[HISTORY: Adopted by the Council of the City of Schenectady 10-15-1991 by Ord. No. 91-41; amended in its entirety 5-29-2015 by Ord. No. 2015-07.[1] Subsequent amendments noted where applicable.]
GENERAL REFERENCES
Housing Authority — See Ch. 67.
Building, plumbing and electrical standards — See Ch. 137 and Ch. 138.
Fire prevention and protection — See Ch. 156.
Housing standards — See Ch. 167.
Rat and pest control — See Ch. 208.
Rental property — See Ch. 210.
[1]
Editor's Note: Former Ch. 68, Housing, Department of, adopted 7-2-1979 as Ord. No. 79-63, as amended, was repealed 12-15-1986 by Ord. No. 86-76. See now Ch. 33, Development, Department of.
There is hereby created in the City a Housing Standards Review Board ("Board") to:
A. 
Receive comments from the public related to the housing standard requirements of New York State and the City of Schenectady, as well as the operations of Code Enforcement and the Buildings Department.
The Board, as herein created, shall consist of five members who shall be appointed by the Mayor. One member shall be a registered architect or a professional engineer, and one member shall be a multi-unit property owner who is a member of the Schenectady Landlords Influencing Change organization, or an organization which is determined by the Mayor to be a successor organization. The registered architect or professional engineer may also satisfy the multi-unit property owner requirement if they own such property. Before taking office, all Board members must disclose to the City Clerk any property they, or any corporation they have control over, have an ownership interest in, and no Board member may assume office if any property they have an interest in owes taxes to the City of Schenectady.
The term of office of each member of the Review Board shall be for two years; provided, however, that the members currently serving terms on the Multiple Residence Board shall be appointed for their original terms.
Members of the Board shall receive no compensation unless the Council of the City shall otherwise determine.
The Board shall elect its Chairperson from among its own members. At the first meeting of the Board in the calendar year of 2015, the Mayor shall have the authority to appoint a Chairperson, who shall serve for one calendar year, at which point in time the Board may then elect a Chairperson.
Three members of the Board shall constitute a quorum. The concurring vote of at least three members of the Board shall be necessary for action.
Any member chosen to fill a vacancy on the Board occurring otherwise than by an expiration of term shall be appointed for the unexpired term of the member whom he is to succeed.
The Mayor shall appoint such employees for the Board as may be authorized by the Council and shall prescribe their duties.
The Board shall have the following powers within the City:
A. 
Rules and regulations. The Board is authorized to make and adopt such written rules and regulations as may be necessary for the proper enforcement and interpretation of this chapter and to secure the intent thereof. Such rules and regulations shall not be in conflict with the provisions of this chapter or any other ordinance of the City, nor shall they have the effect of waiving any provisions of this chapter or any other ordinance.
B. 
To receive comments from the public related to the housing standard requirements of New York State and the City of Schenectady, as well as the operations of Code Enforcement and the Buildings Department, and to make recommendations to the City Council and the Mayor on how to improve housing standards requirements and the operations of Code Enforcement and the Buildings Department.
C. 
Housing surveys; priority areas. In order to implement enforcement of this chapter, the Board shall cause housing surveys to be made and designate areas of rehabilitation and conservation in conformance with the Comprehensive Plan of the City. The Board shall be empowered and they may recommend the area or areas which shall receive immediate and/or current attention in the enforcement of this chapter.
D. 
The Board shall have the power to independently review complaints made to it concerning the policies and procedures related to enforcement of the Uniform Fire Prevention and Building Code, and the City Code as it refers to building standards, in the City of Schenectady. Any complaint about a specific incident shall not be reviewed by the Board until any prosecution or other legal action taken on behalf of the City of Schenectady is deemed final and complete by the Corporation Counsel.
No member of the Board nor any of its employees shall pass upon any question relating to any premises in which he or any corporation in which he is a stockholder or security holder has any interest, directly or indirectly.