(A) Creation. There is hereby created a Property Maintenance Appeals Board. The words "the Board" or "Board," as used in this chapter, mean the Property Maintenance Appeals Board. The Board shall consist of five members, who shall be appointed by the Mayor for overlapping terms of three years. Initially, two members shall be appointed for one year, two members for two years, and one member for three years, respectively, and they shall serve until a successor is appointed.
(B) Members. Members of the Board shall be residents of the City of Wadsworth. Membership shall constitute a representative group of citizens with appropriate expertise in health, finance, construction, homemaking and other appropriate skills and shall not be employed by the city in any capacity. In the event of the absence from the city or incapacity of a member, the Mayor shall appoint one or more alternate members who shall be called by the Board chairperson to hear appeals during the absence or disqualification of a member. Such substitutes may serve as a member of the Board with the same power and authority as a regular member until such member has returned or is able to resume his or her duties.
(C) Compensation. The members of the Board shall serve without compensation from the city.
(D) Disqualification of member. A member shall not hear an appeal in which that member has a personal, professional or financial interest.
(E) Rules of procedure, quorum. The Board shall adopt rules and procedure consistent with this chapter and elect such officers, as the Board deems necessary. No member of the Board shall take part in any hearing or determination in which she or he has a personal or financial interest. Three members of the Board in attendance at any meeting shall constitute a quorum.
(F) Variances. The Board shall interpret the intent of this chapter in specific cases where, upon appeal, it clearly appears that, by reason of special conditions, undue hardship would result from literal applications of any section of this chapter. Where such undue hardship is clearly demonstrated, the Board may permit a variance from the applicable section, if the dwelling will vary only a reasonable minimum from the literal provision of this chapter but will comply with the spirit and intent of this chapter with respect to sanitation, safety and rehabilitation. All decisions to permit a variance under this section shall be by a majority vote of the total membership of the Board.
(G) The Director of Public Service shall provide secretarial service to the Property Maintenance Appeals Board.
(Ord. 11-015, passed 5-4-11)