§ 8-274. Emergency condemnations, authority to take action; lien on property.

(a)

In cases where there is imminent peril to the public safety or general welfare or immediate danger to the life or safety of any person or where the public is endangered by weather conditions, fire, other natural disasters or the particular location of the subject property, unless an unfit or unsafe structure is immediately repaired, demolished, or removed, the POD shall promptly cause such structure to be made safe or removed. For this purpose the POD and the Fire Marshal may at once enter such a structure or land on which it stands, or abutting land or structures, to perform an inspection with such assistance and at such cost as may be deemed necessary.

(b)

Upon inspection, the POD and the Fire Marshal shall jointly determine whether or not the structure requires immediate emergency demolition in order to maintain the safety and welfare of the owner, tenants, or public. A written report will document results of these inspections. Exterior and interior photographs of the building, structure, or portion thereof will be taken when feasible.

(c)

The POD may order the vacation of adjacent structures and may require the protection of the public by appropriate fencing or such other means as may be necessary, and for this purpose may close any public or private way.

(d)

If the POD determines there is sufficient time prior to demolition, a notice of intent to demolish will be provided via priority mail or courier delivery or telephone (if the parties are listed in the current phone directory) to the owner and interested parties informing him/her/them of the emergency demolition. This written notification must state the findings of the POD and the Fire Marshal, documenting cause for demolition or removal. Where the owner or other interested party fails to take immediate corrective action as ordered by the POD, the POD shall have the authority to promptly proceed with the abatement of the unsafe structure in accordance with this division. Failure to effect personal notice upon the individual owner or interested parties shall not prevent the City from performing the emergency demolition or removal and assessing a lien on the property. All costs incurred in the evaluation, vacation, securing and emergency demolition are the responsibility of the property owner, shall be reported to City Council, and the Council shall place a lien on the property as set forth in section 8-270.

(Code 1992, § 8-377; Ord. No. 219-G, § 1, 1-4-1996; Ord. No. 469-G, § 3, 3-15-2001)