(a) (1) The Division of Code Enforcement, headed by a Director, which Division and Director shall be under the supervision, direction and control of the Director of Public Works pursuant to the City Charter, shall:
A. Administer and enforce the Building Code and Zoning Ordinance of the City and enforce all other laws, ordinances and regulations under which permits are required and initiate programs to eliminate or prevent slums, blight and deterioration where such conditions exist by inspections of properties throughout the City;
B. Annually review building codes, housing codes, plumbing codes, sanitary codes, electrical codes, fire prevention codes and all other technical codes dealing with the general public health, safety or welfare of the community and shall annually on or before December 31, make written recommendations to the Mayor and Council on matters of policy relating to the codes and shall further make recommendations as to the adoption, repeal and amendments to the codes.
(2) The Division of Code Enforcement, headed by the Director, shall, under the supervision of the City Engineer pursuant to the City Charter, issue permits and to that end:
A. Receive all applications for permits and determine whether the applicant is entitled thereto according to laws, ordinances and regulations under which the permit is required. No permit shall be issued until certification by the City Engineer or his designee.
B. Issue the permit if the application is approved and the fee paid, or notify the applicant in writing of any refusal and the reasons therefor.
C. Make or cause inspections of properties within the City which are in a deteriorating condition and enforce the Building Code and Minimum Housing Code as approved by Council.
D. Enforce ordinances prescribing minimum standards for human habitation, which ordinances may provide for the demolition of property when a hazard to the public welfare exists.
E. Revoke, suspend or cancel any permit which has been violated. Any revocation, suspensions or cancellations shall be in writing and shall state the reasons therefor.
F. Administer and enforce and rule upon the Zoning Ordinance as approved by Council and issue zoning compliance permits.
G. Perform such other duties required by resolution or ordinance or assigned by the Director or the Mayor.
(b) The Division of Community Improvement, headed by a Director, shall:
(1) Provide technical and staff assistance in implementing community-wide improvement programs, and coordinate the implementation of programs dealing with the elimination of slums, blight and develop programs for the improvement of the community.
(2) Research and provide assistance with grant and loan applications in carrying out the duties and responsibilities assigned to the Development Department.
(3) Complete the Central City Urban Renewal Project.
(4) Cooperate with all other divisions within the Department to assure continuity of improvement programs toward the implementation of the goals and objectives as set forth in the Comprehensive Plan as approved and amended by Council.
(5) Establish and maintain an index of historical sites within the City.
(6) Perform such other duties required by resolution or ordinance and assigned by the Director or the Mayor.
(c) The Division of Public Housing, headed by a Director, shall:
(1) Undertake studies of housing accommodations in the City in cooperation with the Planning Division as herein created and the City Planning Commission.
(2) Investigate living and housing conditions in the City and the means and methods of improving such conditions to determine where insanitary or substandard housing conditions exist.
(3) Study and make recommendations concerning the City plan in relation to the problems of clearing, replanning and reconstructing the City housing stock where insanitary or substandard housing conditions exist.
(4) Devise and recommend means of improving housing accommodations within the City.
(5) Undertake programs for housing betterment when authorized by Council.
(6) Administer with the assistance of the Parkersburg Housing Authority existing and future public housing projects.
(7) Assist the Development Director with project applications for new Federally assisted housing applications.
(8) Perform such other duties required by resolution or ordinance of Council or as assigned by the Director or the Mayor.
(d) The Division of Planning, headed by a Director, shall:
(1) Provide technical assistance to the Director and divisions within the Department. Provide clerical and staff assistance required by the boards which are a part or attached to the Department of Development.
(2) Coordinate the development of programs for implementing the Comprehensive Plan.
(3) Establish long and short term objectives for community development.
(4) Maintain the Comprehensive Plan, Zoning Ordinance and Subdivision Regulations in an up-to-date manner to assure that the community grows and develops in an orderly manner and to that end shall have the responsibility to recommend capital improvement programs to meet these requirements.
(5) Coordinate and direct the activities and affairs of the Planning Commission.
(6) Coordinate all applications for Federal or State grants and loans.
(7) Perform such other duties required by resolution or ordinance of Council or as assigned by the Director or the Mayor.
(8) Develop public education programs to assure public understanding of the community development programs and activities and provide programs for adequate citizen participation in developing goals and objectives.
(9) Assure a continuously current long-range growth and development strategy and plan for the community. Develop plans and programs and provide services to other divisions and agencies.
(Ord. A-2887. Passed 3-18-75.)