(A) There is hereby created a Department of Health, Housing and Building, which shall be headed by a Director. The Director shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council at the first regular meeting of the Council in May of each year. It is the intent of the City Council that the position of Director be on the policy making level in the city government and that it be a position described in 42 U.S.C. § 2000e(f) as being exempt from coverage under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, 42 U.S.C. §§ 2000 et seq.
(1960 Code, § 18-1-1)
(B) (1) Policy making. The Director and his or her staff shall formulate, develop and recommend to the Mayor and the Council all policies and procedures for the public health and sanitation of the city and for enforcement of the Housing Occupancy and Maintenance Codes of the city and to formulate, develop and recommend to the Council legislation relating to the sanitation, housing and health of the city and its residents.
(2) Enforcement. The Director shall investigate all matters of Sanitation, Health and Housing Code enforcement, determine who shall be prosecuted in connection therewith, and assemble the evidence in connection therewith and present it to the City Attorney for prosecution. The Director shall have such powers and authority as are necessary and reasonable for him or her to carry out his or her responsibilities and powers hereunder to enforce the ordinances and regulations of the city relating to sanitation, housing and health.
(3) Power to inspect.
(a) With reference to any health nuisance or any Housing or Maintenance Code violation, the Director shall have the power to enter and examine any property for the purpose of enforcement of the Health Code and the Housing and Maintenance Codes of the city. The Director shall cause to be made a thorough sanitary inspection of the entire area within the city’s jurisdiction with such frequency as he or she, in the exercise of his or her judgment and authority, shall determine appropriate, but not less frequently than once each year. Such inspections shall include all matters affecting the public health, as the Director shall determine.
(b) The Director shall have authority to enter and examine, with reference to any nuisance, all premises and parts thereof within the city limits or within one-half mile outside the city limits, and to direct the abatement of the nuisance.
(4) Reporting. The Director shall report to the City Council each month at the first regular meeting of the Council on the sanitation, housing and health conditions of the city.
(5) Orders. The Director shall be authorized to issue orders pursuant to the exercise of his or her responsibilities and powers, which shall be enforced by the Police Department. The Director shall also have authority to execute orders of the Housing Court through the Police Department.
(6) Jurisdiction. All orders and regulations of the Director made in accordance with his or her authority hereunder shall be obeyed by all persons in the city subject to the jurisdiction of the city in matters relating to sanitation, housing and health.
(1960 Code, § 18-1-2)
(Ord. 5602, passed 7-1-1996)