(a) Enforcement Officer. This law may be enforced by an individual duly appointed by the City of Ripley. Said persons shall have the authority to enforce the provisions of this chapter and to inspect premises within the municipality as necessary for said enforcement. The enforcement officer shall make periodic inspections of the City of Ripley to ensure the requirements of this law are met.
(b) Complaints. Any person may file a complaint with the City of Ripley. The complaint shall be forwarded to an enforcement officer who shall properly investigate any such complaint. The enforcement officer may also investigate any alleged violation that he or she has reason to believe has occurred or is occurring. If violation of the said ordinance is found to exist by the enforcement officer, a notice to comply shall be issued to said violator, giving the violator ten (10) days in which to comply with said ordinance
(c) Notice to Comply. The written notice to comply shall contain the following information and shall be served in accordance with the laws of the State of West Virginia concerning service of process:
(1) The name of the owner or occupant to whom the notice shall be addressed;
(2) The location of the premises involved in the violation;
(3) A statement of the facts which allegedly violation the ordinance;
(4) A demand that the junk be removed or placed so as to be in compliance with the law within ten (10) days after the service of the notice;
(5) A statement that a failure to comply shall result in a fine and/or prosecution; and
(6) A copy of the ordinance that has been violated.
(d) If the violation continues beyond the ten-day period, the enforcement officer is hereby authorized to issue a citation to any person whom the enforcement officer has reason to believe has violated this ordinance, and shall cause such person to appear before the Municipal Court of the City of Ripley for a hearing on the charges.
(2-7-17)