Source: https://ecode360.com/27722230
Timestamp: 2019-11-15 00:28:35
Document Index: 604190651

Matched Legal Cases: ['§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§ 215', '§1', '§1']

City of Wildwood, MO Procedure For Abatement of Dangerous Buildings and Structures
Ch 215 Art IV Procedure For Abatement of Dangerous Buildings and Structures
§ 215.140 Inspection, Posting of Notice On Buildings.
§ 215.150 Inspection By Fire District, Etc.
§ 215.160 Notice To Owner, Occupant, Etc.
§ 215.170 Abatement Standards.
§ 215.180 Hearing Procedure.
§ 215.190 Findings By The City Administrator.
§ 215.200 Issuance and Posting of Order Directing Abatement.
§ 215.210 Special Tax Bill For Cost of Work By City.
§ 215.220 Appeal From Order and Determination of City Administrator.
§ 215.230 Emergency Measures To Vacate, Etc., Building.
§ 215.240 Demolition Regulations.
§ 215.250 Liability of Officers, Etc., of City.
§ 215.260 Penalty For Violation.
Article IV Procedure For Abatement of Dangerous Buildings and Structures
Section 215.140 Inspection, Posting of Notice On Buildings.
Section 215.150 Inspection By Fire District, Etc.
Section 215.160 Notice To Owner, Occupant, Etc.
Section 215.170 Abatement Standards.
Section 215.180 Hearing Procedure.
Section 215.190 Findings By The City Administrator.
Section 215.200 Issuance and Posting of Order Directing Abatement.
Section 215.210 Special Tax Bill For Cost of Work By City.
Section 215.220 Appeal From Order and Determination of City Administrator.
Section 215.230 Emergency Measures To Vacate, Etc., Building.
Section 215.240 Demolition Regulations.
Section 215.250 Liability of Officers, Etc., of City.
Section 215.260 Penalty For Violation.
[Ord. No. 1200 §1, 9-12-2005; Ord. No. 1607 §1, 3-23-2009]
Inspect or cause to be inspected any building or structure about which written complaints are filed by any person alleging the building or structure contains any of the conditions described in Section 215.050(25).
Inspect or cause to be inspected any building or structure reported by any department of the City, any City Official or fire district officer who has reason to believe the building or structure has any of the conditions set forth in Section 215.050(25).
Inspect or cause to be inspected any building or structure in the City at any time whenever there is reason to believe that the building or structure has a condition described in Section 215.050(25).
Determine in any case where inspection shows that a building or structure has any of the conditions referred to in Section 215.050(25) and, if it does so reasonably appear there is immediate danger as aforesaid, the Director shall immediately post upon the building or structure a notice reading as follows:
THIS BUILDING OR STRUCTURE HAS BEEN FOUND TO BE A PUBLIC NUISANCE BY THE CITY OF WILDWOOD. IT ALSO REASONABLY APPEARS THIS BUILDING OR STRUCTURE IS AN IMMEDIATE DANGER TO THE HEALTH, SAFETY OR WELFARE OF PERSONS THEREABOUT OR THEREIN. THIS NOTICE IS TO REMAIN ON THIS BUILDING OR STRUCTURE UNTIL IT IS BROUGHT INTO COMPLIANCE WITH THE ORDINANCES OF THE CITY OF WILDWOOD, MISSOURI. IT IS UNLAWFUL TO REMOVE OR DEFACE THIS NOTICE UNTIL SUCH COMPLIANCE HAS OCCURRED. ANYONE REMOVING OR DEFACING THIS NOTICE IS SUBJECT TO A FINE AND IMPRISONMENT AS SET OUT IN SECTION 100.140 OF THE MUNICIPAL CODE.
Whenever the Director shall deem it advisable, he/she may also request inspections be made by the fire district, or any department of the City, or by any person who might have knowledge and information useful in the determination of whether a building or structure is a public nuisance or, if so, how it might be alleviated. In addition, the Director, if he/she deems it advisable, may request such an inspection be made by an architect or engineer especially employed by the City for the purpose of that inspection.
Whenever the Director has determined that any building or structure is a public nuisance under the provisions of this Article, he/she shall as soon as possible thereafter notify the owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee, agent and all other persons having an interest in the building, as shown by the St. Louis County Recorder of Deeds, that such building or structure has been found to be a public nuisance under the provisions of this Article. The notice shall set forth a description of the condition found in the building or structure so as to constitute the building or structure as a public nuisance under Section 215.050(25). The notice shall also provide for abatement of the nuisance by ordering the building or structure to be vacated if such is the case, reconditioned or removed, giving thirty (30) days for commencement of the work and requiring the work to proceed continuously without unnecessary delay. The Director may extend the above time limit at his/her discretion.
Whenever under this Article a notice is required to be served upon the persons interested in any building or structure, the notice shall be served upon the owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee, agent and all other persons having an interest in the building as shown by the Recorder of Deeds for the County. The notice shall be served, if the party or parties to be served reside in the City, by handing the same to the person to be served by anyone competent to be a witness or by leaving the notice at the usual place of abode of the one to be served with a member of the household over the age of fifteen (15) years or by certified mail, return receipt requested. If the person to be served shall not reside in the City or shall have absented himself/herself from the City or concealed himself/herself so that personal service may not be made as herein provided for and if his/her address shall be known, then service shall be made by certified mail, return receipt requested; but if his/her address shall not be known, then service of notice shall be by publication. The publication shall contain the full text of the notice and shall be published in a newspaper of general circulation qualified to publish legal notice, as defined by the Revised Statutes of Missouri, and the time specified in the notice for a hearing to be held, or for the commencement of work or for any other thing to be done shall be at least ten (10) days from the date of publication of the notice.
Whenever a notice shall be given that any building or structure constitutes a public nuisance under the provisions of this Article, the party responsible for giving the notice shall base his/her order as to necessary actions to abate the nuisance by observation of the following standards:
If the condition or conditions which cause the building or structure to be a public nuisance can be reasonably repaired or maintained so that the building or structure will no longer exist in violation of the terms of this Article, the building or structure shall be ordered so repaired or maintained.
In all cases where the conditions causing the building or structure to be a public nuisance cannot be reasonably repaired or maintained so that the building or structure will no longer exist in violation of the terms of the Article, the building or structure shall be demolished.
In any case where the conditions constituting the public nuisance are such the costs to repair or maintain the building or structure so that it will no longer constitute a public nuisance, equal or exceed fifty percent (50%) of the value of the building or structure, it shall be ordered repaired or demolished, and in the event it is not repaired or demolished by the owner, then the City shall abate the nuisance by demolition.
Any building or structure constituting a public nuisance because of the conditions prescribed in Subdivision (l) of Section 215.050(25) shall be ordered to be completed in accordance with lawful plans and specifications, and if it shall not be so completed or demolished by the owner, then the City shall abate the nuisance by demolition.
Any building or structure found to be a public nuisance because of the conditions described in Subdivision (m) of Section 215.050(25) shall be ordered demolished.
Whenever there shall be a failure to obey a notice to abate a dangerous building or structure pursuant to this Article IV by not commencing work in the time specified in such notice, or there shall be a failure to proceed continuously without unnecessary delay, the City Administrator, or a designee so selected in his/her absence, shall call and have a full and adequate hearing upon the matter giving all affected parties at least ten (10) days' written notice of the hearing. Any party may be represented by counsel, and all parties shall have an opportunity to be heard and present evidence as shall be relevant to a determination of:
Whether the procedures required by this Article shall have been substantially followed; and
Whether or not the abatement order of the Director was reasonable and within the standards of this Article.
The testimony shall be under oath, which may be administered by the City Administrator, or a designee so selected in his/her absence, or court reporter and a written record of the hearing shall be by said reporter to be employed by the City, the cost of which shall be paid by the City should the proceeding be eventually held against the City, and by the owner if it should not. In the latter case, the cost of such reporting shall be a lien upon the lot, tract of land or parcel of ground upon which the building or structure stands and shall be added to the costs of performance for demolition or repair, in the event the City shall be required to do so and payable as provided for such costs.
In lieu of a written record of the hearing, the City Administrator, or a designee so selected in his/her absence, may order that all testimony be recorded on a cassette tape, digital or other recorder and the recording be preserved and, if needed, subsequently transcribed, which record then shall be admissible and used for all purposes the same as a transcript reported by a reporter.
Within thirty (30) days from the date of the hearing required by Section 215.180, the City Administrator shall, upon the basis of competent and substantial evidence offered at the hearing, make a conclusion of law as to whether or not the building or structure in question is a public nuisance under the terms of this Article and detrimental to the health, safety or welfare of residents of the City; specifically, finding as a matter of fact the condition or conditions of such building or structure which constitutes the nuisance. If it is found the building or structure is a public nuisance, further findings shall be made as to whether or not the procedures required by this Article have been substantially met and complied with and whether or not the abatement order of the Director was reasonable in its terms and conditions and within the standards of this Article. In the event it is found that the abatement order was not reasonable or within the standards of this Article, it shall be the duty of the City Administrator to make his/her own finding of fact as to what is reasonably required to abate the public nuisance within the standards of this Article. If the City Administrator finds the public nuisance does not exist or that the procedures of this Article have not been substantially met and complied with, the proceeding against the building or structure shall be dismissed. Also included in the findings, if a nuisance is determined to exist, the City Administrator shall set a maximum number of business days allowed for appeal of the findings on the part of the owner or party subject to said action. The length of time for said appeal shall be based upon the individual circumstances relating to the case as determined by the City Administrator.
If a proceeding is not dismissed following the findings required by Section 215.190, the City Administrator shall issue an order directing the building or structure to be completed, repaired or demolished, and vacated as the case may be within the standards of this Article. This order, together with the findings of fact and conclusions of law, shall be immediately delivered or mailed to each party to the hearing or to his/her attorney of record. In addition, copies of the order and findings of fact shall be posted in a conspicuous place in City Hall. The order shall state a reasonable time from the date of issuance within which to comply with the order and shall further provide that if it is not complied with within such time, the City Administrator shall cause the work to be done by the City or by contractors employed by the City for that purpose.
Whenever the City shall have caused the work to be done, the Director shall certify the cost of the work to the City Clerk who shall cause a special tax bill therefor, and for the cost of the reporter at the hearing which shall be likewise certified by the Director, to be issued against the lot, tract of land or parcel of ground upon which the building or structure is located. The tax bill from date of its issuance shall be deemed a personal debt against the property owner and shall also be a lien on the property until paid and shall be registered in the office of the Collector of the City.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Section, if there are proceeds of any insurance policy based upon a covered claim payment made for damage or loss to a building or other structure caused by or arising out of any fire, explosion or other casualty loss, the payment of twenty-five percent (25%) of the insurance proceeds shall be paid to the City. This Subsection shall apply only to a covered claim payment which is in excess of fifty percent (50%) of the face value of the policy covering a building or other structure:
The City shall release the proceeds and any interest which has accrued on such proceeds received under Subdivision (1) of this Subsection to the insured or as the terms of the policy and endorsements thereto provide within thirty (30) days after receipt of such insurance monies, unless the City has instituted legal proceedings under the provisions of this Section. If the City proceeded under the provisions of this Section, all monies in excess of that necessary to comply with the provisions of this Section for the removal, securing, repair and cleanup of the building or structure and the lot on which it is located, less salvage value, shall be paid to the insured.
This Subsection shall apply to fire, explosion or other casualty loss claims arising on all buildings and structures.
This Subsection does not make the City a party to any insurance contract, and the insurer is not liable to any party for any amount in excess of the proceeds otherwise payable under its insurance policy.
If there are no proceeds of any insurance policy as set forth herein, at the written request of the taxpayer delivered to the City Clerk, a tax bill for repair or demolition of a building or structure may be paid in ten (10) equal annual installments, which installments with interest thereon to date on the unpaid balance shall be due annually on the anniversary of the date of issuance of the bill. Interest shall be at the rate of nine percent (9%) per annum on the unpaid balance of the special assessment computed from the date of issuance. If any annual payment of principal or interest shall not be paid within thirty (30) days of its due date, the entire remaining balance of the tax bill shall immediately become due and payable. The tax bill from the date of its issuance shall be a lien on the property until paid.
If request for ten (10) annual payments is not made prior to the time the Director shall certify the cost of the work to the City Clerk, the tax bill shall be due and payable in sixty (60) days from its date of issuance with interest thereon at nine percent (9%) per annum until paid.
Tax bills issued under this Section shall be prima facie evidence of the validity of the bill, the doing of the work and the liability of the property and property owner for the charges stated in the bill and shall be collected if default should occur by suit brought in the court of competent jurisdiction by the City Attorney on behalf of the City. Judgment in any such suit shall be special and against the property only and shall be satisfied by sale of the property or so much thereof as is necessary to satisfy the judgment and the costs of the sale.
Any owner, occupant, lessee, mortgagee, agent or other person having an interest in the building or structure may appeal from the order and determination of the City Administrator made under the provisions of Section 215.190. The appeal shall be to the Circuit Court of the County as provided in Chapter 536, RSMo.
In all cases where it reasonably appears that an immediate danger to the health, safety or welfare of any person exists, the Director may take emergency measures to vacate, repair or demolish a building or structure which is a public nuisance under the provisions of this Article.
Permit Required. Demolition of any building or structure may not be undertaken without first having obtained a demolition permit from the Director.
Fee Schedule. The fee for demolition work shall be as indicated in the schedule established by the City. In addition, a cash deposit in an amount determined appropriate by the Director of Public Works shall be paid to the City Collector in advance of the demolition of the building or structure as bond to insure the timely and satisfactory completion of the work in accordance with the regulations established in this Section as determined by the Director.
Time Limit. Demolition of any building or structure shall be completed within thirty (30) days of the issuance of a demolition permit, unless otherwise extended by the Director.
Director To Establish Rules. The Director is authorized to establish additional regulations to insure the safe and workmanlike demolition of buildings and structures.
Deposit Forfeiture. If the permittee fails to complete the demolition within thirty (30) days of permit issuance, unless otherwise extended by the Director, or fails to complete the demolition satisfactorily in accordance with the regulations of the Director, the permittee's deposit shall be forfeited and become the funds of the City of Wildwood and will be placed in its general fund.
No officer, agent or employee of the City shall be held personally liable for any damage that may occur to any persons or property as a result of any act required of him/her or permitted to be taken by him/her under the terms of this Article. Any suit brought against any such officer, agent or employee of the City, as a result of any such acts required or permitted, shall be defended by the City Attorney until the final determination of the proceedings and, if judgment shall be obtained, it shall be paid by the City. It is hereby further declared that no officer, agent or employee of the City owes any duty under the provisions of this Article to any citizen or other individual, but the duties described herein and imposed upon the officers, agents or employees of the City are duties to be performed for the government of the City.
Any person or entity violating any provision of this Article shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and punished upon conviction thereof by a fine not to exceed one thousand dollars ($1000.00), unless the owner of the property is not also a resident of the property, then the fine may not exceed two thousand dollars ($2000.00), up to ninety (90) days in jail, or both a fine and confinement. Each day the violation continues after the time specified in the notice, each day's continuance thereof shall be deemed to be a separate offense; either owner, occupant or both may be held liable for each day's offense.