withdrawn from the company and could not help them. The contract price for the contract between the Retters and Addition Builders, Inc. was for $8,900 of which the Retters had paid $8,000 at the time construction of the addition ceased. It cost the Retters approximately $2,000 to finish the construction of the addition after Addition Builders, Inc. ceased to perform any work on the job. E. J. Lamberth, III, has been a full-time employee of the Dade County Recreation Department since January 9, 1963. He was employed by Richard Butler as a qualifying agent for Addition Builders, Inc. and was made Vice-president of that corporation. Addition Builders, Inc. began operation in late July or August of 1974. Lamberth performed the duties for which he was employed. He drew the construction permits required, inspected plans for modifications and additions to be built by Addition Builders, Inc., and visited the various construction sites of the corporation at noon and in the late afternoon to determine the progress being made by the subcontractors employed by Addition Builders, Inc. Through his contact with Mr. Braddock and the subcontractors employed by Addition Builders, Inc., Lamberth arranged for the scheduling of the subcontractors on the various jobs. At this time, Addition Builders, Inc. had between six and eight projects under construction. Lamberth was able to determine the progress being made on the various sites through his periodic inspections two to three times per week. These inspections and his conversations with the subcontractors revealed in early October that Butler was countermanding Lamberth's directions and canceling Lamberth's instructions given to subcontractors. Because of these activities, Lamberth advised Butler that he, Lamberth, would have to be in charge of the projects underway and schedule work on the projects or he would have to withdraw as qualifying agent for Addition Builders, Inc. Because of Butler's continued interference, Lamberth eventually resigned from his position with Addition Builders, Inc. in December 1974. Lamberth was not a stockholder in Addition Builders, Inc. When the work began on the various additions, Lamberth received 3 percent of the contract price as his compensation for his services to Addition Builders, Inc. Subsequent to being advised of the problems with Addition Builders, Inc., Lamberth attempted to locate Richard Butler. Richard Butler could not be located and has apparently left the State of Florida.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearing Officer recommends that the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board take no action against the certificate of L. E. Lamberth, III. DONE and ORDERED this 12th day of October, 1976 in Tallahassee, Florida. COPIES FURNISHED: Barry Sinoff, Esquire 1010 Blackstone Building Jacksonville, Florida 32202 J. K. Linnan Executive Director Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board Post Office Box 8621 Jacksonville, Florida James W. Bowling, Esquire Vernis and Bowling Sailboat Bay - PH II 2951 South Bayshore Drive Coconut Grove, Florida 33133 STEPHEN F. DEAN Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530 Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 ================================================================= AGENCY FINAL ORDER ================================================================= BEFORE THE FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD, Petitioner, vs. CASE NO. 76-1241 E. J. LAMBERTH, III, CG C006734, P. O. Box 570444, Miami, Florida 33157. Respondent. /
Findings Of Fact At all times material to this action, Respondent was and presently is a registered plumbing contractor having been issued License No. RF0038438. On August 18, 1981, the Collier County Contractor's Licensing Board revoked Respondent's competency card to practice plumbing in Collier County. The revocation was based upon Respondent's violation of Sections 4.1.10 and 4.1.17, Collier County Ordinance No. 78-02. Respondent failed to appear at the public hearing held before the Collier County Contractor's Licensing Board on August 18, 1981.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That Respondent's license as a registered plumbing contractor be revoked. DONE and ENTERED this 9th day of August, 1983, in Tallahassee, Florida. MARVIN E. CHAVIS Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings 2009 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32301 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 4th day of August, 1983. COPIES FURNISHED: Xavier J. Fernandez, Esquire Nuckolls, Johnson & Fernandez Post Office Box 729 Fort Myers, Florida 33902 Danny E. Fox Route 1, Box 54 Pleasant Shade, TN 37145 Mr. James Linnan Executive Director Construction Industry Licensing Board Post Office Box 2 Jacksonville, Florida 32202 Mr. Fred Roche Secretary Department of Professional Regulation 130 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32301
Findings Of Fact At all material times, Respondent has been a registered plumbing contractor, holding license number RF 0049725. He was first licensed in October, 1985, and has practiced plumbing contracting continuously since that time. Respondent has not previously been disciplined. In early 1989, Respondent entered into a subcontract with A-1 Properties to provide various plumbing labor and materials in connection with a residential construction job on which A-1 Properties served as general contractor. The total price of the subcontract was $5100. In general, Respondent performed his work in a timely and competent manner. A minor problem arose involving gas lines that Respondent installed in the kitchen. When a representative of the gas company inspected them during construction, he objected to certain fittings. After giving Respondent a few days to change the fittings, the owner authorized the gas company to make the changes when Respondent failed to do so. The record does not disclose what, if anything, the gas company charged the owner for the work. However, the work was not extensive, and the owner withheld from Respondent only $165 to cover the anticipated invoice from the gas company. In the course of performing the plumbing work, Respondent purchased, at a cost of $2117.77, materials from Shamrock Plumbing. The dates of the invoices reflecting these purchases and the amounts of the invoices are: August 2, 1989- - $1066.57; August 12, 1989--$37.77; August 25, 1989--$814.86; and August 25, 1989--$198.57. Respondent never paid Shamrock Plumbing for these materials. The owner and A-1 Properties timely paid Respondent for all of his work. As a result of change orders, the price for the job increased by $1355.45 to a total of $6455.45. In August, as Respondent's work drew to a close, the owner and A-1 Properties paid Respondent $2337 as follows: August 25, 1989-- $700; August 29, 1989--$500; and August 30, 1989--$1137. These payments total $2337. In making the final payment to Respondent, the representative of A-1 Properties was aware that Shamrock Plumbing had sent to a Notice to Owner for the plumbing materials that Respondent had purchased. Except possibly for the $165, item, Respondent and the general contractor were in agreement, when the final payments were made in August, that Respondent had been paid substantially in full and that he would pay Shamrock Plumbing. When Respondent failed to pay Shamrock Plumbing, it recorded a Claim of Lien on September 28, 1989, against the real property and initiated an action to foreclose the lien. The owner was required to retain the services of an attorney to defend the foreclosure action, pay Shamrock: Plumbing's legal costs, and obtain a release of lien. In so doing, the owner expended a total of $3984.19, as follows: his attorney--$456; Shamrock Plumbing's attorney--$1410.42; Shamrock Plumbing's invoice--$2117.77. The owner paid his attorney by checks dated January 16 and July 31, 1990. The check to pay Shamrock Plumbing and its attorney was dated February 26, 1990. On March 12, 1990, Shamrock Plumbing executed a Release of Lien, which was recorded on April 10, 1990. Respondent has not since reimbursed the owner for his expenditure of $3984.19 because Respondent lacks the money. He applied the August, 1989, payments received for the present job to satisfy obligations arising out of other jobs. Respondent testified that his money problems began when he was not paid for work he performed on other jobs, but they were unrelated to the job involved in this case.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing, it is hereby RECOMMENDED that the Construction Industry Licensing Board enter a final order finding Respondent guilty of violating Section 489.129(1)(h), assessing Respondent for the costs of the investigation and prosecution up to a maximum of $1000; placing Respondent on probation for two years; requiring Respondent to pay the owner $3984.19, plus interest at the legal rate, in restitution; and, if at the end of the two-year probation Respondent has failed to pay the owner in full, imposing an administrative fine of $1500 and suspending Respondent's license for one year. ENTERED this 20 day of May, 1991, in Tallahassee, Florida. ROBERT E. MEALE Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, FL 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 20 day of May, 1991. APPENDIX Treatment Accorded Proposed Findings of Petitioner 1-8 (first sentence): adopted or adopted in substance. 8 (remainder) : rejected as irrelevant. 9-12 (first sentence): adopted or adopted in substance. 12 (second sentence): adopted that Respondent accepted the final payments. Rejected as unnecessary that Respondent did-not protest the $165 retainage. 13: rejected as unnecessary. 14: first clause rejected as unnecessary. Second clause adopted. 15: rejected as unnecessary. 16-17 and 22: rejected as subordinate. 18-20: adopted or adopted in substance. 21: rejected as unnecessary. 23-24: adopted or adopted in substance. Treatment Accorded Proposed Findings of Respondent first page: adopted or adopted in substance. second page, first incomplete paragraph: rejected as irrelevant, unnecessary, and not finding of fact. second page, first complete paragraph: rejected as unnecessary and irrelevant. second page, second complete paragraph: rejected as unnecessary. COPIES FURNISHED: Jack McCray, General Counsel Department of Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, FL 32399-0792 Daniel O'Brien, Executive Director Construction Industry Licensing Board Post Office Box 2 Jacksonville, FL 32202 Attorney William S. Cummins Department of Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe St., Suite 60 Tallahassee, FL 32399 James E. Todd, pro se 1621 Truman Rd. Orlando, FL 32807
The Issue Whether Respondent violated Section 489.127(1)(f), Florida Statutes, as alleged in the Administrative Complaint filed against Respondent in this proceeding and should be disciplined.
Findings Of Fact At no time material to the allegations was Respondent licensed or certified as a contractor of any type by the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board. On or about June 2000, Respondent entered into a written contractual agreement with Harold Knowles to construct a swimming pool at Mr. Knowles' residence located at 235 North Rosehill Drive, Tallahassee, Florida. The contract price for the swimming pool was $18,650.00. Mr. Knowles paid directly to Respondent $9,400.00. Respondent performed some work on the pool project and then stopped work on the project. Respondent failed to return to Mr. Knowles any monies received for the project. The homeowner was forced to pay out-of-pocket expenses to have a second, licensed pool contractor finish the pool that Respondent left unfinished. These expenses total in excess of $24,000.00. Respondent acknowledges that he had no license. Respondent testified at hearing along with his wife. It was clear that Respondent was sorry for his actions. He was unaware of the gravity of his acts. He does not have any financial resources, and a significant fine will not benefit Mr. Knowles. A substantial fine adversely impact Respondent's family more than Respondent.
Recommendation Based on the foregoing Findings of Facts and Conclusions of Law, it is RECOMMENDED: That Respondent be fined $500.00, together with the investigation and prosecution costs. DONE AND ENTERED this 18th day of February, 2002, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 18th day of February, 2002. COPIES FURNISHED: Patrick Creehan, Esquire Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32388-2202 Robert Footman 2702 Lake Mary Street Tallahassee, Florida 32310 Gail Scott-Hill, Esquire Lead Professions Attorney Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0771 Hardy L. Roberts, III, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-2202
Findings Of Fact Upon consideration of the evidence presented at the hearing, the following relevant findings of fact are made: At all times material to this proceeding, Petitioner possessed a valid master plumbers license issued by New York City. There was no evidence that New York City had ever issued Petitioner a plumbing contractors license, or that the master plumbers license was the same as a plumbing contractors license in New York City. At all times material to this proceeding, the State of New York did not administer a plumbing contractors licensing examination or a master plumbers licensing examination, having delegated this responsibility to the several municipalities within the State of New York, including but not limited to New York City. A plumbing contractors license or a master plumbers license issued by New York City or other cities within the State of New York are not valid in any jurisdiction other than the issuing jurisdiction. Petitioner has some 40 years experience in the plumbing business within New York City. Florida's Plumbing Contractors Examination prepared and administered by National Assessment Institute in accordance with Rule 61G4-16.001(13), Florida Administrative Code, consists of two parts: Part I, Business and Financial Management; and Part II, General Trade Knowledge. Part I is comprised of the following major content areas. The number in parentheses is the approximate percentage of the examination devoted to that content area. Maintaining Cash Flow (15 percent) Estimating and Bidding a Job (20 percent) Negotiation and Interpretation Contracts and Agreements ( 5 percent) Processing Change Orders ( 5 percent) Purchasing Control ( 5 percent) Contract Scheduling ( 5 percent) Controlling Costs of Fixed Assets ( 5 percent) Obtaining Insurance and Bonding (10 percent) Complying with Contracting Laws and Rules (15 percent) Personnel Management ( 5 percent) Complying with Payroll and Sales Tax Laws ( 5 percent) Interpretation of Financial Statements and Reports ( 5 percent) Under each of the major content areas are listed the tasks and the knowledge required to perform them. There are approximately 49 different tasks listed under Part I. Part II of the examination consist of three questions each of which tests the applicant's knowledge of design, installation, and maintenance of several different systems. Approximately 40 percent of the examination is devoted to question one and 40 percent to question two and 20 percent to question three. Under Part II the applicant is tested on the design, installation and maintenance of 27 different systems. Petitioner submitted several examinations (some were not complete) that he contended were master plumbers licensing examinations given by New York City in 1970, 1972, 1974 1976, 1982, 1983, 1985, 1987 and 1991. However, only one or two were marked as to the source or origin. The number of questions on the examinations ranged from 16 to 70 questions. The only major content area listed in Part I of the Florida plumbing contractors examination covered by the examinations submitted by the Petitioner was "Estimating and Bidding a Job". However, the coverage of "Estimating and Bidding a Job" in the tests submitted was cursory at best. The examinations submitted by the Petitioner covered Part II in somewhat more detail than they did Part I. Question one of Part II was covered fairly extensively whereas Question two was somewhat less extensive than Question one, with Question three's coverage being only slight. The design, installation and maintenance of only three out of nine systems listed in Question two, and only one out of eleven systems listed in Question three were covered in the examinations submitted by the Petitioner. All of the systems listed in Question one were covered to some degree by the examinations submitted by the Petitioner. Since the Petitioner was unable to submit a copy of the master plumbers examination administered by New York City in 1952, a determination of whether that particular examination is "substantially equivalent" to the Florida Plumbing Contractors licensing examination currently in use cannot be made. However, even assuming that the New York City examinations submitted by the Petitioner were the same as the examination taken by the Petitioner in 1952, the New York master plumbers licensing examination is not "substantially equivalent" to the Florida Plumbing Contractors licensing examination currently in use..
Recommendation Having considered the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is recommended that the Construction Industry Licensing Board enter a Final Order denying the Respondent's application for certification as a plumbing contractor by endorsement. RECOMMENDED this 4th day January, 1995, in Tallahassee, Florida WILLIAM R. CAVE Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1550 (904) 488-9675 Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings 4th day of January, 1995. law. APPENDIX TO RECOMMENDED ORDER, CASE NO. 94-4184 The parties did not file any proposed findings of fact and conclusions of COPIES FURNISHED: Phillip Suna, Pro se 2301 Gulf of Mexico Drive Apt. 93-N Longboat Key, Florida 34228 Clark Jennings, Esquire Department of Legal Affairs The Capitol Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1050 Jack McRay Acting General Counsel Departmemt of Business and Professional Regulation Northwood Centre 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Richard Hickok, Executive Director Construction Industry Licensing Board 7960 Arlington Expressway, Ste. 300 Jacksonville, Florida 32211-7467
The Issue Whether Rocco R. Sodomire (Respondent) violated Section 489.129(1)(c) and (r) and Section 455.227(l)(o), Florida Statutes, and if so, what disciplinary action should be taken against his license to practice contracting.
Findings Of Fact Respondent is, and has been at all times material hereto, a Certified Residential Contractor in the State of Florida, having been issued license number CR CO57213. At all times material hereto, Respondent was not licensed to do any swimming pool/spa contracting in the State of Florida. On or about November 1996, Respondent submitted a proposal to Vincent Neglio for the construction of a 28' x 14' in-ground swimming pool, a deck, and a screen enclosure at a cost of $15,000.00. Shortly thereafter, pursuant to the proposal, Respondent began construction of a swimming pool and deck at Mr. Neglio's residence. Prior to completion of the pool project, Mr. Neglio paid Respondent a total of $14,200.00. Although Respondent received $14,200.00 from Vincent Neglio, he never completed the pool project. Respondent presented the proposal for the pool project to Mr. Neglio; accepted money from Mr. Neglio as payment for work on the project; distributed funds to other contractors who worked on the pool project; and performed work on the pool project at Mr. Neglio's home. On August 4, 1997, the County Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Lee County, Florida, Small Claims Division (Case Nos. 97-2569SP-RRS and 97-2570-SP-RRS), entered a Record of Agreement between Respondent and Mr. Neglio whereby Respondent was to pay Mr. Neglio a total of $2,600.00 to settle the dispute involving the aforementioned pool project. On January 13, 1998, the County Court of the Twentieth Judicial Circuit in and for Lee County, Florida, Small Claims Division, in the above-referenced cases entered a Final Judgment by Default against Respondent in favor of Vincent Neglio in the amount of $2,600.00, the payment amount required in the Agreement, as a result of Respondent's failing to pay monies based on the Agreement referenced in paragraph 6. To date, Respondent has failed to make any payments to Vincent Neglio based on the Small Claims Court Record of Agreement, referenced in paragraph 6 or the Final Judgment by Default referenced in paragraph 7.
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, it is hereby RECOMMENDED that the Construction Industry Licensing Board enter a final order that: (1) finds Respondent committed the offenses alleged in Counts I and II of the Administrative Complaint and imposes a $500.00 fine for these violations; (2) requires Respondent to pay restitution to Vincent Neglio in the amount of $2,600.00; and (3) requires Respondent to pay to Petitioner $858.97, the costs incurred by Petitioner in the investigation and prosecution of this proceeding. DONE AND ENTERED this 23rd day of November, 1999, in Tallahassee, Leon County, Florida. CAROLYN S. HOLIFIELD Administrative Law Judge Division of Administrative Hearings The DeSoto Building 1230 Apalachee Parkway Tallahassee, Florida 32399-3060 (850) 488-9675 SUNCOM 278-9675 Fax Filing (850) 921-6847 www.doah.state.fl.us Filed with the Clerk of the Division of Administrative Hearings this 23rd day of November, 1999. COPIES FURNISHED: Paul F. Kirsch, Esquire Leonardo N. Ortiz, Qualified Representative Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street, Suite 60 Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792 Rocco R. Sodomire 3520 Southeast 2nd Avenue Cape Coral, Florida 33904 Rodney Hurst, Executive Director Construction Industry Licensing Board Department of Business and Professional Regulation 7960 Arlington Expressway, Suite 300 Jacksonville, Florida 32211-7467 Barbara D. Auger, General Counsel Department of Business and Professional Regulation 1940 North Monroe Street Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0792
Recommendation Based upon the foregoing Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law, the Hearing Officer would recommend that no action be taken against the licenses of K. C. Moore as a registered builder contractor. In addition, the testimony at the hearing revealed that subsequent to the institution of this complaint that Dr. 0. Rao, M.D., did make application to the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board for licensure as a contractor, that his application was approved, and that upon successful completion of the Board's examination he was licensed. If K. C. Moore is in fact guilty of aiding or abetting or knowingly combining or conspiring with a person to violate Part II, Chapter 468, the person with whom he combined or conspired or who he aided or abetted was Dr. John 0. Rao. Although the Board may be limited under the statutory provisions in denying Dr. Rao the license, assuming the Board rejects the Hearing Officer's Conclusions of Law and finds the facts constitute a violation of the statutory provisions, there is an absence of essential fairness to proceed against the licenses of K. C. Moore while licensing the individual with whom he contracted. The disparity in treatment of K. C. Moore and Dr. John 0. Rao is a factor which must be considered by the Board. DONE and ORDERED this 20th day of July, 1977, in Tallahassee, Florida. STEPHEN F. DEAN, Hearing Officer Division of Administrative Hearings Room 530, Carlton Building Tallahassee, Florida 32304 (904) 488-9675 COPIES FURNISHED: Barry Sinoff, Esquire 1010 Blackstone Building Jacksonville, Florida 32202 R. Stephen Miles, Jr., Esquire Mile and Cumbie Post Office Box 517 Kissimmee, Florida 32741 Mr. J. K. Linnan Executive Director Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board Post Office Box 8621 Jacksonville, Florida 32211 ================================================================= AGENCY FINAL ORDER ================================================================= STATE OF FLORIDA FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD FLORIDA CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY LICENSING BOARD, Petitioner,
