Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/WVCODE/code.cfm?chap=08&art=12&section=16
Timestamp: 2018-01-19 22:01:45
Document Index: 322109817

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PART I. GENERAL CORPORATE POWERS OF MUNICIPALITIES.
Except as otherwise provided in this chapter, every municipality shall have plenary power and authority:
(3) To institute, maintain and defend any civil action or other proceeding in any court;
(4) To take, purchase, hold and lease as lessee (on an annual fiscal year basis where tax revenues are to be used to make the rental payments required under any such lease, with or without an option to renew such lease each year for another such period), for any municipal purpose, real or personal property within or without the corporate limits of the municipality, and to acquire by condemnation real or personal property within or without the corporate limits of the municipality for the purposes set forth in and in accordance with the provisions of chapter fifty-four of this code, subject, however, to any limitations or qualifications set forth in this chapter eight; and
(5) To take by gift, donation, grant, bequest or devise and to hold and administer, real or personal property within or without the corporate limits of the municipality, absolutely, in trust or otherwise, for any public, charitable or municipal purpose, and to do all things necessary, useful, convenient or incidental to carry out the purpose of such gift, donation, grant, bequest, devise or trust, and to manage, sell, lease or otherwise dispose of the same in accordance with such terms and conditions as may be prescribed by the donor, grantor or testator and accepted by the municipality.
PART II. HOME RULE POWERS FOR CITIES.
(a) In accordance with the provisions of the "Municipal Home Rule Amendment" to the Constitution of this state, and in addition to the powers and authority granted by (i) such Constitution, (ii) other provisions of this chapter, (iii) other general law, and (iv) any existing charter, any city shall have plenary power and authority by charter provision not inconsistent or in conflict with such Constitution, other provisions of this chapter or other general law, or by ordinance not inconsistent or in conflict with such Constitution, other provisions of this chapter, other general law or any existing charter, to provide for the government, regulation and control of the city's municipal affairs, including, but not limited to, the following:
(1) The creation or discontinuance of departments of the city's government and the prescription, modification or repeal of their powers and duties;
(4) The presentation, ascertainment, disposition and discharge of claims against the city;
(5) The acquisition, care, management and use of the city's streets, avenues, roads, alleys, ways and property;
(6) The levy, assessment, collection and administration of such taxes and such special assessments for benefits conferred, as have been or may be specifically authorized by the Legislature;
(7) The operation and maintenance of passenger transportation services and facilities, if authorized by the Public Service Commission, and if so authorized, such transportation system may be operated without the corporate limits of such city, but may not be operated within the corporate limits of another municipality without the consent of the governing body thereof;
(9) The government, protection, order, conduct, safety and health of persons or property therein;
(10) The adoption and enforcement of local police, sanitary and other similar regulations; and
(11) The imposition and enforcement of penalties for the violation of any of the provisions of its charter or of any of its ordinances.
(b) By charter provision, a civil service system may be provided for all or any class of city employees in addition to those classes for which a civil service system is made mandatory by general law.
(c) Any city is hereby authorized and empowered to require, for the purpose of inquiring into and investigating matters of concern to the city or its inhabitants, the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production of evidence. In case of the failure or refusal of a witness to appear and testify or to produce evidence, the governing body may invoke the aid of the circuit court of the county in which the city or the major portion of the territory thereof is located. Upon proper showing, the circuit court shall issue an order requiring the witness to appear and give testimony and produce evidence concerning the matter in question. A person who fails or refuses to obey the order of the circuit court may be punished by the court as for contempt. A claim that any such testimony or evidence may tend to incriminate the person giving the testimony or evidence shall not excuse the witness, but such testimony or evidence shall not be used against the witness in any criminal prosecution.
(d) Any city is hereby authorized and empowered to provide for a sealer of weights and measures who shall exercise his powers in accordance with the provisions of article one, chapter forty-seven of this code.
§8-12-3. Creation by charter provision of certain independent city boards.
In selecting or changing to a form of government based on any of the four plans set forth in section two, article three of this chapter, a city may by charter provision withdraw from the governing body and administrative authority of the city the municipal powers and authority and duties pertaining to a city gas system, city electric system, any municipal public works in accordance with the provisions of article sixteen of this chapter, a city waterworks system in accordance with the provisions of article nineteen of this chapter, a city sewage treatment and disposal works, or a combined city waterworks and sewerage system in accordance with the provisions of article twenty of this chapter, or any combination of the foregoing, and confer such powers and authority and duties upon one or more independent boards created by charter provision, whose members shall be elected by the qualified voters of the city, or appointed, in the manner provided by charter provision. Unless and until abolished by other charter provision, such board or boards so created shall have complete and exclusive jurisdiction of the exercise and discharge of the municipal powers and authority and duties so conferred upon it or them, independent of control by the governing body and administrative authority of the city. Such boards shall have the powers and authority and perform the duties conferred and required by general law.
The provisions of this section shall be construed as conferring additional powers and authority upon cities, and shall not be construed as affecting any powers and authority heretofore conferred upon any city by general, special or local law or by special legislative charter, or parts thereof; however, whenever a board is established by charter provision in accordance with the provisions of this section in connection with a municipal public works, a city waterworks system, or combined city waterworks and sewerage system, as aforesaid, such board shall act in lieu of the governing body of the city with respect thereto, and the provisions of said articles sixteen, nineteen and twenty of this chapter authorizing the establishment of a board with respect to any such public works, waterworks system or combined waterworks and sewerage system shall not be applicable.
§8-12-3a. Cities authorized to create department of development and transfer planning functions of certain independent agencies to such department; authorizing related ordinances and resolutions.
(a) In extension of the power and authority set forth in section two of this article and notwithstanding any provision of this code or any charter provision to the contrary, any city shall have plenary power and authority by charter provision or ordinance to establish a department of development for such city and to transfer to such department (1) all or any limited part of the planning functions of such city's housing authority, as provided for in article fifteen, chapter sixteen of this code; (2) all or any limited part of the planning functions of such city's urban renewal authority, as provided for in article eighteen, chapter sixteen of this code; (3) all or any limited part of the planning functions of such city's planning commission, as provided for in article twenty-four of this chapter; and (4) all or any limited part of the powers, privileges, rights, duties, responsibilities and obligations related to such planning functions.
(b) Any city adopting any such charter provision or ordinance shall also have plenary power and authority to enact such other ordinances and adopt such resolutions as may be deemed necessary or desirable to (1) implement and make effective the provisions of subsection (a) of this section; and (2) provide for the implementation of the plans prepared by such city's department of development.
§8-12-4. Power to provide by charter for initiative, referendum and recall.
Any city may by charter provision provide for any or all of the following:
(1) The initiation of ordinances by petition bearing the signatures, written in their own handwriting, of not less than ten percent of the qualified voters of such city;
(2) The submission to the qualified voters of such city of a proposed ordinance at a regular municipal election or special municipal election upon petition bearing the signatures, written in their own handwriting, of not less than ten percent of the qualified voters of such city or upon resolution of the governing body of such city; and
(3) The holding of a special municipal election to submit to the qualified voters of such city the question of the recall of an elected officer upon petition bearing the signatures, written in their own handwriting, of not less than twenty percent of the qualified voters of such city. Not more than one recall election shall be held with respect to an officer during his term of office.
§8-12-5b. Municipal authority to enact ordinance; ordinance provisions defining terms; restricting certain activities in relation to obscene matters and establishing penalties for violations.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of section one, article eleven, chapter eight of this code, in addition to all other powers which municipalities now possess by law, every municipality and the governing body thereof may adopt the ordinance provided in subsection (b) of this section.
A municipality when adopting this ordinance, may delete therefrom such portions of paragraph (A), subdivision (4), subsection (b) of this section that it deems appropriate.
(b) The ordinance which municipalities may adopt pursuant to the power granted them under subsection (a) of this section shall be:
The circuit court shall have jurisdiction to issue an injunction to enforce the purposes of this ordinance upon petition by the attorney for the municipality or a representative thereof or any citizen of the municipality who can show a good faith and valid reason for making such application. No bond shall be required unless for good cause shown.
Any person who knowingly sends or causes to be sent or causes to be brought into the municipality of (name of municipality) for sale or public display, or prepares, sells or makes a public display, or in the municipality of (name of municipality) offers to prepare, sell or make a public display, or has in his possession with the intent to sell or make a public display of any obscene matter to any individual, is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $500 or imprisoned not more than thirty days or both fined and imprisoned. A person convicted of a second or subsequent offense under this ordinance is guilty of a misdemeanor, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be fined not more than $1,000 or imprisoned not more than six months or both fined and imprisoned.
Section 3. Employees acting within scope of employment shall not be prosecuted.
§8-12-5c. Authority to enact ordinance restricting the location of businesses offering exotic entertainment.
(a) For the purposes of this section, the term "exotic entertainment" has the same meaning ascribed to it in section three-jj, article one, chapter seven of this code.
(b) In the event a municipality has not created or designated a planning commission in accordance with the provisions of article twenty-four of this chapter, every municipality and the governing body of the municipality may, in addition to all other powers of municipalities, adopt an ordinance that limits the areas of the municipality in which businesses may offer exotic entertainment. Any such ordinance shall be subject to the provisions of section fifty, article twenty-four of this chapter: Provided, That in the event of the partial or total loss of any existing business structure due to fire, flood, accident or any other unforeseen act, that business structure may be repaired or replaced and the business use of that structure may continue notwithstanding the existence of any ordinance authorized by this section. Any such repair or replacement will be limited to restoring or replacing the damaged or lost structure with one reasonably similar, or smaller, in size as measured in square footage, and any enlargement of the business structure will subject the structure to any existing ordinance authorized by this section.
(c) Any person adversely affected by an ordinance enacted pursuant to the authority granted in subsection (b) of this section is entitled to seek direct judicial review with regard to whether the ordinance impermissibly burdens his or her right to establish a business offering exotic entertainment.
(a) Any municipal ordinance or order concerning the regulation or placement of amateur radio antennas must:
(3) Represent the minimum practicable regulation to accomplish the municipality's legitimate purpose.
(b) Nothing in this section shall be deemed to prohibit a municipal governing body from taking action to protect or preserve historic buildings, structures, sites and districts that have been established by federal, state or local law.
(1) "Energy-conservation measures" means goods or services, or both, to reduce energy consumption operating costs of municipality facilities. They include, but are not limited to, installation of one or more of the following:
(G) Cogeneration systems that produce steam or another form of energy for use by any agency in a building or complex of buildings owned by the municipality; or
(b) Municipalities are authorized to enter into performance-based contracts with qualified providers of energy-conservation measures for the purpose of significantly reducing energy operating costs of municipality buildings, subject to the requirements of this section.
(c) Before entering into a contract or before the installation of equipment, modifications or remodeling to be furnished under a contract, the qualified provider shall first issue a proposal summarizing the scope of work to be performed. A proposal must contain estimates of all costs of installation, modifications or remodeling, including the costs of design, engineering, installation, maintenance, repairs or debt service, as well as estimates of the amounts by which energy operating costs will be reduced. If the municipality finds, after receiving the proposal, that the proposal includes one or more energy-conservation measures, the installation of which is guaranteed to result in a net savings of a minimum of five percent of the then current energy operating costs which savings will, at a minimum, satisfy any debt service required, the municipality may enter into a contract with the provider pursuant to this section.
(1) A guarantee of a specific minimum net percentage amount of at least five percent of energy operating costs each year over the term of the contract that the municipality will save;
(e) A municipality may supplement its payments with federal, state or local funds to reduce the annual cost or to lower the initial amount to be financed.
(f) Any energy-savings contract entered into for the purpose of achieving one or more energy-conservation measures, as authorized by this section, shall be subject to a competitive bidding process as provided by municipal ordinance enacted pursuant to section ten-b, article twelve of this chapter.
(g) An energy-savings contract may extend beyond the fiscal year in which it first becomes effective: Provided, That such a contract may not exceed a fifteen-year term: Provided, however, That the long-term contract will be void unless the agreement provides that the municipality shall have the option during each fiscal year of the contract to terminate the agreement.
(h) Municipalities may enter into a "lease with an option to purchase" contract for the purchase and installation of energy-conservation measures if the term of the lease does not exceed fifteen years and the lease contract includes the provisions contained in subsection (f) of this section and meets federal tax requirements for tax-exempt municipal leasing or long-term financing.
(i) The municipality may include in its annual budget for each fiscal year any amounts payable under long-term energy-savings contracts during that fiscal year.
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of article two, chapter twenty-four-a of this code, the governing body of a Class I or Class II municipality that includes a land grant university enrolling at least twenty thousand students may, by ordinance, regulate taxicabs and taxi stands within the corporate limits of the municipality.
(1) Requirements for the condition of the taxicabs;
(2) The location of taxi stands;
(5) Violations of regulations adopted pursuant to this section for which citations may be issued and penalties imposed;
(6) The requirement that a taxicab company place a sign, visible to passengers, in the taxicab which contains contact information which passengers may use to make complaints about the taxicab company or its taxi drivers. The municipality may assist passengers in resolving complaints, and shall forward complaints to the public service commission in the event that further action is needed; and
(c) This section is not intended to increase the number of operators or owners of taxicabs and taxi stands.
§8-12-5g. Authorizing municipalities to hold motor vehicle racing events on public roads, municipal streets or runways.
(a) In addition to all other powers and duties not conferred by law upon municipalities, such municipalities are empowered to organize and hold motor vehicle racing events on roads and airports in this state under their jurisdiction; to require a permit; to provide for the issuance of a permit; to prescribe certain requirements for obtaining a permit; to provide for certain powers and duties of the permit holder and the municipality in relation to a racing event; and to declare that such a racing event is not a nuisance or prohibited street racing.
(c) A municipality may provide for the issuance of a permit allowing the person to whom the permit is issued to conduct a racing event on a public road, municipal street or airport located within its jurisdiction. A person shall not conduct a racing event unless the person has been issued a permit under this section.
(d) The municipality may charge a reasonable fee for the issuance of a permit under this section.
(e) Before a municipality issues a racing event permit under subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the municipality shall determine all of the following:
(3) That the person applying for the permit has demonstrated the ability to protect the health, safety and welfare of the citizens of the municipality, the race participants and those attending the racing event.
(f) For purposes of a racing event held under this section, the municipality may do all of the following:
(g) No less than sixty days prior to a scheduled racing event, a municipality shall provide written notice to the West Virginia Department of Transportation - Traffic Engineering Division of any racing event permit issued under this section. The written notice shall identify the following:
(h) A racing event held under this section and any action taken under subsections (e) and (f) of this section shall be considered as being for public purposes, including the promotion of commerce and tourism for the benefit of the citizens of the municipality and state.
(i) A municipality that issues a permit under this section shall not be liable for any damages that may result from the racing event because of loss or injury to any person or property. After a permit is issued, the state shall not be liable for any damages that may result from the racing event because of loss or injury to any person or property.
PART IV. CERTAIN SPECIFIC POWERS OF MUNICIPALITIES
Every municipality is hereby empowered and authorized to become a member of an association or league having for its general purpose the exchange and dissemination of information and ideas designed for the more efficient administration and conduct of municipal government and affairs. In order to finance the maintenance of such an organization, each municipality is hereby empowered and authorized to pay into such an organization annual dues or membership fees in an amount to be fixed by the members thereof at the annual meeting of such organization. Such dues or membership fees may be appropriated by the governing body as a current expense item and included in the annual budget.
§8-12-7. Power and authority to purchase insurance and to indemnify officers, agents and employees.
(a) Every municipality shall have plenary power and authority to contract and expend public funds for the purchase of one or more policies of public liability insurance, with or without a sharing in the cost thereof by the officers, agents and employees of such municipality, providing the municipality and its officers, agents and employees insurance coverage for legal liability of said municipality and its officers, agents and employees for bodily injury, personal injury or damage (including, but not limited to, false arrest and false imprisonment) and property damage, and affording said municipality and its officers, agents and employees insurance coverage against any and all legal liability arising from, growing out of, by reason of or in any way connected with, any acts or omissions of said municipality, or its officers, agents or employees in the performance of their official duties. So long as the coverage aforesaid is obtained and remains in full force and effect as to the police officers of a municipality, the bond specified in section five, article seven, chapter sixty-one of this code shall not be required as to such police officers.
(b) Every municipality shall also have plenary power and authority to provide for the indemnification of its officers, agents and employees against any and all liability, losses, damages, expenses and costs, including court costs and reasonable and necessary attorney fees, arising from, growing out of, by reason of or in any way connected with any acts or omissions of said officers, agents or employees in the performance of their official duties. Such indemnification may be provided by a self-funding program, by expenditures from the General Fund, or by the purchase of insurance as provided in subsection (a) of this section, with or without financial contribution or participation by such officers, agents and employees. Prior to the expenditure of any public funds pursuant to the power and authority conferred by the provisions of this subsection (b), the governing body shall determine by ordinance applicable to an entire class or classes of officers, agents or employees the manner in which such power and authority shall be exercised.
§8-12-9. Power and authority to enact ordinance prohibiting discrimination with respect to housing accommodations.
Notwithstanding any statutory or charter provision to the contrary, the governing body of every municipality shall have plenary power and authority, by ordinance, to prohibit discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color or national origin in the sale, purchase, lease or rental of housing accommodations within the corporate limits of such municipality, and to impose fines for the violation of the provisions of any such ordinance.
§8-12-10. Purchasing; competitive bidding.
(a) Every municipality may provide for the centralized purchasing of materials, supplies and equipment; and the term "equipment," for the purposes of this section, shall include, but not be limited to, motor vehicles. Every municipality may, by agreement with the state director of the division of purchases of the department of finance and administration, purchase the same through such department, or may enter into agreements with one or more other municipalities, counties or county boards of education, or any combination thereof, for centralized purchasing for all governmental units which are parties to such agreement.
(b) Every municipality is hereby empowered and authorized to provide by ordinance whether competitive bidding is to be required in the purchase of materials, supplies and equipment and if so the type or types of purchases with respect to which the same shall be required and the method and manner in which bids shall be obtained. Any ordinance adopted by any municipality in accordance with the provisions of this subsection (b) shall supersede any provision pertaining to competitive bidding contained in the special legislative charter of such municipality.
§8-12-11. Lease agreements for equipment or materials with option to cancel or renew for one year authorized.
Notwithstanding any other provision of this code or any charter provision to the contrary, the governing body of every municipality shall have plenary power and authority to enter into and execute a lease agreement for the obtaining of equipment or material. Any such lease agreement shall not be void or voidable because it also provides (a) that title to the equipment or material shall vest in the municipality at or before the expiration of the leasehold term upon fulfillment of the terms and conditions stipulated in such lease agreement; (b) for application of the annual rental payments made thereunder toward the purchase price of such equipment or material, although such total rental payments under any such agreement are in excess of the cash price of the equipment or material described therein, whether such excess be by way of interest or a time-price differential; and (c) that the risk of loss of the equipment or material shall be borne by the municipality. Any such lease agreement shall be void, however, unless such agreement provides that the municipality shall have the following options thereunder during each fiscal year of the agreement: (1) The option to terminate the agreement and return the equipment or material without any further obligation on the part of the municipality; (2) the option to continue the agreement for an additional rental period not to exceed one year in length; and, when the agreement contains the provisions described in (a), (b) and (c) above; (3) the option to pay in advance at any time during any fiscal year the balance due under such agreement, with an appropriate rebate of the unearned interest or time-price differential.
The funds for the initial rental payment under any such agreement must be legally at the disposal of the municipality for expenditure in the fiscal year in which such agreement is executed, and in the event the municipality elects during any subsequent fiscal year to continue the agreement for any additional rental period or to pay in advance the balance due, the funds for the additional rental period or the funds to be used to pay the balance in advance must be legally at the disposal of the municipality for expenditure in the fiscal year in which the municipality elects to continue the agreement or to pay in advance the balance due, as the case may be.
§8-12-13. Building regulation; general and special codes; state building code.
(a) The governing body of every municipality shall have plenary power and authority by ordinance or a code of ordinances to:
(1) Regulate the erection, construction, repair or alteration of structures of every kind within the corporate limits of the municipality, prohibit, within specified territorial limits, the erection, construction, repair or alteration of structures of wood or other combustible material, and regulate excavations upon private property;
(2) Regulate electric wiring by prescribing minimum specifications to be followed in the installation, alteration or repair; and
(3) Regulate plumbing by prescribing the minimum specifications to be followed in the installation, alteration or repair of plumbing, including equipment, water and sewer pipe, traps, drains, cesspools and septic tanks.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (a) of this section, all existing municipal building codes are void one year after the promulgation of a state building code by the State Fire Commission as provided under section five-b, article three, chapter twenty-nine of this code.
Upon the voidance of the municipality’s existing building code, if the municipality votes to adopt a building code, it must be the state building code promulgated under section five-b, article three, chapter twenty-nine of this code.
(c) The governing body of every municipality shall have plenary power and authority by ordinance or a code of ordinances to adopt such state building code promulgated by the State Fire Commission.
(d) Unless otherwise authorized by state law, any misdemeanor prosecution of a violation of an ordinance adopted under this section before a municipal judge or other municipal official lawfully authorized to hear and determine violations of municipal code shall be initiated by a complaint presented to and sworn or affirmed before a municipal judge or other municipal official with lawful authority to hear and determine violations of municipal code in the municipality where the offense is alleged to have occurred. Unless otherwise provided by statute, the presentation and oath or affirmation shall be made by a code enforcement department official or municipal attorney showing reason to have reliable information and belief. If the municipal judge or other municipal official with lawful authority to hear and determine violations of municipal code finds probable cause, the complaint becomes the charging instrument initiating a criminal proceeding.
A complaint lawfully authorized by this subsection together with a summons setting forth the date, time and place of appearance before a municipal judge or other municipal official with lawful authority to hear and determine violations of municipal code, shall be served in accordance with the law of the State of West Virginia concerning the service of process in civil actions, except that personal service of a summons and complaint may be made by a code enforcement department official. If service is made by certified mail under Rule 4(d)(1)(D) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure and delivery of the summons and complaint is refused, the code enforcement department official, promptly upon the receipt of the notice of the refusal, shall mail to the person or entity being noticed, by first class mail, postage prepaid, a copy of the summons and complaint. If the first class mailing is not returned as undeliverable by the U. S. Postal Service, service of the summons and complaint is presumed to have been effectuated. Upon service of the summons and complaint consistent with this subsection, the violation may be prosecuted consistent with state and local law.
§8-12-14. Permits for construction and alteration.
The governing body of every municipality has plenary power and authority to require a permit as a condition precedent to the erection, construction, repair or alteration of any structure or of any equipment or part of a structure which is regulated by state law or municipal ordinance: Provided, That no such permits may be required of the state, a county or other governmental entity, its contractors, agents or employees for the erection, construction, repair or alteration of any structure or of any equipment or part of a structure designated for use by the state, a county or other governmental entity.
§8-12-14a.
§8-12-15. Municipal inspection.
The governing body of every municipality shall have plenary power and authority to provide for the entering and inspection of private premises to aid in the enforcement of any state law or municipal ordinance: Provided, That this section shall not be construed as purporting to authorize an unreasonable search and seizure prohibited by section six, article three of the Constitution of this state.
§8-12-16. Ordinances regulating the repair, alteration, improvement, closing, demolition, etc., of structures, dwellings or buildings that are unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous or detrimental to the public safety or welfare; procedures.
(1) “Code enforcement agency” means either a code enforcement department as defined by 87 CSR 7-2, as may be amended, or an enforcement agency as permitted by subsection (c) of this section.
(2) “Code enforcement agency official” means any lawful agent of a code enforcement agency.
(3) “Owner” or “landowner” means a person who individually or jointly with others:
(A) Has legal title to the property, with or without actual possession of the property;
(B) Has charge, care or control of the property as owner or agent of the owner;
(C) Is an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner;
(D) Is the agent of the owner for the purpose of managing, controlling or collecting rents; or
(E) May control or direct the management or disposition of the property.
(4) “Unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous or detrimental to the public safety or welfare” means:
(A) Any door, aisle, passageway, stairway, exit or other means of egress that does not conform to the approved building or fire code of the jurisdiction as related to the requirements for existing buildings;
(B) The walking surface of any aisle, passageway, stairway, exit or other means of egress is so warped, worn loose, torn or otherwise unsafe as to not provide safe and adequate means of egress;
(C) Any portion of a dwelling, building, structure or appurtenance that has been damaged by fire, earthquake, wind, flood, deterioration, neglect, abandonment, vandalism or by any other cause to an extent that it is likely to partially or completely collapse, or to become detached or dislodged;
(D) Any portion of a structure or building, or any member, appurtenance or ornamentation on the exterior that is not of sufficient strength or stability, or is not so anchored, attached or fastened in place so as to be capable of resisting natural or artificial loads of one and one-half the original designed value;
(E) The dwelling, building or structure, or part of the building or structure, because of dilapidation, deterioration, decay, faulty construction, the removal or movement of some portion of the ground necessary for the support, or for any other reason, is likely to partially or completely collapse, or some portion of the foundation or underpinning of the building or structure is likely to fail or give way;
(F) The dwelling, building or structure, or any portion, is clearly unsafe for its use;
(G) The dwelling, building or structure is neglected, damaged, dilapidated, unsecured or abandoned so as to become an attractive nuisance to children, becomes a harbor for vagrants, criminals, criminal activity or enables persons to resort to the dwelling, building or structure for committing a nuisance or an unlawful act;
(H) Any dwelling, building or structure constructed, exists or maintained in violation of any specific requirement or prohibition applicable to any dwelling, building or structure provided by the approved building or fire code of the jurisdiction or of any law or ordinance that presents either a substantial risk of fire, building collapse or any other threat to life and safety;
(I) A dwelling, building or structure, used or intended to be used for dwelling purposes, because of inadequate maintenance, dilapidation, decay, contamination by any hazardous substance or material including, but not limited to, substance resulting from the illegal manufacture of drugs, damage, faulty construction or arrangement, inadequate light, ventilation, mechanical or plumbing system, or otherwise, is determined by the code enforcement agency to be unsanitary, unfit for human habitation or in such a condition that is likely to cause sickness or disease;
(J) Any dwelling, building or structure, because of a lack of sufficient or proper fire resistance-rated construction, fire protection systems, electrical system, fuel connections, mechanical system, plumbing system or other cause, is determined by the code official to be a threat to life or health; or
(K) Any portion of a building that remains on a site after the demolition or destruction of the building or structure, or whenever any building or structure is abandoned.
(b) Plenary power and authority are hereby conferred upon every municipality to adopt ordinances regulating the repair, alteration or improvement, or the vacating and closing or removal or demolition, or any combination, of any structure, dwelling or building, whether used for human habitation or not, that is unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous or detrimental to the public safety or welfare.
(c) The governing body in formally adopting any ordinance under this section shall designate the enforcement agency, which shall consist of the code enforcement agency as provided by the state building code and authorized by section five-b, article three, chapter twenty-nine of this code and section thirteen, article twelve, chapter eight of this code; or municipal officials as may otherwise be authorized by this code; or municipal officials or agents as authorized by rules promulgated by the State Fire Commission and approved by the Legislature; or municipal officials or agents as may otherwise be authorized by the State Fire Commission. Notwithstanding any provision of this code to the contrary, for the purposes of this section any municipality that has not adopted the state building code may designate an enforcement agency consisting of the mayor, the municipal engineer or building inspector and one member at large, to be selected by and to serve at the will and pleasure of the mayor, and the ranking health officer and fire chief who shall serve as ex officio members of the enforcement agency.
(d) Any ordinance adopted under the provisions of this section must provide fair and equitable rules of procedure and any other procedures required by law or necessary and appropriate to guide the code enforcement agency, or its officials, in the investigation of any structure, dwelling or building conditions, and in any corrective action taken by the code enforcement agency.
(e) When a code enforcement agency official enters the premises of the property for investigating or inspecting any structure, dwelling or building, the investigation shall be performed to minimize the inconvenience to the owner or persons in possession and shall be consistent with the following:
(1) Except in exigent circumstances and as permitted by law, the enforcement agency shall provide reasonable advance notice to the owner and request permission from the owner to enter the property.
(2) If the owner cannot be located after reasonable inquiry by the code enforcement agency as required by this section, or if the owner refuses entry, the code enforcement agency may obtain an administrative search warrant from either the municipal court or the magistrate court located in the jurisdiction of the municipality or county where the structure, dwelling or building is located. Before obtaining an administrative search warrant, a code enforcement agency official is required to make a sworn statement and prima facie case showing that the code enforcement agency was unable to gain access to the structure, dwelling or building after reasonable and good faith efforts, and that there is a legitimate and substantial safety concern involving the structure, dwelling or building that supports the requested entry.
(3) If granted by the court, and if the owner can be located, the code enforcement agency shall provide the owner a copy of the administrative search warrant five days before entering the property. If applicable, the code enforcement agency shall also provide the same notice to any tenant or other person in possession of the structure, dwelling or building.
(4) Entry is for the sole purpose of inspection of the structure, dwelling or building for unsafe or unsanitary conditions and not for the purpose of criminal prosecution or gathering evidence for use in any criminal charge or proceeding unrelated to the unsafe or unsanitary condition of the structure, dwelling or building.
(f) The governing body of every municipality has plenary power and authority to adopt an ordinance providing for the vacating, closing, removal or demolition of any dwelling, structure or building by the municipality in the absence of owner agreement or court order: Provided, That the ordinance requires the code enforcement agency to provide lawful notice to and undertake reasonable efforts to seek agreement from the owner before taking any action permitted by this section and shall comply with the requirements set forth in this subsection:
(1) Any ordinance adopted under this subsection applies only to dwellings, structures or buildings which meet the definition of unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous or detrimental to the public safety or welfare as set forth in:
(A) Paragraph (C), (E) or (H), subdivision (4), subsection (a) of this section; or
(B) Paragraph (F), (G), (I) or (K), subdivision (4), subsection (a) of this section: Provided, That the dwelling, building or structure is vacant, abandoned or has been lawfully declared unfit for human habitation; and the reasonable estimated cost of repair, rehabilitation or corrective action exceeds the fair market value of the dwelling, building or structure.
(2) Any ordinance adopted under this subsection must provide for the following:
(A) The code enforcement agency shall produce a written notice containing the date of the last inspection, the name of the inspector, a reasonable description of the unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous, or detrimental condition(s), the corrective measures required, the allotted time to correct the substandard condition(s) and the allotted time the owner has to apply to the circuit court for a temporary injunction or other similar relief restraining action by the enforcement agency.
(B) The notice shall be served upon the owner or landowner by conspicuously posting and attaching a copy of the notice to the subject property, and by serving the notice on the owner or landowner in the same manner as service of a complaint as set forth in subsection (j) of this section.
(C) If the code enforcement agency cannot effect personal service on the owner, a code enforcement agency official shall subscribe a written affidavit, to be maintained for a minimum of two years, that demonstrates the structure, dwelling or building falls within one of the categories set forth in paragraph (A) or (B), subdivision (1), subsection (f) of this section sets forth the basis in reasonable detail including documentation of same, and memorializes the code enforcement agency official’s efforts to contact or get permission for entry and corrective action from the owner; and the code enforcement agency shall publish notice of its intent to enter the property for the purpose of demolition or correction, along with the address of the property, the name of the owner(s) and the date of the proposed action, as a Class II legal advertisement consistent with the requirements of section two, article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, the first of which shall run at least thirty days before the date of the proposed action by the enforcement agency, and the last being no later than twenty days before the date of the proposed action by the enforcement agency.
(D) If there is no response to the notice by the owner or landowner in the time specified in the notice, then the municipality shall have the authority to proceed in correction or demolition of the subject dwelling, building or structure.
(3) It shall be an absolute defense to any civil action by an owner, landowner or tenant for damages resulting from the closure, demolition or other corrective action taken by a municipality under this section: Provided, That the municipality acted in good faith, can demonstrate that the structure, dwelling or building falls within one of the categories set forth in paragraph (A) or (B), subdivision (1), subsection (f) of this section, the municipality followed the procedures set forth in this subsection and the municipality had adopted the state building code at the time of the closure, demolition or other corrective action occurred.
(4) Any ordinance adopted under this subsection must also provide for notice to the owner of the right of the owner to apply to the circuit court for a temporary injunction or other similar relief restraining correction or demolition by the enforcement agency. If the application is made by the owner, a hearing shall be had within twenty days of the application, or as soon as reasonably possible.
(A) Continuances of the hearing provided for in this subdivision may be made for cause only. If a continuance is granted upon request by the owner, the owner is required to pay into court, in the form of a bond, any reasonable and necessary costs related to the property likely to be incurred by the municipality during the continuance.
(B) At the conclusion of a hearing held under this subdivision, if the court finds that the property is unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous, or detrimental to the public safety or welfare, the court shall make and enter an order granting the relief as requested by the municipality. The court may disburse any moneys paid into court by the owner in accordance with this section.
(g) The governing body of every municipality has plenary power and authority to adopt an ordinance requiring the owner of any dwelling or building under determination of the State Fire Marshal, as provided in section twelve, article three, chapter twenty-nine of this code, or under order of the code enforcement agency of the municipality, to pay for the costs of repairing, altering or improving, or of vacating and closing, removing or demolishing any dwelling or building and may file a lien against the real property in question for an amount that reflects all costs incurred by the municipality for repairing, altering or improving, or of vacating and closing, removing or demolishing any dwelling or building.
(h) Every municipality may also institute a civil action in circuit court against the landowner or other responsible party to get an order to take corrective action up to and including demolition of any structure, dwelling or building that is unsafe, unsanitary, dangerous or detrimental to the public safety or welfare; and to recover all reasonable costs and expenses incurred by the municipality with respect to the property and for reasonable attorney fees and court costs incurred in the prosecution of the action:
(1) No fewer than ten days before instituting a civil action as provided in this subsection, the municipality shall send notice to the landowner by certified mail, return receipt requested, advising the landowner of the governing body’s intention to institute such action.
(2) The notice shall be sent to the most recent address of the landowner of record in the office of the assessor of the county where the subject property is located and to any other address for the landowner as may exist on record with the municipality. If, for any reason, such certified mail is returned without evidence of proper receipt, the municipality shall resend the notice(s) by first class mail, postage prepaid, and shall also post notice on the front door or other conspicuous location on the subject property.
(i) To the extent not otherwise authorized by state law, all notices of violation or correction for violations that do not fall within one of the categories set forth in paragraph (A) or (B), subdivision (1), subsection (f) of this section issued by the enforcement agency of a municipality that has adopted the state building code shall be served in accordance with the process set forth in the state building code. All notices of violation or correction orders for violations that do not fall within one of the categories set forth in paragraph (A) or (B), subdivision (1), subsection (f) of this section issued by a code enforcement agency of a municipality that has not adopted the state building code shall be served in accordance with the law of this state concerning the service of process in civil actions, except that personal service may be made by a code enforcement agency official and the method of service effectuated by mail by the clerk of a court as permitted by Rule 4(d)(1)(D) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure is effectuated by mailing by a code enforcement agency official and shall be posted in a conspicuous place on the property that is the subject of the notice of violation or correction.
(j) Any violation of an ordinance adopted under this section, may be prosecuted by the municipality consistent with state and local laws. Unless otherwise authorized by state law, prosecution of a violation shall be initiated by a complaint presented to and sworn or affirmed before a municipal judge or other municipal official with lawful authority to hear and determine violations of municipal code in the municipality where the offense is alleged to have occurred. Unless otherwise provided by statute, the presentation and oath or affirmation shall be made by a code enforcement agency official or municipal attorney showing reason to have reliable information and belief. If from the facts stated in the complaint the municipal judge or other municipal official with lawful authority to hear and determine violations of municipal code finds probable cause, the complaint becomes the charging instrument initiating a criminal proceeding. A complaint lawfully authorized by this subsection along with a summons setting forth the date, time and place of appearance before a municipal judge and or other municipal official with lawful authority to hear and determine violations of municipal code shall be served in accordance with the law of the State of West Virginia concerning the service of process in civil actions, except that personal service of a summons and complaint may be made by a code enforcement agency official. If service is made by certified mail under Rule 4(d)(1)(D) of the West Virginia Rules of Civil Procedure and delivery of the summons and complaint is refused, the code enforcement agency official, promptly upon the receipt of the notice of the refusal, shall mail to the person or entity being noticed, by first class mail, postage prepaid, a copy of the summons and complaint. If the first class mailing is not returned as undeliverable by the U. S. Postal Service, service of the summons and complaint is presumed to have been effectuated. Upon service of the summons and complaint consistent with this subsection, the violation may be prosecuted consistent with state and local law.
(a) The governing body of a municipality may, by ordinance, establish a property registration for any real property improved by a structure that is uninhabitable and violates the applicable building code adopted by the municipality. An owner of real property subject to the registration shall be assessed a fee as provided by the ordinance.
(b) The mayor of the municipality shall appoint a code enforcement officer to investigate and determine whether real property violates provisions of the applicable building code of the municipality.
(c) After inspecting the property, if the officer determines the property is uninhabitable and violates the applicable building code, then:
(1) The officer shall post a written notice on the property which shall include:
(D) An explanation of how to be removed from the registration; (E) An explanation of the appeals process; and
(F) A statement that if the fee is not paid, then the property is subject to forfeiture; and
(2) Within five business days of the inspection and the posting of the property, the officer shall, by certified mail, send a copy of the notice that was posted to the owner(s) of the property at the last known address according to the county property tax records.
(d) Within forty-five days of receipt of the notification by the owner(s), the property owner may:
(1) Make and complete any repairs to the property that violate the applicable building code; or
(2) Provide written information to the officer showing that repairs are forthcoming in a reasonable period of time.
(e) For purposes of this section, "owner" or "property owner" means a person who individually or jointly with others:
(1) Has legal title to the property, with or without actual possession of the property;
(2) Has charge, care or control of the property as owner or agent of the owner;
(3) Is an executor, administrator, trustee or guardian of the estate of the owner;
(5) Is entitled to control or direct the management or disposition of the property.
(f) After the repairs are made, the owner may request a reinspection of the property to ensure compliance with the applicable building code. If the officer finds the violations are fixed, the owner is not subject to the registration and no fee will be incurred.
(g) The officer may reinspect the property at any time to determine where in the process the repairs fall.
(h) Within ninety days of receipt of the notification by the owner(s), the property owner has the right to appeal the decision of the officer to the enforcement agency, created in section sixteen, article twelve of this chapter.
(i) If an appeal is not filed within ninety days, the property is registered and the fee is assessed to the owner(s) on the date specified in the notice. The notice of the fee shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the county commission of the county where the property is located and if different, in the office of the clerk of the county commission of the county where the property is assessed for real property taxes.
(j) If the enforcement agency affirms the registration and assessment of the registration fee, the property owner has the right to appeal the decision of the enforcement agency to the circuit court within thirty days of the decision. If the decision is not appealed in a timely manner to the circuit court, then the property is registered and the fee is assessed on the date specified in the notice. The notice of the fee shall be recorded in the office of the clerk of the county commission of the county where the property is located and if different, in the office of the clerk of the county commission of the county where the property is assessed for real property taxes.
(k) A fee assessed under this section shall be recorded in the same manner as a lien is recorded in the office of the clerk of the county commission of the county.
(l) If the fee is paid, then the municipality shall record a release of the fee in the office of the clerk of the county commission of the county where the property is located and if different, in the office of the clerk of the county commission of the county where the property is assessed for real property taxes.
(m) If an owner fails to pay the fee, then the officer shall annually post the written notice on the property and send the written notice to the owner(s) by certified mail.
(n) If a registration fee remains delinquent for two years from the date it was placed on record in the clerk of the county commission in which the property is located and assessed, the municipality may take action to receive the subject property by means of forfeiture. Should the municipality take the steps necessary to receive the subject property, the municipality then becomes the owner of record and takes the property subject to all liens and real and personal property taxes.
(a) A municipality that has adopted an anti-littering ordinance pursuant to section five of this article may provide, by ordinance, for the appointment of special litter prevention officers to aid in the enforcement of the municipal anti-littering ordinance.
(b) The ordinance enacted, pursuant to this section, must specify the duties to be performed by the special litter prevention officers and the required training such officers must undertake prior to commencement of their duties.
(c) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a special litter prevention officer may be presently employed by the municipality in another capacity. In the performance of the duties of special litter prevention officer, such officers shall be vested with the power to issue a citation, issue a summons, and sign a complaint. Such officers shall display at all times a badge or other sign of authority issued by the municipality.
(d) The governing body of the municipality may require such special litter prevention officers to give bond, payable to the municipality, in its corporate name, with such sureties and such penalties as the governing body may see fit, conditioned for the faithful performance of their duties.
§8-12-16c. Registration of vacant buildings; registration fees; procedures for administration and enforcement.
(a) The governing body of a municipality shall have plenary power and authority to establish by ordinance a vacant building and property registration and maintenance program.
(1) "Owner" or "property owner" means a person who individually or jointly with others:
(E) Is entitled to control or direct the management or disposition of the property.
(2) "Vacant building" means a building or other structure that is unoccupied, or unsecured and occupied by one or more unauthorized persons for an amount of time as determined by the ordinance. A new building under construction or a building that by definition is exempted by ordinance of the municipality, is not deemed a vacant building. The governing body of a municipality, on a case-by-case basis, upon request by the property owner, shall exempt a vacant building from registration upon a finding for good cause shown that the person will be unable to occupy the building for a determinant period of time.
(3) "Vacant property" means a property on which no building is erected and no routine activity occurs.
(c) An owner of real property subject to registration and maintenance requirements may be charged a fee or fees as provided by ordinance. The ordinance shall provide administrative procedures for the administration and enforcement of registration and payment and collection of registration fees.
(d) The ordinance may require that when the owner of the vacant building or property resides outside of the state that the owner provide the name and address of a person who resides within the state who is authorized to accept service of process and notices of fees due under this section on behalf of the owner and who is designated as a responsible, local party or agent for the purposes of notification in the event of an emergency affecting the public health, safety or welfare.
(e) The ordinance may authorize the municipality to institute a civil action against the property owner and/or file a lien on real property for unpaid and delinquent vacant building registration fees. Before any lien is filed, the municipality shall give notice to the property owner or owner's agent, by certified mail, return receipt requested, that the municipality will file the lien unless the delinquent fees are paid by a date stated in the notice, which must be no less than thirty days from the date the notice is received by the owner or the owner's agent, which shall be the date of delivery shown on the signed certified mail return receipt card. The ordinance may provide for alternative means of service when service cannot be obtained by certified mail.
(f) The ordinance may require that the owner maintain the vacant building or property to a standard deemed reasonable by the governing body. The ordinance may include authority for the municipality, following notice to the owner, to act to bring the vacant building or property into compliance with the standard, or otherwise eliminate the public nuisance caused by any noncomplaint conditions: Provided, That nothing in this section is to be interpreted to impose a duty, obligation or requirement that a municipality must undertake such repairs, demolition or maintenance measures which remain as obligations and responsibilities of the owner. Cost of the repairs, demolition and maintenance and related legal and administrative costs incurred by the municipality are to be paid by the owner. Collection of these costs may be enforced in civil proceedings against the owner.
(g) The ordinance shall permit a property owner to challenge any determination made pursuant to the ordinance. The administrative procedures adopted pursuant to the ordinance shall include the right to appeal to the circuit court of the county in which the property is located.
(h) The governing body of a municipality shall deposit the fee into a separate account, which shall be used to:
(1) Improve public safety efforts, especially for police and fire personnel, who most often contend with the dangerous situations manifested in vacant properties;
(3) Repair, close or demolish a vacant structure as authorized by section sixteen of this article.
§8-12-16d. Additional powers and duties of municipalities; areas of special or unique interest.
A municipality may designate areas of special or unique interest, with sites, buildings and structures within those areas, which are of local, regional, statewide or national significance. An area that has been so designated does not limit the use of nor require any alteration of any privately owned property in the area for any purpose. The municipality may also publish a register setting forth information concerning those areas; place markers on private property only with the consent of the property owners; place markers on public property and along highways or streets designating those areas; seek and accept gifts, bequests, endowments and funds to accomplish the purpose of this section; sell, lease or alter property it owns in or near the designated areas; seek the advice and assistance of individuals, groups and departments and governmental agencies; and seek codesignation of areas with a county commission where an area is to be designated in each jurisdiction.
In any case where a municipality owns a gas system, an electric system, a waterworks system, a sewer system or other public utility and a majority of not less than sixty percent of the members of the governing body thereof shall deem it for the best interest of such municipality that such utility be sold or leased, the governing body may so sell or lease such gas system, electric system, waterworks system, sewer system or other public utility upon such terms and conditions as said governing body in its discretion considers in the best interest of the municipality: Provided, That such sale or lease may be made only upon: (1) The publication of notice of a hearing before the governing body of the municipality, as a Class I legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code, in a newspaper published and of general circulation in the municipality, such publication to be made not earlier than twenty days and not later than seven days prior to the hearing; and (2) the approval by the Public Service Commission of West Virginia. The governing body, upon the approval of the sale or lease by a majority of its members of not less than sixty percent of the members of the governing body, shall have full power and authority to proceed to execute or effect such sale or lease in accordance with the terms and conditions prescribed in the ordinance approved as aforesaid, and shall have power to do any and all things necessary or incident thereto: Provided, however, That if at any time after such approval and before the execution of the authority under the ordinance, any person should present to the governing body an offer to buy such public utility at a price which exceeds by at least five percent the sale price which shall have been so approved and authorized or to lease the same upon terms which the governing body, in its discretion, shall consider more advantageous to the municipality than the terms of the lease which shall have been previously approved as aforesaid, the governing body shall have the power to accept such subsequent offer, and to make such sale or such lease to the person making the offer, upon approval of the offer by a majority of not less than sixty percent of the members of the governing body; but, if a sale shall have been approved by the governing body as aforesaid, and the subsequent proposition be for a lease, or, if a lease shall have been approved by the governing body, and the subsequent proposition shall be for a sale, the governing body shall have the authority to accept the same upon approval of the offer by a majority of not less than sixty percent of the members of the governing body. The person making such proposition shall furnish bond, with security to be approved by the governing body, in a penalty of not less than twenty-five percent of such proposed bid, conditioned to carry such proposition into execution, if the same shall be approved by the governing body. In any case where any such public utility shall be sold or leased by the governing body as hereinabove provided, no part of the moneys derived from such sale or lease shall be applied to the payment of current expenses of the municipality, but the proceeds of such sale or lease shall be applied in payment and discharge of any indebtedness created in respect to such public utility, and in case there be no indebtedness, the governing body, in its discretion, shall have the power and authority to expend all such moneys when received for the purchase or construction of firefighting equipment and buildings for housing such equipment, a municipal building or city hall, and the necessary land upon which to locate the same, or for the construction of paved streets, avenues, roads, alleys, ways, sidewalks, sewers and other like permanent improvements, and for no other purposes. In case there be a surplus after the payment of such indebtedness, the surplus shall be used as aforesaid.
The requirements of this section shall not apply to the sale or lease of any part of the properties of any such public utility determined by the governing body to be unnecessary for the efficient rendering of the service of such utility.
PART VI. SALE, LEASE OR DISPOSITION OF
(a) Every municipality, municipal building commission created pursuant to article thirty-three of this chapter and municipal development authority created pursuant to article twelve, chapter seven of this code is authorized to sell, lease as lessor or dispose of any of its real or personal property or any interest therein or any part thereof (other than a public utility which shall be sold or leased in accordance with the provisions of section seventeen of this article), as authorized in article five, chapter one of this code, or to the United States of America or any agency or instrumentality thereof, or to the state or any agency or instrumentality thereof, for a public purpose for an adequate consideration, without considering alone the present commercial or market value of such property.
(b) In all other cases involving a sale, any municipality is hereby empowered and authorized to sell any of its real or personal property or any interest therein or any part thereof for a fair and adequate consideration, the property to be sold at public auction at a place designated by the governing body, but before making any sale, notice of the time, terms and place of sale, together with a brief description of the property to be sold, shall be published as a Class II legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code and the publication area for the publication shall be the municipality. The requirements of notice and public auction shall not apply to the sale of any one item or piece of property of less value than $1,000 and under no circumstances shall the provisions of this section be construed as being applicable to any transaction involving the trading in of municipally owned property on the purchase of new or other property for the municipality and every municipality shall have plenary power and authority to enter into and consummate any trade-in transaction.
(c) In all other cases involving a lease, any municipality is hereby empowered and authorized to lease as lessor any of its real or personal property or any interest therein or any part thereof for a fair and adequate consideration and for a term not exceeding fifty years. Every lease shall be authorized by resolution of the governing body of the municipality, which resolution may specify terms and conditions which must be contained in such lease: Provided, That before any proposed lease is authorized by resolution of the governing body, a public hearing on the proposed lease shall be held by the governing body after notice of the date, time, place and purpose of the public hearing has been published as a Class I legal advertisement in compliance with the provisions of article three, chapter fifty-nine of this code and the publication area for the publication shall be the municipality. The power and authority granted in this subsection shall be in addition to, and not in derogation of, any power and authority vested in any municipality under any Constitutional or other statutory provision now or hereafter in effect.
PART VII. EXTRATERRITORIAL EXERCISE OF POWERS
Wherever the powers and authority granted in this chapter cannot be reasonably and efficiently exercised by confining the exercise thereof within the corporate limits of the municipality, the powers and authority of the municipality shall extend beyond the corporate limits to the extent necessary to the reasonably efficient exercise of such powers and authority within the corporate limits. Such powers and authority, unless otherwise provided in this code or elsewhere in law, shall not, however, extend more than one mile beyond the corporate limits, and such powers and authority shall not extend into the corporate limits of another municipality without the consent of the governing body thereof.
§8-12-20.