[Added 4-16-2007 by L.L. No. 6-2007]
A. 
In case there shall be, in the opinion of the Code Enforcement Supervisor, actual and immediate danger of the falling of a building or structure so as to endanger public safety, life or property or actual or immediate menace to health or public welfare as a result of the conditions present in or about a building or structure, such person shall cause the necessary work or demolition and removal to be done to render such building or structure safe.
B. 
When emergency work or demolition and removal is to be performed under this section, the Code Enforcement Supervisor shall cause the owner thereof to be served personally or by registered mail, return receipt requested, and, if served by registered mail, shall post on the premises a notice to comply containing a description of the premises, a statement of the facts in which the structure is unsafe or dangerous and orders and directions to correct the conditions which constitute an emergency within a specified period not to exceed three days from actual or constructive receipt of the notice.
C. 
In the event that the emergency does not permit any delay, the City and/or its designee shall correct or demolish and remove the building or structure and the notice shall state that the City has corrected or demolished and removed the emergency condition.
D. 
In each case, the notice shall state that the corrective and/or demolition and removal costs of the emergency will be assessed against the owner's property pursuant to the provisions of this chapter.
Pursuant to the authority and powers granted in the Municipal Home Rule Law, particularly § 10 thereof, General Municipal Law § 78-b, and General City Law § 20(35), the following procedures may be followed:
A. 
Upon the making of a written report by the Code Enforcement Supervisor that the building or structure is unsafe or dangerous to the public, the Code Enforcement Supervisor shall serve a notice upon the owner and all other persons having an interest in such property or structure, either personally or by registered mail, addressed to their last known addresses as shown by the records of the City Assessor and/or in the office of the County Clerk, containing a description of the premises, a statement of the particulars in which the building or structure is unsafe or dangerous and an order of the Code Enforcement Supervisor requiring the same to be repaired or demolished and removed and, if such service is made by registered mail, the posting of such notice on the premises.
B. 
Such owner so served shall commence the repair or demolition and removal of such building or structure within 30 days after service of such notice.
C. 
A hearing shall be scheduled by and held before the City Engineer at a time and place specified in the notice to repair or demolish and remove, not sooner than two weeks nor later than the date given to commence repair or demolition and removal.
D. 
At the hearing, the owner, the City and any other interested parties may present witnesses and any other proof relating to the matter, and all parties may appear in person or with their attorneys.
E. 
At the conclusion of the hearing, the City Engineer shall make a determination, in writing, and a copy of the same shall be served either personally or by registered mail on all parties who appear therein.
F. 
The determination shall state whether the original report is sustained, modified or reversed. If reversed, no further proceeding shall be had.
G. 
If the original report is sustained, in whole or in part, the City Engineer shall also include an order directing the owner to proceed in accordance therewith and shall further specify that unless the work is commenced within 10 days after service and completed within a reasonable time thereafter, which the City Engineer shall designate, the penalties hereinafter provided shall be invoked.
H. 
The notice from the City Engineer under Subsection A of this section shall be filed in the office of the Jefferson County Clerk, in the same manner as the notice of pendency, pursuant to Article 65 of the Civil Practice Law and Rules. Such a notice so filed shall be effective for a period of one year from the date of filing. However, said notice may be vacated upon the order of a Judge or Justice of a court of record or upon the consent of the City Attorney.
A. 
Upon notification that the owner of the unsafe building or structure has failed or refused to repair or demolish and remove the unsafe building or structure within the time specified in the final order, the City Engineer shall report the same to the City Manager. The City Manager may direct that the City shall cause the repair or demolition and removal of the unsafe building. The City, in its discretion, may undertake to do the authorized work with its own personnel or hire a private contractor to complete said work. After the work has been completed, the City Engineer shall file with the City Comptroller a verified statement of all of the direct costs of the same, together with a charge, in addition thereto, as reimbursement to the City for administering, supervising and handling said work. Said administrative charge shall be added to the direct cost, whether City personnel or a private contractor was used to do the subject work. The charge shall be established at least annually by the Watertown City Council through a budget resolution that adopts a City Fees and Charges Schedule. Such schedule shall be available to the public at the office of the Watertown City Clerk.
[Amended 9-19-2016]
B. 
Upon receipt of the verified statement, the City Comptroller shall direct that the amount thereof, including the charges added thereto, shall constitute a lien against the premises and direct that the same shall be added to the next assessment roll of general City taxes and shall be collected and enforced in the same manner, by the same proceedings, at the same time and under the same penalties as the general City tax and as a part thereof. In addition thereto, interest shall run thereon from the date of filing the verified statement to the date of actual payment at 1% per month.
C. 
Notwithstanding any provision herein to the contrary, the City may, at its election, institute suit against the owner of the premises for the direct costs, together with the charge identified at Subsection A above, in addition thereto, as compensation to the City for administering, supervising and handling said work and enter judgment thereon against the owner personally for the aforesaid amount. The imposition and collection of any fine or penalty hereinafter prescribed shall not bar the right of the City to collect costs of the demolition and removal or repair of any unsafe building or structure as herein prescribed.
[Amended 9-19-2016]
The transfer of title by the owner of premises upon which an unsafe building or structure is located shall be no defense to any proceedings under this chapter.