The Building Commissioner shall have the powers and duties pursuant to this chapter to:
(A) Supervise all inspections required by this chapter, and cause the Building Inspector to make inspections and perform all the duties required of him or her by this chapter. Upon receiving a complaint or report from any source, that a dangerous building exists in the city, the Building Commissioner shall cause an inspection to be made forthwith. If the Building Commissioner deems it necessary to the performance of his or her duties and responsibilities imposed herein, the Building Commissioner may request an inspection and report be made by any other city department or retain services of an expert whenever the Building Commissioner deems such service necessary;
(B) Upon receipt of a report from the Building Inspector indicating failure by the owner, lessee, occupant, mortgagee, agent or other persons(s) having an interest in said building to commence work of reconditioning or demolition within the time specified by this chapter or upon failure to proceed continuously with work without unnecessary delay, hold a hearing giving the affected parties full and adequate hearing on the matter;
(C) Give written notice of said hearing, either by personal service or by certified mail, return receipt requested, or if service cannot be had by either of those modes of service then, by publication in a newspaper qualified to publish legal notices, at least ten days in advance of the hearing date, to the owner, occupant, mortgagee, lessee, agent and all other persons having an interest in said building as shown by the land records of the recorder of deeds of the county, who may appear before the Building Commissioner on the date specified in the notice to show cause why the building or structure reported to be a dangerous building should not be repaired, vacated or demolished in accordance with the statement of particulars set forth in the Building Inspector’s notice as provided herein. Any party may be represented by counsel and all parties shall have an opportunity to be heard;
(D) Make written findings of fact from the evidence offered at said hearing as to whether or not the building in question is a dangerous building within the terms of § 151.02 of this chapter;
(E) If the evidence supports a finding based upon competent and substantial evidence that the building or structure is a dangerous building, and a nuisance and detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the city, the Building Commissioner shall issue an order based upon its findings of fact commanding the owner, occupant, mortgagee, lessee, agent or other persons(s) having an interest in said building as shown by the land records of the recorder of deeds of the county to repair, vacate or demolish any building found to be a dangerous building and to clean up the property, provided that any person so notified shall have the privilege of either repairing or vacating and repairing said building, if such repair will comply with the ordinances of this city or may vacate and demolish said dangerous building at his or her own risk to prevent the acquiring by the city of the lien against the land where the dangerous building stands. If the evidence does not support a finding that a building or structure is a dangerous building, or a nuisance or detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of the residents of the city, no order shall be issued; and
(F) If the owner, occupant, mortgagee or lessee fails to comply with the order within 30 days, the Building Commissioner shall cause such building or structure to be repaired, vacated or demolished and the property cleaned up as the facts may warrant. If the Building Commissioner or other designated officer or officers issues an order whereby the building or structure is demolished, secured, or repaired, or the property is cleaned up, the cost of performance shall be certified to the City Clerk or officer in charge of finance, who shall cause a special tax bill or assessment therefor against the property to be prepared and collected by the City Collector or other official collecting taxes, unless the building or structure is demolished, secured or repaired by a contractor pursuant to an order issued by the city and such contractor files a mechanic’s lien against the property where the dangerous building is located. The contractor may enforce this lien as provided in RSMo. §§ 429.010 to 429.360. Except as provided in § 151.09, at the request of the taxpayer the tax bill may be paid in installments over a period of not more than ten years. The tax bill from the date of its issuance shall be deemed a personal debt against the property owner and shall also be a lien on the property until paid. Said tax bill or assessment shall bear interest at a rate of 8% per annum until paid.
(Prior Code, § 505.080)