(A) The office of Enforcement Official is hereby established.
(B) An Enforcement Official shall be appointed by the Mayor to exercise any powers as are necessary and/or convenient to carry out and effectuate the purposes and provisions of this chapter. The Enforcement Official may be an employee of the city or an independent contractor and may be a person holding other employment responsibilities with the city. Powers of the Enforcement Official shall include the following in addition to all others herein granted:
(1) To investigate the structural conditions in the city in order to determine which structures or real estate therein are unfit for human habitation, occupancy, or use;
(2) To administer oaths, affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence.
(C) The Enforcement Official shall have the authority and power to:
(1) Enforce the provisions of this chapter and, he or she or his or her duly authorized representatives or designees, upon presentation of proper identification to the owner, agent, high managerial agent, or tenant in charge of or in possession or constructive possession of any property within the city, may enter any building, structure, dwelling, apartment, apartment house, or premises, during all reasonable hours, except in cases of emergency where extreme hazards are known to exist which may involve the potential loss of life or severe property damage in which case the above limitations shall not apply; and
(2) Make or cause to be made inspections to determine the condition of all buildings and premises in the interest of safeguarding the health and safety of the occupants of those buildings and of the general public; and
(3) For the purpose of making inspections, the Enforcement Official, or his or her agent(s) or designee(s), is authorized to enter, examine, and survey at all reasonable times all buildings and premises. The owner or occupant of every building or the person in charge thereof shall give the Enforcement Official or his or her agent(s) or designee(s) free access to the building and its premises, at all reasonable times for the purpose of inspections, examinations, and surveys; and
(4) Appoint and fix the duties of any officers, agents, and employees as he or she deems necessary to carry out the purposes of this chapter; and, may delegate any of his or her functions and power under this chapter to those officers and agents as he or she designates.
(Ord. 2009-005, passed 7-13-09)