Chapter 2.20
BUILDING DEPARTMENT BOARD OF APPEALS
Sections:
2.20.030 Officers, meetings, quorum and bylaws.
2.20.040 Authority—Powers and duties.
2.20.010 Creation.
There is created a board of appeals (hereinafter referred to as “board”), to hear and decide appeals of orders or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of the Uniform Building Code, Uniform Building Code Standards, Uniform Mechanical Code, Uniform Fire Code, Uniform Plumbing Code, the Washington State Regulations for Barrier Free Facilities, Uniform Code for Building Conservation, the Washington State Ventilation and Indoor Air Quality Code, the Uniform Code for the Abatement of Dangerous Buildings, and the Uniform Housing Code as adopted by the city of Centralia under CMC Title 18. (Ord. 1861 § 1 (part), 1996).
2.20.020 Membership.
A. Criteria. The selection of board members will be made from individuals who are qualified by experience and training, such as architects, engineers, licensed contractors or other professions related to building construction, to pass on matters pertaining to building construction and who are not employees of the city.
B. Composition. The board will consist of five people. In addition to the five board members, the building official shall be an ex officio member of and shall act as secretary to said board but shall have no vote on any matter before the board.
C. Terms. The full term of office for the board members will be four years; provided, that for appointments to the initial board, the terms shall be staggered, with the terms expiring on December 31st as follows: one member in 1997, one member in 1998, one member in 1999 and 2000, and two members in 2001. Subsequent four-year terms of office shall begin on January 1st of the year in which the appointment is made and expire December 31st on the fourth year thereafter.
D. Appointment. Members of the board will be appointed by the mayor subject to confirmation by a majority vote of the city council. Board members will be selected without regard to political affiliations and will serve without compensation, except for reimbursement of actual expenditures duly authorized by the city council. Appointments to fill an unexpired term will be for the remainder of that term, after which the mayor and the council will consider a full-term appointment. No person may serve on the board more that two consecutive four-year terms.
E. Removal. Members of the board may be removed by the mayor, with concurrence of the city council, for negligent performance of duties, conflict of interest, malfeasance in office, or other just cause, or for unexcused absence for more than three consecutive regular meetings. The decision of the city council will be final and there will be no appeal therefrom. Board members who are unable to attend regular meetings are expected to tender their resignations.
F. Vacancies. Vacancies created by cause other than expiration of term shall be filled for the remainder of their term in the same manner as otherwise provided in this section. (Ord. 1861 § 1 (part), 1996).
2.20.030 Officers, meetings, quorum and bylaws.
A. Officers. The board will, during the first board meeting in January, annually select from its members a chairperson to serve for a one-year period, or until a successor is elected. The chairperson will preside at all meetings; preserve order and decorum, enforce the rules and regulations of the board, sign all letters and documents as authorized by the board and as prescribed by law, and will otherwise perform the duties devolving upon a presiding officer. The board will also select a vice chairperson.
B. Meetings. The board will meet when appeals regarding application and interpretation of the uniform and state codes adopted by the city of Centralia under CMC Title 18 are filed with the Centralia building department but no more frequently than once a month. Special board meetings may be held as often as deemed necessary by the board. All meetings will be open to the public. Accurate minutes will be kept of all meetings and shall be made available to the public. A copy thereof will be transmitted to the city manager.
C. Quorum. Three members of the board will constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.
D. Bylaws. The board will adopt bylaws for the conduct of its business, a copy of which will be kept on file in the city clerk’s office. (Ord. 1861 § 1 (part), 1996).
2.20.040 Authority—Powers and duties.
The board will have only such powers and authority to hear and make decisions on the validity of orders, decisions or determinations made by the building official relative to the application and interpretation of the uniform codes adopted by the city of Centralia. The board shall have no authority relative to interpretation of the administrative sections of the uniform and state codes adopted by the city of Centralia under CMC Title 18 nor shall the board be empowered to waive any requirements of the uniform and state codes adopted by the city of Centralia. (Ord. 1861 § 1 (part), 1996).