Despite being granted an additional 90-day extension, the Damien Gilliams and Bonnie Fey, owners of the No Name Sports Bar in Sebastian, have done nothing to connect their business to the county sewer, in breach of county and state ordinances.
“He has not connected. We are currently evaluating our options to determine next steps,” said Sean C. Lieske, Director of the Indian River County Department of Utility Services.
Damien and Bonnie contend there’s no sewer connection available. However, on multiple occasions, the county has indicated the connection point on Harrison Street, with neighboring businesses having made their connections already.
Lieske stated in a letter to the Gilliams, “Indian River County Department of Utility Services has become aware that your facility located at 490 US Highway 1 in Sebastian, Florida, continues to be served by a non-conforming on-site septic treatment and disposal system that is causing sewage to be discharged to the surface and ultimately the Indian River Lagoon.”
In April 2023, he was reminded that a sewer connection has been accessible since 2019, with the letter reiterating the same concerns about the septic system discharging sewage and its potential threat to the Indian River Lagoon. Customers reported seeing a port-a-potty outside the bar.
Indian River County Utilities has clarified that the sewer hookup is about 75 feet east of their property line on Harrison Street and has been available since 2019.
Additionally, Travis Stevens, an Environmental Specialist from the Florida Department of Health, penned a letter to Gilliams urging him to transition to the County sewer and decommission the current septic setup.
Stevens highlighted the health risks, mentioning, “This property is being maintained in a manner capable of introducing and perpetuating human disease organisms or vectors into the community.”
He further warned that noncompliance might result in legal consequences and potential daily fines of up to $500 per violation if his actions continue to pose environmental or public health threats.
History of Noncompliance
Gilliams and Fey’s disregard for ordinances isn’t new. He’s been asked by the city numerous times to remove objects around his building, especially towards Riverview Park and near the roadway, yet he disregards the ordinances.
When confronted about these violations, Gilliams often dismisses them as politically motivated attacks on his business or deflects blame.
Last year, after he placed picnic tables and an outdoor bar close to the road, the city declared him in violation. He and his son attended a hearing before a magistrate court, arguing it was all “political” and accusing the city of singling out his business. Gilliams and Fey lost the case and the subsequent appeal.
In a separate incident last March, after a code enforcement officer pointed out a grill placed too close to the road, they mocked the officer online, sharing his picture in a paid Facebook advertisement.
Here’s the ad they published:
Their Facebook post ridiculed the situation, saying, “Sebastian Code Enforcement came by to tell us our BBQ is in violation and must be moved south by 6 inches to a foot! Thank you, City of Sebastian, for keeping us so safe.”
Now, merely half a year after more extensions, No Name Sports Bar is again in violation, drawing attention and scrutiny from City, County, and State officials.
