(a)
A citizen may file a written complaint with the city secretary, building official, or city manager with a form provided by the city or in a letter with the plaintiff's signature, address and phone number attached.
(b)
Upon receipt of the complaint of the alleged code or ordinance violation, the complaint shall be signed by the city staff acknowledging the receipt of the complaint and directed to the appropriate staff member within three (3) working days to investigate and determine if in fact there is a violation, and what code or ordinance is being violated.
(c)
After determining that in fact there is a violation, the investigating staff member shall diligently try and contact the violator to clear the violation, either by personal contact, by telephone or by certified mail return receipt requested, but shall not allow the violation to continue more than fifteen (15) days before certified mail is sent.
(d)
If the violation still exists after the fifteen-day period, the investigative staff shall file a complaint for municipal court with the city secretary along with the citizen complaint and all other associated documents. The investigating staff shall complete the citizen complaint form by informing the plaintiff of what action was completed, and if or not the violation has ceased or the case is being filed in municipal court. The city secretary shall produce a copy of the completed complaint and mail to the plaintiff.
(e)
The city secretary shall notify the city attorney or prosecuting attorney and shall start preparing the documents for municipal court proceedings, and shall not take more than ten (10) days.
(f)
Upon completion of the proper documents the city secretary shall contact the municipal judge, who shall set a court date. The city secretary shall contact the mayor and advise him/her of the complaint, violation, and court date.
(2002 Code, art. 1.500)