§ 2-61. Created; purpose; powers.

(a)

There is hereby created pursuant to F.S. ch. 162.03(2) and the city's "home rule" governmental, corporate and proprietary powers that enable it to conduct municipal government, perform municipal functions and render municipal services pursuant to Article VIII, § 2(b) of the Florida Constitution, an alternate code enforcement system which gives a special master and alternate special master designated by the city commission the authority to conduct hearings and impose and authorize the collection of fines and costs against pending or repeat violators of city codes and ordinances. The special master and alternate special master shall have the same purpose, power, status and procedural requirements of the code enforcement board repealed May 24, 2004 by Ordinance No. O-04-13 and as referenced in F.S. ch. 162, excluding § 162.05. Additionally, the special master and alternate special master shall have the purpose, power and status to hear certain administrative prosecutions as designated by ordinance.

(b)

The special master and alternate special magistrate shall be an attorney who possesses an outstanding reputation for civic pride, interest, responsibility, and business or professional ability. The appointment shall be made by the city commission on the basis of experience or interest in the fields of zoning, building control and code enforcement. The city clerk shall process all applications for appointment as special master or alternate special master.

(c)

The special master and alternate special master shall serve at the pleasure of the city commission, and shall not be deemed a city employee.

(d)

The special master and alternate special master shall be compensated for performing said services.

(e)

The alternate special master shall satisfy the same appointment requirements, possess the same powers as the special master and shall perform special master duties whenever the special master is unavailable due to illness, conflict of interest, or otherwise. Provided further that all references to the special master hereinafter shall also include the alternate special master.

(f)

The city shall provide such clerical, and administrative personnel services deemed reasonably necessary to support the special master activities and assist in the proper performance of duties. The special master shall not b e authorized to engage, hire, or use any person, except those provided by the city to assist in the performance of duties.

(Ord. No. O-04-13, § 1(Exh. A), 5-24-04; Ord. No. O-11-04, § 3, 7-25-11; Ord. No. O-14-03, § 1, 1-27-14)