 |
Laredo |
 |
Code of Ordinances |
|
Chapter 24. PLANNING |
|
Article I. BOARDS, COMMISSIONS AND APPOINTIVE OFFICES |
§ 24-1.4. Building and standards commission.
There is hereby established a building and standards commission to hear cases concerning alleged violations of the city's regulations relating to property maintenance, housing, and dangerous buildings.
(a)
Powers and duties.
(1)
The building and standards commission shall have the powers granted by the V.T.C.A., Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 54, Subchapter C (Quasi-Judicial Enforcement of Health and Safety Ordinances), V.T.C.A., Texas Local Government Code, Chapter 214, (Municipal Regulation of Housing and Other Structures), Subchapter A (Dangerous Structures), and the city Code of Ordinances.
(2)
The building and standards commission shall hear any case dealing with substandard and dangerous buildings or unsafe structures, make findings as to whether building or structure are public nuisances, and issue rulings as to whether such building or structure should be repaired, vacated and/or demolished.
(3)
The duties of the building and standards commission duties shall also include hearing appeals of administrative decisions regarding the International Property Maintenance Code and building codes.
(b)
Composition and term.
(1)
The building and standards commission shall consist of five (5) members nominated by the mayor and approved by the city council. Members shall be appointed to two (2) years or until a successor is appointed and qualified.
(2)
There shall be appointed up to eight (8) alternate members of the building and standards commission who shall serve in the absence of one (1) or more regular members when requested to do so by the mayor or city manager. The alternate members serve for the same period and as regular members.
(3)
The police chief, fire chief and health director shall henceforth be considered ex-officio members of the building standard commission. An ex-officio member may designate a representative to the attend hearing.
(4)
The building official shall serve as the building and standards commission's executive secretary.
(5)
Regular and alternate members of the building and standards commission should be persons familiar with building and construction standards.
(c)
Removal and vacancy.
(1)
Regular members or alternate members of the building and standards commission may be removed by the city council for cause on a written charge. Before a decision regarding the removal of a member or alternate member, the city council shall hold a public hearing on the matter, if requested by the member or alternate member subject to the removal action.
(2)
A vacancy among the regular members or alternate members shall be filled by appointment as herein provided. A vacancy is filled for the unexpired term.
(d)
Rules and procedures.
(1)
At least four (4) members of the building and standards commission constitute a quorum for purposes of hearing a case and the concurring vote of a majority of the members in attendance is necessary to take any action under this section.
(2)
A building and standards commission member having a personal or financial interest in any matter before the commission shall excuse himself from the discussion and the vote on that matter.
(3)
The person acting as secretary to the commission shall make a record of all proceedings of the commission, which shall set forth the particulars of the matter before the commission, the decision rendered by the commission, the reason for the said decision and the vote of each member participating therein.
(4)
The chairperson or city secretary may call meetings of the commission when necessary to rule on any case brought before it regarding substandard building nuisances.
(5)
The building and standards commission shall establish such other rules and procedures it deems necessary for the election of officers and the conduct of its business.
(Ord. No. 2013-O-025 , §§ 2, 3, 3-18-13)