§ 8-37. Building and standards commission.

(a)

There is created a building and standards commission to hear and determine cases concerning alleged violations of ordinances:

(1)

For the preservation of public safety, relating to the materials or methods used to construct a building or improvement, including the foundation, structural elements, electrical wiring or apparatus, plumbing and fixtures, entrances, or exits, including, but not limited to, the building codes as adopted and the minimum standards for buildings in this chapter;

(2)

Relating to the fire safety of a building or improvement, including, but not limited to, provisions in the International Fire Code as adopted in chapter 17 herein, relating to materials, types of construction or design, warning devices, sprinklers or other fire suppression devices, availability of water supply for extinguishing fires, or location, design, or width of entrances or exits;

(3)

Relating to dangerously damaged or deteriorated buildings or improvements, including, but not limited to, provisions in sections 8-26 through 8-30 herein;

(4)

Relating to conditions caused by accumulations of refuse, vegetation, or other matter that creates breeding and living places for insects and rodents, including, but not limited to, sections 8-26 through 8-30 and chapter 32 herein, and the zoning ordinance; or

(5)

Relating to a building code or to the condition, use, or appearance of property in the city including, but not limited to, provisions regarding the minimum standards for buildings in this chapter;

(b)

The commission shall consist of one (1) five-member panel. The members of the commission shall be residents of the city and shall be appointed by the city council to terms of two (2) years. The city council shall appoint regular members on the commission to designated places 1 through 5. Terms of Places 1, 3, and 5 expire in November of odd-numbered years. Terms of Places 2 and 4 expire in November of even-numbered years.

(c)

A member may be removed for cause on a written charge in accordance with section 54.033, Texas Local Government Code. Before a decision on removal is made, the city council must hold a public hearing on the matter if requested by the commission member subject to the removal action.

(d)

Any vacancy shall be filled for the unexpired term.

(e)

The city council may appoint five (5) or more alternate members who shall serve in the absence of one (1) or more regular members when requested to do so by the mayor or city manager. By the adoption of this chapter, the mayor requests alternate members to serve in place of a regular member due to absence or as part of a rotation of regular and alternate members. Alternate members shall serve for the same period and are subject to removal in the same manner as regular members. Vacancies for alternates shall be filled in the same manner as vacancies for regular members. The city council may appoint alternates on the commission to designated Places 1 through 5. The terms of alternates for Places 1, 3, and 5 shall expire in November of odd-numbered years. Terms of alternates for Places 2 and 4 expire in even-numbered years.

(Ord. No. 2008-9000, § 2, 10-2-08)