The Mayor, or his designee, is designated as the public officer
to exercise the powers described herein.
In the event a petition is filed with the public officer by
at least five residents of City charging that any building is unfit
for human habitation or occupancy or use, or the public officer so
determines on his inspection, the public officer shall conduct a preliminary
investigation, and if such preliminary investigation discloses a basis
for such charges, the public officer shall cause to be issued and
served upon the property owner and any other parties in interest in
such building, a complaint stating the charges, and that a hearing
will be held before the public officer at City Hall not less than
seven days nor more than 30 days after the serving of said complaint,
at which time the owner and parties in interest may file an answer
to the complaint, appear at the hearing and give testimony.
Following said hearing, if the public officer determines the
building under consideration is unfit for human habitation or occupancy
or use, he shall issue and serve, in writing, his findings, and shall
issue and serve upon the owner and parties in interest an order:
A. Requiring the repair, alteration or improvement of the said building
to be made by the owner, within a reasonable time, which time shall
be set forth in the order or at the option of the owner to vacate
or have the said building vacated and closed within the time set forth
in the order; and
B. If the building is in such a condition as to make it dangerous to
the health and safety of persons on or near the premises, and the
owner fails to repair; alter or improve the said building within the
time specified in the order, then the owner shall be required to remove
or demolish the said building within a reasonable time as specified
in the said order of removal.
If the owner fails to comply with an order to repair, alter
or improve or, at the option of the owner, to vacate and close the
building, the public officer may cause such building to be repaired,
altered or improved, or to be vacated and closed; that the public
officer may cause to be posted on the main entrance of any building
so closed, a placard with the following words: "This building is unfit
for human habitation or occupancy or use; the use or occupation of
this building is prohibited and unlawful."
If the owner fails to comply with an order to remove or demolish
the building, the public officer may cause such building to be removed
or demolished or may contract for the removal or demolition thereof
after advertisement for, and receipt of, bids therefor.
If an actual and immediate danger to life is posed by the threatened
collapse of any fire damaged or other structurally unsafe building,
the public officer may, after taking such measures as may be necessary
to make such building temporarily safe, seek a judgment in summary
proceedings for the demolition thereof.