Section 20.05.370 Building and Housing Code Board.

1. Building and Housing Code Board. The role of the board shall be:

a. To advise the council in all matters relevant to the safe and appropriate construction, installation, repair and maintenance of all buildings and dwellings on all premises throughout the community which are within the city’ s lawful jurisdiction;

b. To review the existing city building and housing codes periodically and recommend improvements that are, in their best judgment, appropriate to ensure the general public safety;

c. To review the facts regarding any valid complaint filed by a citizen regarding any alleged professional misconduct of any homebuilder, remodel and repair contractor, or general contractor and, if evidence is presented which substantiates the allegations, to subject the contractor to disciplinary action commensurate with the misconduct. Such action is intended to range from a formal letter of censure to recommendation of legal prosecution.

d. To hear any citizen who is aggrieved by any rule of the code, any action or interpretation made by the manager of inspection services. The board, consistent with the provisions of this ordinance and the duly adopted building and housing codes, may uphold, modify or negate any such action or interpretation.

2. Composition of the Building and Housing Code Board. The board consists of seven persons who hold no office or employment for the City of Sioux City and meet the criteria defined below. The board shall be appointed by the city council from a list of applicants maintained by the city clerk. The members of the board, when first appointed, shall, in the order of their appointment, hold terms of office as follows: one member shall be appointed for a four-year term, two members shall be appointed for three-year terms, two members shall be appointed for two year terms, and two members shall be appointed for one-year terms. All subsequent appointments shall be made for four-year terms, except to fill vacancies. Full terms begin on January 1st and end on December 31st. Vacancies shall be filled by the city council for the balance of the unexpired terms. A vacancy occurs when a member resigns, fails to qualify within 14 days, dies, moves away from the city, or has unexcused (as determined by the Board) absences from three or more of the board meetings within any 12 month period. No person shall serve more than two consecutive full terms on the board; however, should the city council determine that no other qualified or willing person is available, the council may reappoint a board member for more than two consecutive full terms.

a. One member shall be a licensed architect, registered in the State of Iowa;

b. One member shall be a licensed structural engineer, registered in the State of Iowa;

c. One member shall be a landlord of more than one rental dwelling in the city;

d. One member shall be a homebuilder engaged primarily in the business of new home construction; and

e. One member shall be a commercial general contractor.

f. One member shall be a member of the Sioux City historic preservation commission.

g. One member shall be a citizen-at-large having no financial interest in the housing or building construction industries.

Four members of the board will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business. The manager of the inspection services division shall designate a person, other than an inspector, to serve as an ex officio member of the board having no vote. The ex officio member shall serve as secretary to the board and shall keep minutes and records of all proceedings of the board, a copy of which shall be on file in the inspection services division within ten days after the meeting. The members shall serve without compensation. The city council shall provide suitable space in which the board may hold its meetings. The building and housing code board shall annually elect one of its members as chair of the board. The chair shall preside at all meetings of the board.

3. Removal. Any appointed member may be removed from office by a majority vote of the city council. (Ord. 2006-0415; 2003-0729; 2001-0563)