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141• -S L R i.. ~ }~ .~ ORDINANCE N0. l~_ AN ORDINANCE CREATING AND ESTABLISHING THE OFFICE OF BUILDING INSPECTOR, DEFINING HIS DUTIES, AND FOR. OTHER PURPOSES. BE IT ORDAINED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF WEST MEMPHIS: Sec. 1. CREATION OF THE OFFICE OF BUILDING INSPECTOR, - L There is hereby created and established the office of building inspector. Sec. 2. APPOINTMENT OF BUILDING INSPECTOR. - The building inspector shall be appointed by the Mayor with the advice and consent of the City Council and shall be appointed for the term of two (2) years. He shall be appointed at the first meeting of the City Council after the Mayor shall have been elected and qualified. The building inspector shall have the right and authority to appoint one or more assistants, who shall be approved by the City Council before they shall be qualified to act in such capacity, and who shall be under the direction of the inspector. The inspector shall be responsible to the City Council for the acts of his deputy or assistant. Sec. 3. DUTIES OF BUILDING INSPECTOR. - Subject to the ~r. ~.. direction and control of the City Council the building inspector, shall, in addition to such other duties as may be assigned to him by the City Council, enforce this ordinance and such other laws and ordinances relating to buildings or structures as may be specifically provided. Sec. ~. QUALIFICATIONS OF BUILDING INSPECTOR = The building Inspector shall be technically informed on the quality and strength of building materials, on the prevailing methods of building and construction, on the latest practices in fire prevention, on the accepted requirements for safe exit facilities, and on the proper equipment in buildings, and other installations for the safety, comfort, and convenience of the occupants. He shall not have any interest whatever, directly or indirectly, in i +~ a -2- the sale or manufacture of any material, process or device entering into or used in or in connection with building or construction. Sec. 5. EXAMINE APPLICATIONS - He shall investigate applications and examine plans and specifications for the con- struction, alteration, removal or demolition of buildings or structures referred to him and shall report thereon to the City Council with recommendations of approval or disapproval, He shall examine premises for which permits have been issued and shall make necessary inspections to see that the provisions of the laws are complied with and that construction is prosecuted safely. He shall, when requested by the City Council or when the interests of the city so require, make investigations in con- nection with matters referred to in this ordinance and render written reports on the same. For the purpose of enforcing compliance with law, to remove illegal or unsafe condition, to secure the necessary safeguards during construction, or to require adequate exit facilities in existing buildings, he shall issue notices or orders as may be necessary. Sec. 6. SHALL KEEP RECORDS. - The building inspector shall keep careful and comprehensive records of applications, of permits issued, of certificates issued, of inspections made, or reports rendered, and of notices or orders issued. He shall retain on file, copies of all papers in connection with building work until otherwise ordered disposed of by the City Council. All such records shall be open to public inspection at reasonable hour but shall not be removed from the office of the building inspector. Sec. 7. ASSISTANCE OF CHIEF OF POLICE AND CITY ATTORNEY. -~ The building inspector shall request and receive so far as may be necessary, the assistance and co-operation of the chief of police in enforcing orders, of the city attorney in prosecuting vio- ~, lations, and of these and other city officials in proper and. necessary performance of his duties. ~. r -3- 1. L sec. 8. MAY ENTER UPON PREMISES FoR PURPOSES of INSPECTI - The building inspector in the proper discharge of his duties, shall have authority at any reasonable hour to enter any premises, building or structure. For the purpose of identification he shall adopt a 'ba.dge of office which he shall display on demand provided that in an emergency, any other method of identification shall be sufficient. Sec. 9. ADMINISTRATIVE LIABILITY. - The building inspector acting in good faith anal without malice, shall not be liable for damages by reason of anything done in any action or proceeding instituted un~.er a provision of this ordinance, or by reason of any act of omission in the performance of his official duties. Sec. 10. ABSENCE OF INSPECTOR, DEPUTY TO ACT. - In the absence or disability of the building inspector, the duly appointed deputy building inspector, subject to and in accordance with the provisions of this section, shall be vested with all the rights and privileges and shall discharge all the duties of the building inspector, during the absence or disability of both the building inspector and the deputy building inspector, the City Council shall designate a qualified subordinate to discharge the duties of the building inspector. Sec. 11. UNCONSTITUTIONALITY CLAUSE. - Should any section, paragraph, sentence, clause, or phrase of this ordinance be declared unconstitional or invalid for any reason, the remainder of said ordinance shall not be affected thereby and shall remain in full force and effect, and to this end the provisions of this ordinance are declared to be severable. Sec. 12. EMERGENCY CLAUSE. - It is hereby declared and found to be a fact that the City of West Memphis is without a building inspector; that it would be to the best interest of the city that an ordinance be passed providing such office; _u.. ._ -~F L. ~-+ that it would be to the best interest of the peace, health, safety and happiness of the citizens of West Memphis; therefore, an emergency is hereby declared to exist, and this ordinance shall be in full force and effect from and after its passage and. approval . G~~ Ma or ~- ~. err Passed and approved this 20th day of October, 19+7. Attest: ~ City erk