The Director of Consumer Affairs under the supervision and direction of the Mayor and subject to the Charter and ordinances of the City shall have the power and he or she shall:
(a) Delegate and appoint personnel in the Office of Consumer Affairs to aid and assist the Director in the proper discharge of his or her duties and powers;
(b) Supervise the execution and enforcement of all laws, rules and regulations pertaining to consumer affairs as provided in this Code;
(c) Receive moneys and issue vouchers for the disbursement of moneys in accordance with the terms of any stipulated settlement agreement made pursuant to Section 832.17(a) of these Codified Ordinances;
(d) Investigate, hear and determine complaints of violations of this Code and make inspections and observations, hold hearings and subpoena witnesses and relevant matter as he or she deems necessary to effectuate this Code. Records shall be maintained of all such investigations, complaints, inspections, observations, hearings, testimony, evidence received and action taken, if any;
(e) Institute complaints against all violations of any provisions of this Code and institute necessary legal proceedings, either personally or through his or her representative;
(f) Make studies, conduct tests and establish programs to inform consumers of practices and problems and represent the interest of consumers before administrative and regulatory agencies;
(g) Work with other city, state and federal governmental agencies and private consumer groups to insure the protection of consumers and to coordinate activities for the common Municipal good;
(h) Make an annual report enumerating the activities and recommendations of the Office of Consumer Affairs to the public via presentation at a Regular Council Meeting;
(i) Do any and all acts which may be necessary for the successful prosecution of the purposes of this Code and such other acts as may be specifically enumerated herein including, but not limited to requiring that certain classes of merchants be licensed.
(Ord. 01-148. Passed 10-2-01.)