A. The secretary for the board of appeals shall be the Building Inspector.

B. No member who did not hear the evidence presented at the hearing shall vote or take part in the Board’s decision on an appeal.

C. A majority of the total membership of the board of appeals shall constitute a quorum and shall be necessary for conducting the hearing on appeal, provided, however, that members who have been disqualified or have disqualified themselves for any conflict of interest or in the interest of the appearance of fairness shall not be counted in determining the number of members necessary to constitute a quorum.

D. The board shall conduct an open-record hearing (“de novo” hearing) on the building official’s complaint and order. The board shall have the authority to affirm, modify, or reverse the order of the building official, or remand the case to the building official for further proceedings.

E. Within fourteen (14) days after the hearing the Board shall issue a written decision containing findings of fact and conclusions and shall mail copies of the decision to the parties of record. The decision of the Board shall be the final decision of the City and shall have the same effect as a decision of the building official issued pursuant to Section 15.50.050. The decision and order of the Board shall be filed by the building official with the Grays Harbor County Auditor.