Zoning authority. The office of the zoning authority is hereby established. The authority shall be an officer or officers designated by the board of aldermen. It shall be the duty of the zoning authority to enforce the provisions of the ordinance. No building or other structure shall be erected, constructed, reconstructed, moved, enlarged, or altered or repaired in such manner as to prolong the life of the building; nor shall the use of any land be changed without first obtaining a permit issued by the authority under the provisions of this ordinance, except that no permit shall be required for ordinary repairs on conforming use structures. Such permit shall be issued only when the request therefor is in conformity with the zoning regulations. Such enforcement officer shall act as the executive secretary of the planning and zoning board and is charged with the administration and enforcement of zoning regulations. Such officer shall forthwith refer all violations of said regulations to the city prosecuting attorney for appropriate action.