(A) Appointment. There is hereby established a Board of Zoning Appeals which shall consist of 5 electors appointed by the Mayor and approved by Council. Council, by a majority vote of its members, shall choose a successor to fill any vacancy. The 5 electors first appointed shall serve for terms of 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 years, respectively; thereafter appointments shall be for 5 year terms, beginning January 1st. Each member shall serve until his successor is appointed and qualified. Vacancies shall be filled by the Council and shall be for the respective unexpired term. The members of the Board of Zoning Appeals may receive such compensation as the Council provides.
(B) Hearings, and rules. The hearings of the Board of Zoning Appeals shall be public. However, the Board may go into executive session for discussion but not for vote on any case before it. The Board shall organize annually and elect a President, Vice-President and Secretary. The Board shall adopt from time to time such rules and regulations as it may deem necessary to carry into effect the provisions of this chapter. The Board shall hear any owner of property adjacent to the lot for which the granting of any zoning permit is pending, and shall also hear any other parties having substantial interest as determined by the Board.
(C) Minutes and records. The Board shall keep minutes of its proceedings, showing the vote of each member upon each question; or, if absent or failing to vote, indicating such fact: and shall keep records of its examinations and other officials' action, all of which shall be immediately filed in the office of the Clerk and shall be a public record.
(D) Witnesses and oaths. The Board shall have the power to subpoena witnesses, administer oaths, and punish for contempt, and may require the production of documents, under such regulations as it may establish.
(E) Department assistance. The Board may call upon the various departments of the municipality for assistance in the performance of its duties, and it shall be the duty of such departments to render such assistance to the Board as may reasonably be required.
(1981 Code, § 150.65) (Ord. 6570-93, passed 12-13-1993)