(A) The City Council shall have the primary responsibility for the enforcement of the code.
(B) In matters where it is alleged that a city officer or board member, other than a member of the City Council, violated the code, the City Council may direct the City Attorney to investigate or prosecute any apparent violation of the code by one or more such persons. At the direction of the City Council, the City Attorney shall have the power to investigate any such complaint, to initiate any suit, to file any complaint in municipal court, and to prosecute any such complaint or action on behalf of the city where such complaint or action is appropriate against a city officer or board member, other than a member of the City Council.
(C) In matters where it is alleged that a member of the City Council violated the code, the City Council may direct the City Attorney to investigate as in division (B) above, or if the Council feels the alleged conduct is an extreme violation of the code, the Council may select an outside, independent attorney to investigate or prosecute any apparent violation of this subchapter by a member of the City Council. The City Council shall select such attorney from a list of five experienced, qualified attorneys to be nominated by the City Attorney. At the direction of the City Council, such independent attorney shall have the power to investigate any such complaint, to initiate any suit, to file any complaint in municipal court, and to prosecute any such complaint or action on behalf of the city where such complaint or action is appropriate against a member of the City Council.
(D) Any person who believes that a violation of any portion of the code has occurred may file a complaint with the City Council which may then proceed as provided in divisions (B) or (C) above. However, nothing in the code shall be construed to prevent complainants from instituting direct legal action through the appropriate judicial authority.
(Ord. 1466, passed 12-8-03; Am. Ord. OR-2182-20, passed 9-14-20)