(a) Imminent Danger. When, in the opinion of the Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer, there is an imminent danger of failure or collapse of a building or structure which endangers life, or when any structure or part of a structure has fallen and life is endangered by the occupation of the structure, or when there is actual or potential danger to the building occupants or those in the proximity of any structure because of explosives, explosive fumes or vapors or the presence of toxic fumes, gases or materials, or operation of defective or dangerous equipment, the Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer is authorized to order the occupants to vacate the premises immediately. The Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer shall post at each entrance to such structure a notice reading as follows: "This Structure is Unsafe and Its Occupancy Has Been Prohibited under the Maintenance Ordinances of the City of Mount Vernon, Ohio." No person shall enter such structure except for the purpose of securing the structure, making required repairs, removing the hazardous condition or demolishing the structure.
(b) Temporary Safeguards. Notwithstanding other provisions of the Maintenance Ordinances, whenever, in the opinion of the Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer, there is imminent danger due to an unsafe condition, the Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer shall order the necessary work to be done, including the boarding up of openings, to render such structure temporarily safe. These orders may be issued whether or not any legal procedure described in the Maintenance Ordinances has been instituted; and the Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer shall cause such action to be taken as deemed necessary to meet such emergency.
(c) Closing of Streets and Sidewalks. When necessary for public safety, the Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer shall request the Safety Service Director to temporarily close streets, sidewalks, public ways and public places adjacent to unsafe structures pursuant to the Safety Service Director's powers conferred by Sections 305.04 and 331.26.
(d) Emergency Repairs and Costs. When necessary to complete emergency repairs, the Property Maintenance Enforcement Officer, with the consent of the Safety Service Director, shall secure the necessary labor and materials to perform emergency repairs as expeditiously as possible. The costs incurred by the city shall be billed to the property owner pursuant to Section 1303.06, and may be recovered pursuant to Section 1303.07 if unpaid for more than thirty (30) days.
(e) Hearing by Property Maintenance Appeals Board. Any person ordered to take emergency measures shall comply with the order immediately. However, any person ordered to take emergency measures shall have the right to a hearing before the Property Maintenance Appeals Board as provided in this Chapter. In cases of emergency measure appeals, the $100.00 administrative fee shall be waived.
(Ord. 2014-02. Passed 3-24-14.)