The Enforcement Officer shall learn and keep updated on legislative and judicial changes to the governing law related to substandard buildings. It is the Enforcement Officer's duty to educate and inform other city staff and the public about the city's substandard building ordinance, state law and the due process procedures available to a property owner engaged in an enforcement action. It is not, however, the duty or responsibility of the Enforcement Officer to provide legal advice, but instead should encourage legal questions be directed to a licensed attorney. It is also the duty of the Enforcement Officer to strictly apply the notice and notification provisions of this subchapter, always striving to locate and make aware, the true, legal property owner, lienholder, or other with rights to the property, to allow for compliance and abatement when possible. The Enforcement Officer shall also conduct or supervise the inspection of property subject to this subchapter and report back to the city with accurate, reliable evidence (including but not limited to photographs, videos, written complaints from neighbors, proof of attempts to earn compliance, etc.) of the conditions of the property subject to an enforcement of this subchapter. The Enforcement Officer, acting in good faith and without malice in the discharge of her duties, shall not thereby render herself personally liable for any damage that may accrue to persons or property as a result of any act or by reason of any act or omission in the discharge of his duties. Any suit brought against the Enforcement Officer, City Administrator, Code Enforcement Officer or their designees, because of such act or omission performed in the enforcement of any provisions of this subchapter, shall be defended by legal counsel provided by the city until final termination of such proceedings.
(Ord. 11012016-BUILDING, passed 11-1-2016)