The Police Chief, Fire Chief, City Engineer, Health Officer,
or Code Enforcement Officer shall administer and enforce the provisions
of this chapter.
Where the violation or condition existing on the premises is
of a nature as to constitute an imminent danger to health or safety
of persons and/or occupants upon said property or to the public at
large unless abated without delay, the Enforcement Officer may order
the owner, operator or occupant to correct the violation or condition
within the period of time consistent with the hazard involved and
with the measures necessary to remove the hazard; and upon the failure
of the owner, operator or occupant to correct said condition, the
Enforcement Officer may abate said condition immediately thereafter.
Unless otherwise specified in the wording of a particular section
hereof, upon conviction of any violation of the provisions of this
chapter, a fine of not less than $50 and not more than $250 and/or
incarceration for a maximum of 15 days shall be imposed for each offense,
and each day that such violation continues shall constitute a separate
offense. In the event that any fine remains unpaid after the court-determined
due date, or in the event that any assessment of remediation cost
and/or mobilization fee remains unpaid after 30 days from billing,
the City may pursue any one or more of the following:
A. The amount may be assessed against the property by the City Controller
and become a lien thereon, collectible in the same manner as City
property taxes.
B. The City may apply to the court to convert the unpaid amount to civil
judgment and file the same with the County Clerk.
C. The City may request a warrant of arrest and apply to the court to
impose an appropriate period of incarceration.
This chapter shall not be construed to relieve from or lessen
the responsibility of any person, firm or corporation for loss of
life or damage to person or property caused by any defect therein
or caused by an act of said person, firm or corporation, nor shall
the City of Amsterdam be deemed to have assumed any such liability
by reason of issuing any licenses, certificates, permits or any inspections
made pursuant to this chapter.
No officer, agent or employee of the City of Amsterdam shall
render himself personally liable for any damage that may accrue to
persons or property as a result of any act required or permitted in
the discharge of his duties under this chapter. Any suit brought against
any officer, agent or employee of the City of Amsterdam as a result
of any act required or permitted in the discharge of his duties under
this chapter shall be defended by the counsel for the City of Amsterdam
until the final determination of the proceedings therein, and any
judgment against any such person shall be paid by the City of Amsterdam.